Thanks for sharing, John.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
The F-4 Phantom
Reader John shares his photo of an F-4 Phantom.
Those flew out of our local AFB during the '60's and I've always thought that the Phantom was one of the coolest, mot evil looking aircraft of the era.
Thanks for sharing, John.
Thanks for sharing, John.
Oklahoma State 0 Day 2
Sixty-Four shooters from nine states congregated in the arena at the Creek County Fairgrounds, Kellyville, OK to decide the Oklahoma State Championship.
Major D is out after seven rounds. I couldn't find the target for the first three rounds, and it was looking pretty grim, but I managed to stay alive till the seventh round.
Belle is out after four rounds. She really had trouble this morning, I bought her a laser practice cartridge, and maybe she'll find it useful. She's been jonesing for one for a couple of months, and there was a vendor there willing to take my money.
Akarate Zach was out after six rounds. In the fifth round, he had the unfortunate experience of launching his ejector rod downrange. The ejector rod on the Ruger Vaquero is notorious for getting loose and launching downrange. Fortunately, we were able to find the spring and the screw, and it's all back together now. I'l watch it close tomorrow, and when we get home, put a drop of Locktite on that screw.
I had a blog reader come by, and I got to chat with him a few minutes between matches. I introduced min to Okie Ed and Fancy Nancy, and they gave him some printed information. It was very cool to meet Shim, and I hope to see him again.
Tomorrow is the bracket matches. All the scores are loaded in the computer, and the computer takes you second-fastest time to assign a bracket. It's a lot of fun, and it's a way to give the folks who are out of the main match to shoot on Sunday morning. So, tomorrow, we're alive again, and the bracket matches await.
Tonight is the banquet, and luckily, it's next door to the hotel. Thant's extremely fortunate, as Major D is drinking red whiskey right now, and I'm told that it's illegal to drive drunk in Oklahoma. I'll walk over to the restaurant.
See y'all on the line.
Major D is out after seven rounds. I couldn't find the target for the first three rounds, and it was looking pretty grim, but I managed to stay alive till the seventh round.
Belle is out after four rounds. She really had trouble this morning, I bought her a laser practice cartridge, and maybe she'll find it useful. She's been jonesing for one for a couple of months, and there was a vendor there willing to take my money.
Akarate Zach was out after six rounds. In the fifth round, he had the unfortunate experience of launching his ejector rod downrange. The ejector rod on the Ruger Vaquero is notorious for getting loose and launching downrange. Fortunately, we were able to find the spring and the screw, and it's all back together now. I'l watch it close tomorrow, and when we get home, put a drop of Locktite on that screw.
I had a blog reader come by, and I got to chat with him a few minutes between matches. I introduced min to Okie Ed and Fancy Nancy, and they gave him some printed information. It was very cool to meet Shim, and I hope to see him again.
Tomorrow is the bracket matches. All the scores are loaded in the computer, and the computer takes you second-fastest time to assign a bracket. It's a lot of fun, and it's a way to give the folks who are out of the main match to shoot on Sunday morning. So, tomorrow, we're alive again, and the bracket matches await.
Tonight is the banquet, and luckily, it's next door to the hotel. Thant's extremely fortunate, as Major D is drinking red whiskey right now, and I'm told that it's illegal to drive drunk in Oklahoma. I'll walk over to the restaurant.
See y'all on the line.
Friday, May 19, 2017
Oklahoma State - Day 1
We found the arena this morning and went in for registration and equipment check.
That's my gal in the picture above We've competed equipment check and are waiting for the shooter's meeting.
We shot categories today, which is an age-based competition. We didn't cover ourseves in gory, but we didn't embarrass ourselves either. Today was a good warm-up for the main match, which will begin tomorrow morning.
That's Akarate Zach, hanging out with Okie Ed, one of our hosts.
Tomorrow is the main match, and we're in the hotel room getting ready for a good nigh's seep.
That's my gal in the picture above We've competed equipment check and are waiting for the shooter's meeting.
We shot categories today, which is an age-based competition. We didn't cover ourseves in gory, but we didn't embarrass ourselves either. Today was a good warm-up for the main match, which will begin tomorrow morning.
That's Akarate Zach, hanging out with Okie Ed, one of our hosts.
Tomorrow is the main match, and we're in the hotel room getting ready for a good nigh's seep.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
We Have Arrived
We're here (wheverthehell "here" is). In the motel. The last 50 miles were in a hellacious thunderstorm, with associated tornado warnings.
Screw it. I'm going to have a drink and go to bed.
Screw it. I'm going to have a drink and go to bed.
Oklahoma State
Working the list, getting things ready. Belle is taking off at noon. Zach takes his lat final today and should get home about noon. Hopefully, shortly thereafter, we'll throw the bags in the van and head north.
The shoot is in Kellyville, OK, just south of Tulsa. Google Maps tells me 7.5 hours. roughly. We'll see how that pans out.
Gotta get busy.. Lots of stuff to do before noon.
The shoot is in Kellyville, OK, just south of Tulsa. Google Maps tells me 7.5 hours. roughly. We'll see how that pans out.
Gotta get busy.. Lots of stuff to do before noon.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
17 Cents?
It looks like the House Ways & Means committee in the Louisiana Legislature wants to hike our gasoline taxes by 17 cents. Really??
What Louisiana needs is a nice four-lane highway across the center of the state. From Natchez, MS, westward toward Texas. Nothing like that currently exists and I don't know of any plans to build such a road. Hell, the state just built a new bridge across the Mississippi river at New Roads, and there is no real highway network to make use of.
I agree that the state has kicked the can down the road for too long. It's easy to put-off transportation work. We've been doing it a long time, and it is the fault of every politician since Huey Long.
When you get out of the big cities of Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, the Louisiana road network sucks. The politicos have been pissing away our road money for too long. Both Texas and Mississippi get the same road money that Louisiana gets and their road network is much better.
Maybe what Louisiana needs instead of new taxes is new politicians.
Opening a late session controversy, a House panel Tuesday narrowly approved a bill that would raise Louisiana's gasoline tax by 17 cents per gallon, increasing state aid for roads and bridges by $510 million annually.Yeah, it appears that our state Highway Dept has been pissing away our money for many years, and now they've decided that they need more money.
The bulk of the new dollars – about $260 million per year – would go for state priority projects, including "mega" plans like a new bridge across the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge for more than $1 billion.Yeah, that's what we need, a new bridge in Baton Rouge. We've been spending money on the roads in Baton Rouge for twenty years that I'm aware of. The road network in Baton Rouge should be pristine. Every time I drive through that hell-hole, they're working on the roads.
What Louisiana needs is a nice four-lane highway across the center of the state. From Natchez, MS, westward toward Texas. Nothing like that currently exists and I don't know of any plans to build such a road. Hell, the state just built a new bridge across the Mississippi river at New Roads, and there is no real highway network to make use of.
I agree that the state has kicked the can down the road for too long. It's easy to put-off transportation work. We've been doing it a long time, and it is the fault of every politician since Huey Long.
When you get out of the big cities of Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, the Louisiana road network sucks. The politicos have been pissing away our road money for too long. Both Texas and Mississippi get the same road money that Louisiana gets and their road network is much better.
Maybe what Louisiana needs instead of new taxes is new politicians.
Cimarron El Malo
Surfing around early this morning, I went over to Cimarron's website to look at cowboy guns and found something that looks promising.
The Cimarron El Malo. The documentation in the box says that it is made by Elle Pietta and imported by Cimarron. It comes in a variety of calibers and barrel lengths. The one under the link above is is .45 Long Colt with a 4-3/4 inch barrel. This caliber is required for CFDA shooting and the short barrel is preferred by a variety of shooters, but this model also comes in the longer barrel lengths, to include the 7.5 inch. The MSRP is $544.74, but it can be had cheaper.
What I like about this particular model is the hammer-mounted firing pin. That, of course, requires a load-one-skip-one-load-four routine like the old Colt system, but that hasn't been a problem for knowledgeable gunners since 1873.
Grabagun has it for $465.98 in the short barrel and $447.83 in the long barrel. It's interesting that the long gun is several dollars less expensive than the short gun.
Here's a YouTube video that gives an out-of-the-box look at the revolver.
The octagon barrel is a nice touch, and Belle likes Pietta revolvers. Both of her competition revolvers are Pietta's. They seem to be holding up well, and The Pietta frames seem just a tiny bit smaller than the Uberti, and the scale tells us that the Pietta is several ounces lighter than the Ruger Vaquero.
I do like the looks of that revolver. If I find a few spare dollars, one of those might end up in my spares bag.
The Cimarron El Malo. The documentation in the box says that it is made by Elle Pietta and imported by Cimarron. It comes in a variety of calibers and barrel lengths. The one under the link above is is .45 Long Colt with a 4-3/4 inch barrel. This caliber is required for CFDA shooting and the short barrel is preferred by a variety of shooters, but this model also comes in the longer barrel lengths, to include the 7.5 inch. The MSRP is $544.74, but it can be had cheaper.
What I like about this particular model is the hammer-mounted firing pin. That, of course, requires a load-one-skip-one-load-four routine like the old Colt system, but that hasn't been a problem for knowledgeable gunners since 1873.
Grabagun has it for $465.98 in the short barrel and $447.83 in the long barrel. It's interesting that the long gun is several dollars less expensive than the short gun.
Here's a YouTube video that gives an out-of-the-box look at the revolver.
The octagon barrel is a nice touch, and Belle likes Pietta revolvers. Both of her competition revolvers are Pietta's. They seem to be holding up well, and The Pietta frames seem just a tiny bit smaller than the Uberti, and the scale tells us that the Pietta is several ounces lighter than the Ruger Vaquero.
I do like the looks of that revolver. If I find a few spare dollars, one of those might end up in my spares bag.
Another One Gone
In 2001, the Taliban destroyed historical monuments, to the disdain of the whole world.
In late 2016, ISIS destroyed historical monuments, to the disdain of the whole world.
Last night, Mitch Landrieu took down an historical monument. Mitch is the Democratic mayor of New Orleans, and takes down monuments to historical figures that don't match his current politically-correct worldview.
I'll leave my readers to draw the proper parallels.
In late 2016, ISIS destroyed historical monuments, to the disdain of the whole world.
Last night, Mitch Landrieu took down an historical monument. Mitch is the Democratic mayor of New Orleans, and takes down monuments to historical figures that don't match his current politically-correct worldview.
I'll leave my readers to draw the proper parallels.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Wood Ducks
Sitting at the house yesterday in the twilight enjoying a bourbon I was considerably surprised to see a wood duck whistle past and pitch into the little lake that we live on.
"Wood duck" I said to Belle.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"I just know."
The sight took me back thirty years. I was sitting on the swing at my house on Bayou Derbonne, early on a Sunday afternoon in January. My wife had just asked what I thought we should cook for supper, and while I pondered the answer, a pair of wood ducks whistled over the house and went down in the bayou across the road.
That bayou was about a hundred yards from the house, across a small asphalt road, across a muddy bean field, lined with mixed hardwood and bald cypress lining the banks.
I stood from the swing and went inside, retrieving my upland shotgun. It was a Stevens 311, an inexpensive double-barrel. I plunked two shells into the barrels and went outside. "I'll be right back."
Crossed the road, jumped the ditch and slogged across the muddy bean field. I stopped in the edge of the trees and watched the surface of the bayou, looking for ripples in the still water. I took two steps, and heard wings. The two ducks jumped from the water and I swung on them. Pop! Pop!, a left and a right, and I had two ducks down in the bayou. There I stood in muddy sneakers, jeans, and a flannel shirt.
There was nothing to do but go in after them, so I put the shotgun down and waded in after them into chest-deep water. Then I headed for the house, cold, wet, muddy, with supper in my hand.
Dinner that night was roasted wood duck, with rice, gravy, steamed broccoli and cat-head biscuits. Not a bad supper for an afternoon's work, even if I did have to wade for it.
I wonder if someone hung a wood-duck box on the lake. They are in no danger from my shotgun, but it is nice to see them late in an evening. The sight takes me back to good times.
"Wood duck" I said to Belle.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"I just know."
The sight took me back thirty years. I was sitting on the swing at my house on Bayou Derbonne, early on a Sunday afternoon in January. My wife had just asked what I thought we should cook for supper, and while I pondered the answer, a pair of wood ducks whistled over the house and went down in the bayou across the road.
That bayou was about a hundred yards from the house, across a small asphalt road, across a muddy bean field, lined with mixed hardwood and bald cypress lining the banks.
I stood from the swing and went inside, retrieving my upland shotgun. It was a Stevens 311, an inexpensive double-barrel. I plunked two shells into the barrels and went outside. "I'll be right back."
Crossed the road, jumped the ditch and slogged across the muddy bean field. I stopped in the edge of the trees and watched the surface of the bayou, looking for ripples in the still water. I took two steps, and heard wings. The two ducks jumped from the water and I swung on them. Pop! Pop!, a left and a right, and I had two ducks down in the bayou. There I stood in muddy sneakers, jeans, and a flannel shirt.
There was nothing to do but go in after them, so I put the shotgun down and waded in after them into chest-deep water. Then I headed for the house, cold, wet, muddy, with supper in my hand.
Dinner that night was roasted wood duck, with rice, gravy, steamed broccoli and cat-head biscuits. Not a bad supper for an afternoon's work, even if I did have to wade for it.
I wonder if someone hung a wood-duck box on the lake. They are in no danger from my shotgun, but it is nice to see them late in an evening. The sight takes me back to good times.
Monday, May 15, 2017
Goblins Down
It looks like some Houston goblins picked the wrong victim when they decided to do a drive-by. The goblins fired over 40 rounds, but the homeowner was able to retrieve his AR-15. He killed two of them and sent the third to the hospital.
I'd say that the homeowners practice time on the range was time well spent.
Well done, sir, well done.
I'd say that the homeowners practice time on the range was time well spent.
Well done, sir, well done.
We Need A Cop
I tried to make the point last week, but I may have failed to be clear. Let me not make that mistake again. We need a cop running the FBI.
Michael Walsh writes a great post mortem at PJ Media.
It's not a cop's job to worry about prosecution. The job of a cop is to examine the evidence and satisfy the elements of the offense. Every offence has elements, those parts of the law that tells an investigator that a crime has been committed.
That's not to say that a cop doesn't want to get it right. He wants the prosecution to succeed, but once the elements of the crime are satisfied it becomes the prosecutors job to get the conviction. If the cop does his job right, the prosecutor gets a case that is nearly ready to go to court. The cop and the lawyer might work hand-in-hand on building a good case, but the lines of responsibility are clearly drawn.
Comey blurred those lines. Which is why a lawyer is the worst possible choice as the head cop at the head cop-shop. And, I'd bet that there are several very capable, very qualified cops who would be willing to take the Director's job at the Bureau.
Sheriff David Clarke, of Milwaukee comes immediately to mind. From all indications, he's a great cop, with a simple message, and a strong sense of right-and-wrong. I'm sure that there are dozens of guys around the country, capable administrators who understand the difference between a cop and a prosecutor, who could rebuild the reputation of the Bureau, give it a renewed focus, and serve the people of the United States honorably.
All the President needs to do is find that person.
Michael Walsh writes a great post mortem at PJ Media.
Let’s cut right to the chase: James Comey should have been fired immediately following his disastrous press briefing last July, in which he candidly laid out the case against Hillary Clinton over her mishandling of classified information and then refused to recommend charges. Overstepping his authority while radiating sanctimony, arrogating power while clumsily intervening in the election, Comey deserved to be sacked on the spot.When I watched that presser last July, the first thing that came to mind was that Comey was trying to lawyer his way through a cop's job. He said words to the effect that no reasonable prosecutor would take the case, and that stunned me.
It's not a cop's job to worry about prosecution. The job of a cop is to examine the evidence and satisfy the elements of the offense. Every offence has elements, those parts of the law that tells an investigator that a crime has been committed.
That's not to say that a cop doesn't want to get it right. He wants the prosecution to succeed, but once the elements of the crime are satisfied it becomes the prosecutors job to get the conviction. If the cop does his job right, the prosecutor gets a case that is nearly ready to go to court. The cop and the lawyer might work hand-in-hand on building a good case, but the lines of responsibility are clearly drawn.
Comey blurred those lines. Which is why a lawyer is the worst possible choice as the head cop at the head cop-shop. And, I'd bet that there are several very capable, very qualified cops who would be willing to take the Director's job at the Bureau.
Sheriff David Clarke, of Milwaukee comes immediately to mind. From all indications, he's a great cop, with a simple message, and a strong sense of right-and-wrong. I'm sure that there are dozens of guys around the country, capable administrators who understand the difference between a cop and a prosecutor, who could rebuild the reputation of the Bureau, give it a renewed focus, and serve the people of the United States honorably.
All the President needs to do is find that person.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Texas State Higlhlights
A short highlight reel from the indomitable Miss E, our scribe and archivist par excellence. She's the gal behind the camera who makes us look so good.
But, before we get too carried away, here's a screen-capture of my own girlfriend, the incomparable Blue Eyed Belle, making smoke on the line in Silsbee, TX.
Should anyone wonder why I try to stay on Belle's good side, a simple review of that photo should be evidence enough. These gals are very good, even expert with a Single Action revolver and they'll rain scunnion on ya if they need to.
But, all funnin' aside, take a look at this video. Full-screen is better. It focuses on the ladies who were shooting with us in Texas, and some of these gals really sparkle. Sit back for seven minutes, put the video on full-screen and watch the highlights of the Texas State Championship.
Thanks, Miss E!
But, before we get too carried away, here's a screen-capture of my own girlfriend, the incomparable Blue Eyed Belle, making smoke on the line in Silsbee, TX.
Should anyone wonder why I try to stay on Belle's good side, a simple review of that photo should be evidence enough. These gals are very good, even expert with a Single Action revolver and they'll rain scunnion on ya if they need to.
But, all funnin' aside, take a look at this video. Full-screen is better. It focuses on the ladies who were shooting with us in Texas, and some of these gals really sparkle. Sit back for seven minutes, put the video on full-screen and watch the highlights of the Texas State Championship.
Thanks, Miss E!
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Central Air
Last Thursday, I talked about the household AC unit. After cleaning the condenser coil, I started watching the thermostat closely. The unit wasn't keeping the house cool. If I set the thermostat on 70, the unit would bring the house down to 72 and hang there. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't right either.
Yesterday was the same deal. Set the thermostat on 70, house cools down to 72 and hangs there. Last night about bedtime, Belle commented that the house felt warm and when I checked the thermometer, it was at 74 degrees. This with a cool evening.
This morning, I called a guy that comes highly recommended. Surprisingly, he answered the phone on a Saturday morning. He told me that he would come check the unit, that he'd be here about noon.
I don't know what the problem is, but it needs to be fixed. And, this guy comes highly recommended. He's willing to come out on Saturday to keep my gal comfortable, and I'm willing to write the check.
Next week is going to be very, very busy, with a variety of activities scheduled and mandatory. If I can get this AC fixed today, it will be a huge blessing.
Yesterday was the same deal. Set the thermostat on 70, house cools down to 72 and hangs there. Last night about bedtime, Belle commented that the house felt warm and when I checked the thermometer, it was at 74 degrees. This with a cool evening.
This morning, I called a guy that comes highly recommended. Surprisingly, he answered the phone on a Saturday morning. He told me that he would come check the unit, that he'd be here about noon.
I don't know what the problem is, but it needs to be fixed. And, this guy comes highly recommended. He's willing to come out on Saturday to keep my gal comfortable, and I'm willing to write the check.
Next week is going to be very, very busy, with a variety of activities scheduled and mandatory. If I can get this AC fixed today, it will be a huge blessing.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Central Air
Both Belle and I grew up in houses that didn't have central air or heat. For that matter, my children grew up in a house with a window unit, and some nights we slept hot. That is no longer the case.
In the Deep South, central air conditioning has become a necessity. Belle promised herself that when she got grown, she'd never again sleep in a cold house during the winter, and I promised myself that I'd never sleep in a hot house in the summer.
Over the past couple of days, I noticed that the AC wasn't keeping up with the weather. It seemed to struggle a bit to keep the house cool. I changed the filters and the outside stuff, but that didn't seem to help. Before I call an AC mechanic, I'm going to do what I can, so this afternoon, I stopped by my local hardware store and got a bottle of something called Coil Clean.
Got home, killed the power and took the fan off the outside condenser unit. It was pretty nasty. I followed the label directions, sprayed Coil Clean all over the inside of the unit, then hooked up a garden hose. I sprayed out the condenser from the inside-out. The crap that jumped out of the coil was amazing. After I spayed everything down two or three times, I figured it was clean and re-assembled the unit. got power to it and the fan kicked on.
I put up my tools and headed inside. It seems to be blowing cold air, but we'll give it an hour and see if it gets down to the thermostat setting.
I may have just saved myself a sevice call.
In the Deep South, central air conditioning has become a necessity. Belle promised herself that when she got grown, she'd never again sleep in a cold house during the winter, and I promised myself that I'd never sleep in a hot house in the summer.
Over the past couple of days, I noticed that the AC wasn't keeping up with the weather. It seemed to struggle a bit to keep the house cool. I changed the filters and the outside stuff, but that didn't seem to help. Before I call an AC mechanic, I'm going to do what I can, so this afternoon, I stopped by my local hardware store and got a bottle of something called Coil Clean.
Got home, killed the power and took the fan off the outside condenser unit. It was pretty nasty. I followed the label directions, sprayed Coil Clean all over the inside of the unit, then hooked up a garden hose. I sprayed out the condenser from the inside-out. The crap that jumped out of the coil was amazing. After I spayed everything down two or three times, I figured it was clean and re-assembled the unit. got power to it and the fan kicked on.
I put up my tools and headed inside. It seems to be blowing cold air, but we'll give it an hour and see if it gets down to the thermostat setting.
I may have just saved myself a sevice call.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Trump Fires Comey
I heard about this and with all the hoop-la going around, maybe it's time to talk about it.
Donald Trump ain't the first president to fire an FBI Director. Others have done it, most recently, Bill Clinton. An FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the President.
Get over it.
Comey was a screw-up, a loose cannon who had no idea how to be a cop. He may have been a pretty good lawyer, but he was a crappy cop, heading up the most prestigious cop-shop i the country.
President Obama should have fired Comey last Jully, after his ill-conceived television performance when Comey gave Hillary Clinton a pass.
Naval officers will tell you that there is only two things that you can do with a loose cannon. Either tie it down, or push it overboard. Comey woudln't be tied down, so he was pushed overboard.
Donald Trump ain't the first president to fire an FBI Director. Others have done it, most recently, Bill Clinton. An FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the President.
Get over it.
Comey was a screw-up, a loose cannon who had no idea how to be a cop. He may have been a pretty good lawyer, but he was a crappy cop, heading up the most prestigious cop-shop i the country.
President Obama should have fired Comey last Jully, after his ill-conceived television performance when Comey gave Hillary Clinton a pass.
Naval officers will tell you that there is only two things that you can do with a loose cannon. Either tie it down, or push it overboard. Comey woudln't be tied down, so he was pushed overboard.
Ancient Aviation
This is cool. From Strategy Page.
This is one of three XP-59A prototypes. The first prototype XP-59A flew in the fall of 1942 at Muroc Dry Lake (now Edwards AirForce Base), Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo)That's a good looking airplane.
Monday, May 08, 2017
Eyes and Ears
Johnathan asks in comments, regarding the CFDA shoots:
Ear protection is recommended for adults and mandatory for youth. The sound of the shot is much less than a .22 LR, but we make it mandatory for the youngsters. And, every range has ear plugs available for anyone who wants hearing protection.
Thanks for asking.
I see ear plugs and eye protection in use - good to see people being careful.I'm glad you asked. Eye protection is mandatory for everyone on the line. Those bullets sometimes ricochet back toward the line and we don't want to shoot an eye out. We take great care in making sure that everyone has safety glasses.
How loud are the shots? Is ear protection really required for them, or is it just a precaution?
Ear protection is recommended for adults and mandatory for youth. The sound of the shot is much less than a .22 LR, but we make it mandatory for the youngsters. And, every range has ear plugs available for anyone who wants hearing protection.
Thanks for asking.
This Is the 21st Century
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – U.S. military officials say an unmanned spacecraft orbiting Earth since May 2015 has landed in Florida.
The Air Force posted tweets that the X37B spacecraft landed Sunday morning at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral after 718 days in orbit.I still think that space flight is cool.
Welcome Home
My girlfriend (yeah, we're married, but she's still my girlfriend) will be home tonight after six days in Missouri. She texted me this morning and said that she was beginning the journey.
I'll be glad to see her, and the dawg will be glad to see her. It is amazing how boring my life is when she's not around.
I'll be glad to see her, and the dawg will be glad to see her. It is amazing how boring my life is when she's not around.
Sunday, May 07, 2017
Stray Cats and Wax Bullets
In my long association with firearms and ammunition, I've come into the knowledge that some fof then are very accurate. I've got a couple of rifles that shoot with surgical precision. I've got a Ruger Mak II, that when I do my part, it places the little .22 bullet exactly whee I want it. Every shooter has a couple of those guns in his memory.
Wax bullets ain't like that. The standard for sighted fire is 1.5 inches at 21 feet, and that's with a pristinely clean bore. But, wax bullets do have a purpose. They're generally non-lethal, much like a paintball. They'll sting, they'll leave a whelp, and they will put an eye out, so we're careful with them. You still have to be careful with them.
Belle and I feed a couple of cats. They keep the mice nervous, and we like them, so we tolerate them. But, they are outdoor cats. Occasionally, a stray will show up to enjoy the larder that we provide for our cats, but we try to discourage the homeless foragers. We've found that wax bullets tend to send a message. Being kind souls we don't want to hurt any living thing needlessly. The wax bullets we use tend to shatter when they hit concrete, so a wax bullet at the feet of a stray cat showers him with wax shrapnel and normally lights a fire under him, reminding him of another appointment. He tends to depart without formal good-byes.
But, wax bullets ain't accurate. They tend to group loosely. Which leads to a story about a white stray that showed up last week. He was getting bolder, and showing himself more frequently, and on Friday we "scatted" him a couple of times. But, he persisted. So, on the third "scat", I sent a wax bullet out to punctuate the denial. I sent it toward his feet, but was astounded to see fur fly off his right hip. The impact spun him around, and he departed post-haste. Even grandson Zachary, who saw the shot, commented. "Oooh, that had to hurt."
But, that shot bothered me. I don't want to hurt any living thing needlessly, and that bullet had to hurt. That white cat crossed my mind several times yesterday, and I wondered if I had caused any lasting physical damage.
This morning, I walked out to get the morning paper and noticed a white flash, a blur across the front yard. I watched him depart, cross the road and into the woods across the street. That cat ain't hurt, but his boldness has diminished considerably. He got the message, and I don't believe that he'll challenge me again in my own backyard.
Wax bullets ain't like that. The standard for sighted fire is 1.5 inches at 21 feet, and that's with a pristinely clean bore. But, wax bullets do have a purpose. They're generally non-lethal, much like a paintball. They'll sting, they'll leave a whelp, and they will put an eye out, so we're careful with them. You still have to be careful with them.
Belle and I feed a couple of cats. They keep the mice nervous, and we like them, so we tolerate them. But, they are outdoor cats. Occasionally, a stray will show up to enjoy the larder that we provide for our cats, but we try to discourage the homeless foragers. We've found that wax bullets tend to send a message. Being kind souls we don't want to hurt any living thing needlessly. The wax bullets we use tend to shatter when they hit concrete, so a wax bullet at the feet of a stray cat showers him with wax shrapnel and normally lights a fire under him, reminding him of another appointment. He tends to depart without formal good-byes.
But, wax bullets ain't accurate. They tend to group loosely. Which leads to a story about a white stray that showed up last week. He was getting bolder, and showing himself more frequently, and on Friday we "scatted" him a couple of times. But, he persisted. So, on the third "scat", I sent a wax bullet out to punctuate the denial. I sent it toward his feet, but was astounded to see fur fly off his right hip. The impact spun him around, and he departed post-haste. Even grandson Zachary, who saw the shot, commented. "Oooh, that had to hurt."
But, that shot bothered me. I don't want to hurt any living thing needlessly, and that bullet had to hurt. That white cat crossed my mind several times yesterday, and I wondered if I had caused any lasting physical damage.
This morning, I walked out to get the morning paper and noticed a white flash, a blur across the front yard. I watched him depart, cross the road and into the woods across the street. That cat ain't hurt, but his boldness has diminished considerably. He got the message, and I don't believe that he'll challenge me again in my own backyard.
Saturday, May 06, 2017
Reviewing the Photos
We have a photographer in Cowboy Fast Draw, Miss E, who takes pictures at our matches. Lots of pictures, both good and bad. As Paul Simon famously said, "She has an eye for a camera, she loves to take a photograph."
We can learn from her photos, if you look at them with a critical eye. For example, this one, below.
That's me, Major D, in the red shirt and tan pants. About to take a shot, and my arm is extended way to much. That cost me a tenth of a second, and in this game, a tenth is an eternity. I've got to work on that.
Moving on to the next shot, we see me with my arm closer in.
That's me in the white shirt, foreground. I remember winning that match, and my hand is a lot closer to my body. That's better and I need to work on that.
The nandsake after the match. That's something we do after the match is over. Win or lose, we wish our opponent well. The guy with me in that photo is a shooter out of Gainesville, Texas that we call Skagway.
Next, we have my son-in-law, Cajun Greg demonstrating good form.
That's Cajun Greg in the red shirt. He's showing good form, gun in tight against his body. He's shooting against a fellow we call Ol' Bucker. Ol' Bucker is a shooter out of California. He's one of the traveling fellows, who tours the country getting into gunfights.
Looking at pictures is fun, but Zach and I have an appointment at the range. We'll be practicing this afternoon. But, before I go, here's a picture of Zach, making smoke at Texas State
He's the youngster in the center of the photo, and he's showing good form as well. That might explain why, after the gunsmoke had cleared and the dust had settled, Zach was the second place finisher in the youth division.
Now, if you'll excuse me, we'e off to the range.
We can learn from her photos, if you look at them with a critical eye. For example, this one, below.
That's me, Major D, in the red shirt and tan pants. About to take a shot, and my arm is extended way to much. That cost me a tenth of a second, and in this game, a tenth is an eternity. I've got to work on that.
Moving on to the next shot, we see me with my arm closer in.
That's me in the white shirt, foreground. I remember winning that match, and my hand is a lot closer to my body. That's better and I need to work on that.
The nandsake after the match. That's something we do after the match is over. Win or lose, we wish our opponent well. The guy with me in that photo is a shooter out of Gainesville, Texas that we call Skagway.
Next, we have my son-in-law, Cajun Greg demonstrating good form.
That's Cajun Greg in the red shirt. He's showing good form, gun in tight against his body. He's shooting against a fellow we call Ol' Bucker. Ol' Bucker is a shooter out of California. He's one of the traveling fellows, who tours the country getting into gunfights.
Looking at pictures is fun, but Zach and I have an appointment at the range. We'll be practicing this afternoon. But, before I go, here's a picture of Zach, making smoke at Texas State
Now, if you'll excuse me, we'e off to the range.
The Unemployment Rate
The April Jobs numbers look pretty good. The US added 211,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.4%.
That's good news for Trump, as measured against Obama, but honestly, anyone can look good against Obama. There are several measures of unemployment, and the "official" measure is the U-3/ I've always believed that two other numbers should be used. One, the U-6, is currently at 8.6
Another, the labor force participation rate, is currently at 62.9%.
That's good news for Trump, as measured against Obama, but honestly, anyone can look good against Obama. There are several measures of unemployment, and the "official" measure is the U-3/ I've always believed that two other numbers should be used. One, the U-6, is currently at 8.6
Another, the labor force participation rate, is currently at 62.9%.
Friday, May 05, 2017
Whether He Likes It Or Not
Gateway Pundit shares a heart-warming story of feminism at its most toxic.
Feminist mom, Leah McLaren has two sons who are your typical rough and tumble young boys. McLaren was offended by her youngest son who is only 3 years old after he rejected ‘girlish’ things and vows to turn him into a ‘proud princess whether he likes it or not’.As I see more and more of feminism, I'm becoming convinced that it is a mental disorder.
But as I watch my son reject flowers and dolls and even pink Popsicles – all things that until, very recently, he adored – on the grounds that they are “girlish,” I have come to see Fine’s point. There is something inherently sexist, even covertly misogynist, in the way we discourage boys away from pretty things while telling girls they can have it all.No, darlin', you're wrong. It's inherently natural and normal for little boys to reject the color pink. We don't discourage boys away from pretty things, it is hard-wired into them. The only un-natural concepts I see in that paragraph revolve around the words "sexism" and "misogyny". Those are artificial constructs designed by liberals to blur the natural lines between women and men.
Thursday, May 04, 2017
Two Rugers
Ruger Blackhawks are rugged as hell. I saw this picture on the Book of Face on a Ruger forum and wonder what the hell the guy did to these two revolvers.
I ca't imagine what it might take to blow the top strap off a Blackhawk, but here ya go.
The guy really needs to review the basics of his handloading procedure. He got something horribly wrong.
I ca't imagine what it might take to blow the top strap off a Blackhawk, but here ya go.
The guy really needs to review the basics of his handloading procedure. He got something horribly wrong.
Thursday I Got Nuttin'
I got nothing. The national news bores me. I really don't care if O'Reilly got fired and I really don't care if Colbert had a meltdown on camera. Whether or not the Republicans vote on a healthcare bill really doesn't interest me. I'm unable to keep up with continuing outrage on the left, or the right.
Belle made it to Missouri yesterday. She's with family, and safe. She'll come home after the funeral. The dawg and I are carrying bravely on, although he's confused with Belle gone and I don't sleep well unless she's beside me. Funny, things like that didn't used to bother me. I guess I'm becoming an old curmudgeon. It's been awhile since I didn't have her to supervise me. The dawg and I are eating well, though.
I believe it's going to be Salisbury steak, rice and gravy tonight. I may have to wash the dawg's face when it's over. He doesn't do gravy real well, but he likes it a lot. He has no thumbs, and I haven't been able to teach him to use a spoon. Come to think of it, I may have to mop the kitchen floor as well.
The dawg and I are batch'in it for a couple of days.
Belle made it to Missouri yesterday. She's with family, and safe. She'll come home after the funeral. The dawg and I are carrying bravely on, although he's confused with Belle gone and I don't sleep well unless she's beside me. Funny, things like that didn't used to bother me. I guess I'm becoming an old curmudgeon. It's been awhile since I didn't have her to supervise me. The dawg and I are eating well, though.
I believe it's going to be Salisbury steak, rice and gravy tonight. I may have to wash the dawg's face when it's over. He doesn't do gravy real well, but he likes it a lot. He has no thumbs, and I haven't been able to teach him to use a spoon. Come to think of it, I may have to mop the kitchen floor as well.
The dawg and I are batch'in it for a couple of days.
Wednesday, May 03, 2017
The Grudge Match
I was talking with Dash, a fine young shooter out of Texas. Dash is currently both the Louisiana and Texas State champion for his division. Dash was asking about the invitational match that Thorn Valley hosts every year in November. I told him that we might set aside some time for grudge matches, where a shooter could call us someone he wanted to duel with. He liked that idea.
"Best be careful," I told him. "I might call you out for a grudge match. How about that?"
Dash looked at me with steely eyes, from under the brim of his hat. "I'll see you there."
The other fellows at the table guffawed. Dash had slain me with a single line. It's hard to get ahead of these young'uns, sometimes.
"Best be careful," I told him. "I might call you out for a grudge match. How about that?"
Dash looked at me with steely eyes, from under the brim of his hat. "I'll see you there."
The other fellows at the table guffawed. Dash had slain me with a single line. It's hard to get ahead of these young'uns, sometimes.
June Bugs and Ammo
Regular readers know that I've been a reloader for two decades, and a shooter for five decades. I have a passing familiarity with ammunition, and shooting. I've loaded a lot of ammunition for my own use and I have some guns that have never fired a single round of what we call "factory" ammunition.
When I began Cowboy Fast Draw shooting two years ago, I considered the ammo to be a bit... odd. Basically, a .45 Long Colt case, drilled out to accept a shotgun primer, we stuff a wax bullet in the case mouth, drop a shotgun primer in the primer hole, and use the impulsive power of the shotgun primer to propel the wax bullet toward the target.
To say that the cartridge is a specialty cartridge and a low powered unit, is to put the bite on understatement. It's still dangerous, and no one wants to be shot with one, but it certainly isn't standard ammo. At the distances we shoot, it works just fine and it's very safe with just a minimum of preparation and training.
At a statewide sanctioned shoot, one of the rules is that the host supply the ammunition. The nickeled, specially produced cartridge brass is the ne plus ultra of the game, but they are expensive. At 80 cents per piece, it's not too bad to buy 50 or 100 pieces of brass and shoot the same ones for years. 100 cases will cost you 80 bucks, but they won't wear out, like regular cartridge brass. Keep them clean and you'll shoot them for years. Indeed, I"m still shooting the very first cases I ever bought, and by my estimation, we've used about 20,000 pieces of wax in those same two years.
Again, at a sanctioned shoot, the host supplies the ammo, and buying 10,000 cases will set you back about $8,000. That is certainly beyond the reach of many clubs, and some rather creative solutions have been tried. Believe me, I've tried them. So far, those solutions have been less than satisfactory. While it is not impossible to drill a standard .45 Colt case to accept a shotgun primer, While you basically drill a 1/4 inch hole, then you have to bevel a recess to that the primer sits flush with the case head.
I've done that as an experiment, and the reject percentage was high. Without very precise equipment, it's just not worth the hassle, so many of us use the standard CFDA cases. But, at a state-level match, it requires a lot of ammo, and if the cases aren't perfect, it leads to concerns.
So, now let's talk about the guns. We use single action revolvers that mimic the firearms of the 1880s. The Ruger New Vaquero dominates the line. It's a durable, strong action and has quite a following. Indeed, PawPaw has five of them, and they all work just fine. THIS IS NOT A CRITICISM of Ruger. But, in an attempt to make their guns as durable and safe as possible, they've added some bits and pieces that we don't find on the original Colt revolvers, or the Colt clones.
Below is a diagram of the standard Ruger action. The mainspring pushes a strut, which pushes the hammer, which strikes the transfer bar, which hits a spring-loaded firing pin, which (hpefully) hits the primer. And there's the rub. As fast as we push our revolvers, things wear and as the accumulation of wear, usage, and the inevitable grit that gets into things, we start to see light primer strikes. Again, this is not a hit on Ruger. The New Vaquero is a fine revolver.
In contrast, the Colt mechanism is fairly simple. It has its issues, but the firing process is simpler. The mainspring pushes the hammer, which has a hammer-mounted firing pin. The firing pin goes through a hole in the breech-face, which strikes the primer. It's pretty simple, and my Ubertis have this system. As a result, I can confidently shoot ammo that a Ruger NV might not shoot.
During a lull before one match with a fellow I respect and josh with, I noticed that he was inspecting the supplied ammo and making a small line of rejects on the ammo table. His very experienced, calibrated eyeball had led him to reject ammo for a variety of reasons.
I decided to get into his head. "Push that ammo over here." I asked him. "I'll use that in the match."
My hand-judge, a very experienced shooter from Texas asked me, "Are you going to shoot his rejects?"
"Absolutely," says I. "Matter of fact, if you've got one with a june-bug in it, give me that one first. I don't mind shooting june-bugs."
The hand-judge laughed and gave me a cartridge.
I won that match 3-1.
When I began Cowboy Fast Draw shooting two years ago, I considered the ammo to be a bit... odd. Basically, a .45 Long Colt case, drilled out to accept a shotgun primer, we stuff a wax bullet in the case mouth, drop a shotgun primer in the primer hole, and use the impulsive power of the shotgun primer to propel the wax bullet toward the target.
To say that the cartridge is a specialty cartridge and a low powered unit, is to put the bite on understatement. It's still dangerous, and no one wants to be shot with one, but it certainly isn't standard ammo. At the distances we shoot, it works just fine and it's very safe with just a minimum of preparation and training.
At a statewide sanctioned shoot, one of the rules is that the host supply the ammunition. The nickeled, specially produced cartridge brass is the ne plus ultra of the game, but they are expensive. At 80 cents per piece, it's not too bad to buy 50 or 100 pieces of brass and shoot the same ones for years. 100 cases will cost you 80 bucks, but they won't wear out, like regular cartridge brass. Keep them clean and you'll shoot them for years. Indeed, I"m still shooting the very first cases I ever bought, and by my estimation, we've used about 20,000 pieces of wax in those same two years.
Again, at a sanctioned shoot, the host supplies the ammo, and buying 10,000 cases will set you back about $8,000. That is certainly beyond the reach of many clubs, and some rather creative solutions have been tried. Believe me, I've tried them. So far, those solutions have been less than satisfactory. While it is not impossible to drill a standard .45 Colt case to accept a shotgun primer, While you basically drill a 1/4 inch hole, then you have to bevel a recess to that the primer sits flush with the case head.
I've done that as an experiment, and the reject percentage was high. Without very precise equipment, it's just not worth the hassle, so many of us use the standard CFDA cases. But, at a state-level match, it requires a lot of ammo, and if the cases aren't perfect, it leads to concerns.
So, now let's talk about the guns. We use single action revolvers that mimic the firearms of the 1880s. The Ruger New Vaquero dominates the line. It's a durable, strong action and has quite a following. Indeed, PawPaw has five of them, and they all work just fine. THIS IS NOT A CRITICISM of Ruger. But, in an attempt to make their guns as durable and safe as possible, they've added some bits and pieces that we don't find on the original Colt revolvers, or the Colt clones.
Below is a diagram of the standard Ruger action. The mainspring pushes a strut, which pushes the hammer, which strikes the transfer bar, which hits a spring-loaded firing pin, which (hpefully) hits the primer. And there's the rub. As fast as we push our revolvers, things wear and as the accumulation of wear, usage, and the inevitable grit that gets into things, we start to see light primer strikes. Again, this is not a hit on Ruger. The New Vaquero is a fine revolver.
In contrast, the Colt mechanism is fairly simple. It has its issues, but the firing process is simpler. The mainspring pushes the hammer, which has a hammer-mounted firing pin. The firing pin goes through a hole in the breech-face, which strikes the primer. It's pretty simple, and my Ubertis have this system. As a result, I can confidently shoot ammo that a Ruger NV might not shoot.
During a lull before one match with a fellow I respect and josh with, I noticed that he was inspecting the supplied ammo and making a small line of rejects on the ammo table. His very experienced, calibrated eyeball had led him to reject ammo for a variety of reasons.
I decided to get into his head. "Push that ammo over here." I asked him. "I'll use that in the match."
My hand-judge, a very experienced shooter from Texas asked me, "Are you going to shoot his rejects?"
"Absolutely," says I. "Matter of fact, if you've got one with a june-bug in it, give me that one first. I don't mind shooting june-bugs."
The hand-judge laughed and gave me a cartridge.
I won that match 3-1.
Tuesday, May 02, 2017
Rest in Peace
We learned this morning that Mr. Bobby Elliott Jr, of Missouri has passed away Bobby was in his mid-40s and beloved of my lady.
She was married to his father many years ago. Belle and Bobby had custody of his kids, and she raised them for several years. When Bobby Sr passed away, the natural mother took the kids, and Belle lost track of them. She didn't hear from them for many years. About the time she and I started dating, she established contact through a confluence of family and internet contacts.
Bobby Jr. passed away this morning from a series of complications. Belle will be traveling to Missouri with her son, to be there when Bobby is buried. The PawPaw household is in mourning.
She was married to his father many years ago. Belle and Bobby had custody of his kids, and she raised them for several years. When Bobby Sr passed away, the natural mother took the kids, and Belle lost track of them. She didn't hear from them for many years. About the time she and I started dating, she established contact through a confluence of family and internet contacts.
Bobby Jr. passed away this morning from a series of complications. Belle will be traveling to Missouri with her son, to be there when Bobby is buried. The PawPaw household is in mourning.
Monday, May 01, 2017
Texas State Recap
We're home, safe and sound. It was a great trip, a wonderful competition, and a great visit with friends. One wag said that going to a Cowboy Fast Draw match is like going to a family reunion, but with people you like. - - With guns. I think that there is a lot of truth to that. The CFDA is a family of shooters that support each other, coach each other and help each other.
Akarate Zach did exceptionally well this weekend, taking second place both in his division in the main match, and second place in his category. In both matches he was up against some very stiff competition, but he handled the stress, put hits on the plate, and keeping the fun going. Zachary can say honestly, and with pride, that he's the second place gunfighter in Texas, and that's something to brag about.
Major D did better than he's ever done in a sactiioned shoot. I stayed alive till the ninth round, against very tough competition. When the gunsmoke cleard and the dust settled, Major D took 15th place overall. Not to shabby against a very trough field, and the Big Thicket Bushwackers are one of the toughest clubs in the country.
Congratulations to the Big Thicket Bushwackers for hosting a really well-run match. It was a lot fo fun and I know how much work they put into it.
We're home now and safe and looking forward to the rest of the competition season. Next up is Oklahoma State in three weeks. We're looking forward to going up and shooting with our Okie friends.
Akarate Zach did exceptionally well this weekend, taking second place both in his division in the main match, and second place in his category. In both matches he was up against some very stiff competition, but he handled the stress, put hits on the plate, and keeping the fun going. Zachary can say honestly, and with pride, that he's the second place gunfighter in Texas, and that's something to brag about.
Major D did better than he's ever done in a sactiioned shoot. I stayed alive till the ninth round, against very tough competition. When the gunsmoke cleard and the dust settled, Major D took 15th place overall. Not to shabby against a very trough field, and the Big Thicket Bushwackers are one of the toughest clubs in the country.
Congratulations to the Big Thicket Bushwackers for hosting a really well-run match. It was a lot fo fun and I know how much work they put into it.
We're home now and safe and looking forward to the rest of the competition season. Next up is Oklahoma State in three weeks. We're looking forward to going up and shooting with our Okie friends.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Teas State - Saturday
I'm still in it after the seventh round. 21 men left. That's a personal best. So far, I've only gotten to the sixth round in a state championship. I have three Xs, which means I'm bleeding bad, but I'm still standing, so I'm okay to start tomorrow.
Tomorrow morning we'll start the day with bracket matches, then finish up the main match as soon as the brackets are over.
But, as of right now, I'm still in it.
Tomorrow morning we'll start the day with bracket matches, then finish up the main match as soon as the brackets are over.
But, as of right now, I'm still in it.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Texas State - Friday
Some photos from Texas State.
So far, it's been a great shoot. Now it's time to clean guns, reload ammo, and get ready for the main match tomorrow.
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| Akaate Zach tking a break before winning 2nd in his category |
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| Zach bringing the heat |
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| Squirrel Shooting against Pixie Quick. |
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| Zach got new grips. Very patriotic |
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| Gentleman George and Mama Linda keeping score. |
Thursday, April 27, 2017
We're Here!
We made it to the hotel in Kountze, TX. Belle has a glass of wine, and I'm nursing a bourbon.
We're about 20 minutes from the range, and we'll find it in the morning.
I've already seen a bunch of gunfighters while passing through the lobby. This looks like it might be a great shoot.
We're about 20 minutes from the range, and we'll find it in the morning.
I've already seen a bunch of gunfighters while passing through the lobby. This looks like it might be a great shoot.
Eliminating Overreach
President Trump has ordered Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to study regulations and investigate federal overreach in the school systems.
Personally, I think that we should get back to Readin', Writin', and Rithmatic. Technology, of course, and every high school should have a shop class. Those simple basics have served our country well for many decades.
“Previous administrations have wrongly forced states and schools to comply with federal whims and dictates for what our kids are taught. The time has come to empower teachers and parents to make the decisions that help their students achieve success.”This is a great idea. I've been working int he schools for the past 13 years and I have seen time and time again how federal whims and caprices have thrown schools into frustration and stresss. Sometimes it is something as small as interfering in theschool lunch menu.
Personally, I think that we should get back to Readin', Writin', and Rithmatic. Technology, of course, and every high school should have a shop class. Those simple basics have served our country well for many decades.
Texas State
Thursday afternoon, late, after work, Major D, Blue Eyed Belle and Akarate Zach are throwing the gun bags in the car and heading for Silsbee, Texas where we will participate in the Texas State Championship of Cowboy Fast Draw.
We will be shooting at Camp Waluta, the home range of the Big Thicket Bushwackers. I'm not sure how many shooters we will have, but we had 80 at Louisiana State, and weren't expecting that many. Texas State is a much older competition, so we should have that many or more.
At any rate, Thursday afternoon late, we're packing the van and heading to Texas. We will try to post during the weekend.
We will be shooting at Camp Waluta, the home range of the Big Thicket Bushwackers. I'm not sure how many shooters we will have, but we had 80 at Louisiana State, and weren't expecting that many. Texas State is a much older competition, so we should have that many or more.
At any rate, Thursday afternoon late, we're packing the van and heading to Texas. We will try to post during the weekend.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Intolerance
There's something weird going on in the American political sphere. I'm reading that Ann Coulter is scheduled to speak t UC-Berkeley and the local constabulary is expecting riots. Really?
That's a damned shame.
As the Berkeley Police Department gears up for yet another showdown between First Amendment supporters and violent "anti-fascists," questions have arisen regarding the mayor's ties to a local anti-fascist group. Ann Coulter vowed to move ahead with a planned speaking engagement at the university on Thursday after her speech was canceled due to security concerns.Has the American Left become so insecure that they resort to violence and intimidation whenever they are presented with differing viewpoints? Universities are exactly the proper place to explore differing viewpoints, practice tolerance, and challenge rigidely held beliefs. It seems that the folks from California have forgotten that.
That's a damned shame.
Kids
Sunday morning at the match, I was cutting up a poster with 100 squares on it for a drawing, to give away a gun, and some door prizes. I needed someone to draw the names out of the bucket, and I saw a little girl run past. She's the daughter of two of our shooters. Under ten years old, pretty little girl, precocious and full of life I figured she'd be perfect to draw the names, and while I was cutting up the board, Dad wanders by.
"Hey, Buck" I called out. "That little girl of yours. The middle one?"
He stopped dead in his tracks. "Omigod, what did she do now?"
"No, no, nothing like that," I told him. "Can I use her today during the awards to draw some names out of a bucket?"
"Yeah, sure," he says, "But when you called me I thought she was in trouble."
Kids are like that sometimes.
"Hey, Buck" I called out. "That little girl of yours. The middle one?"
He stopped dead in his tracks. "Omigod, what did she do now?"
"No, no, nothing like that," I told him. "Can I use her today during the awards to draw some names out of a bucket?"
"Yeah, sure," he says, "But when you called me I thought she was in trouble."
Kids are like that sometimes.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Dumpster Diving
One of the hazards of police work is dumpster diving. Sometimes you've got to go inside a foul dumpster to retrieve vital evidence. It's normally the rookie's job to go inside, and I haven't done it since the mid '80s/
Until an hour ago.
I got off work today, called the dispatcher to go 10-7, (out of service) and walked over to the van to go home. We took that van to Natchitoches this weekend, ad when I opened the sliding door, I noticed some stuff that could be thrown away, so I grabbed it and tossed it toward the dumpster. I watched in horror as my van keys sailed in a nice arc into the dumpster.
Crap, crap, crap. I went back inside, found my buddy who has ladders, and went dumpster diving. Luckily, the dumpster was used for office refuse, and my keys were easy to find.
But, it brought back some not-so-fond memories of other dumpsters I have dived in the past.
Until an hour ago.
I got off work today, called the dispatcher to go 10-7, (out of service) and walked over to the van to go home. We took that van to Natchitoches this weekend, ad when I opened the sliding door, I noticed some stuff that could be thrown away, so I grabbed it and tossed it toward the dumpster. I watched in horror as my van keys sailed in a nice arc into the dumpster.
Crap, crap, crap. I went back inside, found my buddy who has ladders, and went dumpster diving. Luckily, the dumpster was used for office refuse, and my keys were easy to find.
But, it brought back some not-so-fond memories of other dumpsters I have dived in the past.
Monday, April 24, 2017
It's Done!
The Louisiana State Championship of Cowboy Fast Draw is in the record books. It was a wonderful experience, and the City of Natchitoches was a gracious host. It's now in the record books and we look forward to the rest of the competition season.
We had weather. All kinds of weather. When we got to the park on Thursday to set up, we were under sunny skies, humid conditions, and warm temperatures. As we set up the ranges, before too long, we were sweating like cane-field mules. Water was a precious commodity, and we were losing it by the bucket-full. Before dark , the ranges were set and the shade tarps erected
Friday morning dawned off sunny and hot. We had plenty of shade and lots of iced water in 5-gallon coolers. We started with a warm-up match which lasted till about 1:00, 1:00, took a short break, then shot the Shootist category. For those unfamiliar, the Shootist category is for the long-barreled revolvers. Nothing shorter than 7.5 inches need show up on the line. It was hot and muggy all day. Even though the shooters brought coolers with their own drinks, the water coolers were a constant gathering place. We drank over 20 gallons of water from the coolers on Friday.
After shooting, a group went to the Mariner's restaurant on Sibley Lake for a meet-and-greet. We toasted old friends, greeted new friends, and ordered from a sumptuous menu. I went with the oyster po-boy, but I'm told that the stuffed flounder was delectable.
Saturday at sun-up, it was muggy and overcast. The weather man was calling for rain. We began the main match under threatening skies, and it soon became apparent that we were not going to finish the day dry. However, the little ran squalls were small and light. We got through seven rounds of competition before we called a halt at about five p.m. the leadership sat down to do a little in-progress review. As we talked, the bottom fell out and we watched it ran from under a cover.
Sunday morning, grey skies, a breeze, and temps hovering around fifty degrees. We started the bracket matches and everyone wished that they had brought a jacket. Poor Belle, during the bracket match, was so cold that she couldn't cock the hammer on her Piettta (and yes, her guns have lighter springs installed). She warmed up enough that during the next round, she was able to shoot, but with morning temps hovering in the high 40s, it was quite a contrast from Friday.
By mid afternoon, we were shooting the finals under sunny skies and pleasant temps. Congratulations to Whiplas, from Texas. He is our Men's Chapion. The lovely Plain Jane (ad nthere ain't nothing plain about Jane) is our Women's Champion. A young gal who calls herself Texas Diamond is our Annie Oakley champion, and a fine young fellow we call Dash is our Billy the Kid champion. Great competitors, all of them. We gave out a host of other prizes, too many to list here, but each of them significant. Then we hugged necks, shook hands, and started breaking down. In several hours, the trailers were loaded and we rolled out of Natchitoches, leaving nothing behind but our footprints and our loose change.
I'd like to thank everyone who made this a success. The list would be long, and I've thanked them personally. I'll put some pictures up later, after editing, but this week we hardly have time to wash our laundry, clean our guns, and get packed back up.
Next weekend, it's Texas State. Belle and I, along with Zach, will be on the road to Silsbee, TX, where the Big Thicket Bushwackers will host the Texas State Championship. Just about the time I catch my breath from this weekend, it'll be time to do it again in Texas.
Here's a couple of photos coming out early.
That's a group photo of the assembled gunfighters in Natchitoches, LA.
And here's one f Blue Eyed Belle and Major D, taken Friday morning.
See y'all on the line.
We had weather. All kinds of weather. When we got to the park on Thursday to set up, we were under sunny skies, humid conditions, and warm temperatures. As we set up the ranges, before too long, we were sweating like cane-field mules. Water was a precious commodity, and we were losing it by the bucket-full. Before dark , the ranges were set and the shade tarps erected
Friday morning dawned off sunny and hot. We had plenty of shade and lots of iced water in 5-gallon coolers. We started with a warm-up match which lasted till about 1:00, 1:00, took a short break, then shot the Shootist category. For those unfamiliar, the Shootist category is for the long-barreled revolvers. Nothing shorter than 7.5 inches need show up on the line. It was hot and muggy all day. Even though the shooters brought coolers with their own drinks, the water coolers were a constant gathering place. We drank over 20 gallons of water from the coolers on Friday.
After shooting, a group went to the Mariner's restaurant on Sibley Lake for a meet-and-greet. We toasted old friends, greeted new friends, and ordered from a sumptuous menu. I went with the oyster po-boy, but I'm told that the stuffed flounder was delectable.
Saturday at sun-up, it was muggy and overcast. The weather man was calling for rain. We began the main match under threatening skies, and it soon became apparent that we were not going to finish the day dry. However, the little ran squalls were small and light. We got through seven rounds of competition before we called a halt at about five p.m. the leadership sat down to do a little in-progress review. As we talked, the bottom fell out and we watched it ran from under a cover.
Sunday morning, grey skies, a breeze, and temps hovering around fifty degrees. We started the bracket matches and everyone wished that they had brought a jacket. Poor Belle, during the bracket match, was so cold that she couldn't cock the hammer on her Piettta (and yes, her guns have lighter springs installed). She warmed up enough that during the next round, she was able to shoot, but with morning temps hovering in the high 40s, it was quite a contrast from Friday.
By mid afternoon, we were shooting the finals under sunny skies and pleasant temps. Congratulations to Whiplas, from Texas. He is our Men's Chapion. The lovely Plain Jane (ad nthere ain't nothing plain about Jane) is our Women's Champion. A young gal who calls herself Texas Diamond is our Annie Oakley champion, and a fine young fellow we call Dash is our Billy the Kid champion. Great competitors, all of them. We gave out a host of other prizes, too many to list here, but each of them significant. Then we hugged necks, shook hands, and started breaking down. In several hours, the trailers were loaded and we rolled out of Natchitoches, leaving nothing behind but our footprints and our loose change.
I'd like to thank everyone who made this a success. The list would be long, and I've thanked them personally. I'll put some pictures up later, after editing, but this week we hardly have time to wash our laundry, clean our guns, and get packed back up.
Next weekend, it's Texas State. Belle and I, along with Zach, will be on the road to Silsbee, TX, where the Big Thicket Bushwackers will host the Texas State Championship. Just about the time I catch my breath from this weekend, it'll be time to do it again in Texas.
Here's a couple of photos coming out early.
That's a group photo of the assembled gunfighters in Natchitoches, LA.
See y'all on the line.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Thursday Morning
Five months of planning, working, plotting, and preparation come together today. In several hours, we'll start the cars and head to Natchitoches, LA. Our permit says that we can start setting-ip at 1:00 pm in the city park. For anyone who needs a GPS address, go to 400 Amulet St, Natchitoches, LA then look down the hill. The parking lot is on the corner of 5th and Amulet.
I'm humbly grateful at the amount of participation so far. We have over 50 pre-registered and as late as last night, I was getting notifications on Facebook of folks coming that we had not suspected were coming. As this is my first time hosting a titled, sanctioned shoot, I suspect that this is not uncommon. That some folks just decide at the last minute to drive across the country. We have shooters coming form as far away as Virginia and Nevada. The bulk of the shooters will be from Texas, and Oklahoma but many states will be represented, including Arkansas, Georgia, and Missouri.
At this stage of the game, I only have a few wishes for the remainder of this operation.
1. That all the participants travel safely to the venue.
2. That the team continues to work smoothly and that we work through the inevitable glitches
3. That everyone has a good time, with goodwill and friendly competition.
4. That we show off the City of Natchitoches to the shooters and we show the color and excitement of Cowboy Fast Draw to the City of Natchitoches.
5. That everyone returns home safely.
It's show time.
I'm humbly grateful at the amount of participation so far. We have over 50 pre-registered and as late as last night, I was getting notifications on Facebook of folks coming that we had not suspected were coming. As this is my first time hosting a titled, sanctioned shoot, I suspect that this is not uncommon. That some folks just decide at the last minute to drive across the country. We have shooters coming form as far away as Virginia and Nevada. The bulk of the shooters will be from Texas, and Oklahoma but many states will be represented, including Arkansas, Georgia, and Missouri.
At this stage of the game, I only have a few wishes for the remainder of this operation.
1. That all the participants travel safely to the venue.
2. That the team continues to work smoothly and that we work through the inevitable glitches
3. That everyone has a good time, with goodwill and friendly competition.
4. That we show off the City of Natchitoches to the shooters and we show the color and excitement of Cowboy Fast Draw to the City of Natchitoches.
5. That everyone returns home safely.
It's show time.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Socialsm
Socialism has failed in almost every country where they tried it. It just doesn't work, but that doesn't stop strong-men from ruling with an iron fist. One recent example is Venezuela ruled by a tyrant named Maduro. Food shortages plague his country along with civil unrest. When your country runs out of toilet paper, there is something seriously wrong with the economy. Such is the travails of living under socialism.
It looks like Maduro has guns, though, because he believes in the adage left to us by Chairman Mao. It seems that Maduro is ready to arm about 400,000 "militia members". As Hot Air reports:
This is what socialism looks like, and why our 2nd Amendment is so important.
It looks like Maduro has guns, though, because he believes in the adage left to us by Chairman Mao. It seems that Maduro is ready to arm about 400,000 "militia members". As Hot Air reports:
These so-called militias have been in place since the regime of Hugo Chavez, but not on this scale. They also shouldn’t be confused with American militias from the revolutionary war era. Far from being patriotic citizen soldiers who stand ready to set aside their farming implements to defend their homeland from invaders, these are the thugs who receive favorable treatment for remaining on the good side of the socialist regime and making sure none of their neighbors get out of line.No, these are reliable thugs, who get preferential treatment from the government.
This is what socialism looks like, and why our 2nd Amendment is so important.
Weekend Weather
Like many of you, I'm a weather watcher. It's been my experience that as good as the weather-weenies are at forecasting, they simply can't start to firm up the forecast until about three days out. There is too much of the butterfly effect, and the weather is one of those things that is almost impossible to predict with any degree of confidence past about four days.
I'm watching the weather for this weekend, because we've planned a rather large outdoor event. And, I'm watching the weather. When I want a quick-and-dirty idea, I click on Accuweather. And, there is the forecast this weekend for Natchitoches, LA.
That doesn't look good for Saturday There is a chance of a thunderstorm. But, chances are like probabilities, and further data is needed. So, I then click over to Weather Underground. Here's that three-day prognostication.
That gives me a little better idea, and that blue area on the bottom of the map is the chance of rain. And, if I click on that area of the map, I get an expanded view that looks like this.
That's Saturday, in Natchitoches, LA. The rain chance is still there, but it never gets over 50%, although it approaches hat magic number. Is it going to rain on our parade? Heck, I don't know, but neither do the weather forecasters. My idea, based on my experience with weather in central Louisiana is that there are probably going to be pop-up showers across the area. Local events that might rain on one acre and leave the next pasture bone-dry.
I am cautiously optimistic at this time that the weather will cooperate. All indications ar that Saturday will have a less-than-half chance of rain, as part of a weak front passing by, and that Sunday will dawn-off clear and cool.
I'm watching the weather for this weekend, because we've planned a rather large outdoor event. And, I'm watching the weather. When I want a quick-and-dirty idea, I click on Accuweather. And, there is the forecast this weekend for Natchitoches, LA.
That doesn't look good for Saturday There is a chance of a thunderstorm. But, chances are like probabilities, and further data is needed. So, I then click over to Weather Underground. Here's that three-day prognostication.
That gives me a little better idea, and that blue area on the bottom of the map is the chance of rain. And, if I click on that area of the map, I get an expanded view that looks like this.
That's Saturday, in Natchitoches, LA. The rain chance is still there, but it never gets over 50%, although it approaches hat magic number. Is it going to rain on our parade? Heck, I don't know, but neither do the weather forecasters. My idea, based on my experience with weather in central Louisiana is that there are probably going to be pop-up showers across the area. Local events that might rain on one acre and leave the next pasture bone-dry.
I am cautiously optimistic at this time that the weather will cooperate. All indications ar that Saturday will have a less-than-half chance of rain, as part of a weak front passing by, and that Sunday will dawn-off clear and cool.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
That Naval Armada
You remember that naval armada that was headed foro Korean waters last week? Yeah, not so much.
As worries deepened last week about whether North Korea would conduct a missile test, the White House declared that ordering an American aircraft carrier into the Sea of Japan would send a powerful deterrent signal and give President Trump more options in responding to the North’s provocative behavior.
The problem was, the carrier, the Carl Vinson, and the four other warships in its strike force were at that very moment sailing in the opposite direction, to take part in joint exercises with the Australian Navy in the Indian Ocean, 3,500 miles southwest of the Korean Peninsula.
Dude! Really? hat's messed up. And, I doubt we can blame it on the Navy. Oh, wait... yeah we can.
Monday, April 17, 2017
Cowboy Church
Just back from Monday night services at the Cowboy Church. During the after-service fellowship, we talked a lot about Cowboy Fast Draw. The pastor and the elders there are excited about it, and it looks like we'll be forming a club there during May. We even talked about naming the club, and this is a leading contender.
I expect to see some of the Cowboy Church members touring around during Louisiana State in Natchitoches this weekend, and we'll be pleased to introduce them around.
We'll talk more about this after Louisiana State.
We'll talk more about this after Louisiana State.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Easter Day - Pool Opening
We normally open the pool the last weekend in April, but it was warm today, and we'll be gone next weekend. So, we decided to open it today after lunch.
The pool is now open. Little Lucas is tall enough, this year, to stand flat-footed in the shallow end of the pool. But, he swims like a fish, so we're not worried about him.
I hope that you all had a happy, blessed, Easter Day.
The pool is now open. Little Lucas is tall enough, this year, to stand flat-footed in the shallow end of the pool. But, he swims like a fish, so we're not worried about him.
I hope that you all had a happy, blessed, Easter Day.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Loading Up
Today, we went to the club for the final club practice prior to Louisiana State. We shot, we checked holsters. we talked about lots of stuff, checked lists and made plans.
Then, after everyone has shot a couple of rounds, we broke down and loaded tables.
Left to Right, that's Sinister Sal, Big Mark, Akarate Zach, and yours truly Major D, loading tables into Big Mark's truck. Thursday, noon-ish, they'll be in Natchitoches, LA for the very first Louisiana State Championship of Cowboy Fast Draw.
We're ready (I think). Now, if all the equipment shows up in Natchitoches, we're golden.
Then, after everyone has shot a couple of rounds, we broke down and loaded tables.
Left to Right, that's Sinister Sal, Big Mark, Akarate Zach, and yours truly Major D, loading tables into Big Mark's truck. Thursday, noon-ish, they'll be in Natchitoches, LA for the very first Louisiana State Championship of Cowboy Fast Draw.
We're ready (I think). Now, if all the equipment shows up in Natchitoches, we're golden.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Shooter's Meeting and Safety Briefing
One week from today, almost to the hour, all the planning will be over, all the texting, and conferring, and we'll be standing int he City Park of Natchitoches, LA to begin the very first Louisiana State Championship of Cowboy Fast Draw.
So, this morning, I'm double checking lists and making sure we're covered. One of the things I had to do was to put together a safety briefing/shooter's meeting, and I got out the regulations and put that together. I had Belle proof-read it, critique it. That's what we do, we're a team, and we take care of each other. I believe that I've covered all the bases and it's printed, in the Range Officer's folder that I carry with me to all matches.
But, going through that exercise got me remembering the ranges I ran as a very young man. Tank ranges, small-arms ranges, each by the score or more. Hand grenade ranges.
I hate a hand grenade with all my heart. Even if they are in their individual boxes, in a shipping crate, on the back of a deuce-and-a-half, I hate the damned things. Hand grenades will poke holes in your uniform and make your whole day go sideways in the time it takes for a three-second fuse to burn down. They are evil little devices, and I hate them.
I once ran a handgun range where all my students were high-ranking staff rats who hadn't handled a 1911 pistol in a decade or longer. I got them all through it, but spent the next several months explaining a simple scoring system that any infantryman would grasp immediately. Why it was a mystery to very senior, highly educated Adjutant General officers is still a mystery. If you hiit the target, it counted. If you missed the target, it did not count. How hard is that to understand?
Lots of good memories about standing on an eight-foot stack of tank ammunition, on a range in Kentucky, watching tank cannons punch holes in targets a mile or more away. It's a tanker's dream to be on a range somewhere, with good weather, properly maintained tanks, punching holes in things a lung way off. You can feel the muzzle blast in your bones and your uniform rustles in the shock wave.
The memories are so thick this morning that I have to brush them away like a cloud of gnats. They're jumbled and swirling and taking me away from the task at hand.
Next Friday morning, April 21st, we're kicking off the Louisiana State Championship. We'll be in Natchitoches, LA in the City Park, corner of 5th and Amulet. We'll open the Equipmet Check and Registration at 8:00 a.m., with a Safety Briefing at 8:30 and first round downrange at 9:00.
Y'all come.
So, this morning, I'm double checking lists and making sure we're covered. One of the things I had to do was to put together a safety briefing/shooter's meeting, and I got out the regulations and put that together. I had Belle proof-read it, critique it. That's what we do, we're a team, and we take care of each other. I believe that I've covered all the bases and it's printed, in the Range Officer's folder that I carry with me to all matches.
But, going through that exercise got me remembering the ranges I ran as a very young man. Tank ranges, small-arms ranges, each by the score or more. Hand grenade ranges.
I hate a hand grenade with all my heart. Even if they are in their individual boxes, in a shipping crate, on the back of a deuce-and-a-half, I hate the damned things. Hand grenades will poke holes in your uniform and make your whole day go sideways in the time it takes for a three-second fuse to burn down. They are evil little devices, and I hate them.
I once ran a handgun range where all my students were high-ranking staff rats who hadn't handled a 1911 pistol in a decade or longer. I got them all through it, but spent the next several months explaining a simple scoring system that any infantryman would grasp immediately. Why it was a mystery to very senior, highly educated Adjutant General officers is still a mystery. If you hiit the target, it counted. If you missed the target, it did not count. How hard is that to understand?
Lots of good memories about standing on an eight-foot stack of tank ammunition, on a range in Kentucky, watching tank cannons punch holes in targets a mile or more away. It's a tanker's dream to be on a range somewhere, with good weather, properly maintained tanks, punching holes in things a lung way off. You can feel the muzzle blast in your bones and your uniform rustles in the shock wave.
The memories are so thick this morning that I have to brush them away like a cloud of gnats. They're jumbled and swirling and taking me away from the task at hand.
Next Friday morning, April 21st, we're kicking off the Louisiana State Championship. We'll be in Natchitoches, LA in the City Park, corner of 5th and Amulet. We'll open the Equipmet Check and Registration at 8:00 a.m., with a Safety Briefing at 8:30 and first round downrange at 9:00.
Y'all come.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
MOAB on ISIS
It seems that we dropped an MOAB on ISIS today, to destroy a cave complex in some asss-wipe province of that asshole country. I bet that made their ears bleed.
Of course, the usual idiots in the media want to call it "the mother of all bombs" because the acronym fits nicely. Those of us who know, call it the GBU-34/B, or the Massive Ordnance Air Burst.
Some dumb sonsabitches have asked if the MOAB would affect civilians? Short answer: Yeah, I'm petty sure that they were in the blast radius, they'd be affected. But, that's the danger you take if you hang out with ISIS. If any of those brave ISIS fighters brought their girlfriend/sex-slave/wife into the tunnel complex, she just became a legitimate military target. Same status for pore ol' Achmed the goat herder who was selling meat to the ISIS fighters.
Too bad, so sad. It's a shame that we can't see a bomb damage assessment.
Of course, the usual idiots in the media want to call it "the mother of all bombs" because the acronym fits nicely. Those of us who know, call it the GBU-34/B, or the Massive Ordnance Air Burst.
Some dumb sonsabitches have asked if the MOAB would affect civilians? Short answer: Yeah, I'm petty sure that they were in the blast radius, they'd be affected. But, that's the danger you take if you hang out with ISIS. If any of those brave ISIS fighters brought their girlfriend/sex-slave/wife into the tunnel complex, she just became a legitimate military target. Same status for pore ol' Achmed the goat herder who was selling meat to the ISIS fighters.
Too bad, so sad. It's a shame that we can't see a bomb damage assessment.
The Chief Justice Whines
Chief Justice John Roberts is, to even a casual observer, a flip-flopping, back-stabbing, waffling little man with a huge title, who doesn't see the place in history that he so richly deserves. Probably the worst chief justice of the modern era. And, he's worried about the Court becoming partisan.
As the professor says:
As the professor says:
A BIGGER THREAT TO THE COURT IS A CHIEF JUSTICE WITH SO LITTLE BACKBONE HE’LL SWITCH POSITIONS IN RESPONSE TO OP-ED BULLYINGIndeed. As I've said before, I think that the man is despicable. If I ever get the opportunity, I'm going to spit on his shoes.
What Is Out There?
That's the big question of space exploration: What is out there?
NASA is supposed to make an announcement at 2PM today about findings from the Cassini spacecraft that's been orbiting Saturn.
NASA is supposed to make an announcement at 2PM today about findings from the Cassini spacecraft that's been orbiting Saturn.
This afternoon, NASA is going to make an announcement about big findings from the Cassini spacecraft, a probe that’s been exploring the Saturn system since 2004. This particular announcement will revolve around “new results about ocean worlds” in our Solar System, so that means we’ll be most likely be focusing on either Titan or Enceladus. The two moons of Saturn are thought to harbor liquid water. Enceladus has a subsurface ocean and this saltwater periodically erupts from the moon’s surface as plumes. Titan’s surface, in comparison, is dotted by lakes and seas of liquid methane and ethane.As alien a world as we'll probably ever imagine. Lakes of methane and ethane. This is cool stuff.
Death and Taxes
Someone said that the only two things that are inevitable are death and taxes.
I ain't dead yet, but the tax man is doing his part. I have to stop and thank God that I have my health, and Milady and I are enjoying the fruits of our success. Our kids are grown, the grandkids are healthy, and that everyone has a good roof ad enough to eat.
Grandma and I still work, make a paycheck, and parlay two careers and a couple of little retirement accounts into a pretty comfortable life. But, we have no deductions and the tax-man whacks us hard.
This year, as last year, I am paying more in taxes than I made for many years. And, even with all that withholding, I still get the patriotic chore of writing the IRS a healthy check early next week.
For what I have, I am thankful, but I'd feel a whole lot better if the tax man didn't take such a wet bite out of my checking account.
Just damn!
I ain't dead yet, but the tax man is doing his part. I have to stop and thank God that I have my health, and Milady and I are enjoying the fruits of our success. Our kids are grown, the grandkids are healthy, and that everyone has a good roof ad enough to eat.
Grandma and I still work, make a paycheck, and parlay two careers and a couple of little retirement accounts into a pretty comfortable life. But, we have no deductions and the tax-man whacks us hard.
This year, as last year, I am paying more in taxes than I made for many years. And, even with all that withholding, I still get the patriotic chore of writing the IRS a healthy check early next week.
For what I have, I am thankful, but I'd feel a whole lot better if the tax man didn't take such a wet bite out of my checking account.
Just damn!
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Chance
Eaton Rapids Joe gives us a post on Unpredictability, and he opens with this line:
However, I do agree that President Trump differs from the "O" guy in that he doesn't telegraph his intentions. The "O" gjy would tell everyone what he intended to do. Operations Security (OPSEC) had no place in the "O" administration.
President Trump is correct to keep his adversaries guessing. We must be rational, after all, but there's no sense in being utterly predictable, especially when it comes to military operations.
It is universally accepted that it is advantageous to have a "Poker face" when playing poker or other games of chance that involve other actors.I have one minor quibble with this thesis, and that is that I don't believe poker to be a game of chance. There is some randomness associated with poker, but it is mainly a game of skill. Much like Doc Holliday says.
However, I do agree that President Trump differs from the "O" guy in that he doesn't telegraph his intentions. The "O" gjy would tell everyone what he intended to do. Operations Security (OPSEC) had no place in the "O" administration.
President Trump is correct to keep his adversaries guessing. We must be rational, after all, but there's no sense in being utterly predictable, especially when it comes to military operations.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Interesting
The crap is starting to get interesting in the Far East.
Trump has sent a carrier group to the Korean peninsula.
Reports put up to as many as 150,000 Chinese troops on the North Korean border
SecState Rex Tillerson is talking with the Chinese.
“President Xi clearly understands, and I think agrees, that the situation has intensified and has reached a certain level of threat that action has to be taken,” Tillerson said.The wild card, though, is litttle Kim, the North Korean despot, who is crazy as a shit-hose-rat.
Tillerson described a “shared view and no disagreement as to how dangerous the situation has become”.
Saturday, April 08, 2017
New Electronics
About the first of the year, Thorn valley bought new electronics. Our old system was a first-generation system, and had some gremilins. It still worked, sort of. Lots of gliches and gemlins, the whole thing was held together by prayer and trepidation.
But, today, we broke out the new stuff and in the space of about a half-hour, we had it installed. New timers, lights, sensors, power supply and start button, it's all brand-new out-of-the-box.
This is going to be a whole lot better than what we were using.
But, today, we broke out the new stuff and in the space of about a half-hour, we had it installed. New timers, lights, sensors, power supply and start button, it's all brand-new out-of-the-box.
This is going to be a whole lot better than what we were using.
The Competition
I've got to shoot against these two wahoos at Louisiana State and Texas State the following week. That's Parttime on the left, and Whiplansh on the right. Two very good friends, and both of them friends of mine. Parttime is the current Southern Territorial Champion, and Whiplash is the current Oklahoma State Champion.
Both of them are friends of mine, and yeah sometime they have a bad day.(I've beaten them both).
Really, they're both great guys, fine competitors, and I can't wait to see them. It's two weeks to Louisiana State. We'll be in the City Park in Natchitoches, LA on April 21-23rd.
Y'all come watch.
Both of them are friends of mine, and yeah sometime they have a bad day.(I've beaten them both).
Really, they're both great guys, fine competitors, and I can't wait to see them. It's two weeks to Louisiana State. We'll be in the City Park in Natchitoches, LA on April 21-23rd.
Y'all come watch.
Photo-bomb.
So, Belle is trying on a new outfit, and the dawg keeps trying to photo-bomb her. Belle, being the fast thinker that she is, simply lifts the skirt, takes a step forward, and engulfs the dawg in the 1880s.
Yep, there is a dawg under that skirt, but he didn't make it into the photo. When he came out, he was woedully confused.
Yep, there is a dawg under that skirt, but he didn't make it into the photo. When he came out, he was woedully confused.
Friday, April 07, 2017
Trump's Very Good Friday
Well, it looks like our President tomahawked Syria and got his Supreme Court pick confirmed on the same day.
By any standards, that's a good day. The Democrats, of course, are in total meltdown. but, we're only playing by their rules. I believe that it was Harry Reid and Liz Warren who told us that "elections have consequences".
By any standards, that's a good day. The Democrats, of course, are in total meltdown. but, we're only playing by their rules. I believe that it was Harry Reid and Liz Warren who told us that "elections have consequences".
Now, That's Privelege
Chelsea Clinton, the wonder-child of an ex-president and an ex-Secretary of State believes that she is capaple of giving career advise. Yeah, really.
Heh! Chelsea Clinton is t he last person I'd take career advise from. I don't know how she is able to talk, with that silver spoon in her mouth.
Chelsea Clinton says if you want a raise, you should ask for one. And if you need time to yourself, take it. In fact, she’s gotten very far in her life without ever having to worry about being turned down or told no, so why should you worry about getting fired from your job for being greedy?As the professor says: "Bon on third base, and thinks she hit a triple."
Heh! Chelsea Clinton is t he last person I'd take career advise from. I don't know how she is able to talk, with that silver spoon in her mouth.
Thursday, April 06, 2017
The Voting Issue
Jazz Shaw, over at Hot Air, looks at article at the Washington Post, and makes cogent comments about the issue of the case in Texas earlier this year, where a green-card holder, Rosa Ortego, was sentenced to eight years in the pen for voting illegally in 2012 and 2014.
The Post seems to think that this is excessive, that an eight year sentence is a bit draconian. I've heard the argument made that voter fraud is so rare that it never changes the results of an election. The argument is basically that one vote won't change the results. Until it does.
I recall a time in a small north Louisiana parish. It was a tiny little parish, with one judgeship. The local judge was revered, well loved, and died suddenly. The Supreme Court appointed a retired judge to serve ad hoc until an election could be called.
Two of the local ambulance-chasers qualified for the election and the campaign began. As voting day rolled around, and as the precincts were counted, everyone held their breath to see who would ascend to the judgeship. The results came in at a dead tie. Each candidate had garnered exactly the same number of votes.
That triggered a re-count, and after the re-count was complete, the tally was still a dead-tie. Allegation flew back and forth, a lawsuit was initiated, and the state Supreme Court got involved. The process finally shook itself out, but during the shaking-out, we learned that the Registrar of Voters had been (ahem) a bit less than enthusiastic about insuring the integrity of the voter rolls.
Yes, sometimes one vote matters. Further, the integrity of the election process is integral to our system of democracy.
The Post seems to think that this is excessive, that an eight year sentence is a bit draconian. I've heard the argument made that voter fraud is so rare that it never changes the results of an election. The argument is basically that one vote won't change the results. Until it does.
I recall a time in a small north Louisiana parish. It was a tiny little parish, with one judgeship. The local judge was revered, well loved, and died suddenly. The Supreme Court appointed a retired judge to serve ad hoc until an election could be called.
Two of the local ambulance-chasers qualified for the election and the campaign began. As voting day rolled around, and as the precincts were counted, everyone held their breath to see who would ascend to the judgeship. The results came in at a dead tie. Each candidate had garnered exactly the same number of votes.
That triggered a re-count, and after the re-count was complete, the tally was still a dead-tie. Allegation flew back and forth, a lawsuit was initiated, and the state Supreme Court got involved. The process finally shook itself out, but during the shaking-out, we learned that the Registrar of Voters had been (ahem) a bit less than enthusiastic about insuring the integrity of the voter rolls.
Yes, sometimes one vote matters. Further, the integrity of the election process is integral to our system of democracy.
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
Stilton has Moved
Like many right-thinking people (and I mean that on more than one level), I was a fan of Hope N' Change cartoons. However, after the place went still, and I wondered if he had nothing to satirize now that Obummer was out of office.
Not so fast, there, bucko! I didn't read the page closely enough. He's moved, and you can find his stuff here, under a new header.
Here's a teaser.
Go read his stuff.
Not so fast, there, bucko! I didn't read the page closely enough. He's moved, and you can find his stuff here, under a new header.
Here's a teaser.
Go read his stuff.
Tuesday, April 04, 2017
Corruption and Crime
The internet exploded this morning. It seems that there is credible evidence that Susan Rice, Obama's National Security Advisor, ordered the intelligence agencies to intercept the phone calls of candidate Donald Trump.
Former President Barack Obama’s national security adviser Susan Rice ordered U.S. spy agencies to produce “detailed spreadsheets” of legal phone calls involving Donald Trump and his aides when he was running for president, according to former U.S. Attorney Joseph diGenova.
“What was produced by the intelligence community at the request of Ms. Rice were detailed spreadsheets of intercepted phone calls with unmasked Trump associates in perfectly legal conversations with individuals,” diGenova told The Daily Caller News Foundation Investigative Group Monday.I'm not really versed on national security law, but I suspect that intercepting the phone calls of presidential candidates probably violates one or more of the criminal statutes related to wiretapping. The bigger question, though, is; if Susan Rice is involved, how deep is President Obama in this mess?
The Town Talk
I walked outside in the pre-dawn hours to get the Town Talk, the official journal and newspaper for central Louisiana. Since I was a kid, it's been a daily newspaper. For decades we've had a subscription, and it was thrown in our driveway every day, rain or shine.
Belle likes doing the crossword puzzle with her morning coffee, and occasionally there might be a news item of interest. Reading the morning paper is a tradition that is older than I, and one we've enjoyed for many years. My daily routine is to get up, make coffee, and walk outside to assess the weather and pick up the paper at the end of the driveway.
No more, and not because we've cancelled or anything. It seems that the Town Talk is feeling the crunch that is changing the publishing industry. The Town Talk is no longer a daily paper. It will be delivered on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. I asked Belle if she was keeping the subscription and she said that she'd keep it for a while and see what happens.
I fear that the Town Talk is entering a death spiral of declining subscriptions and advertising revenue. As much fun as I've had over the years, swearing at the Town Talk, it appears that before long, I'll have to forgo that pleasure.
Belle likes doing the crossword puzzle with her morning coffee, and occasionally there might be a news item of interest. Reading the morning paper is a tradition that is older than I, and one we've enjoyed for many years. My daily routine is to get up, make coffee, and walk outside to assess the weather and pick up the paper at the end of the driveway.
No more, and not because we've cancelled or anything. It seems that the Town Talk is feeling the crunch that is changing the publishing industry. The Town Talk is no longer a daily paper. It will be delivered on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. I asked Belle if she was keeping the subscription and she said that she'd keep it for a while and see what happens.
I fear that the Town Talk is entering a death spiral of declining subscriptions and advertising revenue. As much fun as I've had over the years, swearing at the Town Talk, it appears that before long, I'll have to forgo that pleasure.
Monday, April 03, 2017
Long Day
School was out today, so I spent the day getting ready for Louisiana State.
In the last three days, I've handled 3500 pieces of brass, some of them twice, some of them three times. I've got another 1500 pieces to load. But, I've turned the corner now and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully by Saturday morning, I can put the ammo away.
Unlike every other shooting sport I've ever been associated with, in the Cowboy Fast Draw Association, if an outfit is hosting a sanctioned shoot, they are responsible for providing the ammunition. It's figured into the entrance fee, and it makes sense. Everybody is shooting the same ammo, which levels the playing field. There's no opportunity for some guy to try to get an edge by using custom ammo.
And, at the big shoots, a number of shooters fly in to the venue. Not having to pack ammo is one less opportunity to run afoul of the TSA. Our shooters that fly have figured out the regulations, but not having to deal with ammo is a big benefit.
Louisiana State is 17 days away. The clock is ticking, and we're looking forward to it.
In the last three days, I've handled 3500 pieces of brass, some of them twice, some of them three times. I've got another 1500 pieces to load. But, I've turned the corner now and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully by Saturday morning, I can put the ammo away.
Unlike every other shooting sport I've ever been associated with, in the Cowboy Fast Draw Association, if an outfit is hosting a sanctioned shoot, they are responsible for providing the ammunition. It's figured into the entrance fee, and it makes sense. Everybody is shooting the same ammo, which levels the playing field. There's no opportunity for some guy to try to get an edge by using custom ammo.
And, at the big shoots, a number of shooters fly in to the venue. Not having to pack ammo is one less opportunity to run afoul of the TSA. Our shooters that fly have figured out the regulations, but not having to deal with ammo is a big benefit.
Louisiana State is 17 days away. The clock is ticking, and we're looking forward to it.
The Weather
The major news for yesterday is that our little chunk of Louisiana had weather yesterday. Normally, we get weather every day, but yesterdays weather sucked.
High winds, torrential rains, hail, reports of tornadoes, property damage. It went from a balmy, breezy Sunday morning, to an oh-hell=all-hands-on-deck exercise in the space of an hour. Lots of trees down, power lies crashed, signs destroyed. I haven't heard any reports of loss-of-life, and that's a blessing, but otherwise, central Lou isiana took a hit.
PawPaw's acre is fine, thank you. Belle and I survived quite nicely, and the Dawg is okay, even if his weather psychosis kicked up a notch or two. He was a skeered dawg for about eight hours.
Most of the heavy weather came in after dark, on our side of the river, so we'll be assessing after the sun comes up. Rapides Parish schools are closed today, and they've even told the central office staff to stay home. For myself, I intend to hang around the house today and piddle on some ongoing projects.
High winds, torrential rains, hail, reports of tornadoes, property damage. It went from a balmy, breezy Sunday morning, to an oh-hell=all-hands-on-deck exercise in the space of an hour. Lots of trees down, power lies crashed, signs destroyed. I haven't heard any reports of loss-of-life, and that's a blessing, but otherwise, central Lou isiana took a hit.
PawPaw's acre is fine, thank you. Belle and I survived quite nicely, and the Dawg is okay, even if his weather psychosis kicked up a notch or two. He was a skeered dawg for about eight hours.
Most of the heavy weather came in after dark, on our side of the river, so we'll be assessing after the sun comes up. Rapides Parish schools are closed today, and they've even told the central office staff to stay home. For myself, I intend to hang around the house today and piddle on some ongoing projects.
Saturday, April 01, 2017
Louisiana State
I took delivery this morning on brass, wax bullets, primers, and ammo boxes that we'll use for Louisiana State.
We had a party here earlier, loading wax, seating bullets, adding primers, and boxing the loaded ammo. After we had done several hundred rounds, we decided that the brass wasn't quite up to sniff for the best possible outcome, so I called a halt and set up a neck-sizing die in my old single stage press.
I don't own any .45 LC dies.Bell and I decided a long time ago that we'd limit that caliber to wax bullet ammo only. We shoot that caliber in the back yard and we don't want any opportunity for an "OH-CRAP" moment., so I don't own any .45 LC dies. But, old-time reloaders know that we can load .45 LC with .45 ACP dies, and as all I wanted to do was straighten the ase mouths, my .45 ACP expander die, set properly, would suffice properly.
A few minutes at the press, and I had that die set to iron the crimp out of the brass., No flare, just a straight, round case mouth would suffice. I'm 1500 rounds into that exercise now, but the cases look a heck of a lot better and the bullets are loading properly.
I'm averaging about 500 cases an hour, and I've got exactly 2500 cases still to re-size. We want to have 4500 rounds of ammo loaded and ready to go for the first shot of Louisiana State. I'd better get cranking on that handle. The shoot is less than three weeks away.
We had a party here earlier, loading wax, seating bullets, adding primers, and boxing the loaded ammo. After we had done several hundred rounds, we decided that the brass wasn't quite up to sniff for the best possible outcome, so I called a halt and set up a neck-sizing die in my old single stage press.
I don't own any .45 LC dies.Bell and I decided a long time ago that we'd limit that caliber to wax bullet ammo only. We shoot that caliber in the back yard and we don't want any opportunity for an "OH-CRAP" moment., so I don't own any .45 LC dies. But, old-time reloaders know that we can load .45 LC with .45 ACP dies, and as all I wanted to do was straighten the ase mouths, my .45 ACP expander die, set properly, would suffice properly.
A few minutes at the press, and I had that die set to iron the crimp out of the brass., No flare, just a straight, round case mouth would suffice. I'm 1500 rounds into that exercise now, but the cases look a heck of a lot better and the bullets are loading properly.
I'm averaging about 500 cases an hour, and I've got exactly 2500 cases still to re-size. We want to have 4500 rounds of ammo loaded and ready to go for the first shot of Louisiana State. I'd better get cranking on that handle. The shoot is less than three weeks away.
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