Indiana Howell

Got my bullwhip, got my fedora hat, got my knife, pistol, and secret map. Am ready to lead the Howell Team to the location of the buried treasure at the famous Christmas Place. Everyone is getting fired up and there has been a run on shovels in the area. Will be live-blogging the event between drinks starting Saturday at noon and will update Facebook as the search continues.

Treasure Poachers

Paul Jones called on his cell phone from the famous Christmas Place. "What the hell is going on up there?" he yelled. I couldn't hardly hear him due to the loud gunshots and machine gun fire. He said "I've got the road blocked into the camp but there are hundreds of trucks arriving and they all have shovels, metal detectors and guns. I'm trying to hold them off, send reinforcements!" Ah-Hah! Treasure poachers trying to steal Dad's hidden gold. He told me a lot of them were wearing a black armband and I knew my evil brother Paul's henchmen were there while he was innocently heading to see the REBELS play in Hotlanta. I told him to hold on at all cost, help was on the way. Luckily my Solitaire game was still up on the computer after I hung up.

What's In The Treasure Chest?

Many people have called wanting to know what I think is in the Treasure Chest buried at the famous Christmas Place. Diamonds and Emeralds from Africa, Jewel encrusted goblets and weapons from the Mayan kingdom, Gold Doubloons from the Spanish Main. Uhhh, yeah! All I know is that in Dad's book "Jeff's God" he got away with the Yankee payroll of gold. hmmmm... could be Hershel Howell really received that hidden gold from his great grandfather, also known as Jeff, and has kept most of it hidden all these years. How else could he have even bought the Christmas Place?
We will know Saturday.

Treasure Map- Signed, Sealed, Delivered

"There is a buried Treasure on the Christmas Place. It's left there for the Grandchildren to find."
 Do Not Open This Letter until After My Death
Hershel B. Howell
2-28-2005

A Real Treasure Hunt

After my father died (or left for an extended stay at Paradise Hills Golf Club), we found a strange envelope in his lockbox here in Water Valley. The writing on it says it is a Treasure Map for all the Grandkids. For months we have been planning on the Treasure Hunt and it has finally arrived. It is set for this coming Labor Day weekend at the famous Christmas Place
We have not opened the envelope mainly because my evil brother (no, Paul) might be out there digging for it day and night. He said he would leave an IOU in the chest. So everyone is slated to arrive and we will open the letter Saturday morning. Needless to say everyone is excited and ready to start digging.
We have talked it over and here are a few things most of the kids will need to find the hidden Treasure.
map, compass, shovel, 100 ft of rope, snake boots, machete, insect repellent, flashlight, chainsaw, spelunker gear, a case of dynamite, aqualung, flares, tent (just in case), GPS, bulldozer, calculus book, night vision goggles, a canary, MRE's, divining rods, pocket watch, come-along, outboard motor, generator and jack hammers, everyone should carry a hog rifle and plenty of bullets, a copy of dad's book, JEFF'S GOD. Also rain gear and matches maybe a flamethrower, magnifying glass, metal detector, backhoe, level, survey instrument, jungle hat, walkie-talkie and a whistle.
I will add the important stuff later. Happy Hunting!

Deerses On Ice

After 20 years of griping and complaining to Dad, I managed to locate a walk- in cooler that we bought and took to the famous Christmas Place. This past weekend Paul Jones and his brother put it together, Joe Newman came down and hooked up the wiring, Trent supervised and I got there just in time to take a picture. It all worked out great (for me) Here is a pic of Trent and Paul Jones admiring their handiwork.

Watermelon Carnival 2014

the weather was perfect, the people were everywhere and I think that the entire town had a good time.
Here is a pic of part of the group we had at my office Friday night. Any resemblance to humans is entirely coincidental and unbelievable.

The twins Paul the terrible and Keith Hart, back row Steve Hill, Joe Black, Sam Goodwin, the young boy is Sam's grandson I think.

I would show a pic of Trent but I think it would be unwise. Lots of music from a really good band Friday night, perfect weather when I gave out my Watermelon Chap Stick to all the ladies Saturday morning. (I have a few left if you come by). Later Sat afternoon we headed to the golf course, of course.

Saturday morning, this 3rd place melon was 125 pounds, and we did keep James from stealing it,
and making a beehive out of it.

Mark and Denise Get A Hog

This past weekend we all went to camp to cut grass and get a handle on what needs to be done (EVERYTHING). Me, Trent, Denise, Mark and of course Camo and Jackson.
It does not matter that Trent Shot the hog, hell he isn't even in the picture. This is Denise and Marks Hog.

The Howell Open 2014

This July 4th weekend the Howell Open continued as usual even though Dad was not there. We had 16 players that divided into 4 foursomes in a wild scramble. The teams were divided into A,B,C, and D players but somehow I got 2 F's and a D. Trent, Jim Bullion and Paul "Richochet" Howell and we had to play the team of Bebo "Scat Money" Howell and his sandbaggers. Next was Patsy "Long Drive" Edwards and her team of professionals, and Larry "Ice Cream Man" Trent and a whole host of low handicappers from Water Valley. In the early going it looked impossible for our team. I finally made a birdie on 9, then Trent rolled one in on the next hole, then an eagle from my great effort with Jim making a wicked putt and we were on fire. Needless to say we beat the crap out of those other whiny chumps and took the trophy and the $10,000 first place check.

Here is a photo of all our friends and family that participated . Thank you Everyone!

Season Limits?

What are the season limits on these damn things?

The Speckled Coral Rattler

This past weekend at the Christmas Place was a complete disaster except for the heroism exhibited by our fine and loyal camp mascot, Camo.
When the horrible Coral Rattler attacked, my brave dog sprang into action defending the women and children, weaving and bobbing like a mongoose as it closed on the deadly serpent, until Camo darted in like a lightning bolt and grabbed the 8 foot long snake in her jaws, shook it and flung the creature away. Of course everyone cheered and gave her treats for the rest of the day as they should have.
Of course some jealous and disgruntled hunter complained that the snake slid across her foot before she saw it, and they had never heard of a Coral Rattler. Blasphemy!
My hero dog only growled and walked away.

The Beatnik Graduates

Congratulations Austin Howell

Hog Patrol Still Working

The hog patrol consisting of Trent Howell and uhhhhh.... Trent Howell is still diligently patrolling the famous Christmas Place to defend us against a major hog attack.

Off To Golf Camp

Am taking Dad's truck and golf clubs to the famous Christmas Place Golf Club this weekend. Wish I could take his swing and ability too. The object is to play golf all day and drink beer and eat crawfish at Ribeye's Saturday night.  Should be fun.

Moving On Up

With Dad gone, I have managed to start the move out of the slums of the Bunkroom up into the high-cotton district at the famous Christmas Place. Yes, I have managed to take over his room and Denise and I went down this weekend to clean it put and start moving stuff in. Camo will have her own bed! No more nasty Grunge Pit for me! Yes, Yes, I'm moving on up, to the East side........

Getting Back

The Kingdom is in turmoil but I am hoping to getting back to a semblance of blogging soon.

An Easter Without

This past weekend we headed for camp and the Easter Weekend. The weather was perfect and the woods were beautiful. Paul and Michael turkey hunted with no luck, but they did hear plenty. Spencer, Austin and I started working around the camp and Trent showed up also.
Denise, Wanda and Hillary helped with everything from cooking, to cleaning, to making sure we did not get too down.
Everyone pitched in to make the camp look as nice as possible, felt like we needed to do that for Dad.
Paul Jones came by and we had a great visit, then the boys headed for the golf course to battle it out.
That night we cooked steaks on the grill and had a really good meal and sat around the fire telling old stories and sharing a drink.
Sunday, no turkeys again, but the hogs are back in full force.  Church was at Eden at 10. We worked that morning on the yard, then had a big lunch and headed back to the Valley.
It felt good to be there and maybe Dad is hanging out there too.

Hershel Howell Leaves For Camp

Monday my Dad left this world or maybe left Water Valley to permanently stay at the Christmas Place, which was his idea of heaven. He was 87, and to us still young and vibrant. Everyone here is devastated but know that he went out with his boots on, as they say. The pain is great right now but I will find some humor and tell more stories as time goes by. I will always miss him and carry him in my heart. Hershel Howell was a man, a man that lived life to the fullest and just like he wanted, a true force of Nature.

Fish, Feathers, or Treasure?

According to our resident turkey hunting professional (ie Dad), there is not a damn turkey on the whole Christmas Place. They are gone. So basically, Dad sits in the woods catching a few zzzz's in the morning then gets ready to go fishing with Paul Jones. Sounds absolutely terrible, right?
The crappie are about to start biting and the whole property is coming alive with the beautiful weather. Since the turkeys won't cooperate, the hogs have left and gone into the darkest part of the bottoms, and the fish are not quite ready, I guess it is time to bring out the Metal Detector and once again search for the lost Christmas Place Treasure.

The Turkey Sidestep

"Dad, where are you going to hunt this weekend?"
"I heard a rumor that you heard a big gobbler down by the pond stand"
"Dad, Dad?. Where the hell did he go?"