Years ago we started saying we "harvested" that deer. We didn't "kill" it anymore, or even "shoot" it.

People used to "die". Then they quit "dying", and started "passing". Within the past week I've started to read articles that say, not only have we quit dying, but we've also quit "passing". We are now "transitioning".

No shit, REALLY, "Transitioning"?

I suspect when I'm done, I'm going to die. Before then I plan on killing a few hogs, and maybe shoot a deer or two.

If anyone is offended by that statement, or simply don't understand it, then let me translate.

I plan to transition a few hogs before I transition.

"I plan to transition a few hogs before I transition."



...not to be confused with "trans"

Then you'll have to keep finding damn unlucky hogs, if you plan on transitioning them by rifle shots.

Semi along that line;there used to be a term that we used concerning death as "they dyed of old age".That went out of use in 1959,according to Paul Harvey via the NEJOM. I do remember that term being in common usage back in the day.

I have always assumed it's part of the larger "gentling" of society. You know, the part that makes it a felony for a farm kid to carry his pocket knife to school, the part that makes it a hanging offense to comment on a pretty lady's outfit, and so on. It's just a symptom of our downhill slide into snowflakehood. Welcome!

your pretty much dead no matter what they call it.

I think there is only one Spanish word for the situation no matter how it occurred.

Just more examples of PC-ness run amok.

I refuse to use "harvest" to describe killing an animal.

Crops are harvested. Not deer or Cape buffalo or squirrels or anything else warm-blooded.

Don't care for "take" either.

"Shot" or "killed" I can get behind.

I always used "passed away" as a kinder, gentler way to acknowledge someone had kicked the bucket. Now, simply "passed" seems to be in vogue.

In obituaries, I see dying being described as "going home to Jesus" a lot.

I don't really see anything wrong with simply saying, "He died."

Good point Kensco, and no, it has NOTHING to with carrying pocket knives to school, or the liberals, or the left or whatever is the hated group of the day, although, admittedly, liberals and the left are hated EVERY day.
The simple fact is that EVERYONE uses such terms. Just read the obits. in the local paper. Of course you do get a smattering of "has changed his address", or "gone to be with the Lord".
I agree with your sentiments, but it is hunters who talk about harvesting deer not just the commies!
Back 100 or so years it was quite common as I understand it, for Americans to bathe the dead body of their loved one at home, where it stayed for several days until the burial could be arranged. People were, I suspect, more in touch with death and it's meaning back then. Now, people die in hospitals or nursing homes, the funeral home picks up the body and cremates it or places it in a coffin. People don't seem to want to face the ultimate reality of death, or even see a dead body.
Peter.

This part of Texas we still use "Passed Away" opr "Deceased"!

I was just reading an obituary from the early 1900s that used "crossed over" and "went home."
Little softer than "the old carbon-based life form quit functioning."

I'm OK with "deceased". I guess I could get-down with "...carbon-based life form...", but you're stretching it Bill.

I think Peter is onto something. I remember in my grandfather's generation the carbon-based life form was placed in the front room for a few days so his/her friends could come by and view the deceased, and visit with family.

I thought that was a thing of the past. Then in the 80s one of my toolpushers decided there was a quicker way to test the BOPs, and ignored safety procedures; killed one, hurt two.

I flew to Fine, New York for the funeral. Called the floorman's father and asked if I could stop by the house. Found about fifty of the deceased's friends and family in the front yard. The open casket was in the living room. Pretty tense situation. Some of the fifty weren't too happy to see me.

I found Venezuelan funerals pretty strange. Their caskets were always closed, but there was a glass window in the casket so you could see the deceased's face.

The burial was normally in a cemetery that didn't have a blade of grass, not like our manicured parks. Many times the deceased was buried on top of another casket, not necessarily a friend or family member. They could bury them three-deep I was told. They laid down concrete squares about 18" X 18" X 3" between the caskets and mud/concrete them in.

In India, they carried the body through the streets of the city on a litter, chanting / singing to the place where the deceased (Hindu) was cremated.

In Trinidad the hearse was slowly driven around town with loudspeakers blaring, letting everyone know that the (Hindu) person was being taken to South Oropouche (Siparia) for cremation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKdBkDLx6ZA

I've seen as many as four pyres going at one time there. The services would back-up traffic on the coast for an hour at times.

Muslims wish to be buried on the day of the death if possible, or at least within 24-hours as I understand it. We had only one Muslim die on the rig. We deferred to the family of the deceased. It was a presumed heart-attack. No autopsy. We made every effort to get the man's body off the rig and to the family ASAP while investigating the circumstances of the fatality.

I didn't go to too many funerals in Australia, but I found them more a celebration of the person's life, rather than mourning a death. Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park at Padbury was the best cemetery I've ever seen; very peaceful, kangaroos galore. Nice place to sit and think.

Death is an interesting concept we all face.

I harvest produce from my garden. I kill game animals. Both end up on the table.
I don’t PC the killing part.

If one wants to get technical, one harvests plant crops and one slaughters farm animals for consumption. I also refuse to use harvest as a term for game. I think it became in vogue along with the whole hunting for food issue. Its pretty much a cop out meant to say I am only doing this for food, so don't call me a nasty name...

One surely doesn't harvest a hyena.

As to people, I cannot put "old age" on a death certificate. Really, I do hear that being used by lots of folks to describe people who died even at 50 years old. What it really means is that they died naturally and the speaker doesn't know what killed him.

It seems obituaries have gotten away from "died" as it is seemed as unseemly to say that. News stories still stick with died or give a specific cause of death. "E. Fudd, prominent hunter, dead at 91" is a common type headline.

Every social group has its own death customs. No one is better than another, I guess. I never hear a religion stating you will be judged based on how your family buries you- but some do judge the family on that... like if an African does not bury his parents properly, their spirit will come back to haunt them.

I have heard it said more than once over the years, Funerals and Weddings are for the living, as the "Guests Of Honor" are merely a side attraction.

The words you use to reference death should be dictated by your audience to a certain extent and what is dead.

At the hunting camp, I shot and killed that eight point. At the funeral parlor, it might be better to say I’m sorry for your loss rather than I’m sorry Joe is dead.

As a hunter education instructor we are told to avoid "loaded" terms such as referring to killing something, using the less offensive harvesting, or weapons are referred to as rifles, shotguns bows or the generic "implement". Oh well, we can even note that some people get shot in the fracas.

quote:

"E. Fudd, prominent hunter, dead at 91"

Oh nooooo.....say it ain't so. I knew Elmer well when we were both younger. R.I.P.

As someone who "lost" 3 wives in the span of 10 years, I've heard quite a few terms used to describe the process of death. When I say I "lost" 3 wives, I don't mean to say I misplaced them. Nope, they died. Still have the ashes of 2 of them. After seeing the effects of an auto accident and 2 heart attacks, I have asked myself, why me? Still haven't gotten an answer for that one. I "Lost" the last one while we were watching TV in the middle of the day. Performed CPR. Didn't help. She died, passed, went home, transitioned, met her maker, gave up the ghost, expired, or any of the many other terms used to describe the process. I've been asked by several, if it got easier. Easier than what? I guess it's easier having the funeral director on speed dial. Knowing in advance how many copies of the death certificate to order. Having an estate attorney on retainer? I can talk about it. A lot of people can't. If you can't laugh about it, you spend a lot of time crying.

I do find it funny how funeral directors will dance all around the event without ever mentioned the fact that they "died".

Dying has turned into a huge industry in North America. Ridiculous sums for caskets, funerals, etc. and the PC culture has invaded even that.

My Eastern European gf, they still take the body home, no embalming and bury in 2-3 days after viewing.

I refuse to contribute to making some funeral director rich, even though I get that it can be a pretty shitty job. So, for me, I want to be cremated immediately, preferably while I’m still warm to save energy.

I have donated my body and organs to science so it probably won’t happen that way, but I understand they cremate you free of charge when they’re done with you.

I’ve stipulated no funeral, no memorial, just a set amount of $5000 in my will as travel expense for my son to distribute my ashes wherever my particular choice is at the time of my death. Right now, it’s Africa.

quote:

"E. Fudd, prominent hunter, dead at 91"

Prominent hunter, but not a very good killer as I recollect!
Peter

(To the Wagner tune Of Charge Of The Valkeries) Kill the wabbitt,kill the wabbitt,kill the wabbitt.That is too precious.Back to the original subject somewhat,I am reminded by Robert Ruark's observasion at the beginning of "The Old Mans Boy Grows Older." I have always held this thought as well;though at 1st glance,morbid as it sounds,the friends + relatives rally around + bring food;at least here in the south.Having increased in age I have seen the beauty in this.The beryved are not up to cooking,the family can use some love by those close to them,+ everyone feels that they are helping (+ that's important).

quote:

the friends + relatives rally around + bring food;at least here in the south.Having increased in age I have seen the beauty in this.The beryved are not up to cooking,the family can use some love by those close to them,+ everyone feels that they are helping (+ that's important).

It's called "community". You are not alone.
BTW, it is the "Ride of the Valkyries". They don't charge, they just ride and pick up the dead heroes who died valiantly in battle.
Peter.

As a kid, funerals and related rituals were a large part of socializing in E. Tx. I was dragged to more of them than I can remember by my mother. I hated it, and, to this day, usually refuse to go, unless I am closely connected to family and that means by friendship, not family relations. OTOH, there are some people whose funeral I want to attend just to be sure the son of a bitch is truly dead, transitioned, expired, gone, whatever. There seems to be a widely held belief that somehow by dying, the deceased has suddenly taken on some degree of saintly virtues. I do not subscribe to any such feelings, if he was a SOB in life, he's still a dead SOB as far as I'm concerned. Death becomes some people and some I know should hurry up and get there.

I'm ready for mine, have instructed my family, or, at least one of them, where I want to be buried or my ashes spread (my preference, but who knows what your family will do once you're not around to direct things). Working on estate planning now, due to changes in tax code. Thank you, Pres. Trump. Could've been better, but before it was a helluva lot worse. If anyone wants to attend, I am arranging for free beer. The few there can toast my passing or say goodbye to the miserable SOB, all the same to me.

quote:

If anyone wants to attend, I am arranging for free beer.

Count me in! But, how do you know that they will honor your request? I don't want to come all that way and then find I have to buy my own beer.
BTW if you have any firearms you want to donate to the cause...
Peter

I get first dibs on Randy's friendship. He's going to need a pal, and drinking buddy, after Gato goes belly-up, and I don't want to lose my ace hog skinner.

I think Gato's just trying to parley that "free beer" scenario so that Jen can enlist the fellas that show up to fill-in as pallbearers. (I'm just guessing that Gato has pissed-off enough people that he's going to end up with more handles than men to man them.)

I think I may know where Gato's stash of wine is hidden, so if you aren't a beer drinker, don't let that sway you.

quote:

Originally posted by Kensco:
I get first dibs on Randy's friendship. He's going to need a pal, and drinking buddy, after Gato goes belly-up, and I don't want to lose my ace hog skinner.

I think Gato's just trying to parley that "free beer" scenario so that Jen can enlist the fellas that show up to fill-in as pallbearers. (I'm just guessing that Gato has pissed-off enough people that he's going to end up with more handles than men to man them.)

I think I may know where Gato's stash of wine is hidden, so if you aren't a beer drinker, don't let that sway you.

Ken:

Even my funeral will have some standards. I suggest you bring a backhoe or multiple shovels if you want free beer. Just for you and Randy, I'll stock a supply of Bud Light Lime.

My original thought was to have a champagne wake with a pump tube run up thru my dick directing flow to glass in my hand, but I'd hate to embarass my guests in my finest hour. I think Cristal would be appropriate for my send off.

I neither shoot not kill game animals.

I collect them.

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
I neither shoot not kill game animals.

I collect them.

If you don't shoot them to kill them how on earth do you collect them?

quote:

Originally posted by ismith:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
I neither shoot not kill game animals.

I collect them.

If you don't shoot them to kill them how on earth do you collect them?

Goes back to fairly early childhood. The first two books I ever read of my own volition were both by Carl Akeley; I have thought of it as "collecting" ever since.

I also as a lad was taken by Carl Ackley's writings.I was fascinated then as well as now.Funny how little girls go for dolls while little boys go for weapons.It is in our nature.Every man I know is + has been a hunter/shooter all his life.No granola bars here. I find a correlation with this attitude + books as well.NO ONE ever says,"I used to like to read." Just like oxygen,one hit + you're hooked for life. Oh + BTW Peter;I was aware of the Wagner faux pas;I just got in a hurry in my typing. I have the whole "Ring"series on vynal (33 1/3) by Furtwangler at Bayreuth circa 1951.

quote:

Originally posted by NormanConquest:
I also as a lad was taken by Carl Ackley's writings.I was fascinated then as well as now.Funny how little girls go for dolls while little boys go for weapons.It is in our nature.Every man I know is + has been a hunter/shooter all his life.No granola bars here. I find a correlation with this attitude + books as well.NO ONE ever says,"I used to like to read." Just like oxygen,one hit + you're hooked for life. Oh + BTW Peter;I was aware of the Wagner faux pas;I just got in a hurry in my typing. I have the whole "Ring"series on vynal (33 1/3) by Furtwangler at Bayreuth circa 1951.

Looking back I never realized how strange it was for one of the smallest Counties in Tennessee to have Akeleys, Corbetts, Patterson, etc. in the library of an elementary school. Had to have been somebody's donation.

In fact, I used to collect baseball cards, and I also shot some of them. I never killed any of them.

Gato, I cannot un-see that champagne pump tube.

quote:

Originally posted by Kensco:
Gato, I cannot un-see that champagne pump tube.

In order to attract more religious souls to my non-religious wake, I am thinking of changing the champagne fountain a bit. I am considering hiring strippers from Dallas Men's Clubs to catch and serve the champagne. Clothing optional. If there is life after death, that should keep the pump aimed properly.

I'm thinking, in order to defray beer/champagne expenses, I should sell tickets. I doubt that anyone would pay to see just my handsome corpse. Although, thinking about it, I'd pay handsomely to see some corpses I can think of.

My grandmother had two children die during childbirth. Each time my granddad carried them outside and buried them in the backyard.

Thank God we don't have to do that anymore.

BH63

Good point buff. The death of a child or infant is completely different. We have been focusing on the death of adults, generally "when their time has come". But not all deaths occur in that way. So, untimely deaths are different.
Peter.

35 years ago I had to bury my son who was only 3 days old.Not long enough to know him but plenty of time to grieve him.I would not wish that experience on my worst enemy.

quote:

Originally posted by Nashcat:
As someone who "lost" 3 wives in the span of 10 years, I've heard quite a few terms used to describe the process of death. When I say I "lost" 3 wives, I don't mean to say I misplaced them. Nope, they died.

Nash, I understand. I've only "lost" one so far, but she was only 58. Went to a major university hospital for an elective surgery and never made it home. No fault of the surgeon, medical team or hospital, just incredibly bad luck.

No. 2 wife is ten years younger than I, so barring accident or catastrophic illness, I won't have to deal with that again. I agree, no point in tip-toeing around it, just do what is necessary to get through it.

I was always amused when people would say, "If there's anything I can do, please let me know." If I had said, "Well, as a matter of fact, I could use . . ." they would have shit.

People tend to be very nervous or uncomfortable around recent widows and widowers--probably because they don't know what to say. Funny how everyone is so supportive for a week or two, then you never hear from them again.

I had my first wife cremated (that's what she wanted) and put her ashes (in the box they came back in) on a shelf above the TV for several months. One of her close friends came by and expressed dismay regarding my choice of placement, so I knuckled under, bought an urn (online, from a discount urn store) and put it a niche in the local cemetery. Some people just can't mind their own business.

Losing 3 in ten years--man, you must be one tough cookie!

quote:

I had my first wife cremated (that's what she wanted) and put her ashes (in the box they came back in) on a shelf above the TV for several months

So, you didn't really lose her then, did you?
Peter

The last one that I "lost" was cremated. I have her large metal urn on the mantle. I also purchased a small egg-sized matching keepsake urn. Since she loved motorcycle camping, I've been carrying the small urn in my jacket pocket, whenever I'm on the bike. Wherever I camp, I always scatter her ashes before breaking camp and take pictures of the location. A riding buddy of ours, took some of her ashes to the Himalayas on his last trip to India. She loved to travel, and continues to roam, even if only in a memory.