Lunch, Leftovers, and Lowe’s

And Fountain Cokes! But that doesn’t start with an “L”.

Yesterday’s lunch was a typical lunch. Except rather than leftovers we had hot dogs. . . another usual lunch. For those of you who know Cody, you know he loves his fountain cokes. So each day, after he walks over to my office and we eat whatever leftovers we have, we make a run up to the corner store.

Most days, we have time to kill before our lunch hour is over. The most common activity. . . . wandering Lowe’s. We go to Lowe’s just to wander at least three times a week. We really don’t have too many other choices.

You never know what we might look at. Well, except that we almost always go by the mis-matched paint. Sometimes we might look at appliances so we’ll be prepared as ours go out. Sometimes I dream of better ceiling fans. Quite often, it’s the PVC pipe. . . where Cody plots a protein feeder. And if it’s not the protein feeder, very often it’s other projects or supplies for the deer lease.

Yesterday, after looking at the storage stuff, the metal for my craft room, and paint, it was Tool World. It started off looking at sanders (which we actually own one somewhere in the garage) but Cody got off track quickly. I used my 365 project as an excuse to kill a little time taking pictures.

And truthfully, I was glad to capture a moment from our everyday typical lunch routine.

Being Childless Sucks, Life Doesn’t

When I blogged about how being childless sucks Wednesday, I received several words of encouragement which I did appreciate. But, I guess what I failed to get across in that post, is that it was just a moment. . . They come, they go. Sure, being childless hasn’t stopped sucking. But, it’s not the only thing in my life.

I honestly didn’t share about that moment when I searched google for those that know me, but rather because I know that there may be others I don’t know who feel the same way and are looking for something to perhaps validate their feelings or just someone who understands. (OK, that’s a really bad run on sentence whith far to many “thats” in the beginning, but you know, it’s a blog not a term paper)

You see just because being childless sucks, it doesn’t mean that life does. All-in-all, I’ve got a great life. A house over my head, a loving husband who truly spoils me, time to be creative, a job, etc. (Since I just made a long list New Year’s Eve, I spare you the long version ’cause I have a feeling this post is going to be long enough.)

(OK, in proofreading this, this next part is going to seem really off topic and a rambling tangent, I promise I’ll be bringing it back around.)

Last weekend as Cody and I were celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary, we discussed a new class that I want to take. This morning as I thought about that class, I realized that my hobbies all seem to piggy back on themselves. Last year, I spent a lot of time learning more about photography and taking pictures. This year, I’ve gotten back into scrapbooking. This new class is about organizing pictures with a scrapbooking purpose (well, that’s just the surface.) One of the assignments before the class starts is to go through your digital pics and printed pics and put them in chronological order. I’m in luck since my digi pics are all in folders my month and year and named by the date and a sequence that keeps the approximately 16,000 pictures in order. . . not to mention digi pics can be sorted by date/time taken. But, our printed pics, that’s another story. The class talks about not trying to do all your pictures but a portion so that you can learn the process and then repeat with the rest later. So, I decided to just tackle the years from when Cody and I met until we went digital- Fall Semester 1994-Deer Season 2003. (Another tangent. . . Deer Season, you may be wondering, why I associated that. . . Because I got my first digi camera on the way to the Campwood and I remember taking tons of shots along the 8 hour drive there. Looking back now, I realize it was purchase and trip that would change my life.)

So this week, Cody and I have been sorting those printed pictures. We really don’t have that many. They filled two plastic shoeboxes longwise (aka short side so that the pano shots would fit). It was so much fun to remember those days. We really enjoyed looking back. We were both amazed at how young we look. . . even though we don’t feel that much older today. In many ways, despite the things we’ve gone through, we’re still like newlyweds or perhaps even those kids in college. We’re still like those two lovebirds in those pictures- two lovebirds who got married and watched as their friends got married, two lovebirds who used to eat on the floor in Etoile, two lovebirds who have watched their nephew grow-up, two lovebirds that have seen great vacations, two lovebirds that met in college, moved to Corpus Christi, and came back to that college town. We’ve been blessed. I’ve been blessed.

And, I realize just how blessed to live in the digital age! We narrowed that lot of pics down to just a little over one box. Purging a lot of awful and failed shots, I realized how much I benefit from being able to instantly see my pictures. Going through the so-so pics, I realized how much easier it is to take advantage of learning photography in a digital world. Looking at how few pictures there were compared to fewer years of digital, I realized just how glad I am that I don’t have to pay for film and processing.

Some Things are Hard To Explain: These aren’t snowballs

Cody and I were getting alot accomplished today. We’d had tunes on while we worked. At some point, we both ended up in the living room. I was just beginning to sort and fold socks when Ed Burleson’s “Dead Skunk” came on.

That’s probably the first hard thing to explain. It’s a song that sticks with you once you’ve heard- at least if you’ve driven in Texas. It’s a song that I’ve heard and loved for years. This year, I downloaded it and finally Cody got to hear the song. He thought I was nuts but now, when he sees road kill or smells a dead skunk, guess what he begins to sing? Seriously go look up the song- Ed Burleson, Dead Skunk

So, the song came on. Cody, for I don’t know what reason, decided to make a “squished/ Squat” sound with his mouth. There were the socks, right there. I told him I ought to throw them at him and he told me not to. . .

I spent a few seconds thinking about it but all I could come up with was, “why not?”. So, then we got in a “food” fight with socks instead of food. It was like our favorite Wii game, the snow ball fight- only with socks. So, there we were throwing our white “snowballs” at each other across the living room, scooping them up, and throwing them again. I told you some things are hard to explain.

And, since we are working together to get a picture a day this year, of course, we had to document the shenaigans. When it was all said and done, there were socks all over the living room and into the dining room.

It’s not often you have the time to just be this goofy.

It Wouldn’t Hurt Nothing

It was several months after Kenny Chesney released his song “A Lot of Things Different” before I started painting the rooms in our house.  It’s something Cody knew I would do eventually and every time we’d hear this line in the song, he knew I was getting closer to painting.

She wanted to paint our bedroom yellow and trim it in blues and greens
But I wouldn’t let her, it wouldn’t of hurt nothing

I knew what color I wanted for the kitchen and the dining room (or so I thought at the time).  I had picked out a yellow for the kitchen similar to oen we’d painted my parent’s sunroom.  I picked out a matching blue for the living room.  I knew I’d paint the ceilings a couple of shades lighter. 

But there was this brochure at Lowe’s that contained this one color.  D61-1 Morning Fog.  I thought I liked it but I really wasn’t sure.  It wasn’t a color I’d have chosen.  It was totally different than any direction I would have chosen.  It kept calling to me.  And, as I would think of painting our bedroom in the color , it was that line of Kenny Chesney’s song that I’d hear, “It wouldn’t hurt nothing”. 

In the end, I went for it and have never been more happy that I tried something different.  I love the color.  It takes on a different hue in different lights.  It’s bright yet calming.  I’ve since repainted my kitchen D61-1, Morning Fog, and re-painted my living room a matching color (smoke screen) from that same brochure.

I’ve always said that when, if ever, we get our next house, which we’d plan on building, the entire house would be D61-1, Morning Fog.  And recently, I’ve come to realize that I have no idea why I have to wait on some pipe dream to have the walls in my home be D61-1, Morning Fog.  “It wouldn’t hurt nothing.”

When we got the trailer at the deer lease and I looked at all the old paneling, how dark it was inside, and the different surfaces, I knew immediately, I’d be painting the interior D61-1, Morning Fog.  Cody knew, “It wouldn’t hurt nothing.”

Next, D61-1 will be making further appearances in my home.  I should have enough paint leftover from the trailer to paint both of our bathrooms in Morning Fog.  After I finish that painting and recover from the fun that is painting, I’ll be starting on the living room and the hallway. 

I love D61-1, Morning Fog.  It hasn’t hurt nothing.

October Began With A Trip Down South

We were just down there in July.  But when Coralyn told us that her brother passed away, we knew we’d make another trip down to Corpus Christi.  Cody says it totally messed up his average since before July, it had been a really long time since we were there.   It didn’t matter as we knew we needed to be there.

Since I’ve become a Hotwire fan, I checked out Hotwire and found I could get a 4-star hotel in the waterside area for less than I could get a hotel out by him mom.  (So far, I’ve only hotwired 4-stars because you don’t know what hotel you’re getting and 3-stars can be a lot of different things.)  And most of our activities would be in town so the htoel would be closer.  I checked out what 4-stars were in Corpus and thought we would be across from the seawall.  NOT! We were across the Harbor Bridge- Yipee!  (And on the beach, but we’re not beach folks).  Cody did take it better than I thought he would- probably helped that we’d stayed at the hotel, under different ownership, over 10 years ago.  We had a great room and I always enjoy watching the ships and the tugs come in and out of the port. 

I counted 13 tugboats while I was there.  (Much fewer than I remember seeing in the past)

Our room was not directly overlooking the beach. . . Instead, we had a bit of an angled view- of the beach, the Lady Lex, the Corpus Skyline, the Harbor Bridge, and the Refineries.  Our balcony was excellant for some night shooting.

We had a chance to catch up with Cody’s cousins and that was really nice.  The last time we saw his second cousins, the oldest was 1. . . now 10!  And there were three we’d never met.  We also learned that their dad, Cody’s uncle, wanted to be in Coralyn’s wedding that he and his wife had a second wedding in a Catholic church.  (And that their mom had to convert from Baptist to Catholisism to do it.)  I barely knew his uncle but heard some great stories.

We also spent one late night catching up with some friends we hadn’t seen in years!  That was lots of fun. . . and it was another chance to see how quickly kids and families grow.

We managed to squeeze in some time for the Aquarium.  Literally, we had 1.5 hours Saturday, so we made a run for it. . . OK we walked.  One of the things that stuck out with us was how hot and humid it was.  And windy.  I remember the wind, but neither of us really remembered it being that nasty hot and sticky. . . in October none the less.  On our walk to the aquarium from the hotel, this is what Cody’s hair looked like.

On our way to the aquarium we really worked hard to keep the sand out of our shoes.  We really aren’t folks that enjoy sand. . . though we did take one walk along this beach.

We wound up getting a membership at the aquarium and snuck in another 1.5 hour trip on Sunday.  We always loved the aquarium.  With two trips and the fact that we had other pics of the aquarium, it was an excellant chance to practice some photography.  And a challenge in some of the darker areas.  The otter exhibit has always been one of my favorites and we spent lots of watching them- even saw a girl drop her cell phone into the otters water.  The otters pounced on it. . . a new toy.  We also arrived both days just in time to see the last dolphin show. 

One really huge ship left the port while we were at the aquarium. . . I mean really huge!

Like the distortion. . . they had a dome thing you where you could stick your head “into” the one of the tanks.

Cody took these next two shots of me. . . in the tank. . .

Just for mom:

The aquarium highlight though happened with about 10 minutes before the aquarium closed in the viewing area underneath the dolphin tank- where they held an impromptu underwater show practice.  Oh my goodness, to see the dolphins interact and their faces.  It was amazing.

All of these pics are unedited except for sharpening done when uploading.  We took over 1500 pics which of course have been edited down tremendously but I haven’t had a chance to even begin editing them. And as you can see by the number of pictures posted here. . . I’ve had a tough time narrowing down my favorites.

Sickly Companionship

Cody and I haven’t been feeling well and today we drew the line.  We stayed home.  If we were going to be sick and stay home, I guess, at least we could do it together.  We slept the morning away and then sat in the chair together like a couple of vegetables. . . but we did get to stare at the first game of the Twins and Tigers doubleheader today.

There are times when it’s just nice to have that companionship.

The 100- Best Punishment Ever

Well, I went from exhausted and trying to catch up from one weekend to a weekend under the weather.  I really want to share these pics from last week but still haven’t had a chance to do any editing.  So, I’ll share them SOOC.

Last Wednesday, Cody and I went down the arboretum to get some photo practice in.  Of course, he was his usual persnickity self.

And, it was some time in this moment when he took a picture of me that I’d had enough.  And so, for whatever silly little thing he did, I punished him- with 100 additional shots of him.  (Mind you it was light hearted)

I pretty much let him do his thing while I took pictures of him from different angles and played around with composition.

And just for the record, my husband does not have man-boobs.  I know I’ve posted pictures to the contrary before and I have  no idea what he did with his shirt but I have lots of beautiful shots of him from this shoot with breasts.  So mad at myself for not catching that while I was shooting.  I guess I just need to remember that he’s like the little boy whose always going to have his shirt untucked and really check out what he’s got going on.

Needless to say, I’m really glad I had 100 shots to finally get it right.  But, I’m really happy that I did take the 100 shots.  It was an excellant exercise.  I had to get more creative.  And, this shot, which is one of my favorites, was one of the last ones that I took.

And, as you can see, we had fun with it!  Doesn’t that shot say something about my sweet husband.  Even after sitting for 100 shots, he still looked at me that way.  Or perhaps in his head he was really laughing at me standing on the bench beside him. . . perhaps he needs another 100 shot punishment.

Flashback Friday: I Nearly Died

Today’s flashback is inspired by Wednesday’s dinner, my Wednesday blog conversation with my husband, and the mileage we’ve gotten out of the original incident happened in January.

January 10, 2009

This is the place where I nearly died:

We were leaving Kansas City and heading to Springfield for the Route 66 leg of the trip.  We were already working to get in a different zone- one of stop where it interests you, eat some local non-chain food, etc.  We were getting hungry when we started seeing these billboards for “World Famous Tenderloin Sandwich”.  We saw them over and over again and each time it sounded like a good deal.  So, we drove until we finally got to Smith’s Restaurant. 

So, we were sitting inside eating.  I blew the wrapper off my straw at Cody like we often do.  He did the same.  Then, we started throwing the wadded up wrapper at each other.  Then my husband started to see his opening. . . I had on a V-Neck shirt. . . that I thought was pretty safe- it was nothing close to revealing.

Field Goal!!!  His arm’s went up in victory.  He made it.  The wrapper went down my shirt. . .  right between my breasts.  I couldn’t believe it.

I gasped.  I turned red.  I nearly died of embarrassment.  We hadn’t even gotten our meal yet.  The restaurant was packed.  I’m certain someone saw his little act of mischief.  I’m much more reserved than that.  I could barely show my face.

Tears rolled down my face.  I was laughing so hard. . .not because it was funny. . . because it was embarrasing.  I was in utter shock.

I was never so glad to get out somewhere in my life- and I mean it.  Now, looking back on it, of course, it’s hilarious.  But at that moment, it was not funny at all- at least to me.  Cody never thought it wasn’t funny.  He was so proud of himself.

He’s been warned that he will not live to see another day if he EVER does that again.

Oh, and I almost forgot, the “World Famous Pork Tenderloin Sandwich” was very good.

Flash Forward:  Wednesday I experimented with a recipe and we wound up with pork chop sandwiches that reminded us of the pork tenderloin sandwiches we’d eaten.  Then, when Cody and I were discussing funny things, the incident came up.   Thursday, Cody and I went out to eat.  We once again wound up with wadded straw wrappers.  I had to cover up to make sure that Cody didn’t do this again.  And, in the end, I won when I got the wrapper down his shirt.  At least until he got home and was able to get it out. 

I promise that in however many years we have left together on this earth, he will never live this incident down.

So What Do You Think About Me?

I haven’t blogged as much a I would like.  Between the busy times around here lately and rainy weather which can wreak havoc on our internet, I haven’t been around here much.

And tonight, I’m coming up blank.  (It’s the way my morning started as I had one of those “Nothing” to wear mornings that I know you women can relate to.)  So, I decided to take the easy way out.  I’ll use a quiz from the Quiz Printables that I downloaded from Ella Publishing and let my husband provide the blog material tonight.  I’ll just transcribe and share a few pictures that my nephew took of Cody and I.  (His first paid photography gig.)

I’ll keep it short because I know he’ll grow tired of this quickly.  Questions typed. .. now to get his answers.  I’m not sure what’s going to come out of his mouth- could be funny, could be sweet, could be sarcastic, could be confused. . . Let’s see what we get tonight:

Me: What’s the funniest thing I’ve ever said or done?

(Can’t even describe that look. . . then he shrugs his shoulders. . . I tell him to think and he’s still thinking. . . could be a long night.)

Him: What are you typing?

Me: You’ll have to wait and read my blog.

(According to him, he doesn’t read my blog. . . bet he reads this one though.)

Him: When you, how can I word this properly, so you don’t knock the ____ out of me.  . . .

(Then he recalls something funny he did rather than I did. . . perhaps I’m not that funny. . .perhaps it’s the “funniest” part that stumps him. . .let’s try asking it a different way)

Me: Name some thing funny that I’ve done.  What have I done lately that made you laugh?

Him: You burp all the time. . . you get your words backwards- at the time it’s funny.

(eek he’s frustrated already)

Me: What’s one thing you’ve learned from me?

Him:  Missouri has the correct title for their state as the “Show Me State”.

(Yes, I suppose I’ve taught him that- something my Missouri birth gave me.)

Me: If we escaped to an island paradise for one year, what would we take with us?

Him: And it would work?  Either the TV or the Computer.  I would say the TV and you would say the computer.

(He’s all kind of worried about whether or not they would work.  LOL!)

Me: What’s the nicest thing I’ve ever done for you?

(He rolls his eyes, sighs, throws his hands up in the air and puts his head back.  By now, he’s frustrated even me.  Good thing we love each other so much.)

Him: Brought me breakfast in bread.

Him: Do I have any I need to go back and answer.

Me: No, this is not a pop quiz.  It’s just a “what would you answer”

Him: Funniest moment. . . when you dogged on me at my parent’s house about how I was never going to ask you to marry me when I had the ring with me the whole time.

(He proposed to me that weekend.)

Him: Are you done with me now?  I have to pack for my hunting trip.

(He walks back through the living room.)

Me: I can’t believe that I’m going to post that I burp a lot.

Him: You don’t have to put that.

Me: No, that’s what you answered.

Him: That was just an example of what to put.

(Lately, I have burped a lot.  And as embarrassing as that has been, it’s really embarrassing posting that now. . . )

Me: YES!

School Is Back and So are the Memories

The college “kids” are back in town.  And you know what that means- Walmart and the traffic in town are crazy.  But, for Cody and I, it means something else.  Today is the 15 year anniversary of the date we met.  I don’t know if I’ve told you this or not. . . It was Chemistry.  Chemistry was my very first college class and the first of the semester.  Technically, it was after chemistry lab that evening that my lab partner, Lane, introduced Cody and I. 

Five years ago, I did a little album celebrating the 10 year anniversary of this date.  These are a few of the layouts from that album.  The first one features the area where we walked that first night- and many, many other times over the course of our lives.  The second one includes the Chemistry Building and pictures from the Ag Pond when/where Cody proposed.

And looking at these pictures, I realize we were “kids” ourselves.  I also remember all the fun we had in those days and realize we still have a lot of fun.  I’m so glad that God’s plan for me included Cody in my life.

(I can also see the evolution in my scrapbooking over the past five years when I look at these.)

Flashback Friday: Robber’s Cave and Broken Bow

While going through my old pictures, I decided to implement Flash Back Friday’s here on my blog- a chance to tell the unblogged stories our snapshots tell.

Today’s Flashback: September 2007.  We took a week off and headed north to Oklahoma.   We got a room at the lodge at Robber’s Cave.  That was super cool in and of itself.  It’s 20 rooms that look like hotel rooms.  We were only one of two rooms filled that night and it was like we had the place to ourselves. . . Your room- like a hotel, step outside, like you’re camping.  What a view we had!

(Here’s the problem with blogging this far after the fact. . . I have no idea.  I don’t know if he just didn’t want to cooperate or there was, at that time, some type of story behind this one.)

Robber’s Cave in and of itself was quite a feat for me.  I’ve become so scared of heights as I’ve grown older.  (This didn’t use to be the case as I loved the Astroworld ride that dropped you 8 flights in a matter of seconds.)  Robber’s Cave also meant lots of climbing.  The views were spectacular from up high as well. 

I was a tree hugger.

 They were my friends.

Cody had no fear.

Even after this.

He was no worse for the wear.

And, I had a great time despite my nerves being shot.

We took a windy scenic drive before we headed back down south to Broken Bow.  We aren’t likely to take that drive again any time soon.

But we were anxious to get to Broken Bow.  We knew they were stocking with trout.  We knew the trick to geting them.  And we knew it would be perfect fishing the next morning.

Or so we thought. . . Turned out the lake must have turned over.  There was too much sulfur in the water (and it stunk too) and no one was catching fish.

But we still enjoyed the beautiful water while we tent camped there at Beaver’s Bend.

And, we enjoyed getting on and in the water- but thankfully that was two activities instead of one.

Oh, and then there was the No Tell Motel Cody took me to. . . .

I created a little post card to myself to commemorate this great moment in our marriage.  It reads:

“Just a Note

We’re having a great time here in Oklahoma.  I really enjoyed climbing around at Robbers Cave.  You should be proud of yourself for not letting your fear of heights keep you from climbing.
But, stopping at this no-tell motel was not one of your finest moments.  This sign which seems to be from a by-gone era had been captured in my memory from our last trip here.  Cody obliged your request to stop and take pictures.  But as I took pictures I slowly realized that this was not the kind of establishment I should be parked in front of and began wondering what those on the highway were thinking of you.
Me, Myself, and I”

Off-Centered and Ackward

The photo I’m about to post is awful- among it’s problems- it’s off-centered and awkward.

This “lovely” example of a picture gone bad was take about a week and half ago.  Cody and I took an evening to go out and take pictures.  We went out the a native plant area on the college campus.  (It was actually because the weather fooled us into thinking it wasn’t as hot as it’s been. . .)

I took Candice Stringham’s Portrait Photography Class earlier this year.  One peace of advice that she gave me was not to photograph Cody from a lower level. . . Of course, I do that because I’m shorter then him.  Her advice came to mind as I prepared to take a picture of Cody.  So, I got up on my tippy toes and tried to get a shot of him.  Of course, I couldn’t be still.

When I saw the shot on my display, I said remarked that the shot wasn’t very good saying, “you’re off-centered and ackward.”  Cody took that statement a bit further stating he knew he was off-centered and ackward.  It became our joke the rest of the evening.

Going with the Creative Flow

Here lately, I’ve been feeling very creative.  I’ve also been getting some diverse projects I’ve been wanting to do out of my head and off my to do lists.  Somedays, the creativity just flows.  These are times that you just have to ride the wave. 

Last Friday night, I think I was on creative overload.  I normally am an early to bed kind of girl.  My head was swirling with ideas about a project I couldn’t wait to work on Saturday.  But, I knew it was too late for me to be able to give the project the attention it was going to need.  I did work on a couple of other creative thins I’d been wanting to do.  I just wasn’t sleepy.  Around midnight, I finally tried to go to bed.  I wound up trying a sleeping pill and even that didn’t seem to help as I never really slept solidly. 

Sometimes, when I’m feeling creative, work can be a chore.  It just depends on the project at hand.  For example, right now, I’ve got one very analytical project that’s deadline is looming. . . Because I’d rather be working on one of the creative projects that I have dangling out there, I’m having a hard time getting the analytical one done.  I know it’s because I’m trying to go counter to the creative flow.

But, when I can go with the flow, as I’ve done at home, I can really get a lot done.  This weekend I started and nearly finished the groundbreaking work on a project that I’ve been wanting to do for several years.  I can’t wait to share the initial version with everyone really soon, get feedback, and launch the project for next year.  (Details are coming real soon.)

But, I’ve worked hard to balance life at home.  Though the house is not as clean as I’d like to keep it, I can channel my creative energy into things like cooking.  I’ve also made sure that I’ve spent time with Cody.  Of course, it doesn’t hurt that one the things we did this weekend together was work on a project that ultimately has some creative freedom for me. . . our “new” living quarters at the deer lease needs some real work and then I get to decorate it.

My husband has learned to go with my creative flow as well.  He, thankfully, gives me both roots and wings.  He supports me in my creative adventures and understands that it’s a part of who I am (just as I know hunting is a part of who he is.)

The View From Where I Sit

Since getting high speed internet, Cody and I have spent many a night with the both of us tuned into our computers with a half of an eye on the Royals ballgame.   Tonight is no different.  I’ve spent a lot of time learning more about photography or checking out music.  Tonight, it was photography as I started a new class online. 

And, while I actually was just playing with a few buttons on my camera, I also got  this shot of my husband smiling.  I have no idea what he was reading about. . . he’s been checking out Ryan Bingham who we saw in concert last weekend.  Of course, since I wasn’t serious, my knee was also in this pic and I had to crop it out. . . but I like the smile on his face.

My Old Man

This weekend, I spent some time going through all of our adoption paperwork and files.  I found this when I was going through the stuff from our PRIDE courses.  We were to draw a stick figure of ourselves and then I forget exactly what we were to write on post-its and place on the paper. . . I think it was our support system or something.

My husband, of course, went a little further with his drawing as the class progressed. 

It’s him alright.  That running “W” on his hat. . . The King Ranch hats that he always wears.  And of course, it’s hard to hunt without something to shoot, right?

I made sure to keep this little drawing as it really makes me smile because it’s just so Cody.