The Olde Duck Hunter

by

Carroll V Strout

May 15, 2019

Current Events:

Well folks I finally got four infusions of spring tonic. I have eaten four good helpings of dandelions. When they are young and small they are tender and delicious. I have had great enjoyment eating them.

I forgot that there was one more rite of spring. It is the arrival of our ever famous downeast black fly. On Sunday, May 5, 2019. I had my first encounter with them at my son’s camp on Schoodic Lake. This rite of spring I can do without.

Our magnolia bush is in full bloom and does it ever look good, plus smelling good.

Two of our rhododendrons don’t look so good after the deer chewed them this winter.

Perhaps there are some of you out there in reader land who don’t know who I am or what I look like. So I have decided to include a picture of myself. I don’t know what looks the best me or my BlueBill duck decoy. The decoy came from the shores of New Jersey and I had to repair it. It is also hollow and ultra light.

More of Growing Up in Milbridge, Maine

Bits and Pieces:

A couple of issues ago I mention the black iron cook stove that was in Gus Mitchell’s kitchen. Anyway I also know of two more of those stoves. One was in Jacky Burke's fishing camp on Bobbys Creek on Tom Leighton’s Point in Milbridge. The third one sits in my neighbors kitchen here in Addison. They are a small but efficient stoves made by Atlantic Stove Company in Portland, Maine. I understand that St. Regis had many of these in their logging camps.

In late years of grammar school and early high school years we use to hitch hike to Spring River Lake to go swimming in the summer time. Once the late Bruce Hall and I rode our bicycles to the lake, went swimming and rode back. As I remember that was quite an exhausting affair.

Another favorite place to go swimming was the sand bar above the twin bridges in Milbridge.

Oh yes, another favorite place to go swimming was Fish Stan Wharf where the Milbridge boat landing is now.

Well folks that was the way it was another time another story. Just remember one thing no matter what life bestows upon us the smoke will go up the chimney just the same.

Photo: of The Olde Duck Hunter