Author Archives: Jerry Johnson

Unknown's avatar

About Jerry Johnson

Retired journalist and college public relations director. Former teacher, coach, mentor. Novelist and short story writer.

Canadian Rockies

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

No! There’s the land. (Have you seen it?)    It’s the cussedest land that I know, From the big, dizzy mountains that screen it    To the deep, deathlike valleys below. Some say God was tired when He made it; … Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia, Canadian Rockies, Rocky Mountains | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

One hundred essays

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

Never thought I’d live to be a hundred. I never thought I’d get to do the things That all those other sons do, and they do. I never thought I’d ever have my freedom. An age ago my maker was … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Pipes of Pan(demonium)

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

I understand the inventor of the bagpipes was inspired when he saw a man carrying an indignant, asthmatic pig under his arm. Unfortunately, the man-made sound never equaled the purity of the sound achieved by the pig.     – … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagpipes | Tagged | 9 Comments

Treasured possessions

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

That western-style hat on the top shelf of the bureau is a magical storybook. I need only put it on to be spun into the memories of a dozen bird and deer hunts across the high plains of Nebraska, South … Continue reading →

Posted in Hunting, Hunting Keepsakes, Rifles, Shotguns | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Lautenschlager Place

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

When Walt and I, we went out hunting We saw a sign that said “No Trespassing,” But the other side, it didn’t say nothing; That side was meant for him and me.            – a ditty to the tune of Woody … Continue reading →

Posted in Bird Dogs, Bird hunting, Hunting, No Hunting | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Not making hay

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

In our small corner of the world, there is little we can do to stop the tsunami of agri-greed that is denuding and poisoning this once beautiful section of the North Country. But we will do what we can, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Land Ethic, Wildlife Habitat | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

A nation of tribes

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.             – President Jimmy Carter A nation of tribes The increasing fragmentation and polarization of Americans, both politically and socially, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tribal Values, Tribes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Just take a peep

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

The peep sight was something else altogether… all you had to do was set the target on top of the front sight post and gently pull the trigger. Plink – the tin can went rolling, and you were convinced you … Continue reading →

Posted in peep sights, plinking, receiver sights, Rifle Shooting, Rifles, target shooting | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Old Coots Never Forget

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

Old Coots Never Forget Don’t forget to buy my latest book this week. Old Coots Never Forget will be available Saturday at Dragonfly Books, 112 West Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. The book is currently available in both paperback and Kindle … Continue reading →

Posted in Old Coots Never Forget, Outdoors Sports Essays | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Cleanest pocketknives

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Jerry Johnson

The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.              – Friedrich Nietzsche Cleanest pocketknives Not to brag, but I have the cleanest and best-maintained bird knives of all … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments