Hey Kids,
Big Sandy, Texas
This will be short and sweet.
We’re hitting the road on our way back to Utah and this post is coming from my last BBQ diner in Texas. For this trip.
So long Texas and more particularly, Upshure County.
It was fun. Y’all are a friendly bunch. I’ll be back.
Day 236
Hey Kids,
Texas Bass Fishing.
I had never done it.
It’s possible that the importance is lost on those who are not fishermen.
Completive bass fishing is huge. Big tournaments, big money, and big sponsors.
I’m not claiming expert status but I’ve seen enough shows on ESPN Saturday morning to get caught up in the fervor. I want to catch some of them southern bass too!
Warning: My fish in pictures might be bigger than it appears in real life.
But I’m from northern trout country.
So when an offer to go Bass fishing came my way, on a bass lake in Texas, on a bass boat; I had to accept.
The lake was Lake Fork, Texas. The method was a Texas Rig. And the target was Bass. Largemouth style.
The wind blew, the fishing report said “tough”, and we got a flat tire on the boat on the way there; but through it all, about an hour and a half into the fishing, I hooked and landed my first Texas Black Bass. Yay!
It turned out to be our only bass of the day.
I’m selfishly and non-repentantly ecstatic it was mine.
Day 235
Hey Kids,
A salmon returns to the same water source to spawn from which it was hatched.
I read once that studies have shown that the salmon can do this by a keen sense of smell that leads them back to their native tributaries. They can detect the scent of their waters down to parts per billion.
Basically, they follow their nose home and fulfill their life’s destiny.
During my short time here in Texas, I have experienced a similar experience.
Although I don’t have the olfactory skills and accuracy of the salmon, I can attest that there is an urge of the primordial type that stirs my soul each and every time I pass a working barbecue. And when the smoke rises into the air and permeates into my senses, the taste of the meat rests upon my tongue, and the juices become one with my body; I have found my Raison d’être.
Fortunately, it’ not as fatal for me as it is for the salmon.
Day 234
Hey Kids,
Tonight’s writing comes from the lawn of the Upshur County Courtyhouse.
I’m at the Yamboree. 
Yamboree, you ask?
Yup.
Just mix Yams and Jamboree and you’ve got it.
It’s the annual city festival held in Gilmer, Texas to celebrate the existence of yams. Or something like that anyway. It’s the age of the Internet. If you really want to know more, look it up.
The city square of the Gilmer has been transformed to a carnival. The smell of fried Oreos, Twinkies, and corn dogs fill the air. Kids are running wild, begging money from their parents, and the rides are filled with screaming kids as they spin, raise and rotate.
It’s crazy.
My normal reaction is to turn away from these scenes. I’m not a big crowd-type of person. But I also see something different happening here.
Groups of families get together and neighbors are shaking hands and greeting each other. There’s laughing and playing, almost enough to drown out the tacky ride music.
Members of this town look forward to this event every year. Family members travel in to be here. It’s a big deal.
Maybe the lights and loud music is a little corny and cheap. Maybe the arcade games are rigged to swindle a little money from the boyfriends showing off for their girlfriends. Maybe the food is extremely unhealthy.
But under the bright, flashing lights, traditions are being created and family bonds are being strengthened.
Go yams!
Day 233
Hey Kids,
As much as we think we know something, there’s always more to learn.
I love the old West. I don’t consider myself an expert but I know some stuff.
In fact, one of the fun thoughts I have of being on my motorcycle is thinking like I’m like one of the cowboys from back then. Open road, crossing the desert with nothing but the weather, the sound of the wind, and my own thoughts. Is it really much different?
Except of course if you take in consideration travel time being counted in hours instead of days or weeks. Then there’s the ability to stop whenever I want, get a motel, stop in a restaurant, or get a large drink for $1 at the local Mickey D’s.
OK, so it’s not exactly the same, but it’s our version of the open range today.
From the days when I was a kid, I’ve heard the names of the great western characters. And of those names, no name resonated in a young child’s imagination like the name Billy the Kid. I knew he was a bad guy but with a name like that, how could anyone not want to pretend to be him?
The truth of it all is that there is little information about, and even less pictures of, this Western Icon. In fact, until recently there was only one authenticated, original picture of Billy the Kid.
One.
In a weird twist, that one picture proved to be worth more money than this infamous, ruthless outlaw ever stole. It sold in 1985 for $2.3 million.
Now another picture has been found and authenticated.
The photo, before authentication, was found in a pile of old photos in a junk store. It sold for $2.
No one knows how much this photo will be auctioned for, if and when it does. But it’s expected to meet if not exceed the original photo’s selling price.
The photo shows the famous outlaw playing croquette.
Apparently it was a thing then.
Who knew?
I didn’t.
Day 232
Hey Kids,
I thought being October, Texas wouldn’t be so hot, that you all would’ve cooled off some. I mean the thermometer read 93°.
That IS cooler? But why does it feel SO hot? I’ve felt temperatures in the 90’s before but this feels not just hot, but like another layer of hot on top of it?
Humidity? What is that?
And that’s why I feel like I just got rubbed down with taffy slobber?
How do you people live here???
Day 231
Hey Kids,
I’m traveling today so I apologize for an auto post today.
Recently I was introduced to a scripture that when I looked it up in my own bible, showed no notes or marks.
I know I’ve read it before but for whatever reason it never struck me like it did this time.
“For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.” Isaiah 25:4
How many times have I been shielded from those things that would hurt me, things that could damage me, and things I cannot avoid on my own? How many times has my God, or my faith in my God helped me overcome those challenges?
And then the next thought.
How many times have I been a shield for others? How many times have I made another’s day or life better? There are plenty of opportunities. Just do it.
Thank you Debbie Choplin.
Day 230
Hey Kids,
It is the day before we embark on our trip to Texas.
I know that many people have made long trips before but in terms of driving; this will be my longest.
24 hours they tell me. 24 hours.
That’s like a whole day!
Anyway, today has been filled with “getting ready”.
I’ve got new shoes, new shorts, new socks, and clean everything else.
I have a rental car that I have no idea how it’ll perform.
I’m traveling with people with whom I’ve never traveled long distance.
I’m going to cross through a state in which I’ve never been.
There’s a lot of news and never-been/done’s.
I’m apprehensive to say the least.
This is what vacation is all about, right?
Right?
Day 229
Hey Kids,
Have you noticed how many people just have water these days?
Tonight, I noticed that every table in the restaurant had at least one person drinking from the cheap-o water cups. They easily outnumbered the soda cups. BTW- I think the little kiddy cups they give you is to shame you to the world that you were too cheap to buy the real drinks.
I believe it was earlier this year I saw on an article that 50% of people polled in the US said they were trying to stop or cut down on drinking soda. Apparently, that trend, which had rose from 33%, is continuing.
I am one of them.
A few months ago, I felt a little ill and the thought of drinking a soda turned my stomach. It was then I decided to stop killing myself with the brown poison and I’ve done it ever since. With a small exception of my A&W draft root beer fixes, you will be hard pressed to see a soda in my hand.
I’m not sure what everyone else’s motives are but I am clear on one thing for me. I save a couple of bucks every time we eat out. I save the 85¢ once or twice a day at the vending machine. I save the $1.50 2-Liter bottle purchases at the store. It has to add up eventually.
I also feel a little better now. I have less headaches, especially after I kicked the Diet Coke habit. I feel less stuffed after eating. And I feel less thirsty all the time. Water actually does satisfy the body.
I’m still fat however. But that might take giving up some actual food products.
And maybe a little exercise.
Day 228
Hey Kids,
I had lunch today with an old friend.
Growing up, our family moved around a lot so there aren’t too many people I still know from my childhood apart from family. And certainly not friends.
Most of my High School years, however, were spent in one place. Out of that stable duration, one friend has remained. Randy.
My family moved out of state midway in my senior year and yet we kept in touch and visited when we could. We both left for church missions for two years and when the two years were over, we still maintained the friendship.
We both got married. The friendship remained.
We both started having kids. Still maintained.
It wasn’t until he took a job elsewhere that we finally stopped talking to each other.
And then Facebook.
We messaged. And finally met for lunch.
It was like old times. We share the same youth stories. We know each other. We laughed and we filled in the past several years as much as a lunchtime allows. Our word to each other is to keep closer in touch and have dinner with our spouses involved sometime soon. I bet we do it this time.
So I thought: 
Our friendship lasted through all the twists of life, but the job thing. I think jobs are evil and shouldn’t be pursued. They will ruin your social life if not your entire life.
Looking up High School friends on Facebook doesn’t always mean you’re trying to hook up.
Day 227
Mike M Jensen 