My Almost Gear Review - SOG Aura Hunting Knife

This post is WAY over due. I feel really bad because the OBN and SOG Hunting Knives sent me an incredible knife to review a few months ago and I am just now getting my "review" up. And this isn't even my review - consider it a "pre-review" of my SOG Aura - Hunting knife.

The delay is not because I'm ungrateful or not excited about this knife. It appears to be an exceptional knife and I'm very excited to use it. The problem - I haven't had an opportunity to cut something up as I originally thought.

The ranch we hunt antelope on (which is literally five minutes from my casa) has an abundance of coyotes that have a habit of yelping at me during a speed goat stalk. I would have LOVED to put a well placed arrow or bullet through some gray fur. I even had plans for tanning a thick coyote hide which could proudly be displayed on my stair rail. However, the best laid plans often go awry. After talking with the ranch owner late January, we discovered that another individual (trying to get on the good side of the owner - another story) has completely wiped out the coyote population. I sat out on the ranch a couple of weekends waiting for a shot and was bumfuzzled by the lack of yote making an appearance. All was quiet.

So, while I'm thankful for the baby antelopes which will now be able to frolic around without having to worry about wiley coyote, I've had to put off my SOG hunting knife review longer than I intended. (Sorry - I'm not about to go skin a rabbit, or the dead skunk I hit with my truck the other day) The good news - Turkey season opens for me in a few short weeks. So I plan on bringing you the pros / cons of my new knife very soon. And if I don't shoot a turkey, I will go to the grocery story in my camo, BUY a turkey, cut it up and post my review.

Thanks OBN and SOG for this opportunity. My apologies for the delay!

Wile E Coyote Photo & Wile E Coyote Pictures

Kairos Moments

It is interesting to me how some words have several different meanings when traced back to their origin. For example, I was recently reminded of the definitions of Time. I've been chewing on this a bit, and I thought I'd share with you all. So, I guess this is me spitting out my cud...

When we think of time most often it takes on a chronological meaning. We set a meeting time. Events take place at a certain time. There are certain amount of hours in the day. Minutes. Seconds. The clock reliably ticks on. The sun rises, sets and begins on the same schedule tomorrow - like clockwork. And taking for granted the faithfulness of it all, we go about our busy lives.

The ancient Greeks had another option for the meaning of time. In addition to chronos, they referred to Kairos time which takes on special significance. Kairos is not just a moment in time but rather an opportunity of time. It is making the most out of the moments of time we are given.

My dear hunting friends, let me illustrate it to you this way... How many of us can remember a moment in time when the opportunity of the shot presented itself, only to slip away leaving you with an arrow securely knocked? (Or for me the arrow buried in a nearby pine tree.) We want that moment back. However, it is gone. Just as quickly as the moment presents itself, it is carried away by the breeze now kissing your face and whispering "you missed it."

The Greek mythological god, Kairos, was described as a god of the "fleeting moment." Cleverly depicted by a long tuft of hair on his forehead proceeded by a smooth bald head, Kairos illustrated the idea of grasping on to a moment the instant it is presented. And as the moment passes, if you don't seize the opportunity there is nothing left to grasp on to.

I think God sprinkles Kairos moments throughout our lives. God waves the conductor baton, smiles and orchestrates an opportunity for his love to shine through us. I suppose these opportunities present themselves daily - if you recognize them. It is offering a smile. Opening a door. Lending a hug. Listening. Crying. Praying.

I know I'm guilty of hurrying through my day - attempting to check off my "to-do list" before the sun sets. The clock seems to laugh at me as I rush to get everything done. However, life is more than checklists and setting your alarm clock to begin again. It is so much more. The Kairos moments make it worth the ride. They are the spice or seasoning to the chronological ticking of the clock.

So, the challenge to both myself and you dear reader is to take advantage of these Kairos moments as they present themselves. When chronos turns to Kairos, will you recognize it? After all, we all have a set time here on this earth, and it's not the dates on the gravestone that define your life. What matters is what you do with the dash in between those dates of time.

Spring Turkey Fever

Anyone else out there besides me who has a case of Spring Turkey Fever?

Untitled from Emily on Vimeo.