The Olde Duck Hunter

by

Carroll V Strout

May 29, 2019

Current Events:

For two issues now I have been bragging about the beauty of our Magnolia bush. So I decided it was time to show you it. Several years ago when my wife Ronie set it out it was only about two feet tall, now it is about seven feet tall and bushing out quite well. However; after the heavy rains and wind, it is starting to lose it’s pretty blossoms.

At the same time I thought I would show you one of our Azalea bushes. We have two of them. The other and smaller bush has gone by. It is to bad they didn’t stay in blossom for a longer period of time so we could enjoy them more.

One thing is for sure, due to our cold late spring the lilac bushes and apple trees are not in full bloom.

This being Memorial Day weekend takes me back to when it was a large social event for my grandmother Tucker as we visited the grave sites.

Oh yes, I finally had some fresh run brook smelts. Like my dandelions they were delicious and satisfying.

On May 23, 2019, Ronie mowed our front lawn so it would look good for Memorial Day weekend.

More of Growing Up in Milbridge, Maine

Bits and Pieces:

When in grammar school, I remember in the summertime of going down on the old Sawyer Wharf and sometimes catching flounder. In the same time frame Lawrence Ray and I use to catch eels at his grandfathers sardine factory; where fish waste went into the creek it made great feed for the eels.

I was real young when Milbridge celebrated it’s one hundredth birthday. There were a lot of events taking place that I don’t remember. However I do recall the big parade. There were two floats that stuck in my mind. One was for Jim Burnham’s plumbing and hardware. There was an old out door privy on the back of a truck and every now and then the door opened and some man would wave at you with toilet paper in his hand. The other one was for L. Ray Packing with several men in a dory with seine and acting like they were pursing up herring.

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.

Photos: Magnolia bush and Azalea Bush