For Linda Joy: This one got published in the Oregonian Newspaper and is on the wall at Flanagans fish house in Portland.------There's lotsa songs about cowboys and about truckers--and...

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

This one got published in the Oregonian Newspaper and is on the wall at Flanagans fish house in Portland.------There's lotsa songs about cowboys and about truckers--and all their daring deeds and battles won--but no one sings a song about oyster pickers--Doncha think they deserve some thanks for what they done.---At 2 am they're out there getting oysters---just so all them little oyster bars can run---It takes a lot of heart to be an oyster picker-cause when the north wind blows it's really not much fun.----I haven't got a thing against other workers---they help to make this country number one---'fact nothing could be finer than a song about coal miners---but that don't help them oyster people none--Doncha think they deserve some thanks for what they done.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

This one got published in the Oregonian Newspaper ... (show quote)

Now this is really cool and does make you think about that oyster picker so we can shuck em and eat em... lolol...

Brought back memories of standing on the Cape watching the fishing boats netting wh**ever it was or going to get lobster...

Very cool, Tom !!! Loved it!!!

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

lindajoy wrote:

Now this is really cool and does make you think about that oyster picker so we can shuck em and eat em... lolol...

Brought back memories of standing on the Cape watching the fishing boats netting wh**ever it was or going to get lobster...

Very cool, Tom !!! Loved it!!!

I was a boatman for an oyster company for 7 years

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

I was a boatman for an oyster company for 7 years

No wonder!! Speaking from experience!!!
How old were you??
You write beautifully...

I could read it all day??

teabag09

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

This one got published in the Oregonian Newspaper ... (show quote)

Love it Tom. I commercially picked and shucked oysters, caught crabs and fish when I was in my teens. We have what's called Crab Creek right off of the Thorogood House in the Lynnhaven river where I would be up to my waist in water in February, hand gathering shoe sole oysters. Our normal oysters were maybe 5-6", these were up to 12" and very very old. No way could you slurp them. Man, that was really hard work but at that age a piece of cake and good money. I'd give a right leg to be able to go back and do that again(would have said a different body part but though they know, we have women onboard.) Mike

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

lindajoy wrote:

No wonder!! Speaking from experience!!!
How old were you??
You write beautifully...

I could read it all day??

I was 30 when I wrote this. I ran a boat in the South Slough estuary of Coos Bay and planted and harvested oysters for Qualman Oyster Farms. I am one of few on the west coast who can tong oysters---lowering 16 foot long handles with baskets on each handle and scooping up oysters. I would do about 30 bushels worth this way when the tides were not cooperating and we still needed oysters at the shucking house.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

teabag09 wrote:

Love it Tom. I commercially picked and shucked oys... (show quote)

Been there done that -- I loved the job

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

I was 30 when I wrote this. I ran a boat in the South Slough estuary of Coos Bay and planted and harvested oysters for Qualman Oyster Farms. I am one of few on the west coast who can tong oysters---lowering 16 foot long handles with baskets on each handle and scooping up oysters. I would do about 30 bushels worth this way when the tides were not cooperating and we still needed oysters at the shucking house.

Had to take serious strength to do that !! Given the scenery I bet you did love it!!

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

lindajoy wrote:

Had to take serious strength to do that !! Given the scenery I bet you did love it!!

I guess I am pretty strong because nobody else could do it for long. I worked in a sanctuary much like a wilderness. Sometimes I saw Bald eagles catching Salmon and twice I saw cougars on the mudflats. I was most of the time alone even in the middle of the night. I did have a big dog named Lumbo to keep me company. Believe it or not there were packs of wild dogs up there. One time Lumbo brought one home with him.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

I guess I am pretty strong because nobody else could do it for long. I worked in a sanctuary much like a wilderness. Sometimes I saw Bald eagles catching Salmon and twice I saw cougars on the mudflats. I was most of the time alone even in the middle of the night. I did have a big dog named Lumbo to keep me company. Believe it or not there were packs of wild dogs up there. One time Lumbo brought one home with him.

Cougars and wild dogs?? Good grief you are whacked to hang out with them... Thank God for Lumbo!!!!

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

lindajoy wrote:

Cougars and wild dogs?? Good grief you are whacked to hang out with them... Thank God for Lumbo!!!!

I wasn't worried I felt primordial like a Cajun in the swamp. It was cool

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

I wasn't worried I felt primordial like a Cajun in the swamp. It was cool

Lolol I bet you did!!!