Arizona or Bust

I started the winter helping plow and shovel – like everyone else. Mostly I hung around then maybe catch another wolf. What's that about the best-laid plans of mice and me?

So anyway, I didn't plan on jealous people to sabotage my traps. My only alternative was to call in the game warden who proved to be of little help. I was disappointed to say the least. Not wanting to take matters in my own hands, thus lose my Christian witness, I decided to head for the land of coyotes and cactus – rattlers?

We hadn't been there in a few years due to illness and the wife worrying about being accosted by illegals near Las Vegas. Still maybe this year I could get her out of the cabin. Away we went.

The plan was to stop over at son Troy's near Elko, NV. That's as far as we made it. A anti-freeze leak proved to be a head gasket and head on the old Cummins 12 valve.

The delay ran into weeks so there we stayed till the 20th of March and headed home. All the while I thought about lounging in a camp chair, 70 degrees, never ending sunshine, camping out in our little camper – the campfire under the stars– sigh.

There was hazards through, as in rattlers.

A few years back I killed a five-footer near camp. Then last time we were there as I basked in the sunshine, I hear the wife shirk!! "There's one in there!!!"

"Whaat, what's in where?" as I leaped out of my chair half in a doze.

"In the outhouse, a rattlesnake."

I thought she was trying to disturb my comfort.

"No, no" she sez in a somewhat calm demeanor. I better check this out sez me, sez I.

Sure enough I pulled the flap back , there Eve's trouble was glaring at me as only a rattler can. "Golly Bill" old Festus would say.

My trusty 22 H and R Mag with birdshot extinguished the threat.

I buried the varmint out behind the camper, no ceremony needed. Warned Dogie-Dog to stay away. Next morning there it was, just the skin. Ol' Coyote had himself a midnight snack.

Anyhow, like I sez it was Arizona or bust.