Merry Christmas Everyone!!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

My Christmas Wish...

My Christmas wish for you, my friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you've been given
To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas friend
And a happy New Year, too ..

~by Ruth Kephart~

New Baby!!

I am happy to report, Sean Forker, and his wife, Laura, are celebrating the birth of their beautiful baby boy named Rylan. Rylan entered this world and finally greeted his parents last night.

There is one thing in this life I am certain of, life moves forward, and often times with great joy.

"If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle." ~Vincent Van Gogh

Steve "Indy" Pickett

I must have started this article 20 times, at least.

In life there are moments when you feel as if the wind has been knocked right out of you...

Let me tell you a story.

When I first became involved with this research, back in 2005, I spent a lot of time on the old BFF, where I met Henry May. One day, after a rousing back and forth over the PGF on the BFF, Henry asked me if I wanted to join him and his friends in this yahoo chat. I said, "Sure".

This is how I met the people who have become the majority of my long time friends. Henry May, Sean Forker, Billy Willard, Steve Pickett, Eric Altman and Steve Kulls.. These chats were a nightly event that I had come to look forward to. We would discuss various issues in the research and within the community. Often times (more so than not) Henry would fire up an old "Coast to Coast" show - to settle a dispute and there we would sit till all hours of the night, listening to Coast to Coast, and when the show buffered, Henry - as he beat the tower of his computer with a brush and yelled at it. Which of course was followed by laughter from those of us listening..

This group of friends was a life line for me. What many do not know is I had just moved to Texas from Wisconsin. I had no family in Texas, and while I was in the TBRC, I was new - and just getting to know the people within the organization. These guys welcomed me and treated me like "one of the guys". This circle of friends helped ease the homesick feeling I had, every single day.

Indy was a little more difficult for me to get to know. Have you ever met someone like that? Their difficult to first know, but once you get to know them, you crack that exterior and you discover someone who would give you the shirt off their back? That's Indy. The best people in the world to know, are worth the time it takes to get to know them. I include Indy in that group.

There was no doubt, Indy, was a family man, who filled his heart with love for his wife Robin, and their 6 children. I remember hours of Indy discussing his engagement to Robin. Steve had found a life partner in Robin and his soul mate. I remember how excited he was when he started his Radio Program, and his bigfooting group.

People say you can not form a real friendship or a connection over the Internet.. Those people never met Indy. I finally met Indy and Robin, during the Ohio Conference this past May, and all I can say is, it was one of the best days I have had in the last 5 years.

To Robin and children, you have my deepest, heart felt condolences. Words can not express how deeply saddened I and others are by your loss.

The world needs more people like Steve Pickett.... I ask the entire community to keep Robin and the children in your thoughts, prayers and hearts.

Is this what we have become?

How often do you disagree with fellow researchers in the field of “Bigfoot Research”? If you disagreed with another researcher – even strongly, would you refer to that person as a “feminine product” that starts with a D and ends in “Bag”?

That’s exactly what Sharon Lee did last night on SquatchDetective. By Sharon’s own admission, she decided to have a few glasses of wine, prior to her appearance and boy, did she put on an appearance. In the interest of full disclosure, I did not listen to this show – I did however receive a full accounting, and what an accounting it was.

First she started out with Tim Fasano.

While I disagree with everything this man says, I would never get on a radio program, or even this blog, and use the words Sharon Lee used to describe this man. Isn’t saying, “I disagree” enough? Have we, the researchers involved in the field of research, decided saying, “I disagree” is not strong enough, that now we need to resort to profanity laced daggers to throw at people?

Have we as a community become that hateful?

Also, at one point in this Sharon discussed how she only likes researchers who display a positive attitude. Huh…. Way to be positive Sharon!! You get big thumbs up. Yes, I am being sarcastic.

Then she had words to say about me. Why? I have no idea. I haven't spoken to Sharon Lee in more than a year. I seen her at the Ohio Conference, but spent no time talking to her. So, I am clueless why she attacked me, more specifically my physical appearance during the filming of MonsterQuest. Well, I am glad, Sharon Lee, knows what’s important to this field of research, that being:

All you women need to make sure you fix your hair, and make sure your makeup is perfect while you are in the field.

When I get into the woods, I am not there to look pretty for Sharon Lee or anyone other than my fiancé, and he is very happy with my physical appearance.

Finally, the point I felt was the defining moment during this interview. Sharon Lee proudly announces: (drum roll) she can have any man who is involved in the field of bigfoot research – she just needs to decide which one to sleep with.

*Blog edited to add in reference to the comments by Sharon above* This is a tamed down version of what Sharon Lee actually said, as I can not publish her actual words - suffice it to say she didnt use the word "sleep with ".. I think we are all on the same page now.

I wish I had the appropriate emoticon for this comment. You know the one with the big bulging eyes..

If this has become acceptable to those who call themselves “bigfoot researchers” – then it’s a sad day, and I am not sure I even want to be involved. I don’t post to this blog much, because, honestly, I am deeply saddened with the way things have become in the past year. People want to talk about bigfoot less and less. Instead they would rather badmouth others and hurl insults.

No, I don’t agree with everything I hear or see in reference to this research, but when did it become okay to be mean, just to be mean? Can’t we find other ways to show disagreement? Is this the direction we are headed, with Sharon lee manning the reigns? God, I hope not.

This afternoon Sharon Lee is sorry. Stating she drank too much wine, and said things she didn’t mean to say. Really? That’s not what she said on Steve Kulls Facebook page this morning:



or just prior to her interview with Steve Kulls. Sharon Lee knew exactly what she was doing. Sharon announced before the show on her Facebook Page, she planned to do it, and it was witnessed by people who called me to tell me. I am sure Sharon Lee was sorry, once the fall out from her rant started becoming clear. For many, it's simply too late.

You decide. What is acceptable to you? Is this the way you want the work you do in the field, viewed by the general public? That I guess is up to you.

I am exhausted.

I am tired of the name calling, the profanity filled hatred being thrown in the direction of people – simply because they have an opinion, I or others, do not agree with. It’s not professional, and it’s not appropriate, especially when you call yourself a “bigfoot researcher” and you want to be viewed as a “figure” within this community. Don’t we all have enough to deal with from outside this community? Isn’t it bad enough we face this kind of hatred from those who do not understand why we do what we do, but to have it within our own community --- what a dark time for us all.

Sharon Lee does not speak for me,

Or, anyone I am associated with and have spoken to today. My phone has been ringing off the hook, and the reaction to how Sharon Lee really feels, has been severe. Many of us today are saddened and sick to our stomachs over the hatred that spilled from her mouth last night. I feel like I owe Tim Fasano an apology, and I never said anything. Someone should apologize to him for the horrible name he was called. I know I was horrified and embarrassed.

Everyone should be.

I do not blame Steve Kulls. I just hope in the future he will screen his guests a whole lot better. Sharon Lee should have known better than to get drunk and do an interview. This is on her, and not Steve Kulls. Sharon, you can respond in any way you see fit, just remember, I didn’t hand you that bottle last night, or force it down your throat. You did this to yourself. You owe EVERYONE an apology for your adolescent behavior. Being drunk does not excuse the hurt you caused last night. I may have strong opinions and yes I voice them – but at least I am not out there calling people filthy names, belittling women based on their physical appearance, or discussing the other things you feel are important, which have nothing to do with actual bigfoot field investigation.

You embarrassed yourself.