Sasquatch
By Stephen Graham

Is there a missing link between the lower primates and man? Reports of sightings of this creature have come from all over the world. Reports of sightings of yeti or the abominable snowman have taken place for years in the Tibetan-Himalayan area. Sightings of the skunk ape that inhabits the everglades of Florida have also been reported for many years. In North America sightings have been reported in almost all areas where there exists the habitat required for bigfoot to make a living. Heavily forested areas of the country are the best bet to find this creature. The northwest portion of the United States contains vast acreage largely untouched by man. Bigfoot prefers areas that are free from the encroachment and activity of man. Sightings mainly occur through accidental encounters between man and bigfoot. Bigfoot is largely nocturnal and it's habits usually consist of the avoidance of man at all costs.

From the Big Thicket in East Texas all the way North encompassing the terrain of the tristate areas of Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas sightings of the animal have continued to be reported. Witnesses have encountered the animal while on outdoor excursions. Some accounts involve clashes between bigfoot and vehicles. Varying reports indicate injuries suffered in these collisions between the animal and man. Reliable sources have indicated that on occasions the animal has reached high speeds while making an attempt to follow moving vehicles. As man continues his encroachment into bigfoots' domain the animal is being forced further back into inaccessible pockets of seclusion.

Do we question the reports and sightings concerning bigfoot? Reliable people have filed reports about sightings of the animal. Police officers and professionals have made claims to have seen the animal. The abundance of claims that are reported lend some type of authenticity to the reports. Individual sightings have been reported by the claims of multiple persons. An incident of two police officers making the same claim while on a camping trip occurred recently. Reports of Bigfoot sightings near human habitations have occurred. Bigfoot supposedly has a fondness for chickens and vegetables left within reach of the animal around human compounds. Reports have surfaced of the animals' attempts to enter structures built by man.

Incidents have occurred that reference the fact that the animals have been observed looking into windows of homes late at night. The animal seems to prefer a safe distance between himself and man. Bad behavior preformed by the animal towards man is considered extremely rare. Hunters and those individuals who invade the living areas of Bigfoot report the most sightings. There are those who have come to recognize the animals' eerie cry. Samples of blood and hair from the animal have been taken to the scientific community to be analyzed and results have confirmed that those same samples are not human or are they from any known animal source. The only conclusion that scientists can arrive at is that the samples given to them for comparison could have only originated from a higher primate source.

Native Americans believe that Bigfoot originates from the spiritual realm and some of them live underground. They are said to possess powers far removed from their human counterparts. Although footprints, impressions, hair and blood have been collected no complete animal has been brought in for scientific scrutiny. There have been still pictures and video of the animal brought to the publics attention. A scientific investigation of the Patterson film concluded that the film was authentic. Video of the creatures' musculature could not have been reproduced artificially by any means known during the time frame that the video was made.

Who is this animal? Is he a figment of an overactive imagination or is he authentic? Research into the worlds' past should be recognized. Have there been animals in the earths' past that have lived and died and in the process become extinct? Anthropologists have uncovered the skeletal remains of ancient creatures that do not exist today. Could Gigantopithecus have escaped extermination and still be living in seclusion with us in the world today? On your next foray into locations that are largely uninhabited by man you can contemplate the possibilities. You might even be the fortunate person to experience an encounter with the elusive hairy man of the wilds.

Stephen Graham: Writes articles regarding his own interests and studies.


http://huntn-n-fishn.blogspot.com

http://buckskinnews.blogspot.com

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How to Find Great Cowboy Boots That Feel As Good As They Look
By Gregg Hall

It is amazing how popular cowboy boots are all over the planet, not just in the United States. While cowboy boots were originally created and designed to be worn by cowboys as a work boot more or less, they have achieved much more widespread popularity as a fashion item.

These boots were originally introduced to the public market during the Civil War and were copied after cavalry boots worn by soldiers. Soon afterwards cattlemen that worked the ranches of Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas petitioned the boot manufacturers to alter the boots in order to be better suited the specific work they did. Two of the most popular of these boot makers were Hyer Brothers out of Kansas and Justin Boots of Spanish Fort, Texas, a brand still popular today.

I think mush of the appeal of cowboy boots lies in their unique styling, having a high main shaft, with a high heel and pointed or rounded toe together with no lacing. In the beginning the boots were made from regular cowhide leather but later on the cowboys began desiring boots that were more decorative and elaborate and the evolution began into the fancier boots with a multitude of different materials and designs such as the Texas Stars that were popular then.

This led to the cowboy boot industry we have today where it seems nearly everyone owns a pair! The boots of today are made in nearly any imaginable color and are constructed of not only plain leather but of elk, ostrich, elephant, snake, alligator, shark, and even stingray. The sharkskin and stingray are particularly tough and durable.

If you are interested in buying cowboy boots, just bear in mind that they don't fit like any other shoe. You should have your foot measured and do so in the afternoon or evening when your feet have expanded. Buying any shoe or boot in the morning will result in them being too tight. You also need to be concerned with the depth and width of your foot. If you have a wide foot, you should consider a wide width. Most cowboy boots are made in B width for women and in D width for men.

Next you want to think about heel heights. The heels of cowboy boots come on a wide assortment of thicknesses from very short to extremely tall, just go with what you like best. For general all purpose wear it is best to stay under two inches. Get your own pair of boots and see what all the fuss is about.

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about western boots, work boots and cowboy boots cowboy boots at http://www.westernandworkboots.com

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Camping in the Great Outdoors
By Stephen Graham

You probably experienced camping in your youth while visiting friends or on trips with
organized groups. The Boy Scouts and other groups are dedicated to this pursuit. They
offer rudimentary training in organized groups which are usually chaperoned by
knowledgeable adults. Camping can be fun for the young as well as the adult camper. It is
best to start out camping in less extreme conditions and environments. Do not plan your
first camping trip in a snow storm or 110 degree temperatures. Use terrain that is not
threatening or dangerous to the camper on his first excursion. Gain experience and
knowledge. This knowledge along with proper camping equipment can lead to more extreme
camping. Stay away from areas with dangerous game populations.

Weather and terrain usually are good indicators on what camping equipment to take with you
on your excursions. Cold weather calls for proper cold and wet weather clothing. Heavier
duty equipment is usually called for in these situations. Better insulated bed rolls and
clothing that can insure a worry free trip are better ideas. Stronger tents and equipment
that are better suited to cold weather environs and offer better protection from the elements
are correct choices. Some type of heating device or alternative plans for heating that could
make your stay more comfortable in cold weather should be initiated. Foods that are high in
caloric content make better choices in cold weather camping.

Warm weather camping calls for equipment that meets the criteria for hot conditions. Light
clothing and bed rolls meet these conditions. Extra water or water filtration devices should
be carried on these trips. Hats and clothing that offer protection from the sun are good
choices. Bug spray and a snake bite kit might come in handy under these conditions.

Under all camping conditions proper lighting and first aid equipment should be carried at all
times. Food and provisions for cooking that food should be taken along on the trip. Bed rolls
or sleeping bags should be accompanied by an air mattress and mattress pad. Maps and
compasses should be taken and put to good use. You should leave information about your
location and probable return date with a person who can use this information to inform the
authorities and thus speed up recovery operations if the need arises. Cutting devices such
as knives and axes should accompany you on your journey. To modern day campers a cell
phone can be put to good use in emergency situations.

Take packs and enough equipment that will insure your comfort and survival for the proposed
time and extra equipment and food for extra days if the need arises. If you are camping in
areas where the weather can change abruptly make allowances for that problem. Make sure
that the vehicles that transport you to the camping area are in good repair and that vehicle
emergency equipment is on board. This could include shovels and flares. A cb radio
installed on the vehicle could make a critical situation into a pleasant experience.

Have fun and be prepared for all of the situations and problems that could face you and your friends in
the great outdoors.

Stephen Graham: Stephen has a degree in Psychology and writes articles from research and his own life experiences.

http://buckskinnews.blogspot.com

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Texas Allocates $255 Million to Homeownership
By Martin Lukac

Texas is making $255 million in homebuyer funds available to Texans for the purchase of a home.

"Owning a home has always been an essential part of the American Dream. For families, homeownership is not merely a source of pride, it is often the first step on the path to prosperity. And for our communities, homeownership provides an important source of stability," Governor Rick Perry said.

"Research studies show that when a majority of families own the home in which they live, you end up with safer neighborhoods, greater economic opportunities and a stronger sense of community."

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) will release $240 million in low interest home loans, with approximately $180 million dedicated to purchases in the Hurricane Rita Gulf Opportunity Zone. Borrowers in the Opportunity Zone will pay a low interest rate of 5.875%. They will be allowed up to 5% of the purchase amount through grants for downpayment assistance.

The Opportunity Zone residents do not have to be first time home buyers.

There are two loan options for those who purchase outside of the Zone area. The first is an unassisted loan that offers no added funds for downpayment and closing costs. The other is an assisted loan with funds offered for downpayment and closing costs.

The interest rates outside of the Zone range from 5.625% for unassisted loans to 6.125% for assisted loans.

The TDHCA will put the remaining $15 million into the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program. These certificates are available to eligible homeowners through the First Time Homebuyer Program.

"Today's announcement represents the best opportunity for many low to moderate income Texans to achieve their dream of homeownership," said TDHCA Executive Director, Michael Gerber.

"With 35 lenders participating in our programs, operating more than 300 branch offices throughout the state, Texans everywhere have a chance to begin to make a better future for themselves and their family. We encourage anyone interested in buying a home to learn how they can be a part of this initiative."

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!

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Learning to Fish in Texas-Taught by the Greats

By Michele Graham

I grew up in Texas and stayed at my grandmothers' house all week during the summers. My grandparents loved to go fishing. They fished, probably, every lake in Texas, before their passing.

Vacations for me were going with my grandparents on their vacations, which was always a fishing trip to Lake Dallas or Texoma Lake. George and Billie were die-hard fishermen. They started before dawn, in the dark and loaded their aluminum boat with all of their gear. I usually fell back asleep in the boat and did not wake up until we were at their favorite spot on the lake. I always felt they knew every nook and cranny the the sand bass or big mouth bass were hiding. We would stay in the boat on the lake all day, just coming in for a short break or sandwich and then back to fishing. As a child, I loved to fish, but probably not as much as they did.

When we went fishing it was the norm to bring home hundreds (or it seemed like hundreds) of fish, that my grandfather would carefully scale and clean to be put into the freezer for a wonderful fish fry at a later date. I wasn't particularly fond of fried fish at that time of my life. Back in the 50s, fileting fish wasn't done as often as it is today. Almost always, I would choke on the tiny bones in the fish, even when I was extremely careful.

Probably one of my grandparents greatest adventures was the time when my Uncle Ted took them to the Gulf of Mexico to deep sea fish. My grandparents were like two little children in their excitement and prospect of fishing the big ocean. They brought home an ice chest full of fish, including a red snapper as I remember. As an adult, my husband and I were also treated to a deep sea fishing trip by Uncle Ted. My husband, who loved to fish as well, was beside himself.

We awoke at midnight to drive to the party boat my uncle had rented, along with a hundred other thrill seekers, hoping to catch the "big" one. We were ushered into the bowel of the boat for the 3 hour trip to the fishing spot predesignated by the captain. At dawn we were awakened by the captain and told we were at our destination. I was actually looking forward to fishing for the "big" one, until I walked the stairs to the main deck to view more water than I ever imagined seeing. There was no land in sight. Immediately, my stomach was in my throat and I knew I was in trouble. I ran back downstairs to use the potty and was greeted by a sign stating " Go to the side of the boat if you are sick". This made me even sicker. There was no way I was going to throw up in front of 100 strangers. Not today, not ever.

Somehow I was able to hold this sickness all day. We did not catch the big one. A storm came up and the captain turned the boat around and headed for shore. I did not realize that the captain had been drinking beer all day and was driving the boat like a maniac. Once we were on land, we drove home. It took me two days to get over the sea sickness and to this day I have not been back to deep sea fish.

I do love to fish on a much smaller scale. I used to think my grandmother was dragged to the lake to fish. I once told her when I grew up, I would see to it that she had a real vacation. she laughed and said, "Honey, I love to fish and would not want to vacation any other way." Until the day my grandmother passed away, she would go to her little cabin at Lake Dallas and stay and fish by herself. She truly loved to fish!

Michele Graham-CEO and owner of Professional Healthcare Management has 41 years in the healthcare industry. She writes about business issues in all businesses and the healthcare field as well. She also likes to write about her life experiences.

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Safe Driving in Dallas

By stephen Graham

My Mom came to the Dallas area in the early 1900s in a covered wagon. She was a small child at this time. I don't imagine my grandparents experiencing many traffic problems due to congestion and irate drivers at that time. Things have changed in Dallas. Every summer road rage goes up to staggering proportions. Is it safe on the roads of Dallas? Statistically not that many people are killed or maimed in proportion to the population. The incidents that usually go non reported are the hand gestures and bad driving practices used by the offending persons. I was in the car with my wife for a few hours last week. If you are not exceeding the posted speed limit by at least ten miles per hour You are going to be the recipient of a hand gesture and more likely road rage. On the local LB J freeway if you are not exceeding the posted speed limit by at least fifteen miles per hour you will be passed by a multitude of cars and trucks in a matter of moments. The local interstate 20 has a very bad reputation for dangerous driving. I try to stay off of this highway at all costs. I take other freeways which lengthen my travel time but are very much safer.

My wife has been orally accosted on many occasions by out of control drivers. One incident several years ago brought the dangers of driving the local highways to mind very quickly. I was with my wife and kids driving on a local road to visit my family. A huge pick up truck with two occupants who had a rifle rack full of guns began tailgating my vehicle. I feared for the safety of my family and pressed on the brake to move the truck off of my bumper. This seemed to infuriate the driver. His actions became worse. I believed that he was trying to hit my car and drive it off into a ditch. I sped away with equal actions taken by the driver of the pick up. I exceeded the speed limit trying to out distance myself from his vehicle. I took exits off of the highway and made u turns trying to shake this vehicle. After many miles and frayed nerves I turned off of the highway into a lighted gas station. The gas station was vacant but the perpetrators probably did not know this. They cruised slowly by the station with the guns gleaming in their rack. After the truck went down the one way street I started the car and went in the opposite direction.

One afternoon while driving home from a day of mowing at my farm I encountered another situation. Road work was being done on one of the local highways. Speed limits were posted. I observed the legal limit of the law. This seemed to infuriate a young man behind me. As soon as he was able to get in front of me he swerved his car to a screeching halt at a red light. He jumped out of his car, while slamming his car door, advanced on me shouting obscenities all the way. This fellow did regain his senses and returned to his car and drove away before any serious harm could be done.

My wife had been orally accosted several times in a particular week. One incident involved a man that was behind my wife and did not care to observe the posted speed. He honked his horn at my wife for blocks and when finally being able to pass shouted o barrage of obscenities at her. She came to me and asked my advice on how to obtain relief on her daily driving tasks. I put several NRA decals on her back windshield and advised her to always carry her cell phone with her for emergencies.

I had been cut off by vehicles and was going through the same sort of trauma as my wife had experienced. I went to the local Walmart and purchased a gun rack and installed it immediately. The NRA decals went on my back windshield along with a version of the Texas State Rifle Association decal. Most drivers are suddenly more courteous to me now. Those who initially tailgate me see the error of their ways upon viewing the gun rack and fall back to a safe distance. Life in the fast lane has suddenly become less stressful.

Stephen Graham-Native Dallasite writes about his own life experiences.

http://buckskinnews.blogspot.com

http://huntn-n-fishn.blogspot.com

Reptile Stories of the Past

By Stephen Graham

Living on a farm put me in close contact with all types of the slithering creatures. My sister was bitten by a snake but not a venomous snake, as a young child while swimming in the tank on our farm. When we fished at night, it brought snakes to our boat from somewhere out of the bitter gloom. When we walked around the house, it brought forth images of snakes lurking at every corner. We caught snakes on trot lines while fishing. My uncle brought snakes to our attention that he had procured out of the local barns. One of his stories involved the tale of what happened to him on one of his frog gigging adventures late one night. The eyes loomed large in the night. The frog gigs aim was true. The snake was struck and the result of the escapade was having the snake wrap itself around the arm of my surprised uncle.

The time that I was fishing out of a truck inner tube and saw a strange motion. A huge water moccasin was sunning itself on a log in the creek. I was about 5 feet from hitting the snake. The wind was blowing toward the reptile. I bailed out of the tube and swam for shore. I left my tackle box and all of my equipment to the mercy of the snake and stock tank.

Shortly after my marriage to a naive city girl, our trip to the farm brought forth images of a peaceful and relaxing week end . I enjoyed riding an old motorcycle . The kick starter on this vehicle was broken and needed the aid of another vehicle pulling it down the road through the use of an attached rope. I enlisted the aid of my wife. Off we went down the one lane rock covered winding road. She spied a snake on the side of the road in a watery ditch. I had the habit of picking up snakes and using them for show and tell. The kids really enjoyed this. I got off of of the motorcycle and preceded to club the snake. I then put it in the back of the open pick up. The motorcycle was unusually cranky this morning and balked at coming to life. My wife turned at the cross road and returned in the direction of the farm house. I was sitting on a motorcycle that was attached by a rope to the accelerating pickup. My wife was narrowly avoiding catastrophe at every turn. I could do nothing but scream at the top of my lungs. She barely missed putting my body through the barbed wire fence surrounding the family home She bailed out of the truck, shouting something that I could not understand. The snake had recovered his senses and was trying to get at my wife through the open pick up window. Water moccasins are very aggressive and if threatened will not shy away from a fight. The snake got out of the truck and backed me up about 15 feet. It struck at everything that it could see. The escapade ended after many near hits by the large snake.

My wife and I enjoyed boating and camping. The tent was erected on the shore line. The boat was in the water. The storm was coming. Everyone on the lake tried to use the boat ramp at once. The wind blew my craft into the rocks. The shear pin snapped in the motor. This pin allows the motor to function. I needed the help of my dear wife. While she held the bow of the boat in chest deep water , I would be at the stern repairing the motor. Dusk was approaching and I was moving rapidly. Not fast enough for the two water snakes that appeared on each side of me next to the motor. I weighed the severity of the situation. It seemed to me that the need to fix the motor outweighed the problem of the snakes. If I warned my wife the efforts to fix the motor and get back to the boat ramp would be curtailed. She screamed as the two snakes swam between her legs. The whole escapade came to a screaming halt.

I had not cut the long grass in weeks. Walking through the field one day I lost my balance and fell. The spot where I fell was not where I wanted to be. I had left a short log about 6 inches in diameter at the very spot. A large snake had rested next to the log. My foot landed on top of the snake. My foot continued movement with the flexibility of the snake skin helping it along. I kept moving until my foot hit the log. Down I came. I believe that I got up faster than I went down.

I found a copperhead snake down by the old hog pens. A large stick struck at the right part of the anatomy of the snake seemed to solve the situation. It was show and tell day. It was a long walk back to the house through tall grass. The kids were waiting. I was within 100 yards of the house when the snake began to move. It fell off the stick which I had used to carry it. It fell right at my feet in the tall grass. Another sticky situation that could be solved by fast action.

I have walked among snakes all of my life. I have come in close contact to water moccasins, copperheads,bull,chicken,coral and timber rattlesnakes. I have stepped on them and next to them. I have swam with them. I have never been bitten by them. I have had many narrow escapes. Snakes have struck at me at me with no ill effects. As a youngster I walked among them bare footed. Having matured, I now use snake proof gaiters when I know that I am moving in areas with high snake populations.

Stephen Graham- Avid hunter and fisherman, is a native Texan. He writes articles, drawing from his own experiences in life.

(C)2006 Stephen Graham

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