Don't Procrastinate
Phil Taunton
Friday, August 22, 2008
All I see is a picture of procrastination as I take a quick look around my cluttered office and out the window into the backyard.
It’s hard to believe the things I wanted to do and haven’t accomplished since I retired from the railroad just about a year ago. Goodness gracious, just where has the year gone and how does one seemingly keep so busy?
My writing, combination hobby, or in Wifeus’ words, junk room, has always been a mess. Although she has tried to teach me, I haven’t really mastered the correct way to file papers or put my outdoorsy things away. A creature of habit, or just poor eyesight, I find it easier to look down at papers stacked on the floor along the wall for various resource materials and the outdoor magazines I have on hand, instead of accurately tucking them away in filing cabinets or on book shelves. It seems like every time I make an effort to put things away in a proper place, I forget just where that place is and waste more time searching for them.
Other than chumming for catfish, fishing has been a bust for me this year. I missed both peak fishing seasons for walleye and crappie. Being a true procrastinator, I find logic in believing it wasn’t my fault. Is it ever? Weather had a lot to do with me missing out along with water conditions not to my liking. Truth be known, when walleye want to spawn and are up near the banks, they can be caught in a snowstorm. It’s always easy to make excuses and stay at home.
As I glance out the window across a non-existent deck, all I see is a jungle of greenery and a few flowers, here and there. I had hoped to have a deck built by the Fourth of July to entertain family and friends. Earlier this spring, I also pictured a healthy garden just bursting with vegetables, not the sunflowers, bindweed and wild morning glory I have now. I envisioned immaculately kept flower beds and a yard free of weeds. What a pipe dream that was! Well, at least the chickadees, cardinals and goldfinch will enjoy the sunflower seeds. Procrastinators find it easy to rationalize.
You may have guessed, my outdoor activities are in a bit of a lull right now. As I look out, I also see my hunting dogs and will soon forget about all the things I haven’t accomplished this year. Hunting season will soon be on us and I better put everything else aside and start conditioning them. I know they will appreciate the attention and exercise. That is, if they remember who I am!
With dove season starting the first of September, it wouldn’t hurt to scout a place to hunt and even practice your wing shooting by busting a clay or two. And for sure, you will want to be out on the water when fish begin their fall fish feeding frenzy.
If I have learned one thing this year, some things just shouldn’t be procrastinated!
Predator calling contest
Come for what promises to be a howling good time! A predator calling contest is planned this weekend in Overland Park at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. and will run in conjunction with a Hunter’s Expo. Price for admission is $17.50 for adults and $9 dollars for children ages 6-12. Come learn from the pros. The contest will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday and the top five callers will advance to the finals to be held on Sunday. This is the first World Predator Calling Championship held in the last 42 years. All together, there will be 80 exhibitors having displays showing the latest in equipment and giving seminars on predator calling.