It is of Bill Fullerton, a great friend of both my father and my grandfather.
For decades the three of them would go duck shooting together. They would have carved all of their own decoys (some seen here). My grandfather, father, and Bill would leave before dawn, usually rowing out in the icy water to the rocky islands. (My grandfather taught my father the proper way to row, feathering the oars, and all were fanatical about getting it right.) They would set the decoys by lantern, mindful to avoid the tangling of lines.
Then they would sit on the lee side of the rocks and, with their pipes and a thermos of coffee, wait for the sun to come up. Even on the coldest mornings, they never wore gloves.
Often they would be out all day. They even had a particular groove in the rocks where they would place the pipes when they shot. And they always returned with ducks for my grandmother or mother to cook.
Bill Fullerton was one of those "wicked clever" men to whom everyone went when they couldn't figure something out. (The Fullertons were an old New England family, emigrating from Scotland in the 1600s, and he reminded me of the character Golly, the ghillie on Monarch of the Glen (mentioned here).) I still have and use every day his mother's 1850 farmhouse kitchen drop-leaf table with its ash top and maple legs.
We live in a culture that focuses a lot on youth. But sometimes, I really miss more adults.
20 comments:
What great memories, and so wonderfully told. And I agree wholeheartedly with your last two lines. It's been a line of thought that's seemed to guide my whole life.
Men of a different era, more's the pity that we see so few like them today.
The last two lines touched me. I agree wholeheartedly, and want to teach that to my daughters. Thank you.
I loved hearing about Bill Fullerton. A capable and dependable man. Also been re reading your older posts. I love the geneaology and pictures of beautiful New England churches and houses.So different to where I live.
The last two lines are two I wish I'd written myself. Lovely and poignant post, Muffy.
@Michael Rowe - Yes, but what do you know about writing? It's not like you are a New York Times best selling author... oh, wait...
Great post. So happy you continued your blogging despite a busy May.
A tremendous photo...wish I could have duck hunted with this gentleman.
I had the great privilege to know many such people growing up; past masters of the arts, trades, and mysteries that allowed our ancestors to survive and flourish in a harsh and untamed land. "Real People" is what I call them; what survives of their knowledge is a priceless legacy.
Thank you, Muffy!
Muffy, do you by any chance have recipes that your mother and grandmother used to prepare the ducks your father and grandfather brought home?
I love this photo and your memories. My father and his brothers were also hunters and fishermen, and as a child I enjoyed listening to their stories at family gatherings.
Thank you so much for sharing!
When my husband was a teenager on the South Shore of Long Island he often went duck hunting. He simply walked the mile to the bay and out he went. Keep in mind we would carry his shotgun over his shoulder-do that today and I guarantee the police would be paying him a visit. Sad that so many have lost contact with living a simpler life
Where have all the adults gone, seems today everyone is perpetually 17. I know people in their late 40s ,listening to music ment for teeny bopers. Whats has happened to our culture?
As someone who's still (sort of) young, I wholeheartedly agree with the last two lines. I blame, in part, baby boomer culture, which has seemed wholeheartedly dedicated to casting aside wisdom and experience in favor of "newer" and "better." A generation with such parents finds itself far removed from hand-carved decoys and cold mornings out on the water.
@WRJ - Great point. I believe we, as a collection of societies, will be "recovering" from the baby boomer "extract and bask" ethos for some time, or at least reconciling the good and bad of it moving forward (even if some distance may be needed to see the real attributes of that culture more clearly).
And, more importantly, congratulations on your graduation from law school. That is very exciting and an accomplishment worth celebrating!
So grateful for the unexpected posts. We are almost into the month of June. Hopefully, there will be even more posts in the coming months. Summer months are filled with Daily Prep moments and thoughts. Thanks so much for your wonderful blog, Muffy!!! I love the little gems of information, insights and photos!!!
That photo is stunning, Muffy. It gets the light at that time of the year so perfectly, yet it's black and white.
We have Fullertons and duck hunting and a few wicked clever Yankees around our neck of the woods, too.
Fantastic picture. I imagine that it captures his character well.
Great post and anecdote, Muffy. My parents were of the Baby Boomer generation and believed that a life filled with modern convenience and complication was automatically a better one. While I never had any memories like these as a child, I did teach myself to fish, hunt and shoot as an adult and look forward to making memories like these with my young son.
Since I am one, I'm qualified to add to WRJ's comment about baby boomers.
Generally speaking, we are a ridiculous, self-indulgent, silly generation. We were going to change the world and we didn't even raise our children very well. And now, we won't even pretend to age with any kind of grace, dignity or wisdom. It's discouraging; I'm tired of seeing bb's dressing inappropriately and acting like we're all still 25 and "cool".
Can you tell I really miss the (greatest) generation before us?
I have a bit of a crush on Golly, and -- now -- Bill Fullerton, too. Thanks for posting the wonderful photo. Your blog is a tonic!
Post a Comment