“Play it by ear.” You hear that a lot these days. “Let’s play it by ear.” Sounds so easy. Not much planning or research or thinking about it. You just go for it and do it. That sounds easy doesn't it? Hear it all the time. In fact, I heard someone say that just today. It reminded me that I have been meaning to tell you about how I got this mangled up right ear. I know you have noticed it. I have seen you looking at it, and probably wondering, maybe for a second or two, what

If you want a simple answer, ask a simple man. What do the Northern Lights look like from Prescott, AZ

We have indeed become slaves to technology.

"Hello, hunters and outdoorsmen everywhere! This is Bruce Dewitt, and welcome to The Oklahoma Sportsman, where each week we bring you another exciting outdoor adventure. Today, we’re out in the wheat fields in northern Oklahoma, going after one of the trickiest and most clever game animals to be had up here in this part of the state: the elusive but dreaded North American field mouse. We’re right out in the middle of one of the legendary wheat fields in this place that is called

“Oui, Oui” said Fifi , so Ben took her into the bedroom and pointed out the bathroom. Being a gentleman, he turned to walk out the door. “Monsieur, Oui, Oui.” “I know, I’ll be right outside.” Ben kept walking. “Monsieur! Oui . . Oui!” “Now look … if you got to go, you’ve got to go. Just go ahead and go!” Ben left the room and never heard the sobbing. *** Ben had come to Paris for a purpose. He was staying in a nice hotel near the Eiffel Tower. It was his first time in France.

Ben had never been in this place before—a huge room, found at the end of the long hallway, just off the main entrance. Residents were not allowed in that area without a special pass. Ben had one today, for the first time. The light was low … the room dimly lit by burning sticks of incense … candlelight faintly flickering on the ceilings and walls. Ben could make out shapes huddled in the middle of the large, tall room. Strange, haunting tinkling sounds could be heard softly comi

My friend Ben used to watch old Lewis hobble along the sidewalk of the downtown square back in Enid, Oklahoma. Lewis always had his crutches, one under each arm, and he literally dragged his legs and feet along as he pivoted the crutches back and forth. He had gotten really good at it. Ben had seen him going along without missing a beat even when the streets and sidewalks were covered with a layer of ice. Ben never knew how Lewis became crippled, and he could not remember a

Cody walked onstage and surveyed the huge, cheering crowd, soaking in the excitement and energy radiated by thousands of adoring fans, the flashing effects lighting, the fog, and fireworks spewing from the pillars behind him. The warm-up band had been good … but the huge audience had evidently come to see him, Cody, the star attraction. “Cody! Cody! Cody!” Their chant filled the huge auditorium to the rafters. He threw his right arm up in the air with his guitar pick in-hand

Here's the story of how it all began . . . "The mind will play funny tricks on you. One minute you’re in a business meeting or hard at work on the job, and then, something will hit you that brings back a familiar taste, or smell, or feeling, and the next thing you know, you’re remembering those times years ago, sitting around a campfire after a big camp meal, with friends or family. I remember we’d pull up logs and sit around . . just poking the fire, swatting bugs, swapping

The cool, thin mountain air stabbed my lungs with each breath as I lumbered up the trail at over 10,000 feet elevation, carrying the weight of my day pack, loaded with lunch and snack provisions, water for the day plus a little extra, rain gear, binoculars, plus a slew of extras for "just in case", and, I was carrying a Pulaski, with which I would work all day, building a stretch of the Colorado Trail. The morning sun and the physical activity was beginning to warm me, and I