It’s Where I’m At

Trying to figure out what to write about every other week isn't always easy, but for the most part it is. Most of the time a story of sorts just tends to pop up out of nowhere. But sometimes it doesn't. This week was one of those keep your head down and work hard kind of weeks, without  a lot of excitement and things to write home about, or for that matter, to write a blog about. And so I'm struggling.

A lot of my writings have been about hunting or fishing or canoeing or other outdoor adventures. I used to feel guilty about that. This blog is on our glass blowing website and most of my stories have nothing to do with glass. On the other hand, the outdoors and those things that I love doing and writing about are the same things that inspire me to make antlers and fish, which have become pretty much the center of our business. And the people that buy antlers and fish are mostly outdoor people anyway so maybe writing outdoor stories is all good.

As I was working and thinking about what I could write about, I remembered that the New Year has pretty much come and gone and that I haven't written anything about the New Year. I'm not real big on making New Year's resolutions, but one thing that Jenelle and I have done is to cut out sweets for the month of January. I'm not doing quite as well as Jenelle, sneaking in a morsel of goodness here or there. I just don't tend to do so well with peer pressure, especially when it comes from loving people with good intentions such as my mom and other good hearted people.

Other than no sweets, it's life as usual.

I did take some time to look back on the past year. It's just a good thing to do, trying to remember where you've been. Scrolling back through your camera brings your memories back to life. And that's a good thing. Even though we don't usually take pictures of the bad things that happen to us, it's good to remember the bad things as well. It keeps things in perspective.

As a family we like looking forward and planning and dreaming about the future. Family vacations and projects around the house.

And we do the same with our business.

Jenelle and I will talk about what worked and what didn't. We'll discuss what shows we should drop and what shows we should try to add. What goals do we have for next year? What direction should we head into?

On the personal side I'll start thinking about what hunts and adventures I would like doing. I usually start a shed hunting list of areas that I want to search for sheds in. That way when spring finally comes I'll have an organized plan. I started a document and titled it  “2026 shed hunt”. I started it in November. When I see a spot that looks deery, I'll jot it down. Later when I'm searching for sheds, I'll go to those spots and use the onX app to track myself and then I'll put all of that info into a folder with the same title, “2026 shed hunt”. The neat thing is that when you come back there again you can see exactly where you walked and you can be certain that you aren't constantly searching the same area, or missing big sections either. You can also see where you searched the year before. The app has the little blue gps dot that works almost everywhere in the world as long as you have the map for the area downloaded to your phone. It shows exactly where you are relative to the track where you walked previously.

And knowing exactly where you are is a good thing, especially when you're out there with the purpose of finding an antler and a goal in mind.

Now that right there is a good thing to write a blog about. So I'll switch gears and focus on that.

Where am I at? It's not exactly a hunting story, so maybe it's ok.

Jenelle usually proofreads my blogs before they get posted. I often find myself apologizing and saying something like “sorry dear, it's another hunting story.”  The other day she blessed me by saying, “it's ok, most of the people who have been reading your blog are expecting that.” 

And I've started to think it's true. I've been bumping into so many of you outdoor types of people that read and appreciate my blogs, and I’m really glad that you let me know that you read them! It makes me feel like they have an impact.

I believe that God has a purpose for each of us if we want it. We just have to ask and seek it out. It starts with knowing where we're at in our relationship with him.

And then we'll start to know what our purpose is. 

For me, I struggle with self esteem, questioning if I have real value. Questioning if I have a purpose. 

But when I'm outside, out in nature, hunting or fishing, paddling, skiing, looking for that shed antler, or even just looking out the window, it's like I just come alive. I'm not sure what triggers it, but it's there. Pure joy! Even when things aren't perfect. Pure joy! And I know that God loves me. 

And every once in a while someone will thank me for my blog, and it makes me thankful that I wrote it.

I think I've figured out my location. Rubbing shoulders with all of you out there, it's where I belong. So I'm not going to apologize and say it's just another hunting story. Maybe it was meant to be.

And now that I know where I'm at, I'm hoping my stories help you to figure out where you're at too!

Happy hunting!