In honor of the crown - Painted Hunter's Blog

I've felt honored to be such a large part of Debbie's crown of sonnets. The truth is, I've always been a little hesitant to reveal the true nature of my lifestyle. I know that the hunting and killing of wild animals is a sensitive subject for many people...and I respect that. What is natural for me, just a part of everyday life, can be shocking to some. It's for that reason, in my near three years here, that I've always held back my true nature to an extent. I didn't want to be seen as heartless, cruel, or just another dumb redneck. It's something that I've struggled with in the past...ashamed to tell people where I'm from or what I do. It's been a very long time since I've felt THAT way, but I will admit that I came to the soup with that attitude...feeling like I should just blend in in order to be accepted....or liked(is a better word). I'm something of an oddity, I reckon. I like poetry. I like writing it, reading it, hearing it. I see it in the things I do and the places I go. Words are always a part of me, and a glance at a scene of the woods(a scene that other folks around here wouldn't give a second look) can well up inside me in images and words, and stay with me for a long time. I can get emotional watching a leaf drift over the river, and then go elbow deep in deer guts without batting an eye. Strange combination, maybe. But what am I going on about?...I don't know. Maybe it's that I've realized since I've been here at the soup (and been blessed to know so many good people) that I'm better when I'm just me. My poetry is better when I'm not trying to make it "acceptable". It's more real when I just embrace what I am...the gentle and soft-hearted lover of poetry...meets the bloody handed hunter. He who sees the beauty of a goose in flight.....and then shoots it down, tears its head off, yanks its guts out, and eats it without a single regret. So that's me. Like it. Hate it. Nothing changes the fact that I am..and I ain't changin'.
  So, having said all that, here's what I had in mind. In honor of Debbie's crown of sonnets, her hard work, and the hard work of all the people that wrote for it....I feel it only fair to go live it for a couple of days. This afternoon I'm throwing on a backpack, and taking off into Dagmar...a huge, tricky wood near this area. Im not taking food or water, but I will have a small pot to boil water in. I'll be hunting or gathering all my food and building shelters to sleep in...no tents allowed. Assuming I don't get too lost, I plan to be out by Sunday morning. I'll also have my phone for emergencies and to take pictures. I'll have some paper and a pen, so I can write a poem or two. Monday I will post a blog with pictures of my experience and poems to go with it. It will be my tribute to the crown of sonnets....wish me luck.

Charmaine Chircop Date: 2/8/2014 8:42:00 AM Just be who you are..Stay as you are..kind..friendly and talented. Login to Reply

Joyce Johnson Date: 2/7/2014 9:54:00 PM Hunting is a natural way of life for many people and in the past it was necessary to live. Don't be ashamed. Personally I cannot kill even a spider but I eat meat and someone has to kill it You are a great poet. Love, Joyce Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 2/7/2014 4:56:00 PM Holy jump up & sit down, what did I do now! As I would say to my son ;) something like this? "If you get hurt I'll kill you???" honor the effort by living long & prospering ;) & I best get some more verse out of you ;) Login to Reply

Donna Jones Date: 2/7/2014 3:57:00 PM Have a great time Caleb....hi to the family... Login to Reply Donna Jones Date: 2/7/2014 3:58:00 PM PS your poetry is awesome..can't wait to hear of your adventures

Andrea Dietrich Date: 2/7/2014 1:53:00 PM Awesome, Caleb! Stand up and stand strong for who you are and never be afraid to tell it like it is!! Oh boy, what a Weekend you will have!! Login to Reply Painted Hunter Date: 2/7/2014 2:27:00 PM Thanks Andrea. Yeah, it's gonna be a good time. It'll be rough at times and I'll wish I was home but that's all part of the fun. Unfortunately, my wife says I can't leave until Saturday morning because the kids are spending the night with my parents and she "ain't sleeping alone"...lol, but I'll have all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday out there...so that'll work.

Nette Onclaud Date: 2/7/2014 1:52:00 PM different strokes for different folks, caleb... i understand what you mean and i appreciate that.. as for me, the most daring thing i ever did in forests was target shooting ( bottles and cans!) thanks to my dad-- a former general--- who taught me how to aim, then fire... fire away and write poetry from the heart... Login to Reply Painted Hunter Date: 2/7/2014 2:23:00 PM Thank you Nette. You're a beautiful soul....and you're dad was a general?...wow..army gal...;)

Roy Jerden Date: 2/7/2014 12:32:00 PM When my wife and I were touring the pueblo at Taos NM, someone asked what the men did for a living. The guide answered that some had jobs in town, but some just hunted all day. There was a moment of silence, then I did a fist pump and a big "YESSS!" Got quite a laugh from the group. Login to Reply Painted Hunter Date: 2/7/2014 2:22:00 PM Haha...right on.

Roy Jerden Date: 2/7/2014 12:24:00 PM I envy your weekend, pal! Your blog is all about the things I love to do, alone with nature is where I feel most at peace. Good luck and good hunting! Login to Reply Painted Hunter Date: 2/7/2014 2:19:00 PM Thanks Roy!

Cyndi Macmillan Date: 2/7/2014 12:24:00 PM Wonderful to hear you are going off to do what you love and that you will be FEARLESS in writing. lol.. check out my blog. Just posted RIGHT before yours... scary... we are, in essence, saying the same thing. BE YOU... WRITE WHAT YOU WANT HOW YOU WANT... I also thank you. I was able to see through your eyes and not cower... those bruises are gone, physically and mentally, now... I am so glad that hunting was the subject... I'm lighter.. seriously! Hugs... real one, Cyndi Login to Reply Painted Hunter Date: 2/7/2014 2:21:00 PM Our blogs...I know...crazy, huh? Haha...real hug right back at ya, Cyndi.

David Williams Date: 2/7/2014 12:18:00 PM Caleb we are what we are, you should stand up and be very proud of what you are and then shout it from the rooftops, your life style suits me down to the very ground I walk on and I can honestly say I wouldn't mind walking in your footsteps any day and doing what you do....Go get that bear but look out for the bugs in the water ha ha ha.... Login to Reply Painted Hunter Date: 2/7/2014 12:24:00 PM Thanks David, I appreciate that. No doubt, there will be times this weekend when I am very much going to regret this wilderness adventure...gonna be COLD tonight!...but hey, all the best stories suck when they're being lived through.