He's the Not-Looking-at-PawPaw, Sunday Morning Dog.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday Morning Dawg
Feigned indifference. I bet if I offered him a snack, he'd look at me.
He's the Not-Looking-at-PawPaw, Sunday Morning Dog.
He's the Not-Looking-at-PawPaw, Sunday Morning Dog.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Saturday catching-up.
Milady is at the auction, and I've been working on paperwork for the church. We've got a Charge Conference coming up, and the district has rather detailed instructions on how to complete the paperwork. It's a good review of all things that have to do with church administration, and I have a couple of questions for the pastor. We've got two weeks till the conference, so we're in pretty good shape.
At least everything is organized now.
Between scratching my head and wondering what the District wants, I managed to take the dog for a walk in the front yard. He was fairly enthusiastic, as he always is when I take down the leash.
Back to the paperwork.
At least everything is organized now.
Between scratching my head and wondering what the District wants, I managed to take the dog for a walk in the front yard. He was fairly enthusiastic, as he always is when I take down the leash.
Back to the paperwork.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Dry, Dry, Dry
The weather around here has been dry for the past several months. The grass is just about dead, and I refuse to water grass. I was doing tractor maintenance by the pond today and happened to notice the water level. It's lower than I've ever seen it, about three feet lower than normal.
See that spit of sand on the far side of the pond? That's normally in about a foot of water and bream bed on it in the springtime. That's where the grandkids and I do our cane-pole fishing.
Here's another shot, looking toward the spillway.
It's easily three feet lower than normal. I'm told that cattle are grazing on the flat bottom of Catahoula lake. That used to be a normal occurrence before they put in control structures to try to stabilize the water level, but you've got to have some water to stabilize it.
It's dry in Central Louisiana.
See that spit of sand on the far side of the pond? That's normally in about a foot of water and bream bed on it in the springtime. That's where the grandkids and I do our cane-pole fishing.
Here's another shot, looking toward the spillway.
It's easily three feet lower than normal. I'm told that cattle are grazing on the flat bottom of Catahoula lake. That used to be a normal occurrence before they put in control structures to try to stabilize the water level, but you've got to have some water to stabilize it.
It's dry in Central Louisiana.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
What a suprise
Tea Party backed candidates are doing well in Republican primaries, ahead of more entrenched Republican candidates. Delaware and New York come up in the upset category, where outsiders have defeated more established politicians. Add some other upsets around the country and we're seeing that conservative Republican voters can make a difference.
It will be interesting to see how this stacks up in the general election. Delaware is a true-blue state and the Republican candidate this morning is fairly conservative. Whether she can beat the Democratic opponent is still up for grabs.
There are some who question whether it's better to support a more middle-road candidate who stands a better chance of getting elected. In the Delaware election, Christine O'Donnell is not favored to win over Democrat Christopher Coons, but she wasn't favored to win the primary election either.
I myself have quit voting pragmatically in favor of voting my conscience. I'm going to vote for the person who best articulates my beliefs in limited government. During the last gubernatorial election in Louisiana, Bobby Jindal was the hands-down favorite and he won handily. I didn't vote for Bobby, because I thought that there was a better candidate. My candidate lost. So be it.
Still, the voters surprised the Republican party yesterday and they woke up to a whole new reality. That's the way it should work. We've got to remind them from time to time that they work for us.
It will be interesting to see how this stacks up in the general election. Delaware is a true-blue state and the Republican candidate this morning is fairly conservative. Whether she can beat the Democratic opponent is still up for grabs.
There are some who question whether it's better to support a more middle-road candidate who stands a better chance of getting elected. In the Delaware election, Christine O'Donnell is not favored to win over Democrat Christopher Coons, but she wasn't favored to win the primary election either.
I myself have quit voting pragmatically in favor of voting my conscience. I'm going to vote for the person who best articulates my beliefs in limited government. During the last gubernatorial election in Louisiana, Bobby Jindal was the hands-down favorite and he won handily. I didn't vote for Bobby, because I thought that there was a better candidate. My candidate lost. So be it.
Still, the voters surprised the Republican party yesterday and they woke up to a whole new reality. That's the way it should work. We've got to remind them from time to time that they work for us.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
In the Mail
In the mail yesterday I found some bullets from a poster at a gun forum, for the life of me I can't remember his login name, but he lives in Mount Hope, AL. I don't use real names here unless I have permission, so you'll understand if I don't name him.
They're cast lead, .45 caliber 185 grain truncated cone bullets. I happened to mention on that forum that I was thinking of trying some, so he emailed me and said he'd drop a double-handful in a USPS box and send them on. They're good looking bullets, with one grease groove and they've been tumble lubed.
No, I haven't weighed or measured them. I'm going to load them with Bullseye and try them next week. I've got to be at the range anyway, so I'll take the opportunity to try them out.
To my friend in Mount Hope, many thanks. I'll let you know how they shoot.
They're cast lead, .45 caliber 185 grain truncated cone bullets. I happened to mention on that forum that I was thinking of trying some, so he emailed me and said he'd drop a double-handful in a USPS box and send them on. They're good looking bullets, with one grease groove and they've been tumble lubed.
No, I haven't weighed or measured them. I'm going to load them with Bullseye and try them next week. I've got to be at the range anyway, so I'll take the opportunity to try them out.
To my friend in Mount Hope, many thanks. I'll let you know how they shoot.
The New Dog
I took the new dog to the vet this afternoon to get his immunizations started and to make sure that he is healthy. The vet looked him over and proclaimed him to be just fine. We took some tests and he's wormy, but we've got medicine to clear that up. Started him on a heartworm preventative, got his rabies and distemper shots. The doc believes that he's about two years old, based on his size and teeth.
He seems to be a pretty good dog, but he's huge. Seventy-six pounds by the vet's scales. The vet believes he's a German Shepherd, and says that there is a line of white Shepherds in the area. He treats three or four of them on a regular basis.
He seems to be a pretty good dog, but he's huge. Seventy-six pounds by the vet's scales. The vet believes he's a German Shepherd, and says that there is a line of white Shepherds in the area. He treats three or four of them on a regular basis.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Bonus Dawg
The boys and I went over to Momma's place yesterday to do some mowing and when we got there we found a dog. A big white Shepherd type dog, roaming the acres. We asked Momma about him and she said he'd just turned up at the place. He's a friendly enough dog, and played well with the kids. The boys and I finished our chores and we went our separate ways.
This morning at church, Momma told me that the dog was still hanging around the place and that while he's a good dog, she doesn't need a good dog. She had checked with her neighbors and doesn't seem to belong to anyone there. He's either a drop-off or a really lost stray. So, after church, Milady and I went over to see about him. He wound up getting in the car with us and coming home.
Barrett and I gave him a bath and he tolerated it well. He's seemed to make friends with Beau, and it looks like he's going to live in the backyard.
This morning at church, Momma told me that the dog was still hanging around the place and that while he's a good dog, she doesn't need a good dog. She had checked with her neighbors and doesn't seem to belong to anyone there. He's either a drop-off or a really lost stray. So, after church, Milady and I went over to see about him. He wound up getting in the car with us and coming home.
Barrett and I gave him a bath and he tolerated it well. He's seemed to make friends with Beau, and it looks like he's going to live in the backyard.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Koran burning
Have y'all been watching this silly-assed story about the pastor of the tiny church in Florida who said he intended to burn a Koran on September 11th?
It's just about the most pathetic thing I've ever seen. And it's the press' fault for picking up the story in the first place.
First, Terry Jones, the Florida pastor who set the world on edge with plans to burn copies of the Koran on September 11, said on Thursday that he had canceled his demonstration because he had won a promise to move the proposed Islamic centre near ground zero to a new location.Then, he decides to not burn the Koran, and of course, the media is on scene to record his every utterance.
Then, hours later, after learning that the project’s leaders in New York had said that no such deal existed, Jones backed away from his promise and said the bonfire of sacred texts was simply “suspended”.Then, the reporters in the hot sun outside the church snap when the pastor comes out to make another pronouncement.
“Are you just toying with us to get attention?” asked a sweaty woman in a suit, crouching near the hot grass to keep out of the shot of multiple cameras over her head…This has got to be the most nothing story the press has ever followed. Who cares what some dumbass pastor in Florida might or might not do. The press made this story and it's grown legs all past its social relevance. Who gives a damn what he does? He's a nothing pastor in a nothing church in Florida. Yet due to press interference, he's had the Vatican weigh-in, he's had the President weigh-in, he's got the entire Muslim world inflamed.
“Why did you give this two-hour window?” came a shout from another side of the scrum.
“So will you say you’re going to burn a Koran anytime you want press coverage?” snapped a reporter with a German accent…
“You’re just using us! We should all leave!” someone yelled from deep in the media pack.
Silence – for a moment. “Yeah! Let’s all leave!”
Jones’s response: “Fine, we’re not press hungry, go!”
But no one moved, until Jones turned and shuffled back to the church.
It's just about the most pathetic thing I've ever seen. And it's the press' fault for picking up the story in the first place.
Remembering
Monday, September 10, 2001 was a regular day. I was a shift supervisor in the jail and my crew was on the night rotation. Mondays are normally pretty quiet nights with the offenders tired from the days work and the normal easy enforcement activity of a regular Monday, we didn't have many new bookings that evening. We got off at 5:00 a.m. and went home on Tuesday morning. I didn't realize I'd be awakened by the phone at about 7:45 central time and be told to turn on the television. I stumbled out of bed and turned on the TV, walked in to the kitchen to make coffee, then walked back to the TV in time to see the second plane hit the towers at 9:03 eastern time. I lay on the couch the rest of the day, in shock at what I had seen.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
The Fireams Blog
If you're not a regular reader of The Firearms Blog, you should be if you like things gunny. There's no politics, no current events, except as they affect the shooting industry. Whether you like the latest tactical whatever, or the coolest new shotgun, or the best entry level rifle, you can find it all over there.
Today, he talks about a Ruger rifle in 7.62X39. American shooters haven't learned to love this round yet because it is the primary caliber of our historical adversaries, but it's a wonderful little round. Those folks I know personally that use it in the deer woods tell me that it's a devastating little cartridge that whacks deer as well as the old standby .30-30.
If you scroll down a little bit, you'll learn about a new edition of the Ruger 10/22, the Boy Scout edition.
It's basically your standard Ruger with a special stock. I bet they sell a bunch of them as presentation firearms to the Boy Scouts.
It looks like a fun little rifle.
Today, he talks about a Ruger rifle in 7.62X39. American shooters haven't learned to love this round yet because it is the primary caliber of our historical adversaries, but it's a wonderful little round. Those folks I know personally that use it in the deer woods tell me that it's a devastating little cartridge that whacks deer as well as the old standby .30-30.
If you scroll down a little bit, you'll learn about a new edition of the Ruger 10/22, the Boy Scout edition.
It's basically your standard Ruger with a special stock. I bet they sell a bunch of them as presentation firearms to the Boy Scouts.
It looks like a fun little rifle.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Bourbon Street
When I go to New Orleans, I don't spend much time on Bourbon Street, unless it's crossing to get to another location. While Bourbon is an iconic location, the seediness just doesn't do anything for me. I don't mind seedy, but Bourbon Street takes it to a whole 'nuther level.
However, our brother-in-law wanted to get a drink at the Old Absinthe House, the site of Jean Lafitte's bar on Bourbon Street, so we wandered down there to get a drink. Absinthe is a green liquor that tastes like licorice. While it's not my preferred drink, they also pour bourbon whiskey, so that's what I had.
As we wandered the street with the drink in our hands, we stopped to watch a street magician. Of course, my camera tended to focus on young lovelies and somehow this lady got caught in the lens.
Before long, the crowd got too thick for our tastes, so we walked toward Jackson Square before heading back to the hotel.
However, our brother-in-law wanted to get a drink at the Old Absinthe House, the site of Jean Lafitte's bar on Bourbon Street, so we wandered down there to get a drink. Absinthe is a green liquor that tastes like licorice. While it's not my preferred drink, they also pour bourbon whiskey, so that's what I had.
As we wandered the street with the drink in our hands, we stopped to watch a street magician. Of course, my camera tended to focus on young lovelies and somehow this lady got caught in the lens.
Before long, the crowd got too thick for our tastes, so we walked toward Jackson Square before heading back to the hotel.
Monday, September 06, 2010
The Mighty Mississippi
The Mississippi river is the major waterway in the South. It drains over half of the United States and when it reaches Louisiana it is hard to get away from the fact that it is an economic powerhouse. New Orleans sits on the east bank of the Mississippi, but because of a frivolity of nature and the way the river bends and meanders, the river actually flows north from near the French Quarter and when you're looking across the river, you notice that the morning sun is in your eyes. That's right, dear pilgrim, looking across the Mississippi from the Canal Street wharf, you're looking east and the river is flowing north.
Not for long, though, because it quickly changes direction and heads south toward the Gulf of Mexico. Still, it's jarring to look across the river and everything seems backwards. Go to a good map and look at the river. It doesn't make any sense, but there you have it.
Still, walking from Canal Street, onto the levee, you're jarred with how much river traffic moves along that vast waterway and the relative size of the vessels. For example, just this morning I watched this big freighter make the turn headed upstream. She was empty, judging from how high out of the water she seemed to be, bound upstream for the grain fields, or scrap yards, or who knows what she would be carrying.
Then, minutes after she had cleared the bridge, we find a jaunty little fisherman, headed downstream with nets in her rigging.
If you look beyond the little fishing vessel, you'll see lines of barges lining the west bank of the river, loaded with all manner of raw materials. New Orleans is an industrial port, and all you need do is walk up the levee from the tourist pits to see the raw power of his huge river. I could sit and watch it all day.
Not for long, though, because it quickly changes direction and heads south toward the Gulf of Mexico. Still, it's jarring to look across the river and everything seems backwards. Go to a good map and look at the river. It doesn't make any sense, but there you have it.
Still, walking from Canal Street, onto the levee, you're jarred with how much river traffic moves along that vast waterway and the relative size of the vessels. For example, just this morning I watched this big freighter make the turn headed upstream. She was empty, judging from how high out of the water she seemed to be, bound upstream for the grain fields, or scrap yards, or who knows what she would be carrying.
Then, minutes after she had cleared the bridge, we find a jaunty little fisherman, headed downstream with nets in her rigging.
If you look beyond the little fishing vessel, you'll see lines of barges lining the west bank of the river, loaded with all manner of raw materials. New Orleans is an industrial port, and all you need do is walk up the levee from the tourist pits to see the raw power of his huge river. I could sit and watch it all day.
Home again
We just walked in the door from the New Orleans trip and as much fun as we had, it sure is good to be home.
I took a few dozen good pictures and we'll be reviewing the trip this week, but first, a couple of photographs for my buddy, Junior.
We'll start with a little barmaid we found at a sports bar on the Riverwalk. I know Junior loves red headed women and this one was nearly perfect.
She's a sweetie, with a wonderful smile and a steady hand when pouring beer. The fact that she's a freckled redhead made it all the better.
Then, today at lunch, we went into a bar near the Old French Market and found this little lady, who was also very friendly and gave us excellent service. Her kitchen makes a mean hamburger, also.
Her name is Jen, and she should get rich on tips.
I took a few dozen good pictures and we'll be reviewing the trip this week, but first, a couple of photographs for my buddy, Junior.
We'll start with a little barmaid we found at a sports bar on the Riverwalk. I know Junior loves red headed women and this one was nearly perfect.
She's a sweetie, with a wonderful smile and a steady hand when pouring beer. The fact that she's a freckled redhead made it all the better.
Then, today at lunch, we went into a bar near the Old French Market and found this little lady, who was also very friendly and gave us excellent service. Her kitchen makes a mean hamburger, also.
Her name is Jen, and she should get rich on tips.
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Sunday Morning Dawg
We were cooking sausage last week. Ball Park franks for the kids, and some andouille and bratwurst for the adults. Of course, the dog had to have his share.
My sentiments exactly.
He's the eatin-sausage, Sunday Morning Dawg.
My sentiments exactly.
He's the eatin-sausage, Sunday Morning Dawg.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Friday afternoon
Milady's brother lives in South Florida. Pampano Beach to be more precise. He's coming up this weekend to visit his Mamma in Jena, but there's always a side trip.
No one loves oysters more than Brother Bill and he claims that you can't get good oysters in Florida. Lots of good seafood, but no good oysters. So, Brother Bill stops in New Orleans on every trip to Louisiana and spends a couple of days wandering the French Quarter and eating oysters.
So, Milady and I are leaving in the morning, heading to the Big Easy. We're staying at a nice place on Canal Street, directly across from the casino, within easy walking distance of most of the French Quarter. We'll be wandering the streets, watching the crowds, eating seafood and we'll probably even stop at Pat's for a Hurricane. I like eating at Felix's, but several people this week have told me that they're closed. The website is still active, but if Felix isn't open, Acme is just across the street.
No one loves oysters more than Brother Bill and he claims that you can't get good oysters in Florida. Lots of good seafood, but no good oysters. So, Brother Bill stops in New Orleans on every trip to Louisiana and spends a couple of days wandering the French Quarter and eating oysters.
So, Milady and I are leaving in the morning, heading to the Big Easy. We're staying at a nice place on Canal Street, directly across from the casino, within easy walking distance of most of the French Quarter. We'll be wandering the streets, watching the crowds, eating seafood and we'll probably even stop at Pat's for a Hurricane. I like eating at Felix's, but several people this week have told me that they're closed. The website is still active, but if Felix isn't open, Acme is just across the street.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Earl
Tonight, the residents of the Outer Banks are hunkering down ahead of Hurricane Earl. I expect the news will be spotty, with electrical outages and the normal news blackout when even the most dedicated weatherman finds a place to shelter from the wind and rain.
It's not so much that the wind is blowing at 115 mph, it's what the wind is blowing at 115 mph.
The Outer Banks is a personal favorite vacation spot. I can sit all day and watch the waves and the pelicans. And I have. The last time I was there, they still hadn't fully recovered from the pounding they took in 2003.
I'm sure many have evacuated, and I'm sure many more have not. If you're a praying sort, bend a knee for the folks on the Outer Banks tonight.
It's not so much that the wind is blowing at 115 mph, it's what the wind is blowing at 115 mph.
The Outer Banks is a personal favorite vacation spot. I can sit all day and watch the waves and the pelicans. And I have. The last time I was there, they still hadn't fully recovered from the pounding they took in 2003.
I'm sure many have evacuated, and I'm sure many more have not. If you're a praying sort, bend a knee for the folks on the Outer Banks tonight.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Coal Powered Cars
Some are predicting that the US will have more than one million low-cost or no-cost public charging stations for electric vehicles by the year 2015.
Y'all understand that most electricity is produced by burning coal, and that's what will be powering those cars? Clean coal.
Y'all understand that most electricity is produced by burning coal, and that's what will be powering those cars? Clean coal.
Bulk Ammo
There's a guy, Steven Otterbacher, who emailed me personally yesterday. It seems that he's building a business, Bulk Ammo, and you can find it at the link.
I don't advertise on this site, but this email is from a reader who's trying to get started in business. He says that PawPaw's House readers can get an additional $25.00 off the first order over $200.00 by using the promotion code GrandOpening.
If any of you folks are buying ammo, give him a look and a chance to get your business.
I don't advertise on this site, but this email is from a reader who's trying to get started in business. He says that PawPaw's House readers can get an additional $25.00 off the first order over $200.00 by using the promotion code GrandOpening.
If any of you folks are buying ammo, give him a look and a chance to get your business.
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