Rabbit Hunting with Dad

I remember hunting rabbits with my Dad, R.L. (uncle Jr) while growing up. The .22 we had was not in the best of shape, actually the single shot .22 bolt ejector was broken, Meaning after firing the shot you slid the bolt back, used your pocket knife to dig out the spent casing, turning the rifle upside down to let the casing fall out, then uprighting the rifle, digging a new shell from your pocket and closing the bolt, then you were ready for the next shot. All total about a minute of time between shots, for rabbits, trust me if you missed, the rabbit was either long gone or hiding so well behind the mesquite tree that there was no shot to make.
Anyway we had a blast. Especially when Billy Wayne, Terry and Lonnie came to Sundown. We would all go out with Dad and Uncle Wayne. We would all get in the back of Dad's 1948 Ford pickup. Ride around on lease roads in the pasture, stopping for rabbits. Often once a shot was made we boys would all leap out of the pickup, for some reason it was called "pile out" and race for the rabbit, sometimes finding that the shooter missed or whatever but having a great time. For you animal lovers the ranchers encouraged us to kill the rabbits, they ate the grass that the cattle needed of course the ranchers due to not wanting to have a cow accidently shot wouldn't actually say "go get em" but wouldn't go ballistic when they stopped us and asked what we were doing there.
I also remember Kenny coming severl times with Uncle Bill. Now Uncle Bill was a good shot. He was in the Korean war and was wounded there. He once told me that after being wounded it was two days before he made it back to an aid station. Anyway he was a good shot. He could bring the .22 up and fire, that quickly and hit the rabbit every time. I was told that he actually shot a crow from a high line wire while the car was moving, not surprised.
There are stories of Boots, Jim and Jackie coming to town also, they all pal'd around with Linvell, of course they were all many, many years older than I was, okay, perhaps too many many's but they were older. Dad told me that all of them were in Sundown once and one evening at supper mom had supper when everyone was finished, Jackie asked if mom was going to keep the peas or not, anyway as the story goes he finished the bowl of peas.

Sad news

As Marvin said Jim's wife Betty died in her sleep during the night April 10th. Boots and I went to Grand Prairie Sat. afternoon. There is no known cause of death at this time. If we find out more we will pass it along. She was not ill and had no know health problems. The funeral was Tues April 20th. Marvin, his daughter Tara, Carolyn, and Linvell came for the service. Amy, her husband Curtis, and Corey came up from Houston. Victoria and her husband Aaron have been a rock for Jim during this time. As sad as the occasions was, we all went out to eat together that night. We enjoyed being together and having fellowship. I know Jim would appreciate your prayers for him during this time.
Janice

Billy's Screwed

I don't know about anyone else but I sure am glad those screws are in Billy's arm and not mine.

Betty Barker

This is merely an update to let everyone know that Betty Barker, Jim's wife passed away Saturday April 11. Janice Kay will provide more information when she returns home from Grand Prairie.

Amy Tisdale

Amy is my third kid, 17 years old and a junior at Sundown High School. She is very interested and talented in the performing arts and has received "Best Actress Award" five times in a row. She will be performing "Street Car Named Desire" in Lubbock at LCU this afternoon. This will their Area Competition for OAP. She is playing Blanche DuBois and thinks that this is her most challenging and exciting role yet.