I like itI grew up a country boy, stickwithdave. Those skills come in handy. Now that I'm a city boy, my day walks sometimes take me into poor neighborhoods that can be rough due to loose, aggressive dogs or potentially even young toughs. So I do take a weightier "beating stick" on those days, and I think I've avoided a dog bite or two.
I've been under the weather for a week, but I began an antibiotic today and should be coherent soon.
Feel better soon
Gordon