EXCERPTS FROM DOREEN’S BOOKS
“Picking Worms”
The Campfire Boys
Book One
Picking Worms
ISBN 9781 4343 2646 1
Before the boys could go back to their fishing spots, a deep voice from behind them said. “It's the worms that make them bite.”
The boys slowly turned around and saw an older man who was slightly bald with grey hair. He had a grey beard parted in the middle of his chin. He had a set of crutches nestling on his arms just below his elbows, and he was wearing a white shirt and blue shorts. Looking downward, they could see that his right leg was amputated from the knee down. The stranger saw that they were looking at his missing leg with their mouths agape.
“Lost it in Vietnam,” the stranger said.
Feeling awkward, the boys looked at one another not knowing what to say.
“My name is Hal and I live over there.” He pointed to a gold trailer on the lot beside Amharic's. “You need big fat worms,” he continued.
“I only have these store bought little worms,” replied Mark as he held them out to Hal.
“Well, if you boys get permission to come back here at 9:30 tonight,” Hal said, “I'll show you how to catch nice big fat worms. Each of you must bring a small pail with a lid on it, a damp cloth to wipe your hands, and a flashlight.” The boys nodded and smiled at each other.
“By the way,” Hal added, “for each worm you catch for me, I'll give you a nickel. You can keep how may you want,”
Dale looked at John with a grin. “we could make a bundle. It can't be that hard to catch worms.”
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“The Elusive Butterfly”
The Campfire Boys
Book Two
The Elusive Butterfly
ISBN 978-0-9810416-0-5
Dale looked high and low for any signs of a blue and black butterfly. Finally, his eyes zeroed in on a dark blue one. It was fluttering amongst the milkweeds and buttercups beside the shore. Slowly, ever so slowly, he crept up to it. Silently the butterfly landed on a milkweed plant beside3 some buttercups. Dale raised his net high over his head. He took a short step closer and whipped his net over the butterfly. The net came down too low, and he swooshed the buttercups instead.
A big yellow and black bumblebee flew from the buttercups at Dale. The bee was mad as a hornet. He didn't like being chased from his sweet tasting flower.
Dale hollered, “Aahh!” He jumped up and down waving his hands.
“GET AWAY,” he screamed. Dale swiped his net forwards, backwards, and overhead. With all the commotion, the bumblebee took cover – straight down into Dale's black rubber boot.
John ran over to Dale when he heard him hollering. “What's the matter?” asked John as he watched Dale jump up and down.
“A bee flew into my boot,” cried Dale. “And now he's stung me,” stammered Dale who was hopping on one foot.
Dale was desperately trying to shake his boot off the other foot. “I can't get my foot out of this boot. Help me!”
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The Campfire Boys
Book Three
The Fishing Derby
ISBN 9-780981-085418
Just as they finished their lunch, Amharic’s rod almost leapt from the boat. He instinctively grabbed the rod as it was moving above his knee. Otherwise he would have lost the whole rod and reel. The tension or pressure on the reel line was set at low so the fish could bite and go with the line without breaking it. Taking a firm grip of the rod he hung on. This fish was a big one. His line was speeding out.
“Hang in there Amharic,” encouraged Hal.
Amharic slowlly gained ground one spin at a time. Just as he thought the fish was close enough for Hal to net, it would take off again. Back and forth the battle of fish against boy played on.
Finally after ten minutes Amharic was able to bring the fish alongside the boat. Hal was ready. He had the net in his hand and reached overboard to snarl the fish. With both of them lifting the net they were able to lift it up and into the boat. Amharic tried not to step on the fish and almost fell out of the boat.
Laughing, Hal patted him on the shoulder and head. “You really did it this time. I think you caught the mother lode.”
“Mother lode?” asked Amharic quizzically.
“That means the big one. That’s the biggest largemouth Bass that I ever saw in this lake,” Hal grinned from ear to ear.
“Quick, let me get a picture of you holding it up, before I put it in the cooler,” said Hal. Hal reached into his side picket and brought out a small camera. Amharic smiled proudly and with two hands he held the wiggling fish up.
Now it was time to head back.
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