Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to fish. I have been out on the golf course many a Tuesday night and would be caught by my playing partners looking off into the water (no not for the ball I just put in it). After they get my attention, I usually sigh and say, "I should be fishing." Now this doesn't necessarily happen just when I'm having a crappy game. Usually that time of the evening brings with it some calm waters and serenity. Don't get me wrong, my second favourite activity is golfing, especially with great company, but I haven't been steady fishing for going on nine years and I truly miss it. I was brought up fishing with my parents and grandparents and this continued into my twenties, thirties and forties.
Recently John and I purchased a boat because, like myself, he was a "fisher-kid" and he also wanted to get back to that lost love. We set out on our maiden voyage on the long weekend in July after completing a short (well, more like six hour) course on- line to receive a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (that's another story...let's not go there). We took a quick zip around Nickle Lake on Sunday to ensure that everything was running smoothly before heading out to Mainprize on the holiday Monday. My son, Nigel, had rigged his truck up with the proper hauling hitch to ensure safe transportation of our new gem. Of course, before we could head out, we had to pick up the proper fishing devices, along with licenses, bait and my favourite hooks. It was now 12:30 p.m. Who goes fishing at that time of day? I'm one of those early risers who loves to fish, have lunch and then fish some more, until either we catch our limit or it's time to head in because of darkness (that's if the trolling motor lasts that long).
Anyway, we head out in a 'no air conditioned' truck in 30 degree weather with a hot fan blowing in our faces. I know, "suck it up, buttercup.....you're Saskatchewan tough" rings in my ears. We get there, unload and head out to our new adventure. We start by puttering around a couple of close islands and catch a walleye here and a perch there. John's only luck is pulling in those ugly jackfish, but it seems to make him happy to at least have caught something. After about an hour, we head over to an old favourite spot of mine. With a few lucky passes in this area, we head through once again only to get a small wiggle and then a big jar of my rod. I begin to reel in thinking I have a small walleye because the fight was not anything to write home about. To my surprise, I caught a perch which at the exact time a jack decided to make the perch his supper (see top picture. That's John holding it for the camera. He didn't want my readers to see him in his Speedo. Ha, ha.) Either that or they both went for my bait at the same time and the perch beat him to it, but there was no turning back for the jack. It was so funny to reel this 'skimmer' across the water as the jack couldn't fight at all with his mouth that wide open.
Since my weekend adventure seemed like a TRUE fish story (except I actually had the pictures to prove it), my son decided he too would like to go fishing, as he has also a love of this activity. So, last weekend we took him out for Free Fishing Weekend. Well, not to be outdone, he too was very lucky, catching a large walleye and some good sized perch (bottom picture). Thank God the apple doesn't fall far from the tree because between the two of us, we had a fish fry like no other. He made sure we were all aware that he 'provided' for the family. Did I mention John got skunked, ha, ha? Oh well, there's always next weekend!
Before I sign off, I need to mention a little bit concerning the change with respect to supply charges for residents in special-care homes. On July 1, 2012, a $20.00 flat rate charge PER MONTH was implemented to cover personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, denture cream, mouthwash, shampoo, hand soap, lotion, etc. Now, I don't know about you, but $20 per month seems like a hefty amount to cover these items. First of all, you don't get to specify what brand you would like and even if you opt out of taking these supplies, YOU GET CHARGED ANYWAY. What??? Yes, even if you don't use any of these items (maybe you like a certain brand and supply them yourself), YOU STILL GET CHARGED. This ticks me off. We bring our Dad what he needs and the brands he likes, and yet they are still going to buy the supplies in mass quantity and charge him whether he uses them or not. Am I the only one that thinks this is ridiculous? Who came up with this idea anyway? Who in their infinite wisdom thought....hmmmmm....let's get some more money from those elderly, special care people for our 'slush fund'. I don't get it. So basically, if they have their own supplies, they are not going to get ANY supplies (remember now, they have already PAID for them). I was informed by one of my readers that they were told flat out that since their family member had her own toiletries (bought with her own money) that she will not get any supplies and they won't be handing them out to families to donate to anyone else. I should add that this person even asked nicely! I urge everyone who has an elderly person in a special-care home to start making some noise. If we don't stick up for these people, who will? Let's not forget, these people pay good money already for the care they receive. Consider this my pet peeve this week, too. That's just me....let me know what you think!
Maxine's saying: You learn something new every day. Usually, how dumb yet another person is.
