Looking for Something to Giggle About

I called loudly from the kitchen table, “Alida you just have to see this. You will not believe it!” For the better part of the next hour my wife and I watched with amazement at a documentary to do with “Noodling” on the small kitchen TV. Her comment was, “This has to be a man thing!” Interpretation – “No woman in her right mind would do something so stupid!”

We giggled, we laughed, we shook our heads and I stated – “Can you imagine…” Alida’s answer was, “Don’t even think about it.”

For those that have never seen the documentary "Okie Noodling"made in 2001 (– or the 1989 David Letterman show that featured Noodling) – it simply is an ‘extreme fishing’ technique that a few people in the southern states do – and many people in some parts of Africa also take part in. It is also one of the original fishing techniques used by Aboriginal People for many years in certain areas. The link at the bottom of this posting will help you understand the many details of this “sport”.

Picture this… the setting is in Oklahoma and some muddy river. When you place your hand in the water you will not be able to see it – the water is that murky. Next the Noodler climbs into the water with all his clothes on (in some case the men stripped down to their shorts). Some of the men had gloves on or had their hands wrapped with cloth.

Now this is where it gets real exciting… They are generally at the water’s edge and are going to explore the many possible underwater nooks and crannies that are made by the flow of the river water wearing away the clay river bank. Some holes are only an arms length – deep. Others are big enough to swim or crawl into. Remember the water is not only murky – on a hot day it is likely dark and cooler in there as well. The inside of the hole may have snagging roots that catch your clothing as well –or other things that you have no idea about!

The object of the groping in the dark murky place is a 35 to 50 pound Flat Head Catfish – that may be as long as your own body. This fish is not wanting to be caught either so he fights. The bait is not a worm or a bright lure – but rather your own hand which the cat fish latches on to… do you get the picture? Then with two hands you grab the large lip and pull it to the surface. Simple eh? NO!

If you will read over the Wikipedia description you may be as fascinated as I am with the “Danger” section outlined. The documentary that we watched gave a good description by one man’s wife that watches from the shore. She stated if he doesn’t come up in a given length of time that she feels he should – she is ready to jump in after him.

Dangers you say? Well sometimes Beavers(the Canadian symbol kind) and Water Moccasin snakes take over the holes of the Cat Fish. Grabbing one of these when they are not wanting to be grabbed – can be very dangerous. DUH!

I love a good fish story. But what I love more is laughing together. Alida and I giggled often last evening. Going to sleep right after watching this program was interesting… and the dreams were a little weird to say the least.

The reason for my posting today is not about Noodling… but rather giggling – and if it can be allowed – out right belly laughing.

A Great Ministry…
In our church we have an amazing ministry taking place now. It is simply entitled Dinners Together. The program is straight forward – one family or person hosts another 6 to 8 people for Dinner(Supper in the west). Food and laughter is shared – lots of it. The subject matter is always interesting brought by a variety of people that attend. To date we now have almost 60 people taking part in this ministry – multiply that by about three hours together and you will have lots of laughter.

Last evening we had another wonderful group of people come to our home for more great food and tons of laughter. After they left I watched the TV program on Noodling.

The last thing I did as I slipped under the covers last night was giggle.

Summing up this mini sermon today – how many times do you giggle or even laugh out loud each day? If it isn’t happening – why? If you need help finding the giggle again – what will you need to do?

I am praying for you today – that you will discover your God given humour again… and laugh a little.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Noodling from Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noodling#The_Sport_of_Noodling

and http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/noodling.asp