May 11th

Well Eric, I finally did it. I threw out that old down vest of yours. I've been wearing it for 11 years turkey and deer hunting. Every time I hunt. The insulation was shot and the zipper wouldn't come unstuck so I had to pull it over my head every time I put it on or took it off. I liked the burn hole in it and always smiled when I looked at that spot, but it was time.
Today we drove into Superior as there was this big rummage sale for a family with some serious medical bills. We bought a few small items and as we were waiting in line to pay, mom noticed a rack of coats. Though I told her I didn't need any jackets, I ended up over there any ways. Out of this big rack she pulled out the vest. I mean "The Vest". Same color, same lining and same manufacturer as the one I threw away. I had to try it on and it fit. The zipper works and it doesn't have that burn hole but other than that it's"The Vest". Of course I bought it.
As we were walking through the parking lot, mom commented on how ironic it was that we found this identical vest on your birthday. I had thought of that as well.
I will wear it as I wore the old one, every time I hunt. I won't have that burn hole to smile at but that's OK. I still wear one of your T shirts under it. Always have, always will. And who knows, maybe someday it will have that burn hole in it......
You would have been 41 today. I love you my son.....   Dad

"There's something happening here"

"What is is ain't exactly clear" Great lyrics of "For What It's Worth" by The Buffalo Springfield, written by Stephen Stills. The words seem to hold true for me this spring.
It's been a weird spring. I'd talk about the weather but that's for old folks to discuss.
First, I missed a turkey at 20 yards. I know I posted about that last week and I promise to quit whining about it but, nevertheless, that's not normal.
Then I go to donate blood again and there's no one there to tell me I look like Rod Stewart, Jimmy Buffet or Eleanor Roosevelt. But hey, next donation puts me at 5 gallons and I get my name put on the wall. Just think about all the people running around out there with a little bit of old Dewey flowing through their veins..... Scary. BUT, after telling the girls I'm going fishing over the weekend, and as I'm walking out the door, they give me this nifty free T shirt. Note the word "free". Though the color is a little strange and doesn't match my eyes, what the heck! Did I mention it was free?
So then there's the Sconnie fishing opener. We always start a week earlier than Minnesota so it's normally cold, the water's cold and the fish don't bite. But this year it has been unseasonably warm (old person talking now) and things were looking up a bit. My fishing partner Mike and I actually caught fish this year! Though we didn't set any records, I did send him home with a bunch of panfish fillets. John and Tommy had a tougher time on the lake they fished and only managed one keeper northern. However, since both boats docked at their respective bars for lunch, we were able to compare food, waitresses and the like. Mike and I had the best dogs at our bar. Yes, two of the four legged kind were wandering around while we ate our burger. Only in Wisconsin.
It's just been different this last month. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket.....