I'm seriously thinking of suicide. No, not really. But I don't know if I can still seriously consider myself a bass fisherman.

Oh, sure, I caught a 5+ pound fish again today. Yeah, I did catch about 15 three-pounders, and another 30 that were less than that.

However, the big one got away. Again. Son-of-a-bitch! This time she hit a pumpkinseed lizard on a Carolina rig. Going away from me from the start. Ripping line out. I put on the fighting drag and set the hook better, then tried to turn her. It was more of a problem, I was in my little two-man boat. I went to the right, then to the left. She continued straight ahead. Then came the all-to-familiar feeling of a fish that was there not being there anymore. I jerked the rod tip, hoping that she'd stopped or turned. No. Empty hook. Reeled the line in. The Gamagetsu hook was straight. I don't know what else to do. Maybe some non-atheist out there will pray for me...

I went out Wednesday AM when I got off work, caught a couple of nice fish and a bunch of little ones. Stayed out too long, I just about didn't get up for work at Medassist. Betsy & Andy are letting me leave my boat out there, so it's much less work going fishing now.

I was planning on being up with the sun this morning, but I didn't roll out of bed until 09:00, got in the boat about 10:00. Fished until about 17:30, then came home. The big one hit about 15:00. I thought I was already pretty tanned, but my arms and ears are crispy again. Part of the price I have to pay, I guess. Fifteen years ago, I would have worried about getting burned, but for a fifty-year-old with a heart like I've got, things that will kill me in twenty years don't scare me anymore.

Took a shower when I got home, then Karen got home from weight-watchers and we went to Medassist to get me some drugs for my chronically-infected left ear. It started hurting shortly after the big fish got away, giving me even more reason to feel sorry for myself. We got to see Dr. Huffman, who just returned from his honeymoon in Jamaica, where he married the girl that he's been living with for several years. They had a good time. He says he should've gotten married years ago! Then we went out to Carlos O'Kelly's, Karen had a coupon for half-priced meals. Had a good supper, but Carlo's made us think about JD & Lisa. That is Lisa's favorite restaurant. We sure do miss her. And JD too, of course. I've tried to call him several times recently with no luck. I frequently try to call Tyler, too, but he's never there. Maybe he'll call me some day.

I love Karen so much! We got to talk a lot over dinner, and she's feeling inadequate about her job again. They're running OS2 on BC/BS computers, and adding new stuff all of the time, and it is hard to keep up with, I'm sure. She hates computers, though, I can't even get her to play with mine at home. She says she's had enough computing in her forty hours at work! She's a lot smarter than she gives herself credit for, though, and I let her know that. Plus the fact that she is the most wonderful woman on earth...

The sons-in-law are going to Las Vegas for the weekend, courtesy of Mid-America Imports, where the both work. Andy is going to be gambling, while Matt says he'll be looking for loose women. And he's willing to pay...

I just called JD, and Tyler was there too. JD had lost his internet account, so he's not been able to keep up with my journal, so I had to tell him all about the fishing and Herman and Debbi. I told JD that I hadn't been able to get ahold of Tyler, and he told me that Tyler was there. So I finally got to talk to him, too. I had to tell him about the fish too. It was really good talking to them, they're such good boys and I love them and miss them so much!

Herman and Debbi are getting married tomorrow at noon. Karen and I will meet them at the courthouse and serve as witnesses and best people, plus I get to be the photographer. So I'll have some digital images to put up tomorrow afternoon, I hope.

I told Karen that I wouldn't go fishing tomorrow, instead I will do some work around the house that I've put into a lower priority than fishing. I guess I can not go fishing for a day every little once-in-a-while.... Doug and I are going out all day Saturday, anyway. We'll be in his boat, and I'm just going after that one fish again. Third time's a charm!

There's another Nilky I'll put up when I upload this, too.