Well, hi everybody! I've been missing around here, not sure if anyone noticed except for a few guys looking for snake skins, but figured I'd post up because I think everyone can relate to the "detours" life throws at us.
I was excited. Yes, at 44 years of age, I'd been putting aside "myself" for 17 years to make sure my kids were priority one, as I'm sure every Dad does. But my time had come. A custom bow 8 years in the making( I bought the coco 8 years ago). I posted on this "Before and after Silvertip" as some of you may have seen. And I had the money to spend on my bow, I had the woods, and the skins. I waited a bit over a year before Beth called me. I paid it all as fast as I could, and when done, the bow was spectacular.
Problem: How about 2 herniated disks a few weeks before my bow was delivered?
Okay, s@#$ happens.
But I get the bow, (everything I dreamed of) and my back gets worse by the day. The bow is sitting there looking at me, and I cant raise my arm to grab it without vomiting from the damn pain erupting from my back. Brutal. Day in, and day out.I stick it out without pain meds as much as I can, but end up pounding them at night to sleep. Finally get insurance clearance for therapy. First session, they set the ultra sound unit at max by mistake and my lower back muscles cramp rock hard ruining the old injured area.
Okay, s#$% happens.
Cant have therapy for 2 weeks cuz of damage done. Cant get to computer, dont have lap top. People emailing me for skins, quivers, knife sheaths, antler burrs etc., and I cant walk the 20 feet to answer. My poor wife is running ragged to handle everything in our life, never mind my side stuff.
Slowly, the back starts improving, things are looking up for once. Its getting warmer out, and I open the window to breath fresh warm spring air. Pull the back a bit. Damn.
S#$% happens.
But, I fall asleep right under window, it begins raining and I'm out cold. I get wet, cold and sick. Wife gets home, scolds me and cleans me up. Three days later I'm admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
Thinking about the poor bow, unshot. Just sitting there,a work of art, probably wondering why its all alone?
S@#$ happens.
A MONTH in the darn hospital unable to take more than a 1/4 breath of air. First time in my life that I started thinking of my mortality. Am I going to die? Crap, I haven't even shot my bow!
Finally, I'm released and taken home. I've lost 35 pounds of muscle. And my hair has turned mostly gray in a few months.
S@#$ happens, i guess.
THERES MY BOW!!!! My back is not horrible, I'm weak but I think I can pull it back. Yeah, I think so. I try, and it slowly comes back to anchor. Its very hard, but I draw it back. Enough.
I bought a lightweight Abbott longbow, and start working with it. More emails about skins, I start to reply with unfortunate news that I can't do much and plenty of apologies for not being able to answer my good fellow trad folks. Most are awesome and willing to drive out here and fluff my pillows! Thanks guys ( and gal!)
A couple however...well, there are those type everywhere in life. I don't worry about them. Didnt get what they wanted the second they wanted it.
For those couple my advice is , s@#$ happens.
I should heed my own advice however, because a day before writing this I made my first trip to my freezer in the garage. My wife stays at least 5 yards from it. Its mine and my two boy's freezer. There are two whitetail buck skull/capes in it, a frozen fisher cat, a froz. beaver (roadkill but perfect), a woodcock( my oldest's 1st trad bird kill! A woodcock with a longbow!!!!! I was and am sooooooooo proud!), okay what else is in this freezer? A 9 ft red tailed boa - whole, a carpet python - whole, 12 copperheads, all 30+ inches, 22 prairie rattle snake skins..skinned but not fleshed, 5 bullsnakes( not yours Don! Jake's is tanned and waiting!), 6 diamondbacks..western, whole, 6 eastern diamondbacks, skinned but not fleshed, a green tree python, 6 red fox pelts skinned and frozen, 2 wild silver fox, 3 large racoons and 10 whole frozen white weasels.
Hey, whats that smell? Why is there a huge puddle under my freezer?
Yes my friends....it was not plugged in. For over a week, minimal. What a stink, non salvageable.
When I was in the hospital, I guess a huge hockey game with the neighborhood kids took place in my garage. Somehow the freezer cord was snagged and yanked out of the outlet.
S@#$ happens? How much s@#$ are we talking about here? I think I've had more than my fair share but it just keeps getting dumped!
Soooo, here I am. I have no inventory. I'm still physically messed up but mending! I've lost a lot of $$ in inventory, but I've always done this for fun more than for income so I'm far from ruined.
Just put back a bit.
But I've got a smile on my face my friends! My wife and kids are healthy! I'm on the mend! I've got 22 bows here right now, including my Abbott healing bow and my awaiting Tip.
I've got it MADE!!!!!!!!
Good shooting to you all, I'll be back soon to skinning bows and making quivers.
Only thing is.......
I'm thinking on changing my handle from YORNOC to "s@#$ happens"...any ideas?
If I were you, with that great attitude, that would be a fitting handle for sure! Heal up quick! :thumbsup:
Your a lucky fella, as far as the support of your friends and family, that's awesome! I have seen your work, and the people that don't understand "stuff happens" ... Oh well. Keep healing, and you will be shooting that tip soon! Good luck,
WOW you have gone thru alot of "S@#$".
Hope things turn to the better.
Damn. I admire your positive thinking. I hope you are feeling better soon.
David sorry to hear about all the problems you been having.Glad to hear you are on the mends,take care of that back.Wishing you a speedy recovery.
I've noticed you weren't around, just because your almost a local.
When I read your story I thought, there but for the grace of God go I. I've seen friends and coworker's lives ruined by back injuries. It ain't no easy road back either. I wish you the best of luck in the future, and I hope you've used up all your bad luck.
Good shooting friend.
nope... stick with Yornoc because you can take the bad with the good... This is just a chapter in your life and it sounds like you got the "right stuff" to deal with it...All my best...
Thanks from the bottom of my heart...I have been struggling with a few things in my life.
My difficulties fall way short of yours, and your attitude is inspiring to me.
Even with a bad back and a rotten freezer you have managed to remind me that in reality I have it good.
I pray for relief for your back...and that soon you can get to know your new bow...
Thanks brother. :campfire:
I'd rather call you Rooster, because you have True Grit! :)
Now go floss. :p
Killdeer
Really, an amazing story of pluck and gumption. Say that three times real fast. Now go wash your mouth out with soap. :campfire: :archer2:
David, God bless you so much!!! Jesus is the answer to all this. The only answer I know.
Grow and be stronger bro.
I guess I must have got the last or close to the last of the snakes you sent out. Will be keeping you in my prayers.
I want to encourage you by telling you this. There is light on the other side.
PS: I wasnt to get a pair of water moccasins if you get any. Plus if you want a light bow to shoot for a bit I have an EagleWing Carbon Talon 11 I will send you that is only 42 lbs. You can use it as long as you need to.
God bless you, Steve
Your attitude is inspiring! I wish you all the best.
The law of averages is now officially on your side. You have been through H#%%. And your positive attitude is inspiring.
You have earned any handle you want, including staying YORNOK.
I'll wish you good luck just to help tip the odds a little more in your favor.
Good luck.
I feel you brother. There is no rhyme or reason to life sometimes. When it rains its seems to pour and pour and pour....... Hang in there with that great attitude and trust the big man upstairs and I can promise you not only "s@#$ happens", but "grace happens", as well. You will be a better man all the way around, for coming through this time in your life. Best of luck and God Bless! By the way I like your handle, don't change it.
After all that S@#$ happening, I think you are due for some real good things to come your way.
Heal quickly!!!
Get well. Shlt happens for everyone during their life. But we all bounce back for the positive. Just look at it as a test to your life.
Way to keep a positive outlook on life. It sounds like you stepped into a huge pile of it.
Well, Yornoc, s@#$ does happen, but at least you know how to keep it in neat little piles.Good luck - glad to hear you are on the mend.
David,
Praying the lord give you some Sonshine! And I agree with Killy go wash your mouth out, a positive attitude goes a long way in taking a bad taste away :goldtooth:
Praying your travails are over and you are heading for better times. Heal quick and start spending time with that bow. You certainly are due.
Man I am rootin' for you to turn all this around and get that Silvertip in your hands soon! Hang tough!
I'm glad your feeling a bit better. I had the same thing happen to my freezer. Daughter unplugged it to use the shop vac on her car and forgot to plug it back in. What a horrid smell, and waste. Never did get the smell to go away. Stay positive like you are, it gets better. Bows are like dogs, totally devoted and will stay at the ready just for you when your ready. Change your handle to lucky. :)
David you're the man.Thanks for the wonderfull bow I bought from you(Howatt sd),and I am praying that your luck will change.All I have to say try to do some swimming as it is the best exersise that doesn't hurt your muscles,amd eat plenty of fish fruits and veggies.When you get better I 've got a couple bows for you to skin.
Yornoc, you my friend are due some very good things!
What a run of bad luck, you have a great attitude about it though. I totally sympathize with the back issues...been there, had the surgery, constant struggle.
Hope the future picks up, you've had enough bad luck you should be due for some good...
Great attitude,Never give up!!!!!!!!!
U have a great outlook on life!!!! I know all about $#!¥ happening at the worst of times. Keep your head up brother!!!
That is what I would call looking at the glass half full
David,
Your story just cracked me up but felt the pain cause I've been there with the back problems L5 S1 with hardware still in, two buldging disks 2 and 3 and a reattached right hand from a log splitter...Tentions removed from my left leg to get feeling in my hand,hernia,and another operation..The freezer problem I had a few times and that will just down right "Make you loose your groceries from your gut pouch"....Best thing to do is COWBOY UP and get deeper boots or chest waders cause like you said s@#$ keeps happening...God Bless and that's why we have T.P. to clean up all the mess... :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by Bonebuster:
Thanks from the bottom of my heart...I have been struggling with a few things in my life.
My difficulties fall way short of yours, and your attitude is inspiring to me.
Even with a bad back and a rotten freezer you have managed to remind me that in reality I have it good.
I pray for relief for your back...and that soon you can get to know your new bow...
Thanks brother. :campfire:
Well that about says it all right there. There's been times when i've had my share of "s@#$ happens" And sometimes ya wonder how much more you can take......... Sounds like you can take more then I can, thats for sure.
Just remember:this too shall pass.
Good attitude! That's a lot of stuff! Man..glad you're on the mend and positive!
You have redefined the term S#*t Happens...wish the baser for ya, and you have a great attitude regardless of what has happened to you, and that is half the battle!
Man David you have been riding a rough road over the last few months for sure. I am even more grateful you found the time and energy to send me the antler burrs. Keep the positive attitude. Let me know if there is anything you need. Keep plugging along, hopefully you are over the hump.
The lord works in mysterious ways. Happy Easter and god bless. Can't wait to see some pics of the critters you will kill this fall with that silvertip!
I do feel for you. I have watch my wife go through what you are going through the last few years. I would not wish it apon anyone. I know we have went enough in medical bills to buy a few customs bows and a good trip to Alaska. The money lost is really nothing in comparison to how much it has affected our day to day life. Best wishes on getting to shoot your bow.
Dang! enough is enough, just remeber what doesnt kill us only makes us stronger. Pain is weakness leaving the body! Been in some of the same before, turn to your pasions to get your mind off the bad sh##. I wish you the best on your recovery and with your award winning attitude youll be fine, what else can you do. If you lived a little closer I would come over and shhot that tip for you and you could watch out the window. :goldtooth:
All up hill from here brother! Enjoy life.
:archer:
David just make sure your healed up, your very young yet and all the work will be waiting for you when you are well. I wish you the best and hope your back gets better. Thanks for posting.
David Sisamis
Thanks for sharing David. There's been a bunch of S@#$t happening in my life, but not compared to yours. I have had a decent attitude, but not as good as yours either. I thank you for humbling me, and giving me a model to follow in imprioving my outlook. Thanks again and God speed your healing.
Well, that's a little more "stuff" than normal to happen, I'd say.
Good attitude, there are few things in life that are really important and you seem to have them.
Better days ahead.
Keep your handle as is. You want to get as far away from that other as possible.
Good days ahead for sure just get better.
Praying for you brother!
David,don't give up! You are though and in our prayers.Thanks for that piece of Cocobolo,I need to look for some more skins when you'll be OK.
You kinda put me to shame. After half of my left foot was amputated due to a wound from Vietnam, I was really feeling sorry for myself because I am not able to hike the mountains and stump shoot like I used to. You give me some inspiration.
Well, there goes the law of 3's - good and bad things often seem to happen in streaks of 3.
That is a tough run - heck of an attitude.