Gery emailed me and asked why his comments weren't posting. I had no clue and started digging around. Found a spam folder that I didn't know existed and found a bunch of comments. Some for generic viagra, most were valid comments.
I gotta figger this out. I don't think I've ever listed anyone as spam, as the blogger if I see a spam comment, I just delete it. Throw it out. I didn't even know I had a spam folder, another level of bullshit that Blogger has foisted upon us. Sometimes, hi-tech guys get a good idea, then they start improving it until it doesn't work at all.
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Friday, June 01, 2012
New Springs
I've been shooting the handguns, preparing for qualifications later this month. I normally qualify on three or four different handguns, depending on how long the examiner will let me stay on the range. This morning I noticed that a couple of my 1911 magazines seemed to have weak springs. The slide wasn't locking back on an empty magazine. I keep a couple of Wilson replacement springs and followers in my parts bin, so I took them out and replaced the springs after I cleaned the pistols.
Now, my magazines work. The next time I make an order, I'll have to stock up on springs. It's an easy fix and makes the pistol run like it should. There is very seldom anything wrong with a magazine body. Springs are a cheap fix.
Now, my magazines work. The next time I make an order, I'll have to stock up on springs. It's an easy fix and makes the pistol run like it should. There is very seldom anything wrong with a magazine body. Springs are a cheap fix.
The Hunting Rig
Over at Field and Stream, Bourjaily talks about his hunting rig, a 2004 Jeep Liberty. It's a nice ride, I'm sure, but not something I'd use as a hunting vehicle. I don't know where Mr. Bourjaily hunts or how much money he's got to dedicate to hunting, but around here, a hunting vehicle has to wear many hats.
If you look at the vehicles in the driveways around these parts, you're liable to see a nice car, depending on family size, it might be a sedan, it might be a crossover, it might be a van. That's the wife's car, the family ride, the vehicle everyone gets in when they're going to church, or the grocers. Then there's the pickup. Generally, Dad drives the pickup. It will be several years older than Momma's ride, mainly because Dad wants Mom in the newest ride for dependability, and Dad can't stand more than one car note. It's hell being poor-folks, even when you've gotten past that part of your life.
The pickup truck is ubiquitous in these parts. Nearly everybody owns one. Those that don't own one can call their Dad to borrow his. Here's mine.
It's a standard F150, but it wears many hats. Everyday work truck, trailer hauler, hunting rig, chore vehicle, it's got well over 150,000 miles and still going strong. It'll haul a refrigerator, tow a trailer, carry firewood to the lease, it'll do all manner of things that need to be done. Gas mileage? If you're worried about gas mileage you've got no business driving a pickup truck, although the newer ones get much better mileage than the ones my dad drove.
I can't imagine being without a pickup truck.
If you look at the vehicles in the driveways around these parts, you're liable to see a nice car, depending on family size, it might be a sedan, it might be a crossover, it might be a van. That's the wife's car, the family ride, the vehicle everyone gets in when they're going to church, or the grocers. Then there's the pickup. Generally, Dad drives the pickup. It will be several years older than Momma's ride, mainly because Dad wants Mom in the newest ride for dependability, and Dad can't stand more than one car note. It's hell being poor-folks, even when you've gotten past that part of your life.
The pickup truck is ubiquitous in these parts. Nearly everybody owns one. Those that don't own one can call their Dad to borrow his. Here's mine.
It's a standard F150, but it wears many hats. Everyday work truck, trailer hauler, hunting rig, chore vehicle, it's got well over 150,000 miles and still going strong. It'll haul a refrigerator, tow a trailer, carry firewood to the lease, it'll do all manner of things that need to be done. Gas mileage? If you're worried about gas mileage you've got no business driving a pickup truck, although the newer ones get much better mileage than the ones my dad drove.
I can't imagine being without a pickup truck.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
More on Primitive Firearms Season
When I opined earlier that the new Primitive Firearms regulations seem to include a .357 magnum Handi-Rifle, Old NFO responded, in comments:
Louisiana started letting hunters use primitive firearms back in the early '80s with what we called the muzzleloader season. It began a week before the standard gun season and gave us an extra week to hunt deer. Originally, the regulation called for a muzzleloading firearm with an exposed hammer, using flint or percussion, no less than .45 caliber and using black powder or an approved substitute and iron sights only. Lots of us went out and bought Hawken replicas and used them very successfully. My rifle is a .54 T/C Renegade and I've taken several deer with it. During my poor-folks years, when I couldn't afford ammo, I hunted deer with it during the regular season. One shot, bang-flop and I never felt under-gunned. There is still a lot to like in a big slow bullet.
Later, Louisiana started watering down the regulations, and allowed things like (gasp) inline muzzleloaders and then, later (gasp) optical sights. Then, in 2008, they threw the season open to certain centerfire firearms that they classified as primitive firearms. As it turned out, the modern Handi-Rifle was on the list, because it is almost an exact copy of a rifle that Frank Wesson made in the 1870s. Go figure. Nowadays I hunt the primitive firearms season with an H&R Handi Rifle in .45-70. I haven't scoped it yet, preferring to use iron sights on that rifle.
However, it's not a stretch to think that the .357 magnum Handi is legal. That seems to be the intent of the new law and in the proper hands, that caliber is very capable to taking our smallish whitetail deer.
LOL, good 'read' of the regulations, but I'm betting some DNR folks will argue that point with ya...Actually, old buddy, Louisiana has very liberal regulations concerning what can or cannot be used to hunt whitetail deer. The basic regulation says that:
It is illegal to hunt or shoot deer with firearms smaller than .22 caliber center-fire or a shotgun loaded with anything other than buckshot or rifled slug. Handguns may be used for hunting deer.In Louisiana, we can hunt deer with a .22 caliber centerfire and lots of deer are taken each year with .223 or .22-250. Perfectly legal, if not perfectly ethical. Still, it's done. One buddy of mine was very good with his custom .22-250 and used to take his deer every year with it. Making eyeball shots. Bang-flop, drag your deer out.
Louisiana started letting hunters use primitive firearms back in the early '80s with what we called the muzzleloader season. It began a week before the standard gun season and gave us an extra week to hunt deer. Originally, the regulation called for a muzzleloading firearm with an exposed hammer, using flint or percussion, no less than .45 caliber and using black powder or an approved substitute and iron sights only. Lots of us went out and bought Hawken replicas and used them very successfully. My rifle is a .54 T/C Renegade and I've taken several deer with it. During my poor-folks years, when I couldn't afford ammo, I hunted deer with it during the regular season. One shot, bang-flop and I never felt under-gunned. There is still a lot to like in a big slow bullet.
Later, Louisiana started watering down the regulations, and allowed things like (gasp) inline muzzleloaders and then, later (gasp) optical sights. Then, in 2008, they threw the season open to certain centerfire firearms that they classified as primitive firearms. As it turned out, the modern Handi-Rifle was on the list, because it is almost an exact copy of a rifle that Frank Wesson made in the 1870s. Go figure. Nowadays I hunt the primitive firearms season with an H&R Handi Rifle in .45-70. I haven't scoped it yet, preferring to use iron sights on that rifle.
However, it's not a stretch to think that the .357 magnum Handi is legal. That seems to be the intent of the new law and in the proper hands, that caliber is very capable to taking our smallish whitetail deer.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Primitive Weapons Season
Louisiana has a Primitive Firearm Season that, charitably, does not require primitive weapons. During that two week season, hunters can use modern firearms that mimic primitive weapons. And, it is being continuously modified. Last week the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced new changes regarding caliber. Now, hunters can use .35 caliber firearms.
The new definition of a legal firearm for the primitive firearm season will now include: single shot, breech loading rifles, .35 caliber or larger, having an exposed hammer that uses metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern, smokeless powder.Interesting. I guess that a .357 magnum Handi-Rifle will now be legal for the Primitive Firearm Season
What's Today? Wednesday?
I'm not in uniform this week, and with a holiday on Monday my internal calendar is all screwed up. I've got a list of chores that I'm working off, and the lawnmower was on top of the list. It's 8+ years old and right now it's fixed. I don't know how long it is going to stay fixed, but that little chore is done.
Next comes fence maintenance. For those of you who don't live in hurricane-prone areas, you probably would be amazed at what 100 mph winds can do to a wooden fence. Thankfully, here in central Louisiana we don't often get 100 mph winds, but we do see 50+ mph winds when a hurricane rolls ashore, heads north and batters the hell out of us as a tropical storm. My privacy fence has been through three of these things in the past eight years and parts of it are getting pretty wobbly.
I started, after the lawnmower repair, punching holes in the back yard so that I can install wooden 4X4 posts to supplement the metal poles that hold the fence. Wood flexes, while metal posts bend and crimp. The combination of the two makes for a very sturdy fence. I'm only going to install a half-dozen of these things, so it doesn't justify renting a power auger. My old fashioned post hole digger will suffice. However, punching holes in the ground in 90 degree heat takes a lot out of an old, fat man. I'll get it done, but at my pace, with lots of iced tea breaks. Which reminds me, I need to go buy some concrete.
Next comes fence maintenance. For those of you who don't live in hurricane-prone areas, you probably would be amazed at what 100 mph winds can do to a wooden fence. Thankfully, here in central Louisiana we don't often get 100 mph winds, but we do see 50+ mph winds when a hurricane rolls ashore, heads north and batters the hell out of us as a tropical storm. My privacy fence has been through three of these things in the past eight years and parts of it are getting pretty wobbly.
I started, after the lawnmower repair, punching holes in the back yard so that I can install wooden 4X4 posts to supplement the metal poles that hold the fence. Wood flexes, while metal posts bend and crimp. The combination of the two makes for a very sturdy fence. I'm only going to install a half-dozen of these things, so it doesn't justify renting a power auger. My old fashioned post hole digger will suffice. However, punching holes in the ground in 90 degree heat takes a lot out of an old, fat man. I'll get it done, but at my pace, with lots of iced tea breaks. Which reminds me, I need to go buy some concrete.
Riser's Amendment
Louisiana is very gun friendly. We've got a long, rich cultural history of hunting, fishing, shooting and our laws reflect that rich culture. One of our state Senators, Neil Riser, has proposed an amendment to our state Constitution that would enshrine the right to keep and bear arms in Louisiana. The text of the proposed amendment is as follows:
Section 11. The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be infringed. Any restriction on this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.
The amendment, under Louisiana law has passed the full legislature and has been approved by the Governor. It goes now to the people for passage during the November election. This amendment is notable because it invokes the legal doctrine of strict scrutiny. This is interesting because strict scrutiny requires a compelling government interest, narrowly tailored, with the least possible restriction before the law will pass constitutional muster. It is the highest legal standard that a court can apply to protect freedom and prevent government intrusion.
Opponents of the bill say that this amendment will pave the way to nullifying many of the gun laws currently on the books, such as the ones that restrict carry on campuses, churches, and government buildings.
I predict easy passage when the bill goes before the public. Louisiana takes another step toward becoming a free state.
Section 11. The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be infringed. Any restriction on this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.
The amendment, under Louisiana law has passed the full legislature and has been approved by the Governor. It goes now to the people for passage during the November election. This amendment is notable because it invokes the legal doctrine of strict scrutiny. This is interesting because strict scrutiny requires a compelling government interest, narrowly tailored, with the least possible restriction before the law will pass constitutional muster. It is the highest legal standard that a court can apply to protect freedom and prevent government intrusion.
Opponents of the bill say that this amendment will pave the way to nullifying many of the gun laws currently on the books, such as the ones that restrict carry on campuses, churches, and government buildings.
I predict easy passage when the bill goes before the public. Louisiana takes another step toward becoming a free state.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Lean
Have you ever heard of Lean? It seems to be a new recreational drink, composed of Arizona Watermelon fruit drink, Robitussin, and Skittles. Evidently, you can get high on it, and maybe not coincidentally, two of the three ingredients were found on Trayvon's body the night he was killed.
One of the recipes for “lean” calls for using Arizona Iced Tea Co.watermelon fruit juice cocktail as the beverage of choice, and Skittles candy… the items found on Trayvon Martin’s body the night he was shot by George Zimmerman.Interesting, that. The Last Refuge has a mega-post up about the street concoction and how it might affect a person. Some say it gives a mellow high, but if you don't get the ingredients just right, it becomes "poor man's PCP". Whether or not Trayvon was stoned the night he became a bullet-stop is inconsequential to this post. What is consequential is that you can make a street drug from fruit juice, cough syrup, and candy. That's interesting to a school-house cop and hopefully to many parents who might be reading this posting.
Gendercide
Did you know that there are some Planned Parenthood clinics that are counseling women on how to obtain an abortion depending on the sex of the child. If so, there is something sick, vile, and degrading in the culture of Planned Parenthood. You wanna talk about a War on Women? Go to the link. Watch the video.
Disgusting.
Disgusting.
Lawn Mower Maintenance
The wonder of the internet. Look around for awhile and you're bound to find an expert in any given field. You can download parts manuals, test procedures, just about anything you'd like if your Google-fu is strong.
Here in the family, we call this machine the Magic Information Box. Ask it a question, it'll spit out an answer. Maybe not the answer you're looking for, but if you keep at it, you'll get an inkling of where you need to look next. No, I'm not going into particulars, but I'm a whole lot further along than I was a daylight today. Hopefully, this is an easy fix.
Here in the family, we call this machine the Magic Information Box. Ask it a question, it'll spit out an answer. Maybe not the answer you're looking for, but if you keep at it, you'll get an inkling of where you need to look next. No, I'm not going into particulars, but I'm a whole lot further along than I was a daylight today. Hopefully, this is an easy fix.
The Draft
There's a piece at Time, which argues, if not for the draft then for a discussion of compulsory service. Okay, lets talk about this.
I remember the draft, compulsory military service. It touched my life as a high school student because we were in the throes of Vietnam. Arguing about whether or not we should have been there in the first place still causes a huge divide in my age group. I also remember the day that President Nixon ended the draft, the sense of relief among my age group was palpable, euphoric, liberating. I later volunteered and served alongside draftees, the vast majority of whom served well, honorably, some staying in the service until retirement.
I remember the draft, compulsory military service. It touched my life as a high school student because we were in the throes of Vietnam. Arguing about whether or not we should have been there in the first place still causes a huge divide in my age group. I also remember the day that President Nixon ended the draft, the sense of relief among my age group was palpable, euphoric, liberating. I later volunteered and served alongside draftees, the vast majority of whom served well, honorably, some staying in the service until retirement.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Imbecile!
Evidently, there's this imbecile, Chris Hayes at MSNBC, who claims that calling our fallen "heroes" makes him uncomfortable. You don't have to watch the clip, but I've embedded it below. I've also quoted the relevant words.
I would recommend to Mr. Hayes that he immediately resign his position at MSNBC, hie himself down to the recruiting offices and sign up to serve. Once he's heard shots fired in anger, and once he's helped haul is wounded buddy out of the zone, then maybe he'll be fit to proffer an opinion about who is a hero and who is not. Until then, he needs to shut the hell up and be grateful that there are people who go in harm's way on his behalf. At this point, I consider him an ungrateful coward, unfit to scrub the toilets of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who go in harm's way.
People like Chris Hayes really, truly, piss me off.
EDIT** The video ran at opening and was aggravating as old Billy hell, so I culled it.
I feel comfortable, ah, uncomfortable, about the word because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war.This guy is obviously an idiot who has no idea what it's like to pull your boots on, get on a boat, or a plane, or a truck and go to a place where folks want to shoot at you. He's also uncomfortable calling the folks who do these things hero. Today we remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion to our country.
I would recommend to Mr. Hayes that he immediately resign his position at MSNBC, hie himself down to the recruiting offices and sign up to serve. Once he's heard shots fired in anger, and once he's helped haul is wounded buddy out of the zone, then maybe he'll be fit to proffer an opinion about who is a hero and who is not. Until then, he needs to shut the hell up and be grateful that there are people who go in harm's way on his behalf. At this point, I consider him an ungrateful coward, unfit to scrub the toilets of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who go in harm's way.
People like Chris Hayes really, truly, piss me off.
EDIT** The video ran at opening and was aggravating as old Billy hell, so I culled it.
Cry Havoc!
This is interesting. It appears that someone at the Weather Service got caught with their hands in the till.
Put the thieving bastards in jail. Not just the ones caught stealing, but all the ones who claim to be "weather scientists". They've been stealing from us for years.
Jack Hayes, the director of the National Weather Service, stepped down Friday in response to an investigation that top officials at the weather service had misappropriated $43.8 million by giving bonuses and extensions to contractors without proper justification.It is my considered opinion that most weather-related science is bullshit. Pure unadulterated bullshit. Until the Weather Weenies can tell me whether or not, in three days, it will rain on my acre, they're full of crap. I can give a generic weather report for three days out.
Clear to partly cloudy for the Deville, LA area, hot, in the mid-90s with 80% humidity. Chance of a mid-afternoon or early evening thunderstorm.That, ladies and gentlemen is the forecast for most of June-thru-September in my area. The weather service can't do any better than that, and the idea that they're stealing from me galls me to no end. It is my considered opinion that most of what passes for meteorology is hocus-pocus science, akin to reading tea leaves and sheep entrails. There is no more science there than exists in a shaman's incantation, and until they can tell me, to a certainty, when it will next rain on my acre, they have no claim to my tax dollars, and certainly no claim to be a scientist.
Put the thieving bastards in jail. Not just the ones caught stealing, but all the ones who claim to be "weather scientists". They've been stealing from us for years.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday Morning Dawg
A quick YouTube video of Milady feeding the dog flour tortillas. When we go to a Mexican joint, we always bring the dog a few tortillas. He seems to like them.
Watching him eat tortillas always cracks me up.
Watching him eat tortillas always cracks me up.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
The Poppies Blow
Every year about this time the VFW has a fund-raiser and gives little red poppies as thanks. I always stop when I see the guys, roll my window down and drop whatever money I have in my pocket in their bucket. This morning I acquired a nice little collection that I've hung on my rearview mirror.
The poppies, of course, remind us of that great battlefield poem by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who was killed in the second battle of Ypres during the First World War.
The poppies, of course, remind us of that great battlefield poem by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who was killed in the second battle of Ypres during the First World War.
In Flanders fields the poppies blowIt is the Memorial Day weekend and PawPaw is going to be busy, remembering, laughing, being with family. If you happen to see the VFW guys on the side of the road, stop and drop some money in their bucket. Get yourself a poppy and hang it from your rearview mirror.
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Super Soaker
It looks like some fools are turning Super Soaker water guns into shotguns. This one found in Fresno had a barrel and a 20 gauge shotgun shell.
Apart from the obvious law enforcement concerns, I'm wondering how that plastic water gun would handle the pressure? It might turn a plastic toy into a hand grenade.
Apart from the obvious law enforcement concerns, I'm wondering how that plastic water gun would handle the pressure? It might turn a plastic toy into a hand grenade.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Dipping Powder
I sat down at the bench today and found what was left of an old can of IMR 3031. I had a box of Hornady 150 grain bullets #3035, round nose for the .30-30, so I decided to load what was left of that can of powder. For years I had a mantra for loading the .30-30. Quoted simply, it is: Thirty grains of 3031 for the .30-30.
I didn't want to set up my powder measure for such a small quantity of powder, so I decided to get out the dippers. Lee's been selling dippers for as long as I've been reloading, and I've got a full set, so I got the chart out and got the scale out, and in just a few minutes I learned that the 2.2 cc dipper would throw 29.2 grains of my 3031. Dipping powder is an easy way to measure it and with just a little practice it's easy to dip charges that are very consistent. In just a few minutes I had dipped 20 charges and found that I was out of powder for that old can. It's done and I have to buy some more 3031.
I don't remember when I bought that particular can, but I think that IMR quit putting powder in cans several years ago. However, the Hodgdon still lists my load as acceptable in terms of their criteria. We'll see how they fly, and I'll have to pick up another can of 3031.
Now, I need to find a dipper load for the .30-30 using IMR 4805 powder. I've got a good dipper load for cast bullets, but I've never tried that powder and jacketed bullets. We'll see.
I didn't want to set up my powder measure for such a small quantity of powder, so I decided to get out the dippers. Lee's been selling dippers for as long as I've been reloading, and I've got a full set, so I got the chart out and got the scale out, and in just a few minutes I learned that the 2.2 cc dipper would throw 29.2 grains of my 3031. Dipping powder is an easy way to measure it and with just a little practice it's easy to dip charges that are very consistent. In just a few minutes I had dipped 20 charges and found that I was out of powder for that old can. It's done and I have to buy some more 3031.
I don't remember when I bought that particular can, but I think that IMR quit putting powder in cans several years ago. However, the Hodgdon still lists my load as acceptable in terms of their criteria. We'll see how they fly, and I'll have to pick up another can of 3031.
Now, I need to find a dipper load for the .30-30 using IMR 4805 powder. I've got a good dipper load for cast bullets, but I've never tried that powder and jacketed bullets. We'll see.
Ann Romney Loves Horses
That's what I get from the LA Times article, that Ann Romney likes horses. From what I read of it, they're trying to slant it to be a particularly expensive hobby, and if I had Ann's millions, I might have spent more money on my horses, but the basic consideration is that Ann is an equestrian. As was I, as are millions of Americans. Ann rides dressage, an Olympic sport. I rode cattle ponies and let the kids show them in 4H clubs and shows.
Are horses expensive? You betcha, although millions of middle-class and those not yet in the middle class can afford to ride. Some of the best horsemen I knew never seemed to have two nickels to rub together. Nobody needs a horse these days, but some of us love them.
According to the article, Ann started to ride seriously when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Riding horses is good therapy for lots of things and I'm sure that riding helped with the MS. It takes muscle to ride, and coordination to blend your movements with the horse. For any that doubt it, go get a horse and ride for an afternoon. Give it four solid hours. You'll feel muscles you never thought you had, and you'll be sore in places that you didn't know were places. Riding is good exercise.
Ann has dressage horses, and I had cattle ponies. We both love horses. I bet that Ann would have done just fine on my cattle pony, and her well-trained horse would surely have picked up the basics of herding cattle. It's a horse, by God, not a machine.
That's just another reason to vote for Mitt. His wife likes horses.
Are horses expensive? You betcha, although millions of middle-class and those not yet in the middle class can afford to ride. Some of the best horsemen I knew never seemed to have two nickels to rub together. Nobody needs a horse these days, but some of us love them.
According to the article, Ann started to ride seriously when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Riding horses is good therapy for lots of things and I'm sure that riding helped with the MS. It takes muscle to ride, and coordination to blend your movements with the horse. For any that doubt it, go get a horse and ride for an afternoon. Give it four solid hours. You'll feel muscles you never thought you had, and you'll be sore in places that you didn't know were places. Riding is good exercise.
Ann has dressage horses, and I had cattle ponies. We both love horses. I bet that Ann would have done just fine on my cattle pony, and her well-trained horse would surely have picked up the basics of herding cattle. It's a horse, by God, not a machine.
That's just another reason to vote for Mitt. His wife likes horses.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Gridlock Eases in Metro Areas
USA Today reports that traffic congestion is easing in many metro areas.
Traffic congestion dropped 30% last year from 2010 in the USA's 100 largest metropolitan areas, driven largely by higher gas prices and a spotty economic recovery, according to a new study by a Washington-state firm that tracks traffic flows.That's an upside, I guess. You have to find good news wherever it may be, but I don't think that those folks who don't have jobs or can't afford gasoline will see it as good news.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Graduation
They're graduated. Ninety-something of them walked across the stage tonight and they are now OFFICIALLY not my problem.
Two especially troubled children walked tonight. I'm sure that I'll see one or both of them in an official capacity. They'll probably make someone a good trustee one of these days.
Still, they're done. Good riddance.
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