Through the Lens

Beyond Her Comfort Zone

Mon, March 26, 2012

So there I sat yesterday morning SULKING and periodically snarling. Yep time for that ugly Multiple Sclerosis Spring Fling again. Luckily; caught it early and started slamming the steroids to it, so as relapses go, it’s not been a bad one. Whew.

But,  boy was I disappointed to miss all the fun at the Peoria Deer and Turkey EXpo. Hence the sulkiness
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The frequent foot stomping and snarling   can only be blamed on the steroids, and the fact that the whole world is outside catching fish, finding mushrooms, carvorting around in the gorgeous spring weather, and I might as well but shackled to the porch post. Dear husband even HAD THE NERVE to fish all night Friday and Saturday night. Without me. Ahem.

My sulky snarky humor all changed with a fateful early morning text from my friend Kathryn;

“Nathaniel just caught his very first fish! SO DID I!

WHAT? Kathryn, queen of the “EWWW that’s Yucky” was fishing? She caught a fish? Holy smokes, I must surely be hallucinating from the steroids.

Nope, Kathryn is one of the legions of young mothers who recognizes that it’s important for her children to play outside, to be healthy, to enjoy the outdoor pursuits,and if that means stepping out of her comfort zone, handling slimy worms, slimier fish, and teaching her son we eat what we kill and or catch then she’s doing it! 

OMG putting worms on hooks, taking fish off hooks, putting them on stringers and holy fillet knife.. learning to clean what she catches

HOORAY for her!

There’s a message here; look around your neighborhood; there’s some person who is dying to learn about an outdoor sport, but doesn’t know how to ask. Make yourself available, invite your friends and neighbors along, or better yet have your child help you identify a friend who needs some outdoor time.

We talked about fishing laws, sizes to keep, how to keep them alive and well until they get home to be cleaned. W e held a mini Pond Fishing 101 course on my front porch in the cool morning air. I’ve never had more rapt or excited students.

That single fishing excursion opened the door for Kathryn, after her fish cleaning lesson, she gazed at my Barbie Bowfishing Bow, and sighed wistfully, ” Will you please teach me how to do that next? I really want to learn to use a bow…..”  Kathryn even bargained a little, ” I’ll take you to the Alpaca Honey Hole to fish if you teach me how you use a bow…” 

Next week; when my strength is back full tilt, we’ll be starting her bow lesson.

Yep she’s well on her way to being a great Outdoor Mama and Outdoor Sister !

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