November 30, 2021 - "The lazy man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious." Proverbs 12:27
Mill Creek was four miles from our house in Center, Texas…four miles if we walked the railroad tracks to get there. As we were growing up, my brothers and I made numerous trips there to squirrel hunt and fish. The most dangerous part of our trip was crossing the long winding trestle (we called it "the trussel") over the creek. Since it was high and long, meeting an oncoming train on it could easily mean death. Daddy told us to always hold our ears down to the rail and listen before crossing it.
Our walk to the creek was relatively easy but the long walk home… lugging squirrels or a string of fish…. left us completely exhausted. Peanut butter, crackers and cold Mill Creek water helped us prepare for our long walk home.
Squirrels are everywhere nowadays, but back then, you couldn't find one within miles. We didn't just hunt them for sport. We skinned them and ate them…fried, broiled or barbecued…and it was always easy to tell whether it was a fox squirrel or cat squirrel by the color of the hair floating on top of the dumplings.
I haven't eaten squirrel in 25 years…but I'd do it again…if times get bad…
…and I get hungry enough.
