First let me start at the beginning of this story. I was reading YeOldFurts blog some weeks back and there was a post and a picture of him in his Mountain Man gear. I just fell in love with this post and the idea of the Mountain Man life. I left him a comment and ask if there were any Mountain Man clubs or get togethers in my area that he was aware of. He was good enough to send me a link to put me on the right path. I was very grateful for his help. A week or so later he sent me another email to say that he was parting with some or his Mountain Man gear and had some that he wanted me to have. He said that he had few things that he thought that I would like and appreciate and he would be glad to send them to me. I was very happy to hear that this "good man" was willing to pass some things my way. I thought there may be a beaded necklace or a pouch or something like that in the package that was coming my way. Boy, was I ever surprised when I open the package.
The first thing I took out of the package was these handmade pants. These are leather from a deer that YeOldFurt killed himself I'm sure, and tanned himself too. He also took the time to hand make these with great detail. Just look at the workmanship, amazing. Bone and wooden buttons and all the great fringes too.
Sorry to say that these don't really fit me just right. YeOldFurt tells me that they can be altered if needed. I will no doubt have to kill a few more deer and Tan those hides to have enough material to make them fit over my big butt. But I do just that if need be. These things are so soft you just can believe it.
The next thing that came from the box was this unbelievable knife. Hand made by a friend of YeOldFurts, Dan. "Good man #2 in this story" This was the last knife that Dan made before his death. Dan went out on a hunt in the fall of '79 and they found him dead in his tree stand that evening. Dan was buried in his full buckskins with his own personal rifle, hawk and knife. Dan's widow, Myra, made the sheath as well as done all the bead work on it. You really have to see it to appreciate it in it's full glory. I have never seen anything like it, ever. Myra didn't last two years after Dans passing. They both left behind beautiful works of art for us all to enjoy and I am thankful for them though I never knew either one.
Next out of the box was this amazing hawk. Back in the day, YeOldFurt must have been a real hand with this hawk. He used it during competitions at Mountain Man rendezvous and was able to hit a playing card with it. A true art in and of itself. Just try to throw one and you will see what I mean. It fits so good in my hand and I feel as though I am shaking hands with YeOldFurt each time I grap hold of it's handle.
I'm sure you can imagine just how surprised I was when I open this package from a very good man and one that I am honored to call friend. I am also honored to have received this items and will treasure them all of my days. When the time comes to pass these on, as YeOldFurt did, they will take with them the story of Dan and Myra and the one that passed them on to me. Words just can't explain how honored I am to have them and how thankful I am to YeOleFurt for choosing me as their new owner. I am humbled by this act of kindness and will forever carry with me the story of all previous owners. Thank you more than you will ever know, my friend, YeOldFurt.Just when you think there is no good left in the world something like this happens to knock you off guard. An act to kindness out of the blue from someone you have never even met. Gives me hope for mankind once again. This tale of two good men, YeOldFurt and Dan, should give us all a knew outlook on life, sharing and friendship. It sure has for me.
This is Bullseye...OUT !!!
