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Reflecting on today, plotting tomorrow.
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Born In the Back Woods

When I was a young officer in the 10th Mountain Division’s 1-22 Infantry Battalion, one of my most memorable experiences was standing in battalion formation, 550 battle ready men strong. Led by our Battalion Command Sergeant Major, echoing his words in single voice unison, line by line we belted...
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The Bear Dance

A Brief Outlaw Note:      Ahead of this story, as a map check, I wish to share a few thoughts.      My goal for this blogging adventure remains simple:  Share Some Day’s I’ve been In.      Within these posts my readers will find rugged Adirondack hikes, canoe trips, hunting...
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The Ice Palace

I penned this piece shortly after Robin & I were married. We lived in an apartment on South Massey Street in Watertown, New York. I was still an Army Captain serving in Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division. We had just weathered our first “Ice Storm.” *****     December in...
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Swamp Things

When I was a boy, we read comic books. They cost about a dime. Titles like “Avengers”, “Fantastic Four”, “Two Gun Kid”, “Ghost Rider”, “The Incredible Hulk”(of course), & Sgt. Rock. One of my personal favorites was “Swamp Thing”. “Swamp Thing” was this mangled, disfigured, moss covered monster. Outcast...
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MegDella’s Flock

A tale inspired by “Saranac Shelties” Author’s Note: My mom, Carol Monroe, brought home our first Shetland Sheepdog just after I graduated high school, shortly before I left for Cornell. Her name was “Lady”. She quickly adopted my father & was his faithful companion for the rest of his...
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The Marmalade Cat

********** Carlisle Mulrooney was three years old. He sat by the living room window with his chin on the sill, sniffing the musty old windowpane glass while he stared at the tree in his strange new yard. Raindrops splattered against the glass and dripped from the roof with a...
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Snow Patrol Ambush

Snow Patrol Leader Saranac Diamond In the “Ruff” Supervising Her Troops From Snow Patrol Heaven ********** “Hey! Let Us Out!” “We Just Want To Help!” ********** Just look at those innocent faces! I walked right into their trap. Suddenly: “It’s An Ambush!” I’m surrounded!” After a quick burst of...
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Bagging Grinches

I love to hunt, always have, but cancer is a Grinch, trying to steal everything, even an Outlaw’s roast beast. When I was 16, I bagged my first buck, an 8 point, up on a Phelps Mountain ridge. My next buck didn’t come for a number of years. I...
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My Daily Prayer

Greetings! Even after nearly fourteen years, this remains my daily prayer. Said quietly, every morning, first thing, as I mark yesterday off the calendar, put that day in my pocket to save, and prepare to take on THIS day! I was out working on my trails one day a...
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Damn The Torpedoes!

     Monroe Bull Rush Bay Camp Prep, 2019: I dragged Dad’s old 12 foot aluminum Grumman canoe from behind my shed, cleaned it up, replaced bow and stern lines, then spray painted it camouflage greens and browns over a base of flat black.     I cleaned and lubed the...
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