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I was hunting deer way back in 83 and had walked around 5 or 6 miles from my truck late in the season. I stumbled down a steep hill and re-injured my back. It was a wet , drizzly day and was getting late. I could only walk with a very bad limp and dragging my right leg and foot. This was way before cell phones and I was along. I was trying to get back up the bank and broke off a sapling of unknown heritage now to help me get up. It was crooked but seemed strong enough. I got up the hill and started the long trek home. It took me at least 2 -3 hours using the stick as a cane. After getting back to the truck, well after dark, I drove home with the stick in the bed. After getting into the house I put it in the furnace room with my wet cloths. It ended up getting put in a corner and forgotten. It was actually between wall studs. One day years later I pulled it out and immediately remembered that day. The stick of course was well cured and quite springy. I sat down and finished taking the bark off. Most had peeled off when I was cutting it to get home in strips. I cut the ends off squarely and lightly sanded it to clean it. I quess I was just looking for something to do. It went into the rafters of the shop a few more years. I decided to make a cane from it. A friend who had a bar was throwing billard balls into the dumpster. I asked for one and got the 8 ball. Wish I'd of got them all. The Que was missing anyway. I drilled and mounted that ball with epoxy. I put clear urethane on it and a rubber tip. I keep it mostly for remembering that very painful day. I do sometimes take it with me but I do not put my weight on it. I have gotten so many comments on it over the years. I think that is why I look for bent sticks to convert to walking sticks.
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