My dad's brother .... my uncle Bill .... is a bit different.  Nothing like my dad.

Uncle Bill took up taxidermy a few years back.  Waaaay to much time on this old farts hands.  He is for the most part self taught.  A few years back he told me if I ever saw some dead animal along side the road that wasn't badly mangled to pick it up and freeze it for him.  I'm not one to stop and examine dead animals along side of the road ... so I ignored this request .... in one ear and out the other.

Last spring he sold his ranch and moved into a smaller home with less acreage ..... an age thing I'm sure.  I've been to the new home a few times but never spent much time indoors.  So yesterdays Thanksgiving meal was quite interesting.  Their home is now decorated with stuffed dead animals ..... everywhere.  Posed in various ways to make them look natural and placed on things like logs, tree branches ....etc.  all over the house .... even in the bathroom.  For some reason I found this distirbing.  I was uncomfortable eating with a family of racoons staring at me with their beady (sp?) little eyes.  Out of the corner of my eye was a fox .... in full sprint ready to jump into my plate.  Ewwww .....

I'm sure the food would have tasted a bit better if I wasn't sharing it with a forest of dead animals. 

I guess I should be glad he has a hobby ..... but really ..... maybe a separate room for his display .... people can check it out if they really want to?  At least I'll be prepared the next time we head over to eat.  Which will hopefully be awhile.

Have a good Black Friday everyone.  Me .... I'll take my chances right here at home .... shopping online.  But if you were brave enough to get out there ..... hope you found some good deals.

Peace.  J.