The Best Lake Decor Gift for 2012!

Here's the best lake decor gift of the year, a personalized vintage style map of their favorite lake, river, or bay. What a unique gift for the sportsman, lake lover, boat or lake house owner. Add those cherished photo's of that big trophy fish, fun family outing, lake house, favorite sail boat, lucky lure, or water skiing trip directly to their favorite vintage style lake map.

Folks are discovering that these personalized decor maps are wonderfully unique gifts that become family heirlooms. 

Oh yeah, I hide things in the lakes waters, which make the maps even more interesting. I  hide a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters of all my lake map paintings that folks love to search for. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. 
 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click 
Orders are picking up during the holiday's, so order soon. Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

The last of the hummers!

In Nashville, about a week ago the temp was 45 degrees at 6:30 in the morning. Luckily, we had left the humming bird feeder for any stragglers coming through. While looking out of the kitchen window, I was amazed to see a very slow flying humming bird. In fact he was flying so slow, he was struggling to stay airborne. I could tell he was relieved when he landed safely on the feeder rail.

I quickly grabbed the camera and took a few shots of this very cold hummer. This was the last humming bird of the season and was probably on his way to Mexico. Cancun I bet.

I guess you could say this was the last flash of summer until next year!

"Life is short, get away from the iPad and go look for a lily pad."

Finally, the Palm Rat has passed over the palm tree!!!

It appears the battle with the palm rat is over. Read how it all started by clicking on the new stuff tab above and scrolling to a posts called "I heard a noise coming from the toilet."

Here's the latest up-date.

Day 6 - Yep, it appears the palm rat (HoudiniRat) has eaten one too many XXX rat poison pellets. The only problem, the body hasn't been found, however the battle with the palm rat is over and the clean up begins.

  Remember "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!"

The best lake welcome sign you can't find!

The BEST lake welcome sign you can't find, until now. I have put all my creative & artistic skill into creating decor signs that incorporate my lakes, rivers and bays vintage maps. After much experimenting, I think I have finally come up with a style that I'm satisfied with. If you look closely, you will see the vintage style map behind the welcome message. Now for all of the maps that I have painted, I can print these cool looking welcome signs of your favorite lake, river, or bay. I don't think you can find a better looking lake decor welcome sign! Also, they can be personalized what your name! 

www.leolakes.com

Since I fish, I decided that it would be nice to add fish to my vintage style maps.

I have been drawing and painting many fish (Bass, Trout, Catfish, Saltwater fish etc..) so as to use them in my decor maps in some way. This is the result and I am very pleased with this art. Note the names of the fish are at the bottom and top of the map.

These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 
 



What do you think about these prints? Remember, "Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream. If not, put one on your wall!"

Continued-I heard a noise coming from the toliet!

This is a continuing saga that has been progressing for the last five days about my mother and father-in-laws battle with a palm rat. Read how it all started by reading the previous post called "I heard a noise coming from the toilet." Here's the up-date.

Day 5 - My mother and father-in-law woke from sleeping in the sun room and found more damage from Harry HoudiniRat. It appears HoudiniRAT climbed up the wall and across the ceiling to tear down the fire alarm. Yep, the fire alarm. Humm........ not sure how or why he did that but I'm hoping he's not considering torching the place.

After that, HoudiniRat moved on to the bathroom, knocking over toiletries and leaving lots of little packages. Now for the bad news, he cleaned the traps without setting them off again, however he did eat a large amount of XXX rat poison. Dang, this is one tough rat, the second helping of XXX rat poison and he's still alive. I think I need to ship'em a bowl of my special chili, that would do the trick. Anyway stay tuned for day six. 

I heard a noise coming from the toliet!

Before I sat down, I heard a noise coming from the toilet, as I looked down I saw a big furry rat in the bowl.  Ahhhhh ahhhhhh as I ran stumbling over my pants. Well, that’s the way my mother-in-law told the story. That was four days ago and it has become such an interesting story that I decided to post it.

 

My mother and father in-laws have a place in Englewood Florida on Manasota Key. Manasota Key is a narrow island only 400-600 feet wide. On the Northeast side is Lemon Bay and on the Southwest is the Gulf of Mexico. There are lots of palm trees and now, palm rats. What is a palm rat? A palm rat’s natural habitat is subtropical or tropical forests and mangroves and they are 6-8 inches long. They’re the number one pest in south Florida.

 

Day 1- Day one began with the bathroom incident as described above. Then, Mother and father-in-law purchase sticky pads to catch Mr. Palm Rat. They placed them all around the area and slept in the sunroom away from rat.

 

Day 2- Mr. Palm Rat gets caught on sticky pad, but Mr. Palm Rat is strong.  Mr. Palm Rat, now named Arnold SchwarzenRAT, extricates itself from the sticky pad and becomes so angry he eats the commode top.  Mother and Father-in-law purchase rat traps and place them in the area loaded with peanut butter and fruit along with the sticky pads. They again, sleep in the sunroom.

 

Day 3- New rat name, Harry HoudiniRat because the rat eats the food out of the traps without setting them off. Also, he‘s leaving lots of little packages around. Now, Mother and Father-in-law purchased XXX rat poison and placed it in the area along with rat traps, sticky pads and sleep in the sunroom. At night, Mother-in-law goes into area and steps on rat trap then falls on sticky pads..........Just kidding

 

Day 4- Finally, Harry HoudiniRat eats some of the XXX rat poison. More XXX rat poison is put out. Mother and Father-in-law sleep in sunroom, hopefully for the last time. 

 

Stay tuned for Day 5!

 

 

 

Lipstick Lure

I ran this cartoon by my wife before I put it on line just to make sure it was okay. My wife said...... Boy, you sure drew an ugly woman! I said yeah, but the lure matches her lipstick!

Have a great weekend and "Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!"

The Pumpkin Flu

There's a new flu going around and it's called the Pumpkin Flu and it is sweeping the country. It appears in October, peaking on Halloween. The major symptom is throwing-up and and it's quite nasty. Before you purchase your pumpkin, check it for the Pumpkin Flu in a two step process. Here's how. Take the pumpkin in both hands and raise it to your ear and shake it. Do you hear a sloshing noise? If not, good. Next, firmly grasp the pumpkin's stem and give it a good pull. If it remains firm, then the pumpkin is flu free. 


Here's a picture of the Pumpkin flu.

If you have already purchased a pumpkin with pumpkin flu, you will know it. The only cure is to stick a candle in it and put it out on Halloween! Spread the word about the pumpkin flu and have your friends come here and read about the pumpkin flu.

 

Hope you enjoy the fish net cartoon !

"Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!"

Who Dunnit Mystery Solved

Who Dunnit UP-DATE!

About a week ago a couple of dead animals were found in the ten acre woods drive. We have four cats and the question has been who dunnit? Please read the full post called "Who Dunnit Mystery" below for the full story or find it in the Sept. posts. Anyway, we now have a chief suspect and it is.................................

Mr. Spot Nose is believed to be connected to these murders. Mr. Spot Nose has been seen many times in the last week in the meadow across the road during the early morning and late evening.

Here is a picture of Mr. Spot Nose. Be on the look out. 

Wives if your husband..............

 

Hope you enjoyed my cartoon.

Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Party on the patio with three baby raccoons!

Have you ever wondered what happens on your patio at night when you are all curled up in bed, was there a party going on that you weren’t invited too? Well, I haven’t thought much about it either, until I noticed a flash of something running across the patio when I turned the light on to let the cat out. What was it? I’m not sure, but I decided to find out just what happens on the patio after hours.  I set up critter cam, my night, motion camera and placed a small amount of cat food near. Here’s what happened!

8:38pm and first out is a possum looking for the all you can eat buffet.

9:19pm our cat drops by looking for action.

10:38pm a cat tail.

4:51am three baby raccoons partying on the patio

5:03am the bouncer drops by and asks the raccoons to leave.

5:25am and the cleaning folks come by to tidy things up.

 

What happens on your patio when you are a sleep?

 

 

 

Fish Suit

Oh, looks like little Johnny is an artist!

 

I couldn't resist doing this cartoon of these waders hanging on the wall and little Johnny's artwork all over his dad's fish suit, as little Johnny calls them. Looks like that's a permanent marker in Johnny's hand. Hmm, wonder what daddy's reaction will be? Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!  



Thought my cartoon of this bass fit with the last post about the piranha. Enjoy!!

Piranhas in Percy Priest?

I fish in this locate lake and this has been in the news lately.

SMYRNA, Tenn.- A local fisherman's startling catch at Percy Priest Lake has people talking and wondering how and if an exotic fish from South America could end up in Smyrna. Bill Haynes says there is no doubt what bit his bait Saturday is a Piranha; Native to Amazon, this one somehow ended up in a Tennessee lake and Haynes says it was likely at the hands of irresponsible pet owner. He's been fishing his entire life and said even this took him by surprise, "You know what you're fishing for, but that doesn't mean you know what you are going to catch," he said. Never was that more true than what he reeled in Saturday night from his boat on Percy Priest Lake.

The Piranha exotic fish is known for its sharp teeth, sensationalized in Hollywood for its killer instinct and quick bite. And seeing it next to a Tennessee catfish in the catch bin shocked many eople docked at Percy Priest. Haynes said the fish tried to snap at him Saturday night and even ate the 15 blue carp that were also caught. "If you get them stirred up, they will probably bite you back. I know he was trying last night," he said. Haynes took a closer look at the teeth on the fish, many of which were broken off but growing back in. Bill believes this fish came from the Amazon to an aquarium before finding a home in Percy Priest. "People get them in their aquariums and they get tired of them or they get too big and they don't want to kill them, so they bring them here and turn them loose, and it's against the law," he said. What puzzles Bill even more than seeing a Piranha next to a catfish, is that they both took a bite of the same local bait. "This dumb fish bit a hot dog," he said.

Now Old Man Bill's got all of Dock C talking and watching the water for what exotic pet they might catch next. "I'm not getting in that water. If you see me in it, it's because I fell in not because I jumped in!" he said. A biologist from the TWRA is coming to take a look at the fish on Monday morning and confirm what species it is. This is not the first report of a Piranha being caught in Percy Priest Lake; a similar catch was made by a woman last year. It is uncertain if they are affecting the local habitat.

French Kiss your Bait?

Kissing bait for good luck is something a few fishermen partake in. I put a little humor in this ritual with "fench kissing your bait." Enjoy.

 

 

I normally do a few of these cartoons every week, if you like, join my blog or add a comment.

 

Remember: Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

 



Who Dunnit Mystery!

It all started yesterday, Sept 15, 2012 in the ten acre woods when two bodies were discovered……….

Mr. Bunny lived in the meadow across the road from the ten acre woods. He spent most of his days with his wife and 12 children in their beautiful two hole house, only coming out in the early morning and late evening to eat. Something was different about this day and Mr. Bunny could probably sense it. While Mr. Bunny was enjoying a second helping of fresh clover, he was suddenly and brutally attacked.  The evidence indicates that Mr. Bunny struggled with his attacker but was not able to free himself. He was killed on the spot and his body was dragged from the meadow, across the street, and down the ten acre drive.

Forensic evidence suggests that Mr. Bunny died from bite marks around the neck area. Also, the time of death cannot be certain, but rigamortis had set in and Mr. Bunny was likely killed sometimes on the evening of the 15^th.

While police were canvassing the area, another body was discovered only 25ft up the drive from Mr. Bunny. This body was that of a field rat that also lived in the meadow. It appears this victim was murdered in the same fashion as Mr. Bunny however, evidence indicates Mr. Rat was killed on the morning of the 16^th.

Police indicated that there are four known predators of interest. All four are being interviewed.  

 

Mr. Storm

Mr. Stormy is a grumpy 4 year old cat. Police commented that it was difficult to get anything out of Stormy. After interviewing Mr. Stormy, Police have concluded that Mr. Stormy is a house cat and has never been outside. Stormy commented "I did not do it, there is no way. I’m a full time house kitty!"

 

Mr. Gray

Mr. Gray was very cooperative and seemed to like the attention even suggesting a suspect. Mr. Gray commented that he bet that it was that mean cat Spot Nose that lives outside. Police have also concluded that Mr. Gray is a full time house kiddy and had no means of leaving the house at the time of the murders.

 

Mr. Creamy

Mr. Creamy is an indoor/outdoor cat. He is a loner and kind of crazy. Police have determined that Mr. Creamy had the means and the motive to murder the field animals. In fact, Mr. Creamy was outdoors and no one had seen Mr. Creamy during the time of the murders. Creamy is a cat of interest.

 
 

Mr. Spot Nose

 

NO PICTURE AVAILABLE FOR SPOT NOSE

 

Mr. Spot Nose is the bully of the neighborhood. He beats up every cat that’s near and has even been seen chasing wild turkeys. Police can’t even find Spot Nose to interview. Spot Nose is a cat of interest.

 

Police have completed a profile of the murderer that suggests the murderer is a predator, likes for his victims to be found, kills in the early morning or late evening, is a pathological murderer who preys on small helpless field animals. A policeman was quoted as saying “we have a serial killer in our neighborhood” stay in your hole. Stay Tuned for more information on this riveting story…………….

Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad...............

Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Why did Bob's buddies laugh at him.

Life's short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

The story behind an old fishing lure!

I have been lucky to have a couple of lures that my grandfather fished with in the 30s. Now, my grandfather was not much of a fisherman, but did fish on a rare occasion. When I was a kid, the family cleaned out his home after he passed. My father and I found these old Heddon lures in his shop. My father said he remembered these when he was a kid and fished with them on the Duck River during the depression.

As you can see, they have seen better days. In fact, someone tried to modify the top lure for some reason. I do wonder what's the story behind this bait, where was it purchased, and what fish were caught. I'm sure if this bait could talk, it would be fascinating.

They are made of wood. The shellac has deteriorated with age and the paint is starting to crack and flake off. The quality of the craftsmanship is excellent. The diving spoon is thick and made from high quality metal, no rust after 80-85 years.

I bet my father or his brother modified this lure when they were young and decided a spinner would be better added to the front. Oh well, I am glad to have these old relics.They are not worth much to anyone else but me. I do want to preserve the story and place them in a better container. So, I decided to print and build an old fashion lure box made of paper.

Now folks in the future will know a little more about these old lures and the story behind the bait. "Old fishermen may pass, but their bait lives on!"

The above is a proto-type box and I am working to improve. I think it needs to be a little thicker and better graphics. I will add a new picture when I finish.

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big the screen and get on the big screen.

Run like the Wind!

All I can say is run like the wind!

Hmmmm... looks like Bob was wearing a cap too.

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Bubba invents a new fishing sport, sort of!

Bubba has been thinking! What would be better than combining two popular sports such as shark fishing and hillbilly hand fishing. Bubba can see it now, his own TV series showing him hauling in hugh Great Whites. The rating would be outrageous and Bubba would be a star. Then........

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream! 

 

Hillbilly Handfishin

I know you have reached way back to the edge of the fridge, searching under the frozen peas and corn to pullout that package of frozen trout.

You didn’t know it, but you just Hillbilly Handfished, sort of. This recreational activity is taking over the country. In fact it's so popular, signs are going up everywhere to ban this sport. Well maybe not in New York City. Did you know that you can actually hire a Hillbilly Handfishin guide? Yep, he or she can show you the appropriate technique; yes Hillbilly Handfishin has technique just like trout fishing.

Believe it or not this is the only natural way to catch fish because no bait is used so no animals/worms are harmed,”The all Natural Caught Fish!”  In fact, Hillbilly Handfishin caught fish may be coming to a health food store near you. Be lookin for them!

I can’t wait to show tomorrows cartoon, I think it’s just too funny and may be my best!

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream! Oh, and try Hillbilly Handfishin.

Outrageous signs & Best fishing product, 2013!

Outrageous signs! You’ve seen them near recreational, boating, and fishing areas. They are big, yellow, and rectangular. The goal is to communicate caution by using the international language, simple pictures. Now days they are just getting outrageous for some of the messages they’re trying to convey. Not to be out done, I came up with my own humorous signs that you may see at a recreational area near you. I call them “Guess the Sign.” I will be adding new ones every day or two this week. Here is today’s sign.

It’s a known fact, banjo music make fishermen very nervous. If you were unaware of that fact, then you may need to watch the movie……….Deliverance. If you hear banjo music when fishing, kayaking, or boating……RUN FAST in the opposite direction.

Now this brings up the hottest new product of 2013! Do you want to protect your favorite fishing hole from other fishermen that are trying to catch your trophy? Some clever fishermen are using banjo music, yep banjo music. They install a motion detector that is connected to a battery operated CD player. When a fisherman comes near their favorite fishing hole, banjo music starts to play. Boy, fishermen run so fast they often leave their fishing gear behind along with that trophy fish. Look for this new product in recreational stores near you.

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, but always be aware of banjo music.