We are off and running in 2013

Well, here I am writing and still thinking how great our fishing season is starting, I caught a nice 5lb blue channel catfish at my dads place on the San Jancinto River and the fish is now my freezer waiting for others to join him before the big fish fry soon. In case you may have not known but I did marry Karen on Feb 10, 2013, and now I have a wife to back me up on the home front as I hunt and fish the outdoors, lots to write and post but I wanted to get off to a new start for 2013. Til my next post. Grandpa Cruz

End of the year 2012 Deer Season

Well, it is now January 25.  Deer season ended 21 days ago.  Grumps and I managed to get only one deer the whole season.  The last day of deer season was the worst hunt of them all.  The weather at 3:30 in the morning was 31 degrees, heavy to moderate drizzle, visibility was only half a mile, and it was cold as any day could be in Texas.  Grumps and I froze the morning away and warmed into the afternoon, but not a deer in sight.  What we did learn on this morning's hunt, and even in the worst of times, deer hunting is the only sport that will pit man against the weather, time, and mind.  Grumps and I thought of Tato Bear, Danny Matt, and Jo-Jo, and in the days to come how we will one day be out here with them.  It is my best guess that it will be Jo-Jo who will be with his Grandpa Cruz in the deer stand.  Not that Tato Bear and Danny Matt won't have an interest, but in my heart of hearts it is Jo-Jo who will want to be with his Grandpa Cruz the most, freezing the morning away.  My reasoning for that is this:   the "world famous" Danny Matt and the Big E man (Tato Bear, aka Elias) are both closer to their dads as being the oldest boys, while Jo-jo, being the second son, will want to bond with me, his grandfather.  With his hearing impediment causing his eyes to sharpen to compensate for the hearing deficiency, I will trust in his eyes to observe what I may miss as I get older.  My Jo-jo is with Grumps tonight, and I wish I could be there to play with him as well.  Karen, Cory, and I will soon travel to Arkansas to see my boys, and I will take my Jo-jo a fishing rod to practice with.  I wish to all those tonight, Aim true, Lines tight.  Grandpa Cruz

Goals for Hunting and Fishing 2013

Today, is December 28, 2012, and the weather is beyond bad it is in the tank. As, I seat here typing waiting for the Cory aka Monk to return back from his Christmas vacation with his mother. I am day dreaming of the new hunts and fishing adventures that await Grumps, Monk, and me in the New Year. January will be mostly a down month working on putting up our deer gear, and cleaning our rifles, February should be ok to start thinking about hitting Crappie, and White Bass. And of course as the year progress we will be after catfish, speckle trout, reds, ect. My hunting and fishing adventures are always the high light of me getting through another day of work. And time for a story, about Grumps, Cory and me aw we were fishing at Seawolf Park fishing Pier, and it was very slow night, and the only the hitting the lines were the hardheads (Catfish), and small Croakers. Grumps line suddenly went crazy and he landed the biggest lizard fish had ever seen. Now we have a problem, who is going to take the that ugly, slimely, nasty looking fish off the hook? Grumps said, not only NO but NO WAY, the Monk said "I ani't touch that fish", you do it Dad, your the Dad, and its your job. I had no choice as Monk, moved the line the over the side pier I went to grasp the fish behind its head to remove the hook, the fish felt NASTY, SLIMELY, WET, and GROSS. I let out a yelp that Cory said, " Dad you sound like a little girl" then I said, " ok your so brave you take it off the line" Cory replied, " NO YOUR DADDY THATS YOUR JOB YOU BIG GIRL" as he was laughing so hard,Grumps, said, nothing but I could see out of the corner of my eye he was laughing as well. So said fish went back into the bay, and soon we all went home with Cory laughing all the way from Seawolf Park,Galveston, Texas to home. I want to wish all a Happy New Year 2013. Aim True Grandpa Cruz

Hunting with No Luck

No Luck on the big trip hunting trip yesterday, every thing was in place for a great hunt, but Mr. Big Boy did not want to come out and play. It was great hunt overall but still you wonder why the deer were not in the field. Grumps and I will try a new plan on Thursday of this up coming week and hope we can jump the Big Boy soon. Sad, news Toro my grandsons dog, has passed this morning he was the Big E first dog. If the Big E was bigger and older and could understand, I would tell him Grumps and I will see Toro once we go to the Happy Ground too, and Toro will be our dog to guide in our hunts in the next world. I love the Christmas Season. I will see my best friend, and his wife to take them tamales and other treats including deer backstrap from my last hunt. I want to Thank, Karen she is behind me in all my adventures and I deeply love her for all she does for me. Til my next post Aim True. Grandpa Cruz

Deer Seaon 2012

Today, with only 2 days to go til my next hunt with my dad aka Grumps, I thinking of how often me and dad dream of getting the big boy we have been hunting for the last 5 seasons. My dad has taught me never to give up on getting him. Life is like deer hunting, you wait and hope for the best it will bring you. I still think of the many times I have felt like giving up on some issue in my life but I never give up hope. My family is my lifeline with out my family my life would be a drift. I am the oldest of my 4 other siblings, and as I get older I realize how much we depend on each other. My sibling and I all different in views and life styles, but each of us always remember we are here for each other. I do a lot of thinking about life in my deer stand, much like if I was in my own home. Deer hunting is more of the time and place where I free my mind to try to understand life. My hope for the next hunt on Friday is to bring home the big boy and a doe for my freezer. I love the outdoors and yet I do hate the idea of sitting in the cold at 3:00 am waiting for the sun to rise and start my day but I will save that story for another day. Aim True and Merry Christmas 2012, Grandpa Cruz

My Dad aka "Grumps"

My dad aka Grumps, is the reason I love hunting and fishing so much. My dad has and is still working hard. My dad is now 72 years old, and think often now I don't have many more years til he takes his walk to the Happy Hunting Ground. I may not always agree with his views, or opinions on life, but he is my dad. When my dad and I are in the ground blind deer hunting or freezing trying to sleep in the back of his truck in the middle of deer season. I'm so grateful that my dad is here for me. My dad greatest love beyond anything in this world is his family. My four siblings and I have give my dad 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren and each one of them are special and unique to my dad. In the years since my return back to Houston, and hunting and fishing with my dad, we have had some great outdoor adventures and every time we toss a line or in the field hunting deer my dad and I are the happiest we can be. Dad, may not always land the biggest catfish or shoot the big boy buck we have been hunting for years but still he is always happy I'm there to share the moment with him. Next week we are going are perhaps the most intense and hardest deer hunting trip of the season, the big buck should be in full rut and we both hope my dad brings him down early in the morning to call this end of the 2012 deer season to an end. Til my next post Aim True. Grandpa Cruz

One of the Best Days of My Life

Wow, today is December 1, 2012. It will go down as the day my 3 grandsons shared a BIG BIRTHDAY! Danny Matt, The Big E, and Jo Jo had one big bash. I had all my children today. Cory, my youngest son,is the best Uncle to his nephews. My grandsons are the following ages, Danny Matt is now 4 years old, The Big E is 3, and Jo Jo is 2 years old. My family is awesome. Joey and Tania, Sarah and Donald, are the best parents to my grandsons. God has blessed me more than I could have ever asked for. My dad and mom also were present to enjoy the celebrating with their family. Can you believe how wonderful it is to see 4 generations all present in the same room? I think back on my dad (Grumps) and I sitting in the dark at 3:00 a.m. in the deer blind talking about the trials it took to raise Joey and Sarah, and how OUR hard work provided them with the chance to be the great adults they are today. My mom said this evening on the day she dies she will die knowing her grandchildren are fully capable and able to provide for themselves and their children, an accomplishment anyone would be proud of. As I looked at my grandsons and all my children, I realize the sacrifices and hard work are worth all the sweat I have given off my brow. I thank God for one of the Best Days of My Life. Til my next post Aim Straight and Keep those lines tight. Grandpa Cruz