Fishing for Facts

Since I am brain-dead from the most hectic work week in the history of civilization, I decided to post a picture of my hero, my dad. That's me on the right, doing what I truly love to do better than breathe, eat, or win money.....FISH. I will also include some interesting and little-known facts about the picture, circa 1977. This picture is one of my all-time favorites, because it reminds me of a time in my life when my days were filled with stress-free happiness. It also is a testament to a simpler time, when days spent fishing with mom and dad were the highlight of my summer. Thank you, my beloved parents, for raising me to be a country girl.

- The picture was taken at Pendleton Dam east of Dumas, AR. The dam has since been renamed Wilbur Mills dam.
- We are standing on the east side of the dam, which required that we drive an additional hour to get there. There is no passable road across it.
- The fish you see are mostly ocean striper bass. They travel up rivers to spawn, then swim back to the ocean afterwards. Nowadays, you don't get nearly as many stripers as the old days...mostly whites and hybrids.
- I was seven years old in this picture. I haven't grown much taller since then.
- See my braided ponytail? At this age, when my hair was down, it was long enough I could sit on it.
- My mom is the one behind the camera. You may notice the pic is a little off-center. It is lucky that she didn't cut our heads off, as mom was notorious for doing so. lol She got it from her momma, the notorious head-cutter-offer, Mable.
- See the do-rag on my head? Back in the day, mom called that a kerchief (kurr-chiff). She grabbed me and tied one around my head every single time I headed outside. She claimed she did it to keep me from getting an ear infection...I think she just wanted me to be ghetto-fabulous.
- Poppa was just 38 years old in this photo, a mere TWO years older than I am right now. AND, he had FOUR kids to raise. Dad, how in the world did you do it?
- I spent about half this day fishing, and the other half playing in a sand pit to the right of this photo. By the end of the day, I had sand in places I didn't know existed.
- Under his cap, my dad is bald. However, the rim of hair showing under his cap was still free of gray hairs. I had forgotten what color his hair used to be...kinda reddish, ain't it?
- I know, without a doubt, that mom had packed a lunch comprised of vienna's (pro-nounced vie-ainnies), potted meat, crackers and cheddar cheese. Perfect fishing food.

I wish I could go fishing this weekend, but I think all I'll get to do is reminisce about past excursions. If any of you get the chance, go fishing for me, will ya?