Most doctors I know don’t hunt wildlife as a hobby (?), but they do spend their working days hunting illness. Every patient is different, so for them the hunt for treatment is a process. Thank God, can you imagine if they treated you spontaneously? “Oh, wait, that’s acne, not a brain tumor.” Patients, however, when they’re upset sometimes flail about in all directions pursuing new drugs, supplements, and therapy that veer way off course from what actually works. That’s called snipe hunting – a crazy chase for something that doesn’t exist. The unhinged reaction to bad news just makes things worse and rues the day. With that in mind, hunting is more about the process and less about the reaction. Although some people don’t like it, hunting has helped me deal with the random nature of sickness and a reminder we are not in control of the universe after all.
Jim Rolfe asked me to go Mountain Lion hunting with him out West. Given Diane volunteered at a cat rescue and we owned 8 pet cats; that dog didn’t hunt, literally. Jim couldn’t understand why, since I couldn’t explain whose wrath would be worse Diane’s or the cats’. As an aside, I used to alligator hunt in Florida and with it grew a decent boot collection. Early on I told Diane, “look at these gator boots Cowtown Boots in El Paso made me for $150.00” She chimed in without looking up from Facebook, “Right…until you add the license, guide fees, travel expenses and the tanning costs, they’re really around $2,500.00” Please let me introduce you to Diane Lawson, Captain of the Fun Police. Shortly after this enlightenment I was at a Board meeting sitting next to the Chairman of my company. He noticed the boots and asked what kind of leather they were. When I told him alligator he pointed his left loafer at me and said, “these are crocodile Gucci’s from Paris.” I pointed my right boot back and said, “I killed these myself.” So much for upward career momentum.
Alligators and I called a truce a long time ago. When Diane was teaching elementary school her limitation was not teaching kids taller than her. In a similar vein, after surviving cancer so many times it dawned on me it’s silly to chase animals that can kill you in one swipe. On the other hand, if a swarm of quail pecked me to death, I’d have to say I probably deserved it. I still venture out in the wild, but today I find more joy in the process of simply being out in the woods even if I don’t see anything. Being out there reminds me how vast Nature actually is and how little control we have over it. That clarity brings me peace and gives me good reason to go back out again whenever Nature calls. Slainte.
That was great, I read some of it to my co-workers they enjoyed your humble way…
I know another man that You made a very happy for life with his one pair of alligator boots. ❤️
I am so glad you are enjoying the best part of the hunt. It means less dead things brought home. HaHa
We Love you Pete Lawson!
Steve worked hard for those boots. I just sent him a prescription for Jameson to make him feel better. Pete
I love real people and I’m pretty blunt so Diane’s comments make me smile a lot. However…I question if you posted this to create a boot war between us…or if these boots you supposedly have even exist. I have never noticed you wearing them at Crabby Lady or at The Little Bar. Now…I’m expecting them to reveal themselves…mainly so I can make fun of them. 🐊 But…also to tell you that I have more pairs than you. Sure…Dillion called me a zebra killer for an entire night at The Little Bar for my zebra boots. 🦓. No wonder…all he knows is his dad who had authentic boots and how you punched an alligator in the face to obtain them. But I outscore you in quantity…(because I’m a winner)… although you might have a better story behind your ONE pair. Let the boot war begin.
Slainte! ❤️🪳🍀
#bootwar
#idareyoutowearthem
Elisa, not for nothing, but hunting zebras to make a pair of boots is a little much. Pete
I love real people and I’m pretty blunt so Diane’s comments make me smile a lot. However…I question if you posted this to create a boot war between us…or if these boots you supposedly have even exist. I have never noticed you wearing them at Crabby Lady or at The Little Bar. Now…I’m expecting them to reveal themselves…mainly so I can make fun of them. 🐊 But…also to tell you that I have more pairs than you. Sure…Dillion called me a zebra killer for an entire night at The Little Bar for my zebra boots. 🦓. No wonder…all he knows is his dad who had authentic boots and how you punched an alligator in the face to obtain them. But I outscore you in quantity…(because I’m a winner)… although you might have a better story behind your ONE pair. Let the boot war begin.
Slainte! ❤️🪳🍀
#bootwar
#idareyoutowearthem
I love real people and I’m pretty blunt so Diane’s comments make me smile a lot. However…I question if you posted this to create a boot war between us…or if these boots you supposedly have even exist. I have never noticed you wearing them at Crabby Lady or at The Little Bar. Now…I’m expecting them to reveal themselves…mainly so I can make fun of them. 🐊 But…also to tell you that I have more pairs than you. Sure…Dillion called me a zebra killer for an entire night at The Little Bar for my zebra boots. 🦓. No wonder…all he knows is his dad who had authentic boots and how you punched an alligator in the face to obtain them. But I outscore you in quantity…(because I’m a winner)… although…you might have a better story behind your ONE pair. Let the boot war begin.
Slainte! ❤️🪳🍀
#bootwar
#idareyoutowearthem
Captain of the fun police 😂
👮♀️
Great post Pete. We were blessed to grow up in a place where nature came up to our front door. I’m feeling the need to go sit in the woods. Your post has motivated me. Thanks!
Tom, I’m actually going wild boar hunting this weekend. Photos only…
In Ancient times, weren’t men hunters (boots) and women gatherers (cats)? You are both keeping history alive 🤔
🍀
Unless you’re hunting cats 🙀