I almost drove past this sign because it wasn't there last time I went down this particular back road to look for wildflowers. Or at least I never noticed it.

I got out and started shooting it and while doing so saw a man approaching with a dog. I just kept shooting since I figured I was about to be either shot or attacked by the dog so what did I have to lose.

He came around the fence and said "Ma'am, who gave you permission to take pictures of private property? Who are you?"

Well, I figured he didn't mean it in the existential sense although that particular question usually does throw me.

So I just said "I'm Karen Stuebing and I live in town." The dog was now on alert right in front of me.

Then he asked "What exactly are you taking pictures of?" I told him the sign.

His demeanor immediately changed. He took off his glove to shake hands and introduced himself. "In that case, come right up and take as many as you want and please publicize it".

"Are you the owner?" I asked.

He politely responded, "Well, I'm here working so what do you think? Oh, excuse me, I answered your question with a question." Ouch. LOL.

So the story is that this was once a public park and has a lake and after he had bought the property people ignored the usual no trespassing signs and the gate and continued to come there.

It was not just the trespassing he explained but the liability issues. What if someone drowned there?

He wanted to know what I would do with the photo so I told him I had a blog since that is something everyone understands.

We chatted for a while and then he went to go back to work and I started back to my car.

As I was walking away, he stopped me and said to write this so I'm writing it.

"I looked into insurance and they wanted $700 a month for 3 million dollars coverage and I decided shotgun shells were a lot cheaper. And I mean it."

No doubt.