SSWA DUCKBOAT SHOW - my newest "excuse": Bold talk from a one-eyed fat man ?

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
All~


I sent this note around to my circle of gunning partners earlier today:


Gents~



Rooster Cogburn rides again!



Although [SJS] recently lost about 10 kilos, he has also lost the use of his right eye - as of Wednesday morning. Whilst gathering up the last of this year's prodigious crop of Black Walnuts, my stereovision went to mono in the blink of an eye - literally. My right eye sees nothing now but a medium grey, not unlike staring into the bottom of a sodden cumulonimbus. Every day's a sou'easter off the starboard bow - thanks to a minuscule particle of unknown origin that has lodged itself in the artery that nourishes (or used to anyway) my ocular nerve.



I am writing from the hospital (Albany Medical Center) - where I have been since yesterday and may be until tomorrow. I am getting excellent care from a team that is trying mightily to understand how or why this happened. Surprisingly enough, everywhere they have looked thus far appears healthy. A few more tests are planned.



Living with a single functional orb will take some getting used to. My biggest concern in the short term is figuring out how to drive safely - and so I will not be testing my newfound skills on Long Island this coming weekend as I had planned. I will begin by negotiating the hay roads here at PBF - and venture onto our public byways when it is safe for me and others. Not sure whether shotgunning - either in the lowlands or along the Atlantic Tidewater - will be a part of my future - as much as I savored the first 54 seasons. In any event, handling small craft, rigging stool, finding cripples, feeding gunners and all the rest will continue undiminished.



I am viewing (pun intended) this curve ball as just another episode in Life's Grand Adventure. Later tonight, Susan and I will celebrate the 47th anniversary of our First Kiss. Since that time, we have both been fortunate to have found a wonderful collection of family and friends - all characters with whom we enjoy the aforementioned Adventure. So, I still consider myself The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth - if no longer De' Shootinest Gent'man. To put it more succinctly, losing one's sight to an "arterial occlusion" is "better than being poked in the eye with a pointy stick".



I look forward to being afield with each of you soon - just not sure how I will get there....



All the best,



[SJS]


A happy and healthy season to you all here at duckboats.net


SJS
 
Steve

I'm taken back by your announcement. So sorry to hear of your misfortune. I hope your medical team can figure this out and come up with a course of action that will restore you to the fullest amount possible. On behalf of everyone here you have our fullest support.

Eric
 
Steve,

Wishing you a speedy recovery!! Looking forward to more tutorials on various
subjects...all the best. Chris
 
Steve-

You are a GENTLEMAN in every respect of the word. I have enjoyed my trips to your home. I have enjoyed seeing you at decoy and duck boat shows along the Northeast. You have done amazing work for me in the past on decoys and on the "original" Southbay Spa Treatment that you tricked-out for me. I have always enjoyed conversing with you about many different topics related to hunting of course. I sincerely wish you a very speedy recovery and great health in the future. I pray for your health and hope that we can share a south-shore of LI hunt together sometime in the future. GET WELL !!

Your friend,
Bill Abbate
 
Sorry to hear, but I think you got this. No matter what your ailment is, just remember, somebody has it worse.

Not to "one-up" you, I am in the middle of my second round of Chemotherapy for stage 4 lung cancer. The disease has spread to my brain, liver and kidneys. No hunting for me this season. I will be living vicariously thru the stories and photos posted by my friends, here, and FB.

I will be thinking of you, and hope for a quick and simple solution.

Hang in there Steve.

Regards, Jon
 
Jon~


Right you are - plenty of others carry much heavier burdens. I had earlier this week invited another friend to join us for an easy hunt here at the farm - only to learn that he'll be commencing radiation treatment shortly.


My heart goes out to all with truly big battles - and all those professionals and loved ones who put their shoulders - and hearts - to the wheel.


All the best,


SJS

 
Steve
I wish you the best and hope you can settle into a normal lifestyle soon. Your words have helped me in my struggles with duck hunting, and woodworking. "On the Falling Tide" is fascinating and inspirational.

My kind words are not hollow, and hope they help in some way.
Wishing you the best
Mike Asid

I WILL see you next year at Tuckerton. (Will be my 1st time)
 
SJS
Sorry to hear of your medical issue.
You?ve been a great resource for me and many other here, and I know you will continue to be
On a lighter note, with the patch maybe pirate boats??? (Sometimes it helps to laugh in tough times)
Thanks for always answering may decoy making questions
Pat
 
Steve, Sorry to hear about your accident. You will go through stages of a emotional roller coaster. On October 8th I ran my thumb through the table saw and lost half of it.
It made me stop and think about all the wounded warriors that lost arms and legs. My thoughts and prayers are with you Steve. You are a good man.

Tom
 
Steve,
Sorry to hear of your unfortunate event, Wishing you a speedy and rapid recovery.
Thanks for all the info you have shared with us....priceless.
Best wishes.
Bill.
 
SJS

In my short time here I've realized that you're one of "the good ones". It was a given observation. Wishing you nothing but luck with this bud.
 
Last edited:
Heres wishing you a quick recovery. At the worst I,m sure a crossover stock can be fitted to ye old Model 12 and feathers will soon after fly! I,m sure with the miracles the medical profession can work today you,ll be on the high road to a speedy recovery in no time at all. Good luck with this portion of your journey.
 
Steve and Jon

My best wishes to you both. Both of you have contributed greatly to our collective knowledge and freely shared your talents.

I do like Patrick's suggestion of a pirate's eye patch for Steve, maybe we can Bob Furia to paint a black duck dropping into the marsh on it instead of the skull and crossbones (it is Halloween tonight).

Take care and wishing you both speedy recoveries.
 
Well, Steve, I am betting that you will have figured out how to get there. You have that uncanny brilliance that will lead you in the right direction and you will make the best of the situation. Prayers sent from New Mexico. Take good care and remember it is one day at a time like you have already alluded to. In the meantime, I sure hope that your team of medical people can come up with some very positive news for you. Best of luck,Steve.
Al
 
Steve, I was shocked to hear about this recent development. I am sure you are in good hands in Albany and hopefully the new tests will yield some good news, I am sure with your nearby circle of great friends and family and your very positive attitude will help in dealing with this problem. And I hope "modern medicine" will do wonders. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Sandy
 
Steve and Jon,

Sending good thoughts both y'alls way! I am sorry to hear about this for both of y'all.

Steve, speaking of eye patches.....On the first gator hunt that Steve and I ever went on, the "helper" in the boat had an eye patch. Apparently he had rotating eye patches for whatever he was doing for the day. For that night it was an alligator leather eye patch with a glass gators eye in it. Pretty cool.

Wishing you all the best and hope they figure it out quick for you. Shotgunning with one eye is possible...you just gotta retrain yourself.

Dani
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top