Most people who spend a lot of time in the outdoors also have a profound love for the holidays, and there are some simple reasons for that.
     Not to get preachy (although I guess you are used to me being up on a soap box, so a pulpit probably isn’t a big switch), but it’s pretty hard during a streaked, crimson sunset or seeing a rainbow after a summer thunderstorm to cavalierly say this is all by chance. The Bible is riddled with references to the importance and lessons learned by time spent in the wilderness. Since the age of being able to communicate directly through the burning bush is over, getting into nature is still the closest link we have between our disconnected soul and its original and eventual home. The wilderness, nature helps us with the linkage.
     All of us struggle with that connection, but explanations seem simple when you are miles up a desert trail and taking a break in the broken shade of a palo verde. A clear, unclutterd mind out there absorbs the scents of spring blossoms and the quavering, musical call of a roadrunner without interfering with the voice singing from our soul. For me, that epiphany is usually accompanied by an emptying of joyous tears. Out there is where I do my best talking with God.
     The pressures of this life make it increasingly hard to thread that needle even when we go to those untarnished places, and some people simply can’t shed the armor we don to survive in this secular world. It takes time, perhaps as much as 30 days and 30 nights in the wilderness, but sometimes it just takes a walk alone at dusk and the call of a coyote. Sometimes it just takes hearing a loved song. The problem is that most people don’t have or won’t take that time today.
     When I vowed to introduce my boys to the joys of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, the activities were always secondary to making sure they discovered their fiery and passionate souls, something I could see in both of them since they were small children.  They had the same fire I saw in my father, and I wanted to make sure it didn’t get lost in the world.
     My father had a profound love for three things: family, music, and faith, and the three became a jumble of one in our world, wrapped together with laughter and love. Christmas -- naturally -- was the highlight of the year because it brought all those things together for us. Thankfully, I see my father in the boys, increasingly as they age.
     Not surprisingly, Dad was also the single best fisherman I’ve ever known because he approached fishing like his faith: he learned as much as possible and then let it absorb him. He fished with what I came to call disconnected intensity. He could spend an hour at one pool knowing there was a big brown trout in an undercut and that he was going to hook it, or he could dance from spot to spot catching fish like he was the pied piper of trout. The boys have inherited those traits, even though they are just now starting to blossom. Watching my oldest son fish is like watching a heron. For a young man who is usually filled with impatience, a stream and a fishing rod transforms Bo into someone who is both focused and finally relaxed. The young son, Kyle, flits along streams like a dragonfly, seeming to cast only when he knows he’ll catch a fish. Then moving on. I smile because they are becoming their grandfather.
    They are like their grandfather in other ways, too. I wrote in our Christmas letter to family that the Matthews’ house is alive with music again. I say “again” because I grew up with a house filled with the sounds of a soulful saxophone and my sister Barb’s rich voice belting out tunes from famous Broadway musicals. Even a succession of closed doors and stucco walls couldn’t mute the music then. Now the music is back during weekly family music nights. My wife, Becky, and her family are also musical, and there are evenings when the choir grows to six or eight and two guitars to guide the vocal harmonies that fill the house like the scent of a fresh cut spruce. After everyone else has gone, Bo and Kyle usually do a few duets for Becky and me.
     This is the other way my soul easily leaps free and my eyes empty those joyous tears.
     The two boys are good, and I think of my dad and how music was a part of his soul. Yet, he practically gave up his music to raise our family, pouring his amazing talent, love, and passion into us, his children, during our formative years instead of into his music. The music was just put on hold, and I was fortunate to watch him return to that love late in his life and finally to play with the best musicians of the Big Band Era. Several of those old gentlemen who had played with Benny Goodman and his counterparts told me my father was as good as any saxophone player of that generation. But I knew that.
     Listening to Kyle harmonize with Bo’s almost haunting vibrato, I wish my father were here to listen, and perhaps add a layer of soft alto saxophone to the inherited music mix.
     But things aren’t always as you wish them to be, and frankly this is more than good enough for now, especially when you put it all in the framework of what has happened and will happen in the future.
     As much joy as there is in our lives, this has been a long, difficult year for Becky and me. We lost too many old friends this year, and Becky and I each made cross-country trips to go to family funerals. Losing close family rips gaping holes in the fabric of our lives. Oh, we patch over them with time and love and tears; knowing it will happen again sooner rather than later as we age, but also assured that it’s just part of a process that will one day make that fabric whole and new again. Christmas reminds us and assures us of this. So it’s easy to remember the joy at this time of year and be happy for what we have, what we will have, and what we’ve had, knowing they are all ultimately the same thing.
     So Christmas at our house is always a joyous jumble of family and music and unforced spirituality. Gift-giving usually focuses on functional gifts to further personal growth. There are family photos exchanged to remind us of tradition, responsibilities, and love. New guitar strings, music stands, or CDs help release the songs of the heart. And things like new hiking boots or waders simply can’t be left neglected in closets, calling out to be used outdoors where our souls can soar.
     Christmas is the time of year to remind us of our soaring souls.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     JANUARY 2-3 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     JANUARY 2-3 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario Gun Shows will be held May 15-16 and July 31-Aug. 1. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JANUARY 9 IMPERIAL VALLEY CWA FUND-RAISER: The Imperial Valley Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its annual dinner and fund-raiser beginning 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Aspen In The Desert, 595 W. Main Street, Brawley. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Contact Hollis Daker at 909-615-6329, Frank Theodoropoulos at 714-227-3304, or Tom Homen at 209-606-7257 or go to www.calwaterfowl.org for an event flyer.
     JANUARY 9 BALD EAGLE CENSUS VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for the annual Bald Eagle counts done at four Southern California mountain waters where the birds winter -- Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, and Lake Hemet. The counts are done for a one-hour period, 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 9 at each lake. There were birds seen at all four lakes on the Dec. 19 survey. Counts will also be held Feb. 13 and March 13. For information, contact Marc Stammer with the U.S. Forest for Big Bear and Arrowhead counts at 909-382-2828, Joshua Ertl or Kevin Forester with State Parks for Lake Silverwood at 760-389-2303, or Matt McDonald with the Forest Service for Lake Hemet at 909-382-2933.
     JANUARY 9 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The 2010 class dates are Feb. 13, Mar. 6, April 13, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, 21, 28, Sept. 11, and Oct. 2, 9. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JANUARY 9-10 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Mar. 13-14, June 5-6, Sept. 11-12, and Nov. 13-14. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     JANUARY 16-17 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is offering hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     JANUARY 30-31 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa shows are scheduled for Mar. 27-28, June 5-6, and Aug. 28-29. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     FEBRUARY 12 SAN DIEGO CWA FUND-RAISER: The San Diego Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its annual banquet and fund-raiser beginning 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13 at the Elks Club, 1400 East Washington, El Cajon. Tickets are $65 per person or $95 per couple. Contact John Howard at 619-440-8319 or go to www.calwaterfowl.org for an event flyer.
     FEBRUARY 13 BALD EAGLE CENSUS VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for the annual Bald Eagle counts done at four Southern California mountain waters where the birds winter -- Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, and Lake Hemet. The counts are done for a one-hour period, 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 13 at each lake. The final winter count will be held March 13. For information, contact Marc Stammer with the U.S. Forest for Big Bear and Arrowhead counts at 909-382-2828, Joshua Ertl or Kevin Forester with State Parks for Lake Silverwood at 760-389-2303, or Matt McDonald with the Forest Service for Lake Hemet at 909-382-2933.
     FEBRUARY 13 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2010 class dates are Mar. 6, April 13, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, 21, 28, Sept. 11, and Oct. 2, 9. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

     For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
     For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

     The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
     976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
     CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
     CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
     CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
     CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
     DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
     GOLDEN STATE FLYCASTERS: The Golden State Flycasters and Trout Unlimited Chapter 920 meets 6 to 9 p.m. Monday before the third Thursday of each month at Tio Leo’s Restaurant, Del Mar. Information at www.goldenstateflycasters.org.
     HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
     HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
     NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or nrajrc@msn.com.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
     ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
     ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
     PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
     PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Hunny’s Restaurant, Main Street and 4th Street, Corona. Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
     REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
     RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
     SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
     SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
     TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com. The club’s web site is www.tcsportsmen.org.
     TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

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