Here are some pictures of my grandsons, Dylan, Trevor, Grant and Taylor eating by the campfire. Another is of Trevor teaching Dylan and Taylor how to clean fish. There is also a picture of young Trevor and Taylor showing off a nice catch from our lake, and also a picture of Trevor holding the first perch that he caught in our lake. He earned $5 from Grandpa for the fish. He cleaned the fish after the picture was taken.
Reflections on growing older
Wed, 02/18/2026 - 11:00pm
When I think back over the years that brought me to the present time, I am grateful that I have reached the age of 80. It is not without a few scares and some health concerns, but here I am. I try to appreciate what I have; my two sons, and daughters-in-law, my grandkids, their significant others and my great grandkids. They make up a great family that I am oh, so very proud of. My family makes me so very, very proud.
I plan on spending more time at the cabin this coming summer. I will be enjoying nature and the surrounding area’s many critters, birds and the beauty of the forest that surrounds me. It can be as simple as a ray of sunlight peeking through the trees, or the smell of the pine trees in the surrounding forest.
I plan on doing some more fishing this year. Fishing with my sons, granddaughters and grandsons is always special to me. In looking back over the years, I have been truly blessed to have had the opportunity to spend so much time outdoors with my grandkids. The excitement that they expressed when catching a fish and having them run up the hill from the lake beaming with excitement when showing me their latest catch.
When it came time to clean the fish, they all wanted to help. The day that I let them clean their first fish made me very proud. The first attempt isn’t always perfect, but a little positive reinforcement goes a long way to keep them wanting to try again.
When it came to cleaning northerns, they asked if I would clean them because I knew how to get the bones out. This was one time when they were probably outsmarting grandpa by getting me to clean those fish. I didn’t mind, and eventually they wanted to learn how to do it. Grandsons Trevor and Dylan were determined to take the bones out while Taylor and Grant were satisfied with having Grandpa do it.
The important part is that they were interested in fishing, and I taught them the value of not wasting what nature has given us. I know that all four of my grandsons have a great appreciation of nature. These young men will be carrying on for the future generations.
Until next time: We should always do our best to teach our youth the appreciation of the outdoors. Fishing and hunting are part of our heritage, and our youth are the future of preserving the outdoors. Taking a kid fishing or hunting is a great way to pass it on.
Please take the time to remember our troops that are serving now and those that have served before them. They are the reason that we have all of the Freedoms that we enjoy today.
