Fishing with the Cabezuds

When we got back from camping, Bill flew home to work and the kids and I stayed in Redding to have fun and help get things ready for Angie's wedding. I really tried to take advantage of our time in Redding and spend some time with loved ones we don't see all that often. Monday, July 26th, we went with my dear friend Natalie Cabezud's parents, Frank and Pat, fishing in their boat on the beautiful Shasta Lake. I don't remember the last time I saw the lake so full. Frank admitted it was hard finding his way around without the usual landmarks (they were all underwater). Pat packed a fabulous picnic dinner complete with all her wonderful foods I remember as a child. Yummy sandwiches and delicious cookies... YUMMM! At first the kids weren't terribly interested in fishing. Frank set some lines and we swam. Livi couldn't get enough of the water and had a ball puttering around with Pat. Aaron couldn't decide if he wanted to fish or swim so he kept bouncing around, loving every minute of it. The life vests for the kids were a little on the big side, but... we made do.

Once we decided to hunker down and really get to business Frank was ready for us. He had bought out Target of a fishing lure that he claimed was the best. Unfortunately he did lose one, but boy

was he right on its effectiveness. Out of maybe 30-45 minutes of total fishing time, Olivia caught 5 fish, all of which were "keepers". Pat said that Frank is not the average fisherman. He doesn't like to touch or eat them. He has developed quite the grab, twist, flick method for dehooking his fish and getting them back safely in the water. The kids were loving it. Every fish caught had to be touched by both of them and each time they would squeal. By the

end Livi was staring soberly at them as she fingered their tiny metallic scales. Aaron did catch 2 fish and wouldn't dare tell a "fish" story of

how big they were. He was proud of his 2. Or was it 10. Maybe 20. The number kept changing. Olivia was so funny though because as Frank drove, Pat and I caught up with one another and Livi would tell us she caught one. We wouldn't believe her but sure enough... there was a fish. After the 2nd time of us telling her it was probably just a weed and she and Frank pulling up a fish, she didn't even tell us any more. Our conversation paused as we looked over and saw Olivia reeling in a fish all by herself! It was an absolute blast to be with them. It was so fun to catch up with the going on's of the Grant community and hear how everyone is doing. I am so blessed to have people in my life who truly love me and my kids and whom we can love and be with in return.