Share the Harvest

The dear hunt has arrived; it is that mythical time of year when boys become men, and men become boys -- a right of passage, of sorts.

Sunday afternoon we took a drive to a small town just 45 min north of Kirksville (Memphis, MO), near the Iowa-MO border. With finals slated all week, I was needing a little distraction, a little reprieve from studying . . . something to break me free from the self-absorbed bubble that med school requires! So we immersed ourselves in to the local culture -- National Geographic-style!

It is not uncommon to see a trailer filled with deer carcasses in the middle of a parking lot, just off main street. It is the central hub, the main artery, the locus of all comings-and-goings in town. It is a cultural amphitheater for non-natives like me. Share the Harvest is a program ran by one of the local churches (this one, I believe, is ran by the Baptists) which is designed to feed the hungry with the deer that is "leftover" from the hunt. Each hunter that gives his/her prize to the program is asked to donate $20 to help offset butchering costs.

A pretty impressive program . . .

and a pretty impressive sight!

While visiting with some of the locals, a hunter pulled up to the gas station next to us. With tailgate down, three trophy-sized racks were showcased in the back of the truck like Christmas window adornments at Macy's! Passersby stopped and admired these soon-to-be wall ornaments, stroking the hunters' manhood with every question posed. Of course, I was right there in the middle, indulging the moment as they boasted of their heroics!

Yes, it is that mythical time of year -- a time, no doubt, when living vicariously through another is just the escape that I needed.

(left to right) 17, 11 and 8 point whitetail buck

No Talking Allowed

This morning I decided to break from my normal routine and study at home. Not long after, Caleb entered asking if he could do his math in the office with me. Absolutely - Then entered Cayanna, who was wondering the same thing. Unlike Caleb who has studied with me before, this would be Cayanna's first. Wanting to preempt any distractions that may arise, a ground rule was set.

"Alright, there will be NO talking while in the office! Total quiet, silence -- that is all!" I instructed.

They both agreed, and went quickly about their work.

Several minutes later, April entered the office to check her email, which led to a discussion about the housing market and our options once our lease expires.

Obviously distracted and somewhat annoyed, Cayanna interrupted, saying, "No talking in the room; it is making me frustrated!"

Needless to say, we took our discussion to the other room so as to not further disrupt and "frustrate" the learning environment. It is times like this when I am encouraged that the huge investment of time, energy and resources that April makes daily is taking root! Nicely done, Sweetheart!