Well, looks like this outdoors-writer gig I've got is a detriment to my health. Made my second trip to the emergency room in the last 7 months today, after a stretch of more than 10 years where I didn't see the inside of a hospital on even one occasion.

So, thanks to this corneal abrasion I've managed to saddle myself with, I can barely see the monitor on my laptop in front of me. But, so much time in the proverbial dark has given me plenty of time to think...

* It's outdoor show season, which is a mixed blessings. Because it's snowing as I write this late on a Thursday afternoon, a chance to at least think about open-water fishing, black lab pups bounding in a field and a hunting trip or two is more than welcome.

The 4th edition of the Pine Tree State Sportsman and Gun Show at the old Bass Shoe factory in Wilton runs this Friday through Sunday and has quickly grown into a well-respected show. Now in its 3rd decade, the State of Maine Sportsman's Show is next weekend at the Augusta Civic Center.

Typically, I'm not high on spending a couple of weekend days inside of an exhibition hall -- particularly in a year like last year, where spring came early and there was plenty of outdoors stuff that could be done -- gasp! -- outdoors. This time around, however, heading to a show over the next couple of weekends simply serves as an excuse to clear off the front porch.

Wilton opens its doors today from noon to 7 p.m.

* What is this world coming to?

Got a text message from a fishing buddy of mine this week, reporting -- sadly -- that his buddy's ice fishing shack had been purposely burned down. The Maine Warden Service as well as the local fire marshal were involved in sorting through the particulars.

Apparently, somebody had threatened to do it before and -- at least from the looks of things -- they finally carried through on the threat. Sadly, in doing so, they did more than get even with a grown man they were upset with. They also robbed a 9-year-old boy of his "winter home," the place where he looked forward to spending weekend days with his dad in one of the greatest forms of male bonding I can think of.

Where does fishing turn so ugly that we're burning down shacks on frozen lakes?

I repeat: What is this world coming to?

* We're a couple of weeks from opening day of the open-water fishing season, which is an almost laughable annual happening. At most, we're lucky to have only a few spots with open water on April 1st each year.

Sure, the hardiest among us will venture out and fish for an hour or two and then call it quits -- happy to say they did. I certainly wouldn't begrudge anyone that chance, nor would I ever suggest the state change such a date.

Just know this: Given the choice, I'm probably not going to fish opening day myself. There's just something about ice in my rod guides that makes me cringe. Winter's already been long enough.

-- TB