Old Lightning

MOVED!!

2011-10-18T16:45:00.002-05:00

In case anyone didn't get the notice...... I've moved to https://yeoldefurt.wordpress.com/.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Friends

2011-08-29T22:22:00.000-05:00

Go here.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

A Real Bad Day

2011-08-28T21:03:00.000-05:00

Started out with me having to put my old mare down that'd been with me since 1985. I got her as a 2 year old and she was 28. Lots of miles and adventures. No vets available, so I had to do it myself. It was quick. Didn't think it could get any worse. I was wrong.

Ended with six cops (from constables and Sheriffs to DPS) on my property because the asshole that was supposed to dig the grave assaulted me and his grandfather is the only reason I didn't shoot him. They took my pocket pistol and said I could pick it up tomorrow. I didn't pull it or brandish it, but his grandfather knew I had it and interceded, begging me not to shoot the buttwipe while he scambled to pack up and try to leave.

HB called the cops immediately and all of a sudden there was flashing lights and cops coming out of the woodwork. Took a while to get it all sorted out. Buttwipe even called his daddy (who showed up during the melee') for help. Buttwipe got a "citation for assault" cause I wasn't injured. Both him and his daddy got criminal trespass warnings also.

Sorry, my blood pressure is off the charts right now. I'm probably not making sense. I am so pissed off on so many levels right now.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Range Report

2011-08-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

Go here.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Yay Me and Too Late The Crying

2011-08-26T06:44:00.000-05:00

Yay me, I made the Gun Blog Black List after all!!! Linked at both sites.

I've been keeping up with the political and JBT news. Like the Gibson Raid and the "LAW" it's based on. Yep, Ayn Rand would be proud to know it's all coming true. We're all criminals, it's just a matter of timing now. When "they" want you, you'll end up just like Charles Dyer (which won't end well no matter what).

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Reloading Basics

2011-08-24T04:02:00.000-05:00

Go here.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Loaded

2011-08-23T19:14:00.000-05:00

Go here.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Typical Week

2011-08-20T20:14:00.000-05:00

I'm way behind the curve due to the heat and it's been hectic.

I didn't make Alan's (Snarky Bytes) Gunblog Blacklist. Wonder what I'm doing wrong?

I did manage to do some casting again on Tuesday and come up with some 30 cal, 150 gr gas check bullets for experimentation.

Well, Blogger is NOT letting me add pictures. Blogger is getting on my last nerve.

So. I've set up a wordpress acct. Go here.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Swatting

2011-08-15T20:34:00.000-05:00

Was reading today in our one donkey newspaper of the new practice of "swatting". It's where hackers get into the 911 system and call out the Swat Teams for bogus calls. Like having them go to addresses because "mad, murderous felons" are staying and are holed up with the "won't take me alive" syndrome. Or where supposedly drug deals are going down. Of course the calls are bogus but the Swat team thinks they're real and "goes for the gold". All out, "bust down the door and start intimidating the inhabitants" scene. Somebody thinks it's funny. Until someone gets killed over this.

Like they need more reasons. ?? it's bad enough they do it already without giving them more encouragement. Geezz.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

A Helpful Link

2011-08-15T06:41:00.000-05:00

Something I've had bookmarked and used for a while. Some of ya'll may already be aware of this site.

Beartooth Bullets

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Paper Patching Links

2011-08-05T06:22:00.000-05:00

Some helpful links on paper patching bullets:

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php?topic=31644.0;wap2

http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_4-4_PaperPatchedBullets.htm

http://www.bulletmetals.net/paperpatchedbook.htm

http://vintagelead.boardtheboat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=29 (This one has pics!!!)

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php?board=47.0 ( A good forum for research)

Hope this is useful.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Pics and Cast Bullets

2011-08-04T22:19:00.000-05:00

My little Brownie isn't up to the task, maybe HB will loan me her little camera and I can get some pics of the cast bullets I did the other day.??

I started with about 10 lbs of wheelweight metal cast into ingots, then melted down and cast into a Lee 30 cal 150 gr gas check mold. I deliberately did not do the initial cleaning on the mold and continued to do all the wrong things so I'd have some examples of "what not to do". So now I have a short pile of wrinkled, frosted, unfilled out, waxy bullets and no way to get pics. I say "BUMMER!!!"

I also ended up with 11 good bullets that started showing up at the end of the run. Some of the "bad" ones I can still paper patch and use, though I have doubts about their inherent accuracy.

I use a gas check style bullet in order to protect the base of the bullet from the hot gases. To paper patch, I use a parallelogram with the short sides at 30 degrees and the length just enough to wrap around the bullet twice with the sides meeting up. The width (or height depending on how you look at it) is just enough to go from the base of the bullet to just beyond the crimping groove.

The bullet is initially sized with the gas check installed, then resized to a slightly smaller size (maybe 2 thousandths smaller), then it is wrapped to bring it back to desired bore diameter. An example would be an old 30 cal with a bore of .310. The bullet as cast is .310, so I size it to .308 and using the appropriate thickness of paper, wrap it back to .310 diameter. I also wrap counter to the rifling spin, but this is a personal preference of mine.

Later: I just went looking on YouTube to see if I could find a demo that would help and came up empty handed. Reckon I'm just going to have to break down and get some kind of camera that will work. I just ain't no kind of cameraman. This is turning out to be more involved than I thought. (Sigh)

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Casting & The Super COngress

2011-08-02T18:33:00.000-05:00

Got some casting done in the wee hours of the morning while it was cool. Still have to cull the "undesirables" and throw them back in the pot for re-casting. Blemishes like wrinkles from the mold being too cool or frosty from the mold being too hot all go back into the pot. I had a whole post composed in my head about bullet casting technique and what to watch for on molds/cast bullets, until I got back in and checked the net and found out about the Super Congress.

Looks like my posts on casting and paper patching may have to wait. This is where the line has gotten crossed for the whole American people. Whether they realize it or not. Folks, we are full on Communists now, or at least being ruled that way. Only the details need to be worked out. A Central Committee that will determine your every thought, deed and consequence is now empowered over us. This is what we get for being patient and hoping for the best. The Ruckus, as Kerodin would say, has arrived.

What are you going to do about it?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Casting Bullets

2011-07-31T05:54:00.000-05:00

I had the day off yesterday and I don't think it quite made it up to the 100+ temps it's been getting to lately.

Couldn't quite enable myself to do some casting though. I have the lead and molds and everything needed, but it's hot work and added onto the outside temps, it's just asking for trouble. You have to get the temp of the lead up to at least 650 degrees to melt the lead and a little more to completely fill out the mold (plus a little tin). Most wheelweights have more than enough antimony mixed in with the lead but are a little short on the amount of tin which is required to allow full flow to the mold. So you toss in the right amount of 50/50 bar solder and you're good to go.

I cast bullets because it's a cheap way to shoot, but the drawback is that you can't drive the slugs as fast as jacketed bullets. Which brings me to paper patching the cast bullet. Wrapping some thin, strong paper a couple of times around the cast bullet provides a jacket which reduces the effects of friction against the lead of the bullet. Therefore the cast bullet can be driven faster without leaving some lead in the barrel.

I have some ideas on using paper patched bullets that I really need to cast a bunch up for, so sooner or later I'm going to have to "bite the bullet" and do some casting no matter the ambient temperature Yesterday I took the more judicious road of simply doing repairs and improvements to the property. I still sweated like a race-horse, but I was able to hose myself down quite often.

We didn't get any real rain from Don, though a little cloud passed overhead and spattered us with a few drops. Just enough to say "What was that??". The whole area looks like a back drop to a spaghetti western and I keep expecting the Man With No Name to ride through. All this makes me consider the water situation and several ideas I need to implement to ensure water security. Lots to do there too.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Reloading Cast Bullets

2011-07-27T06:15:00.000-05:00

Spent yesterday prepping cases for reloading, then went to cast bullet cache to set out some (30 & 45 cal).

Oh persnickity!!

I usually spend some time during the winter doing bullet casting and this past winter slipped right by me, thus leaving me woefully deficient.

So I went on line looking at prices of bulk cast bullets. YIKES!!! That's gonna leave a mark!! Just looking at the prices hurt. It's bad enough that jacketed bullets are extremely precious right now, but even cast is up in the stratosphere.

Gonna have to rethink this.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Drought

2011-07-26T19:23:00.000-05:00

h/t to The Coming Depression:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-25/drought-withers-smallest-u-s-hay-crop-in-a-century-to-boost-cost-of-beef.html

Raise in beef prices within 30 days. Astronomical prices by this time next year. Corn and other cereal grains will be high too. Note they say it will be 2 years for beef industry to recover barring any other catastrophe or outside influence.

Better develop a taste for "chicken".

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Estrogen Central

2011-07-24T19:44:00.000-05:00

Hey, lighten up everybody!!

When I spoofed the "Estrogen Central" line it was because there was a houseful of women when I got home from work. HB's daughter came with her daughter (ie: THE grandbaby), HB's niece and grand niece along with a girlfriend. I had all these gorgeous and talented women to myself and certainly wasn't pulling a "poor, pitiful me" sonnet. I'll grant you that I'm the only rooster crowing around here, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Ya'll were supposed to be "jealous" of my good fortune.

Now, I'm just as much a man as any of us "hairy-legs" are, and I appreciate having a gaggle of gals tending to my creature comforts. Sometimes, I down play it so ya'll don't think I'm some kind of "Pasha", but sometimes it feels like it and I revel in it when it happens, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

HB dotes on me and I dote on her right back. Took me a long time and several mis-starts to find the right gal and I appreciate her tremendously. Her family runs to females mostly and they all tend to dote on the men-folk in the family. So we just enjoy the heck out of it, but try not to let the secret out too much.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Hello Blogger???

2011-07-24T07:38:00.000-05:00

I have no idea why Blogger "disappeared" my Followers list. The details show there are still 84 followers but doesn't seem to be able to list them any more. Did all the followers "pull the plug" at the same time? Looks like I'll have to delete the current widget and start over.

Maybe I'll just delete entirely and not reapply.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

When Karma Becomes Kumiss

2011-07-23T16:55:00.000-05:00

We've all had those times. When, no matter what you do, it all keeps piling up on you and you get so frustrated. You WANT to throw the tool as far and as hard as you can, but even before the muscles tense, you know you're going to have sheet rock repairs to do if you follow through. You're way off in the "back forty" and the tool you really need is still in the shop. So you "improvise" and end up making it worse. And sometimes you have days and days of the same kind of "inabilities".

At times like these, when I'm seeing red and smoke is pouring out my ears, I have to stop and remember "the Father's Day From Hell". A lesson from the cosmos about all our little concerns and their place in the greater scheme of things. This reminds me to stop and sit back and breathe. I don't always pay attention, but I'm getting better.

It's officially well over 100 degrees and physically a real PITA to do anything outside. My mental abilities are washed out and ragged and my motor skills are deteriorating rapidly, so I've decided to hide out in the house and AC. It's been estrogen central here, but I can hide out under the couch with the cat.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Overheard At Work

2011-07-23T06:50:00.000-05:00

"Some people are as exciting as refrigerated beef liver."

"There may be snow on the roof and a fire in the cellar, but someone blew my pilot light out."

More later as it gets warmer out and curtails my endeavors.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

The Barter Economy

2011-07-19T11:23:00.000-05:00

Some folks talk like the "Barter Economy" is some new thing we're all going to use in the near future. The fact is that we've always been in a barter economy. We barter our time, effort and energy for the "medium of exchange" to purchase those items we want and need to sustain our standard of living. Our recognized vernacular for "medium of exchange" is "money", be it gold, silver or pieces of paper as promissory notes. They all boil down to a medium of exchange that is accepted and trusted by all involved to be a certain value, whether it's a cow or eggs or labor. When the trust and acceptance of a medium of exchange is lost, then we're back to determining how many eggs is worth a cow. Or we try a different medium of exchange, like rocks with a hole in them. Scarcity and uniqueness is why a medium of exchange becomes trusted to hold value in relation to labor and things. Commonality and over-abundance of a medium of exchange actually makes the medium of exchange less valuable.

After the die-off of The Black Plague, skilled individuals were a highly sought resource. Money, as a medium of exchange, actually became a secondary consideration. Special "perks" were offered as incentives to skilled individuals and guilds were set up (along with apprenticeships) to verify the skill levels and accompanying "perks". People became "specialists" of certain skills and depended upon other "specialists" for other skills. City folk became dependent upon country folk for their produce to feed them and country folk became dependent upon city folk to provide the manufacturing of goods. So to equate the labor of the farmer with the labor of the mechanic, money was/is used to create a "monetary base of equality".

Our "monetary base of equality" can be destroyed in several ways, be it through too much of the medium of exchange and thus making each individual division of the medium worth less, be it through no confidence of the actual worth of the medium by the greater populace, or be it through no trust in the whole medium itself. However it may come, it still boils down to the populace not believing in the medium as a "monetary base of equality" of labor. If the farmer believes his eggs are worth more than a certain amount of the mechanics labor, or vice a versa, then the trust in the medium of exchange disappears and the farmer and mechanic must renegotiate their contract on exchange of labor. Thus we return to the basis of the economy as outright bartering of goods for goods or labor for goods instead of the medium of exchange. So, for a dozen eggs will you sign a promissory note to labor for the other individual for a set period of time? Or will you trade some of your goods for another's goods? If so, how much is enough? If the other person does not desire anything you have, then what do you have to trade? Can you trade what you do have to a third person to acquire what the second person desires and thus complete the trade/barter to acquire what you want?

People being people and thus being inherently lazy, they will always develop a "medium of exchange" because it beats lugging around a cow or a dozen eggs and even though a lot of people hate to openly enthrall themselves to someone else, they do it all the time (see contract: "all other duties as assigned" portion) when it can be glossed over. You and your employer agreed that your time, effort and energy is worth a certain amount of the medium of exchange which you, in turn, distribute to others in return for their goods and services.

Certainly we have the "law" of supply and demand. What is the A/C mechanics time, effort, energy and skills worth when the outside temperature is well over 100 degrees? What if there is so much of a demand for his services that he can't even come out until next Friday and you don't have anyone else to call? What about if it was 70 degrees outside?

Governments throw a monkey-wrench into the mix when they decide to provide a "level playing field" for the "monetary base" or regulate supply and demand. It erodes confidence in the medium of exchange and when they "provide" more of the medium of exchange, they cheapen the medium to the point that trust is lost. This becomes an economic catastrophe and people resort to a goods to goods or goods to labor exchange until such a time as another medium of exchange is determined to be trustworthy.

So, we have always bartered our time, effort, energy and skills for others' time, effort, energy and skills through the use of a medium of exchange and when that medium has become untrusted, we simply sought out some other medium to save on "skull sweat" of how to figure what goods or labor is equivalent to what other goods or labor. Makes haggling over prices so much easier.

Pet rocks for sale???!!!!

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

More Damaging Than The Patriot Act

2011-07-04T07:20:00.000-05:00

I posted about Executive Order 13575 last Thursday and it made not a ripple. Even provided a link to the Executive Order itself so people could read it. "Crickets". So go ahead and enjoy your independence day, it's all a fallacy now. The implications based in this Imperial Edict will manifest itself real soon and you'll be wondering WTF?? as the government tells you what to do with your land or you find out the old rifle range has been plowed under for ethanol corn.

This order/edict from Imperial Washington will affect everyone in ways you don't understand yet and it's all right there out in the open. But I reckon, I'm just talking to the wall. So I'm gonna stop talking to the wall, ya'll have fun in the coming years, and don't say you didn't know as that would make you a liar.

See Ya (or maybe NOT)

YeOldFurt

Independence Weekend -- My Version

2011-07-03T19:55:00.000-05:00

Granny has left with the grandsons to return them to their mother. As you can probably guess from my last couple of posts, I've created two more neophyte gun enthusiasts. Not only did they get to shoot, but they also got to handle some of the more "historical firearms" I own, with attendant trivia lectures. Maybe next time we'll start with the early firearms and work our way up to "modern".

Set post for rural mailbox in the wee hours of the morning while it was cool. Should do a post called "Just Add Water" cause that's the only way I was able to make a hole for the post. Like every couple of inches and using the 7 ft breaker bar to boot. Took quite a while to get it done.

All animals have been fed and bedded down for the night so it's time for a shower and wait till granny gets home before heading off to bed. Back to work tomorrow.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Wanted

2011-07-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Left handed 22 bolt action or single shot for growing teenager. I've heard Savage makes one but unable to verify. The 13 yr old is huge for his age and very accurate. These boys are awesome.

More later.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Grandsons on the LZ

2011-07-02T06:14:00.000-05:00

Two grand sons (13 & 7) have dropped by for whirlwind weekend with us. Horseback riding, shooting 22s and trip to gun store planned, as well as eats and treats by Granny. Wouldn't be surprised if a "new" 22 doesn't appear in the safe. HB is as excited as a young bee in a field of clover, cause she ain't seen these boys in years.

We'll also be re-doing the rural mailbox up on the road, it's too short to meet "regulations", mail Person has to lean down to stuff bills and irrelevant material into box without leaving vehicle. DUH!! Now seeing as how the old codger delivering the mail can barely get around as it is, I really don't mind. Poor fellow probably risks a heart attack just waking up in the morning, but he can give you the history of the area for the last 3 generations.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

The Left Hand

2011-06-30T06:15:00.000-05:00

So this is what they were doing behind the "sparklies". Or maybe just part of what they were doing while everyone was/is distracted.

Controlling Rural America -- Executive Order 13575

h/t: Free North Carolina
Go ahead, check out the Executive Order aka "Imperial Directive"

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Saving the Blood Pressure Medicine

2011-06-27T07:42:00.000-05:00

I could rail about the TSA and the 97 yr old dying granny, but I won't. Like I've said before, if people didn't want these things happening then they'd do something about it. Until I hear of the TSA perverts finding themselves in dark alleys with broken legs, SWAT teams being wiped out by whole neighborhoods and pretty much people finally standing up for themselves instead of being curs rolling on their backs, pissing themselves stupid, I'm done with trying to educate the stupid or preach to the choir.

We have raised the last two generations with the mind set of "If it's not happening to me directly, then it's really not happening and I'd rather be entertained by "Dancing with the Stars" or "American Idol".

Would someone please push the "Big Red Button" so the cockroaches can be the next dominant life-form?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Southern Belle's Blogshoot

2011-06-26T21:18:00.000-05:00

I got to the range almost on time, but Southern Belle and kx59 was already there signing in. The folks at the Lone Star Gun Range were exceptionally nice and jovial and helpful. They recently had a tragedy and have determined to keep going forward in order to maintain the vision of the owner and founder. I have to admit they were doing quite a brisk business and I didn't see any slowing the whole time we were there. I wish them the best.

Once everyone was there and signed in, we determined to start the festivities on the rifle range which still had a few slots open while the pistol range was pretty busy. Everybody set to lugging their heavyweights over to the set up table and the positions. I was pretty impressed when the young lady (Southern Belle) brought up a bear of a rifle almost as big as she was, kx59 unveiled some beautiful shotguns and Alan and Tomscathanger displayed some modern items to drool over. It was an impressive lineup that would have given hoplophobes PSH fits. Truly a heart-warming sight.

When a lull occurred, we trouped downrange and set up targets and Borepatch mentioned my Sharps, so I offered to let him fire the first shots and he accepted graciously.

When Borepatch touched off the first round from "Bob", it attracted a bit of attention and I was able to slip around and drool all over a certain Tokorev. "Bob" spoke several times when asked by the various participants and I think I was able to infect some with the "black powder virus" (it may have been just light cases, but once you've smelled black powder, it's in your bloodstream).

Belle graciously let me try out her Tokorev after she caught me fondling it and I was truly impressed. You can have your AKs and SKS, but if I wanted Russian, I'd get a Tokorev. Do NOT get this lady mad at you when she has access to this rifle.

kx59 was standing around shooting 12 ga & 20 ga slugs out of his shotguns like I'd shoot 22s. Not the wimpy ones either,but the ones that compose a chiropractors' erotic dream. If it'd been me, you'd had to go back to the setup table to find my shoulder blade.

Alan and Tom brought AR-15 style boomers that were a hoot to shoot. A certain "quiet" 45 caliber was certainly impressive.

As the sun warmed things up, we were able to move to the pistol range and that's when things moved to "mix-n-match" with revolvers and semiautomatics ranging from XDs and 1911s to old and new revolvers.

After spending enough time melting in the heat, we adjourned to Blacks Bar B Que in old town Lockhart and recuperated over cold drinks and good food. I believe we all parted with good thoughts and anticipation of repeating the performance i the future.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Bob

2011-06-26T19:23:00.000-05:00

At the latest blogshoot, Bob garnered a bit of attention, so I thought I'd provide a bit of background on him.

This is Bob:

Bob is a reproduction J.P. Gemmer Hawkins/Sharps in 50/90 X 2&1/2 inch. Adding a few grains more powder will make it stretch to a 50/100 or 50/110 in the same case. Bob was created by the C. Sharps Rifle Company of St. Louis Missouri just prior to their move to Big Timber Montana over 30 years ago.

J.P. Gemmer bought the J&S Hawken shop in St. Louis right about the time that cartridge firearms were having a big impact on the market and the buffalo (bison) hide hunters were flooding the west to carry out the eradication of the American Bison. J. P. attempted to increase sales by using the old Hawken look while staying with the calibers needed. Thus the J.P. Gemmer Hawken/Sharps. It took a lot more time, effort and energy to make a Sharps into a Hawken look-alike and the Sharps Rifle Company could produce a No.2 Business Rifle at half the cost so J.P.'s efforts ended up bankrupting him and he never produced very many.

Bob is a "one-of-a-kind" even though he came to me sorta third-hand without ever being fired. Now a days, the empty cases run about $2.00 each, I use standard Large Rifle primers and cast my own bullets. Bob usually goes out to play at 1k yard shoots and CASS shoots, which ain't too many of in the last few years. He's also adamant about getting a bath as soon as we get home. I have to bathe the cases as well, let dry and then tumble. Black powder has a tendency to create corrosive salts on both the steels of the firearm and brass of the cases.

Bob got his name from a movie I watched when I was 8 years old, "Valdez is Coming", and it was at that time I determined that I just had to have a Sharps. It wasn't until 20 years later that I stumbled upon Bob and was made a heck of a deal which ended up in our current relationship.

Bob is the only firearm I've named as most of the time I have my grandfather's opinion which is they are tools, just like a hammer or saw. I've been down the "collector" rabbit hole several times on various firearms but never lost my mind and it's usually ended with me disposing of any "collection" for various reasons. Bob has been with me longer than any other firearm, horse or wife for that matter.

If a Sharps interests you, then try the C. Sharps Rifle Company or the Shiloh Rifle Company. They are both in Big Timber, Montana and I've been to their shops. Either is top-flight and can do you a custom job. All it takes is money (LOL). Seriously, check them out.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Tired

2011-06-25T21:37:00.000-05:00

HB took off for San Antonio for a wedding at the crack of dawn and will be staying over there tonight. I took off for the blogshoot not much later (which I'll post about later) and when I got back, I had to let the chickens out for a while, unload, clean some of the guns, feed all the animals, make up the feed for tomorrow, put the chickens up (collect eggs), ensure they had feed and water, etc., etc.

Check out Borepatch and Southern Belle, for more details. It was a fun shoot with a lot of good people and a plethora of firearms. The Tokorev SVT-40 really caught my attention. It's what a MN wishes it were and is the big brother to the SKS. I can only say right now that it was a lot of fun. I'll have to catch ya'll up later.

I need a shower desperately (it was a mite warmish out there) and scrounge up some supper, then it's bedtime and off to work tomorrow.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Burns

2011-06-24T20:08:00.000-05:00

Something happened today in the bakery that proved to me an "old wives tale". In a bakery there are hot pans, as you can well imagine, and sometimes you can't avoid getting burned and it's usually pretty serious. However, one co-worker got burned from a pan and immediately ran over and grabbed a whole bunch of flour and stuck his hand in it for about 20 minutes. When I asked what he was doing (having witnessed the whole thing), he told me that this was a treatment bakers have been using for generations to mollify burns. Sure enough, after about 20 minutes, he pulled his hand out of the flour and stated the pain was gone. There was no blistering and the hand looked normal, only slightly reddened and after a couple of hours, there was no apparent swelling or anything associated with being burned.

So, a couple of hours later, it happened to me and I tried it. It worked! I am still carrying a scar on my forearm from being burned a couple of months ago, but this time was really different. The pain receded within a few minutes and my hand and wrist were normal after about 30 minutes. No blistering, scaring or even swelling. It all looks and feels normal.

I'm going to keep a 5 lb bag of flour in the kitchen from now on, just for this.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

The Flag

2011-06-24T07:14:00.000-05:00

Why do I keep seeing the US Flag reversed on the patches and decals for the military and federals? Isn't the state stars and blue field supposed to be on the left upper corner as you view it? What I've been seeing for a while now is the field is placed in the upper right corner and I'm confused.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

A Day Off

2011-06-21T17:09:00.000-05:00

It's 7:30 am and I really do have a day off. I've already fixed one gate that needed it and been told NOT to do laundry or anything else around the house.

So, I've decided to load up a few rounds for the J. P. Gemmer Sharps for the shoot. It's the old "Texas 50" load (50-90- 2-1/2"). I'm sure there'll be more "modern" firearms and I probably will bring something else also. Have to "straighten up" the "shop" a bit too. I probably have 5 different "projects" in various stages of completion. My reference library is in a complete shambles.

I have set my "wants" (not needs) on two things to save up for: 1) A Dillon 550 or 650 progressive and 2) A Combat Commander style 45 ACP. Neither of which is cheap. It's gonna take me awhile.

I have also started looking at reducing the expenses of shaving because of the rising prices. The modern stacked blades have a tendency to clog up and become dull really quickly thus forcing you to buy more (expensive) blade cartridges. I figured there had to be a less expensive way of doing things.

Started by letting the facial growth just come on out. Shaving is a real PITA but in the summer a beard has it's drawbacks. After I'd let it grow out to a proper length (which in my case takes a couple of weeks), it was pretty scraggly. So, I took out the old straight razor and applied it to the razor strop for an edge. Everything came off pretty good with a few deft strokes, but I had stubble by the end of the day and really needed to repeat by the next morning. After it grows a bit more, I'm going to try the old single blade safety razor (which can be resharpened) to see how it holds up.

Later: I noted that the components I was using to reload the 50 were bought back in 1992. Hope they still work, when tested all seems to be OK. Looked up replacement components and just the cases are $2.00 a piece!!!!! And someone is selling the loaded rounds at almost $10.00 a piece. WOW!!! (The 50-90 can be loaded as 50-100 or 50-110 just by adding more powder and a bit lighter bullet.) I use the 50-100 & 50-110 loads on 1K yards shoots.

It's 5:00 pm and hotter than Hades!!. Step out of the shade and the sun starts cooking the fat right out of you!!! Ain't getting much done now. Gotta fix the AC in the shop one of these days.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Father's Day

2011-06-19T07:10:00.002-05:00

Father's Day, Birthdays, Christmas, et al. The sun rises, the sun sets, and there is nought between except labor for those I care about.

I am a Son of Martha.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

COOL!!!!

2011-06-16T22:06:00.000-05:00

Bloggershoot w/Borepatch & Pickdog!!!

Courtesy of Southern Belle at "Bells A Ringing"

I'm in!!

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Un-Surprised

2011-06-15T05:53:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of WRSA:

http://www.kold.com/story/14901148/swat-shooting-of-guerena-ruled-reasonable-and-justified

http://kold.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/webdocs/SWAT%20justified.pdf

If "THEY" shoot you, whatever the circumstances, it's OK.. However, if you shoot back it's murder.

Think hard about it.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

SWAT Teams

2011-06-08T08:34:00.000-05:00

Everybody's got one.

Get used to it or do something about it.

Your choice.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Passin the Time

2011-06-04T18:33:00.000-05:00

Been busier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs at an old folks home. It's been drier than a popcorn fart here with small brush fires daily.

Texas vs the TSA may be on again in the special session. I'll wait to be under-impressed again. There's a whole host of federal agencies and regs the state could take on if they wanted.

Including the federal judge that ruled against a graduating class from praying because some douchebag and his parents might get their feelings hurt. PANSY!!!!! It occurred to me (too late to really matter) that there could have been a "pray-in" by people who remember the 1st Amendment right across the street. We could have "preyed" over the parents and the judge. All those assweasels should be shunned by the community.

The on-line firearm community is agog about scantily clad women serving FREE ammo and water at a sponsored shoot. Way some talk, you'd expect fancy, frilly underwear and stockings, instead of the shorts and T-shirts that were really there. Of course, the majority complainers are women. Put two women in the same room and they'll start comparing themselves against the other and bitchin about how "SHE"S BEING UNFAIR!!!!"

Now, I ain't "Cleatus" and really don't know any "Cleatus", but I do know some "good ol boys" that'll bring you some gas in the middle of the night or give you the shirt off their back. They do have the tool calenders hanging in their garage/workshop of scantily clad women. Doesn't seem to affect them though, other than appreciating female pulchritude. I've been to a LOT of gunshops over the course of my lifetime and I have yet to see a Playboy calender in the public business area of the shop. So "MABEL" just drop the whole act, the Cleatus" thing is pretty goddamn insulting and you are just showing your ass in public and losing respect irregardless of how good you think you are.
I say AMEN!!

Work has gotten strange. Cameras everywhere and a time-clock that uses your palm print to clock you in and out. We've had a 50% turnover in two major departments through terminations. Some needed to go and some didn't. Place is turning into a "sweat-shop" and they're packing in the "expansion projects" into a too-small space. Someone's going to get seriously hurt, even while management has become a "heavy-handed" enforcer of federal regulations. The person they hired for QA/QC is carving out an ever expanding "kingdom" and the turf wars are heating up. I'm not even in the food chain, so I'm pretty much ignored as long as I stay out of their face. Makes for an interesting day though.

HB and I had another go at the 22 challenge shoot this morning. Was soaked with sweat in half an hour. Note: DO NOT PLACE TARGET TO THE EAST WHILE SHOOTING IN THE MORNING. Also do NOT place firing line in sunny area. Needless to say, it was a fail and we abandoned the project for ~~some "slap-n-tickle"~~ an early nap in the air conditioning.

It's definitely SUMMER with temps already heading for 3 digits and working in a bakery is NOT the ideal job, but making do is what you do. I've lost weight since I started there and hopefully I'll lose even more (even built up some muscle). Bakeries use TONS of ingredients for bread and all that has to be moved around as well as all the equipment has to be maintained so it's a physical job. We've had two cases of heat exhaustion already. Back at it tomorrow.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Situational Awareness

2011-06-04T06:51:00.000-05:00

"If you keep watching for the sky to fall, you'll miss the cow paddy in the path. But if you're always watching the ants, you'll miss the pigeon overhead."

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Curious

2011-05-29T05:26:00.000-05:00

I'm wondering what kind of ammo is being used to shoot the 22 challenge e-postal match. I'm using Winchester bulk 22 plated from Walmart and thinking of maybe getting some target/match rounds. So, how about it guys & gals, what are you using?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Postal Match

2011-05-28T17:19:00.000-05:00

OK, the targets are coming in on BorepatchASM826's postal match. So where's yours? We've got till the 5th I think.
Practice, Practice, Practice. (The Almighty knows I need it!!). Shy, where you at?

I'm hoping the ladies (Brigid, Tam, Roberta & Breda) also give it a whirl.

YeOldFurt

The White Feather For This Week

2011-05-26T07:49:00.000-05:00

Goes to State Representative Dan Patrick (R) of Houston for pulling his bill on criminalizing the TSA. Cowardice in the face of the enemy. Actually most of the Texas Legislature probably deserves it because they all caved-in when threatened by the TSA/Federal Govt. But ,hey, my expectations were exceeded because it was even proposed and favorably voted by the Texas State House. I didn't think they'd even have the gumption to whisper about it. The Tenth Amendment is still just as dead as the rest of the Bill Of Rights and the Constitution. Only goes to show the reality of where "liberty" stands today. Feds threaten and the dogs in Austin whimper and roll on their backs while pissing themselves.

Mayberry is looking for another state. Good luck with that. I thought of that years ago and upon research, discovered there ain't any that are "better". It's comparative analysis. As far as I know, there's only 6 states without a state income tax and few of those are "firearms friendly". Some people say the state income tax is a wash vs. the federal income tax. I say it's still the "State" taking the fruits of your labor just because they can (backed up by force of arms naturally). Doesn't matter if the JBTs are federal issue or State issue. Ask Jose G. or Eric Scott how that all turns out.

Once Obama gets "re-(s)elected" in 2012 (and he will), we can expect to see gun registration and firearms licensing within two years (2014), then total confiscation within a year of that. Doesn't matter if the economy is up or down, the statists HAVE to disarm the populace (and reduce the means of resistance) to continue their programs. And the people will do nothing to stop it. IT WILL HAPPEN!!

Like I've said before...."BAH...HUMBUG"

YeOldFurt

For The Record

2011-05-24T17:53:00.000-05:00

Today was the last possible opportunity for me to shoot ASM826's 22 challenge and I should have just used my last target. The palsy was bad for me. Only 11 points out of a possible 50 with just one bull. All totally by accident. Open sights and weaving like a drunken sailor on shore leave.

I'll get a picture and send it off to ASM. I can't understand how I can so much better when actually hunting tree rats than hitting circles standing still.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

I've Been Thinking

2011-05-21T06:08:00.000-05:00

About the case of the young Marine shot 60 times by the SWAT team, and I've got some questions.

First off, supposedly they staged the raid in the later morning on the supposition that he would normally be the only one home. They knew of his habits of getting off the night shift and the wife and kids being gone to school and whatnot. This tells me of advanced planning and surveillance.WHY???

No one has argued it was a case of mistaken address or identity. The lame excuse of "just hitting random houses in the area" just begs the question of what is not being said. So, why his house? Why right then, when they could have waited and ensured all extraneous personnel were out of the picture? Why not just a knock on the front door by a uniformed officer(s), then a "snatch, grab, taser" apprehension when he came to the door? Was there anticipation of resistance?

The actual shooting is highly suspect. These SWAT guys practice a lot on when to shoot AND WHEN NOT TO SHOOT!!! Hostage situations and so forth. I've heard the excuse that one of their own had an ND right in the middle of the raid, while confronting an armed suspect who wasn't pointing a firearm at the officers. My understanding is that the ND started everyone firing a fusillade at the Marine because they were so "on edge". Given the level of training these guys accomplish, I find it highly suspect. Could it be that these guys correctly figured on the Marine's response and started firing as soon as ID was met?

Why wait an hour before letting medical EMTs attend? Just to let him bleed out and ensure he was dead and unable to talk? After 60 rounds, he was probably so shot up that no skilled surgeon could have saved him, but he might have been able to say a few words before expiring.

So, WHAT DID HE KNOW THAT HE WAS KILLED FOR?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

2nd Attempt

2011-05-17T21:02:00.000-05:00

On the 2nd try of ASM826's 22 challenge, I notice I'm quite a bit to the right (about 2 inches) and a little low on the open sights.

These are stock factory sights on the Marlin Model 60. The front sight is a neon orange plastic affair dovetailed into the barrel and the rear sight is like an old Winchester buckhorn with a stepped elevator slide. Pushing the elevator slide another notch under the buckhorn should fix the vertical and driving the front sight a little to the right, or the back sight to the left, should fix the horizontal.

So I adjusted the elevator and started to tap the front sight. ZINGGG goes the front sight out into the grass, lucky it's neon orange and stands out. Picked it up and re-inserted it back into the dovetail and it went all the way through!!! Seriously, it really just slides with thumb pressure. (What is it with front sights lately??).

This is my "good" 22 rifle!!?? I've shot all manner of varmint beasties and never had a complaint. I'll have to "stipple the base area of the dovetail to roughen it up and then stake the front sight into position. Then re-zero and try again.

I did get 12 points this time with two bulls, though. Maybe I should just get a scope? I feel so....so degraded!!

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

The Other Hand

2011-05-16T20:58:00.000-05:00

The US Supreme Court latest on the 4th Amendment:
http://elevenbravotwenty.blogspot.com/2011/05/4th-amendment-died-today.html

Still willing to be distracted? Save the chest beating, I don't want to hear it. It's getting to be THAT time, real soon. Start figuring out how you're going to do it.

On a different note, I ran across an article in the paper today that pointed me here. Set up by a 17 yr old and he's still working on it. A digital archive of Arlington.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Indiana's Answer

2011-05-16T06:38:00.000-05:00

"It's all good, no reason to worry."

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Update

2011-05-14T21:23:00.000-05:00

The first attempt at the 22 challenge didn't go so well. Looked more like buckshot at close range. Maybe next time.

Indiana.... what can I say? Three questions...
1) Do y'all really want this?
2) If not, what are ya gonna do about it?
3) Or is it all good and "they really didn't mean it that way" attitude is acceptable?

We have spare tar and chicken feathers here in Texas and "willin' to PARTEEE!!!"

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Bugs, Rain, Weddings and Targets

2011-05-14T11:15:00.000-05:00

I've been fighting recurring bouts with some kind of bug (maybe allergies). Has left me in dire straits and poor motivation, but have managed to drag my butt to and fro for work but not much else. Severe headache this morning so things are looking up.

We got between 3 and 4" of rain on Thursday and I noted the problem with Blogger but was too foggy to make much of it. The rain was good and residual results are very good. Hope we get more, sure would help. Blogger still seems to have a few issues.

HB is traveling to downtown Houston for a relative's wedding today. She's putting in a representation for both of us, I think I'm still infectious and don't want to "help" anyone else to my state of being. (HB even slept on the couch a couple of nights just so she could get some decent sleep). Besides, I ain't going to that town ever again, no matter the reason. Built on a swamp and went downhill from there.

Going to try the 22 challenge from ASM826/Borepatch, not sure of the sling/no sling rule. Will post about the attempt later and notify ASM when I get a target that won't laugh me out of the county.

Speaking of Borepatch, it looks like he's set up a FOB in Austin which is only a couple hours west of me. Got to look around for a range twixt there and here.

More later,

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

22 Match

2011-05-04T23:23:00.000-05:00

ASM826 and Borepatch are putting on a match!! I didn't see this until late tonight, but I'm linking and gonna try my hand at it.

Bill Nye & Mayberry, are y'all in?

I'll even dig up something to add for sweetener.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Shooting In All Directions

2011-05-02T20:56:00.000-05:00

Infighting: Divide and Conquer. Remember Sun Tzu? Genghis Khan? What happened to the Empire after he died?

You boys better quit worrying about who "looks better in a suit", specially seeing as how y'all are gonna be wrestling hogs soon.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

More Government BS

2011-05-02T06:21:00.000-05:00

Catman had this post up this morning. But I say wait a minute...This is the same government that has blatantly and continuously lied to us right down the line and now we're going to just believe what they say as gospel. I've read the reports and gotta say, I've read better fiction from half-drunk idiots. All the reports are vague and obtuse. No names mentioned, not even the ship that "buried Osama at sea". Where's the factual documentation? All we have is the word of a known liar. Like Catman says-- How convenient the timing, all things considered. And all the pictures of flag-waving, cheering Amerikans resemble the Muslim crowds cheering on 9/11. Oh really???? This whole thing just reeks of BS.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Somewhere

2011-05-01T21:33:00.000-05:00

Between the shooting bench and the cleaning bench, I've come up short one M1911 govt. front sight. How did this happen? Just because it's a tenon staked into the slide which goes slamming back and forth, lord knows how many times, shouldn't be cause for taking a hike.

Midway seems to have the more "frugal" ones but the postage is going to cost me almost as much as the front sight. Maybe I should just build one from German nickle or an old penny? I've thought about hand cutting a dovetail and I may do that if I get "creative" enough. But even the dovetail mounts ain't cheap.

Me thinks this will take some thinking on this further.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Distractions

2011-04-28T22:04:00.000-05:00

Birth Certificate, gays in the military, etc., et al., et nauseum.

Look beyond all that, what is it they don't want you to see? Why now? Who benefits? Don't fall for the distractions. Don't miss the forest because you concentrated on the trees. Remember your Macbeth?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Down One Chick

2011-04-27T07:58:00.000-05:00

Due to extremely large "chicken snake".
Noticed only 3 chicks when I was feeding & watering animals this morning so upon investigation found snake curled up in corner. Snake hung around, snake is history. Used 2 x 4 to hold it's head down and pocket knife to cut head off. Moved surviving chicks back to secure brood box in garage to let them get a little bigger.

Might explain lowered egg production also.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Spunk

2011-04-26T21:27:00.000-05:00

A colloquial expression meaning "never say die" or the spirit of always trying to overcome. You all know the stories of Roger Young and Audie Murphy. We know Breda and thousands of veterans have it.

So let me tell you a story about an individual. (Yes, I know, here we go again with a story or parable as teaching example!!)

Anyway, this fellow is a volunteer firefighter in a little burg that has just a couple of trucks from back in the sixties (I think) and darned few firefighters, but he's usually the first one on the scene when the call goes out. He's a father and a husband and holds down a full time job. He's not a big guy, maybe 130 lbs soaking wet and his burly co-workers usually give him hell and mock him. Every day he's cheerful and has his problems like everyone else. Doesn't affect his job performance or his attitude. He's right there lending a hand when needed and never griping about the work load or schedule. After work, he's on call for the fire department and never misses, no matter the time or circumstances. He's had several close calls and still shows up, every time.

He's also completely insulin dependent. He wears an insulin pump which continuously supplies him with insulin just to keep him alive. He's been this way all his life. There's a lot of different roads he could have taken in life, but he wanted to be as "normal" as he could. He shoots, plays with his kids and takes care of his family.

Yeah, he's got spunk.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Scopes and Iron Sights

2011-04-25T06:50:00.000-05:00

It was remarked to me that the gentlemen with all the "goodies" were possibly from an agency of the government tasked with determining how serious a threat Bill and I were to said government. This came from an individual whom I consider even more pragmatic than I am. For my self, I consider such a notion as almost ludicrous because we are such "small potatoes" but then again, the government is not considered by most to be the "brightest bulb on the string." Mostly, I'd have to say "Give me a break....."

I've got to get a good spotting scope, the one provided by the range was barely adequate.

I arrived early and while proceeding to unload the vehicle and set up, foolishly compromised the bore sighting job on one of the scopes for one of the rifles. In the progress of shooting the rifle, I had to revert to the iron sights which were still pretty much dead on. The other scoped rifle shot real well and only needed some minor adjustment. Next time I'll have to remember to bring the bore sighting kit with me. I've already placed it on the "RANGE LIST" of things to bring, so maybe I won't forget.

Once we got Bill sighted in, he did really well and we proceeded to burning powder. Unfortunately, we weren't able to utilize the "reactive targets" I'd brought due to the staggering numbers of people that were there. The range was holding a benefit shotgun match and several people showed up at the rifle and pistol ranges also. I was very impressed.

More later.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Humbling Post

2011-04-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

Bill Nye over at Elector Retards has posted a most humbling essay about our time at the range. It was not what I was expecting, which was an overview of our shooting escapades. I am amazed and humbled that I left such an impression.

Bill, the honor and pleasure was surely mine in meeting such a distinguished and honorable gentleman.

I do not think of myself as anything but a simple man wrestling with the everyday cares all of us struggle with. I try to keep my feet on the ground and be as practical and pragmatic as possible. This is hard because my nature is to be a dreamer and pretty much a lazy cuss.

The time spent shooting with Bill and the various conversations we had on several topics was a delightful and relaxing time. I have the greatest expectations of continuing this friendship in the future.

Thank you, Bill.
My Friend

BREAK------
Now here, I must digress because of a notice I've had from the Texas Rifle Association about HB 2807 The Texas Assault Weapons Ban Bill:

To wit:

HB 2807 will be heard in House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence on Tuesday, April 26^th.

HB 2807 relates to the unlawful possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon. The prohibition is for anyone under the age of 21. The bill includes a list of features similar to the congressional definition of an assault weapon: detachable magazine, folding or telescoping stock, pistol grip, bayonet mount, flash suppressor or threaded barrel, or grenade launcher; however, it goes further.

Any semiautomatic rifle with two or more of the listed features is prohibited but if that semiautomatic rifle is a copy of an automatic firearm, only one feature is needed to make the gun off-limits to anyone under the specified age. You might be able to vote but you wouldn't be able to touch this type of firearm in Texas, should HB 2807 pass.

The bill isn't limited to assault-rifles as assault-style handguns are included and defined separately.

Section (b) of the bill creates a Class A misdemeanor for anyone younger than 21 to possess a firearm of this type and creates an offense if a person sells, rents, leases, loans, or gives such a weapon to anyone knowing the firearm will be delivered to a person younger than 21. Under this bill you could share your rifle or handgun with a friend or relative at the range and be in violation of the law.

HB 2807 was filed by State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth). It is a very bad bill and should be voted down in committee.

Since his election to the Texas House in 1997, Rep. Burnam has filed one or two anti-gun, anti-youth bills in every session but two, 2007 and 2009. His earlier versions included all firearms, rifle or shotgun, and defense to prosecution required that the young person, under 17, be with their parent or guardian. In 2005, 4-H Shooting Sports competitors as young as ten came to the Capitol and testified in committee to successfully stop Rep. Burnam's bill.

Obviously Rep. Burnam's not through, as HB 2807 makes no allowance for TSRA high-power youth shooters, their families or their coaches.

Finally HB 2807 is an insult to Texans serving in the military, trained to use and carry automatic weapons in war, but would be criminalized in their home-state for touching a semiautomatic firearm they can legally purchase and possess under federal law.

HB 2807 should serve as a reminder of the mischief gun-bigots intend to cause to your rights and those of your children and grandchildren.

Call or email the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and urge them to vote NO on HB 2807.

Contact Links for House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee (email and phone #s)

Rep. Pete Gallegos (D) Chairman

Rep. Will Harnett (R) ViceChairman

Rep. Jose Aliseda (R)

Rep. Wayne Christian (R)

Rep. Bill Zedler (R)

Rep. Cindy Burkett (R)

Rep. Yvonne Davis (D)

Rep. Stefani Carter (R)

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D)

The Bill is here:

Read up on it and let's fight this any way we can.

I'll get back to the range time in the next post (I hope). Maybe the next shoot should be somewhere closer to Houston & Corpus? Any thoughts Mayberry? Bill? James?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Deliver Me From Temptation

2011-04-24T08:31:00.000-05:00

One of the side stories from yesterday I want to mention before it gets lost. Right after Bill showed up and while we were getting him set-up, a new white van backed up to the firing line benches. Super duper van with tinted windows and all the extras. These two gentlemen (of approximately my age group) disembark and wing open the rear doors. Now these gentlemen were dressed "casual", but like $150.00 shirts "casual" if you know what I mean. Just their ride and their attire said MONEY!!!

WHOA MOMMA!!!!! A veritable Christmas dream of shooty goodness for gunnies. Imagine a van load of whatevers regardless of cost. Yes, your wildest dreams. In all different flavors. With and without cans. SCARS and ARs, with and without cans, select fire and semi only.

When I heard the first "pfaaaat", I was intrigued and when they pulled out the SCAR 17 (308), I lost all rules of decorum. I know they got more than enough DNA from my salivation. They were kind enough to let me fire a few rounds and even dial in the scope (which would have took a couple of months paychecks). When they put the suppressor on it, it sounded like the after effects of a cabbage roll dinner followed by pickled eggs dessert.

I made the best attempt to not overstay my welcome and finally handed the firearm back politely (under duress) and made my way back to my own bench. I have NEVER had the "wants" for a firearm as I do now.

I MUST BE STRONG!!! I MUST BE AWARE OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES!!! SOMEONE HELP ME BE STRONG, I AM SO WEAK!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

WOW!! THAT WAS FUN!!!

2011-04-23T21:29:00.002-05:00

Back from the shoot. Vehicle unloaded and stuff mostly put away, supper on the table and really beat. I'll give Bill a chance to post first and I'll chime in sometime tomorrow night after work. Food and sleep for now.

Mayberry, we missed ya.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Words and Deeds

2011-04-23T07:02:00.000-05:00

A troubled young man went to see his grandfather once. The young man asked the old man "Grandfather, how do I know I have true friends?"

The Grandfather didn't reply, he just got up and fixed the young man something to eat. The he sat back down and waited for the young man to finish his meal.

After the young man was finished, the Grandfather said, "Observe what has transpired. Words are the zephyr of the ego, while deeds are the actions of the soul."

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

To Thine Own Self Be True

2011-04-19T21:02:00.000-05:00

Bill Nye and Diogenes of the Rifle have a couple of posts up that caught my attention. I'd been thinking about the relevance of this day and read earlier Arctic Patriot's post about John Parker. I'm not much of one to jump on anyone's bandwagon, but these posts have gotten me to thinking.

The focus of this post is the genuine intestinal fortitude and intelligence displayed by the afore mentioned individuals. AP, thanks for reminding us again of John Parker and the courage, determination and sacrifice he displayed and continues to display as an example for our times.
Bill, it was a good prayer and a needful thing today. Prayers are never wasted though sometimes they are answered in ways that aren't what we are looking for.
Dio, you have displayed admirable courage and honor, Stand Tall Marine!!

I will not rattle on or thump my chest. It's not about me, it's about them. Semper Fidelis, no renderse, muchachos.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Change of Shooting Range

2011-04-19T10:57:00.000-05:00

Fragging frick!!! Arrowhead is going to be closed for renovations for two weeks or longer.

Resulting in change to Gunsmoke Shooting Range just outside of Snook, Texas (like everybody's heard of Snook Texas) anyways here's the link, it's a "little closer" to the Gulf area but not by much.

If you get to the junction of Hwy 50 & Hwy 60, then turn SOUTH on Hwy 60 towards Snook and start looking for a really small sign on the left about 1/4 mile down showing turnoff (looks like a driveway) between the crop patches. They're hidden back behind the corn & beans & cotton.

If you're coming NORTH on Hwy 60, go through Snook approx. 5 miles and start looking for sign about 1 or so miles past the silos on the right. If you get to junction of Hwy 60 & hwy 50, you just missed it.
Standard rules apply.

I'll be there about 10 AM.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

What I've Been Doing

2011-04-17T07:07:00.000-05:00

As an example, HB mentioned she'd like to have a composting box located near the garden. So yesterday I built a 4 ft square, 3 ft high open bottom box with sliding panels for a front out of salvaged lumber, screws and nails. It has the ability to expand larger (or shrunk) if desired. Actual cost was $0 and it only took me a couple of hours. I've been occupied doing several projects like that.

I work with a lot of "hard cases" that are trying to "go straight". Felons, gangbangers and such that have acquired families and realize their responsibilities to those families. They've pretty much decided to leave the streets behind and grow up. A lot of how they interact would cause some serious fights on the street, but they realize it's all interplay and not serious. Kinda like siblings, there's a lot of mutual respect even through the "tough talk". They don't include me much cause they think I'm "scary" and tread lightly around me.

However, the focus here is that I'm seeing these "hard cases" worried and scared about the way the economy and the government is going. They've started discussing prepping and gardens and "no cost" solutions to problems. I started throwing ideas out and mentioning the prepping forums & blogs, which got a lot of attention. Consider that these persons are making minimum wage anyway and are some of the first to really feel the pinch of high fuel and food prices and they are scared/worried about the way the economy is headed. These are some of the urban "working poor" with two wage-earner families just making it from paycheck to paycheck and damn little debt. If the middle class making 50K, 75K or even 100K are starting to feel the pinch, these guys know what the pinch really feels like and are looking for ways to ease the pain.

"Making do" and salvaging cast-offs is the way I was raised so this is nothing new to me. Right now we are still "sitting in high cotton" compared to how tough I've seen it get, so I ain't kicking too hard (economic wise, politically...I'm pissed). I read on the blogs/forums of the fear that is becoming prevalent in peoples' minds, sometimes to the point of actually creating a "deer in the headlights" incredulity. A surreal outlook on the world, which is just overwhelming.

Fear is something we all live with on a daily basis. Sometimes we term it worries. Like worrying about paying the bills or keeping/having a job to have the money to pay the bills, or health of ourselves and our loved ones. Fear is created by not knowing, the unknown if you will, coupled with self doubt. This is where prepping comes into play. We prepare for circumstances that are outside the normal of our daily lives. Be it unemployment or some kind of catastrophic event. We prepare for ourselves and our loved ones. This is where our primary responsibility lies. The protection and provision of our spouses and children. After they are secure, then we can think of any responsibility to others, be they neighbors, clan, local or regional. Fear can be alleviated by dealing with "what is" and dismissing "what I wish it was" or "how'd I'd like it to be". You deal with the world as it is and meet it head on, fully prepared to adapt to changing conditions, not frozen in the middle of the road as the lights come charging down on you. Keeping informed of the current events, politically and geo, simply gives you a "heads-up" of what to prep for. Use the information to alleviate the fear and never forget where your primary responsibilities are.

Politically, I subscribe to RAH's outlook on laws and politics and refute the individuals that decry the Constitution as some kind of failure because the piece of paper didn't protect them from tyranny without any effort on their part. Again, it's from fear that they espouse such an idea. Fear of actually having to stand up in the face of tyranny and say NO. Think about this, in chess you compensate for the pawns, even the knights and bishops, but you concentrate on the King and Queen, In GO, you isolate and immobilize the opponents pieces leaving them no where to "run".

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Apples

2011-04-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

Some people concentrate on what they CAN'T do rather than spending time on what they CAN do.

"You eat the apple one bite at a time."

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

The Rant -- Part 2

2011-04-04T07:14:00.000-05:00

Sp00k asked a question about what set me off:

Sp00k said...

I know about the Whiskey Rebellion, YOF, but I think I missed something here. What was the cause of your rant? What lit the fuse. Fill me in on what I missed, please. Thanks.

I started to reply in the comments section and it got a little long-winded so I moved it here.

Sp00k,
What set me off was reading one too many posts by "intelligent" people decrying the Constitution because IT didn't save us from tyranny. As if the paper had some magical properties to stand by itself and protect the humanity like some super-hero.

When in actuality, this kind of thinking is only another excuse for doing nothing. Blame someone or something else for your own personal shortcomings and you are relieved of any necessity of doing anything personally.

Did you or did you not take an Oath to "protect and defend, from all enemies foreign and domestic"? What is your word worth? Politicians promise everything to everybody to get the vote yet, as soon as they are ensconced into office, they renege on their promises. We've come to accept that as being part of the political landscape.

Does the Bible protect you from sin without any effort on your part? Is a battered woman truly protected by a restraining order or by the weapon in her hand and her willingness to use it in defense?

I say again, WE ARE THE MUSCLE BEHIND THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! We have an arsenal ourselves, from the ballot box to the jury box to the cartridge box, from pitchforks and torches, to tar and feathers. Yet we stand idly by as our freedom is steadily eroded on a daily basis because we lack the will to use them. The Constitution and Bill of Rights have been continuously assaulted while we turned our backs instead of creating a mad scramble to lay hands on the miscreants and punish them severely.

Yet, some individuals would childishly decry The Constitution as "fatally flawed" without being specific or even offering how they would "correct the flaw" without enforcing limitations upon other people's liberties. If you can DEFINE the problem, use a little imagination to IDENTIFY the solution, then IMPLEMENT the solution.

The greater content of the people of the land are quite comfortable being controlled and have placed those individuals who want to control others into positions of power where they may make their dreams come true. Individually, we who wish to control our own destinies are forced into the shadows and must devise obscure ways to realize our own independence.

Look into the eyes of your children, then look ahead to the type of world they must occupy and ask yourself, Is this what you want for them?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Tell Me Something Readers

2011-04-03T21:06:00.000-05:00

Am I being too obtuse again? Does almost everyone miss the main focal points of my posts? I try to write such that there is a little skull sweat involved. Help me out here folks.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Bashing The Constitution --- A Rant

2011-04-02T21:56:00.000-05:00

I noticed this trend developing a while back and said to myself "WTF????" Seems like more and more people are jumping on this moronic bandwagon, even some I'd considered having more sense.

PISS ME OFF, WHY DON"T YA!!!!!!!!!!

Better freaking do some decent research on the causes and results of the 1789 Whiskey Rebellion before you go spouting off about it. REMEMBER, a contract is only as good as the people involved in it. Why do you think Mr. Jefferson despaired of the sacrifices of the generation of 1776? Freaking READ his writings.

WE THE PEOPLE, ARE THE MUSCLE BACKING UP THE CONSTITUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seems to me, it's a pretty sorry excuse for not doing anything, to be blaming a document and claiming IT let YOU down. If the best you can do is whine and cry, you'd do everyone a favor by just shutting up and "plowing for your masters". If you want to "check out of the system" then just do it. Quit whining like a spoiled child and GROW THE FUCK UP, DAMMIT!!!! I've known lots of people that have "checked out" of the system. They just did it without "fanfare" or any rigamarole. They made some hard decisions and have a hard (but completely free) life because of those decisions.

If you want to "work-within-the-system", then yes, you have to make some hard decisions and bear the consequences of those decisions. The CHOICE is yours to make. But for the sake of all that's holy, quit your whining and blaming other people and things.

If you refuse to hold other people accountable for their actions, including the politicians and other "elites", how can you hope anyone can hold you in any esteem whatsoever? They put themselves above the law AND WE LET THEM!!! Is it any wonder we are at this point now??? An adult faces the trials and tribulations of life head on and deals with them, ALL OF THEM!!! No whining, no bellyaching just common sense coping with the problems.

IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, IDENTIFY THE SOLUTION, IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION.

Rant off.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

The Significant Other

2011-04-02T06:48:00.001-05:00

Hermit Jim reminded me of a fact that I live with on a daily basis. I consider marriage to be a partnership where each partner has an equal say in all things, yet sometimes a "command decision" has to be made without the other person's input.

This past week was a good example because HB and I were not together, yet we each had to make decisions affecting the other person without time to consult and hash out the details. It all turned out OK because we each attempted to make the best decision based upon our knowledge of the other person and what we considered was right for the both of us.

Now, I could go on and on about how much I love HB and cherish her but the focal point here is the facts that I also respect and trust her. I respect her opinions and trust her decisions. That doesn't mean that I always hold those same opinions, being a man I'm usually more "direct" and sure, sometimes that creates a few "loggerheads" moments. Yet, we work through those in a pretty sensible manner. HB considers me to be "the leader" in the partnership and I'm usually the one to "pull the trigger" but she doesn't hesitate to provide input and a different way of considering matters that quite often makes sense.

I may be the pilot, but she is my navigator.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

ROFLMAO

2011-04-01T07:24:00.000-05:00

It has been an "interesting" week, but one thing stands out right now.

I got an "awards" check from the company. Just a little something, nothing big or fabulous. However, the punch line is that it was COMPLETELY eaten up by taxes. COMPLETELY!!!!!!!!!!!! I got nada, zip, zero take home.

I'm laughing because I consider it vindication. This'll make Mayberry (and others) roll too as it also vindicates everything he's been saying too.

A harbinger of things to come or already here?

More later on the other stuff this week.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Blanket Shoot

2011-03-27T06:05:00.000-05:00

April 23, 2011 (10:00 AM)-- Arrowhead Shooting Range (12450 Arrowhead Rd, Bryan Texas) (map)
Blanket Shoot: Bring something for prize(s), don't matter what, toss on blanket, best shooter @ 100 yards (closest to mark/smallest group of five rounds) gets pick of prizes, then next best shooter gets pick, etc. till prizes all gone.
Or just come out & sight in or just plink. Let's burn some powder and practice.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Ergo Cognito

2011-03-25T05:26:00.000-05:00

"The Spice Must Flow"

Brigid does it again.

"Whatcha gonna do about it?"

Looking at burning powder for a whole Saturday in April, any particulars or special days requested?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Another Day Off

2011-03-20T07:49:00.000-05:00

And another intimate tete'-a-tete' with the (ahem) "physically demanding" group of Hammer, Saw, Shovel and Hoe.

Breaking news!!! Libya invades US, Congress declares WAR!! Quaddafi fires over 20 cruise missiles --- ah, wait, ahh no, my bad. Sorry.

US President extends "helping hand" to "democracy loving peoples in Libya" by way of UN. Kinda like Viet Nam, Iraq, etc. Oathkeepers no where to be found, orders followed without exception. Who's watch, exactly?

US population looks forward to 2012 elections to "set things right". "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss". "Keep on, keeping on".

SOS in a nut shell (even if it ain't kept in a bucket by the Prince).

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

I Am Aware

2011-03-14T21:48:00.000-05:00

Of all that's going on in the world, though I haven't posted much about it. Be it the "schism" among the Threepers, Obama's non declarations or the continuing crisis's in Japan.; I just don't have much to say that I feel I haven't already said. Like the man said "Whatcha gonna do about it? Just sit on your ass and whine?"

Better to get off your butt and do something to help you and yours. That's what I've been doing. Yeah, I can see what's coming. We all can, so just get your ducks in a row. Don't worry about things you can't do anything about or whether one side calls the other "pansies" or "pussies". Some idiots never grow up and there's "keyboard commandos" everywhere.

HB says I should post about making something from nothing (or at least scrap), but there's plenty of folks already on the net with pictures and videos that do it better than I could.

I do know one thing for sure. The easiest thing in the world is to quit. No matter what excuse you use it's still quitting and way on down the road, you'll hate yourself for doing it. I think some people are born with a "safe" gene. Every chance to step out of their "comfort zone" is terrifying instead of being a thrilling opportunity. They see a potential of damage or destruction instead of a chance to test their limits.

When I was in my early 30s, a young horse threw me several times and I kept climbing back into the saddle. Finally, I was thrown and suffered a multiple compound break to a leg. The really messy kind. As soon as I was out of the hospital, I tried to get back into the saddle, cast and all. I never said I was "smart", I just wasn't going to quit. People told me to get rid of the horse and get a nice sedate one but I didn't listen. That horse today is now retired in her old age and we had many, many adventures together from Florida to California to Washington State and I'm working on her granddaughter.

So maybe I get quiet from time to time as I concentrate on what's closer to home, but that doesn't mean I ain't watching what's going on.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Simple, Cheap Test

2011-03-11T06:34:00.000-06:00

Of an electric fence:

1) Forget to turn off fence charger

2) Grab regular metal fence with support hand to maintain balance,

3) Grab electric fence tape at spot that looks "iffy" and pull up close to face while leaning down and concentrating on "iffy" spot for damage,

(4) Wait a couple of seconds to determine validity of possible damage to electric tape,

5) VIOLA!!!! Fence works!!!

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Update To Day Off

2011-03-08T09:25:00.001-06:00

An hour and a half into the fencing repairs this morning and it starts to rain -- gently at first.
"Well, I'll just finish this section and then wait it out." WRONG!!!

HOLY WILLY WONKA WOMBATS, WONDERWOMAN!!!!! By the time I'd completed a 20 foot section, there was a half inch of water in the work cart (aka wheelbarrow) and I was totally soaked! We NEED the rain but I NEED to finish.

Decisions, decisions. Should I brave the cold wet freaking gully washer or just let it go? Maybe just grab a bar of soap and save water? Nah, been there, done that. The deciding factor was the hat got soaked and started leaking cold water down the back of my neck, so now I'm inside looking at my "rainy day" project list.

(Insert appropriate whiny material here.)

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

EDIT: The rain didn't last long and I was able to get back outside and do more stuff. Dark now and done for the day.
YOF

Something To Watch

2011-03-08T06:06:00.000-06:00

Interesting:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/07/2903186/bills-target-full-body-scans-pat.html#ixzz1FzeVSmCF

Day off today = fencing repairs, hauling rocks & bricks, etc. (Also known as Mental Health Day).

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Tin Gods

2011-03-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

Real life has forced blogging to take a back seat lately and will continue for some time.

Bill Nye over at Elector Retards has expressed something I've noticed lately. People are feeling the stress and it's showing in the ways they are interacting, even here in the rural areas.

Every day that I go to work, I am reminded why I became an independent contractor training operations and maintenance personnel. From 1st line supervisors to plant management, the ranks are stuffed with individuals that believe they RULE over those in the ranks below them, and the only way to get ahead is to kiss-ass to those above them.

Several reasons I gave up being an independent and took this job, but I'm still "outside the chain of command" that I don't have anyone under me and just a couple of "bosses" over me that pretty much leave me alone. But every little "supervisor" thinks they can tell me what to do. Most times I can just blow them off, but occasionally one will get under my skin and I just have to call them "ASSHOLE" to their face and refer them to the proper place. Of course they get offended and go crying to Mommy only to get told to lay off and tend to their own problems. Then I get the "cold shoulder" and they don't talk to me -- like my social interaction with them is paramount to my well-being. Even my "bosses" laugh at them. But I see how they interact with the people around them and I have to wonder how they keep breathing. I figure, as more and more folks find "hard times" coming to camp on their personal front porch, tempers are going to get shorter and hotter and personal confrontations including violent interactions may become commonplace.

Allow me to digress here a moment. I suggest that you NOT "put all your eggs in one basket", be they firearms or cash or any other prep supplies as well as income sources. I knew a feller, when I lived in California, that had 5 part time jobs. If one went away, it didn't hurt him much and he was able to replace it pretty easily, they all paid cash and he wasn't on any lists such as SSN or census. The .gov figured he had "died" 10 years before. Go figure. Anyway, just be aware that one stash doesn't have to mean everything you have.

We've pretty much focused on the "tin gods" in government and left the ones in our immediate A.O. pretty much alone. Be aware and watch them also, especially as times get harder. There's a reason Heinlein said "an armed society is a polite society".

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

A Man Passes From Among Us

2011-03-05T11:09:00.001-06:00

But leaves his legacy in his son.

Our condolences, Borepatch.

YeOldFurt & HB

Busy

2011-02-27T08:12:00.002-06:00

HB has posted about our latest road trip, which pretty much took up the whole day, and it's back to work for me today. Work has been pretty much hectic and I've had one of those weeks where everything I touch has turned to "mush". Stress, stress and more stress on top of not sleeping much. Tons of "projects" around here needing to be done. I think I've "lost" the hearing in my right ear from the latest illness/infection and still don't feel "up-to-snuff". I reckon pneumonia and a partially collapsed lung will do that to you.

We still have to unload the new hay ring and put it together, disassemble the old one and start a pile of iron to take to the scrap yard. I need some "recoil therapy" in the worst way, if I can find the time. Heck, I wish I could find someone to really talk firearms with. The local "shop" is more interested in "buy something & leave" attitude and most of the locals couldn't tell the difference between 38 S&W vs 38 Spl anyway. "Got to be good, it says MAGNUM or Super Custom right on it." DUH!!!

As an aside, I finally checked out Roberta's and Tam's pics at People of the Gun (shame on me) and realized Brigid is not the only "hot" lady involved with guns. Ahhh, to be 20 years younger!!!

Seriously, some of the arguments I read on some of the gun blogs are the same ones I heard 50 years ago. Bill Jordan, P.O. Ackley, Elmer Keith and Charles Askins made much the same conversations back in my day also.

I found an EBR stock with a recoil pad and forend rail for the M1 which makes it a whole lot more fun to shoot. Which reminds me that I'm seriously behind on my reloading and I need to work up some loads using paper patched cast bullets.

Still working on solutions to the prepping water shortage problem. Money & time. Short supply of both.

Off to work.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Update: Edited to add links (sorry CRS strikes again).
YOF

Illness

2011-02-14T06:47:00.000-06:00

We're dealing with a wee little bug that's stomping our butts like a five-on-one bar fight. Physically and mentally drained. I think HB is getting better and I may be over the worst part but still way behind the curve.

More later,

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

A Good Point

2011-02-05T22:19:00.000-06:00

In fact, an excellent post and well worth the time:
The Elephant In The Room

More on the M1 later.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

The Garand and the 21st Century

2011-02-05T06:30:00.000-06:00

Just a thought:
How would you update the M1 Garand to the 21st Century or would you leave it alone "as is"? I don't want to compare it to "modern" rifles. Just interested in if or how it would be "updated" without changing the caliber.
Speculate away, please.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

We Have Water!!

2011-02-04T18:57:00.000-06:00

HB is taking a looong, hot shower as I type.
Now maybe I can get off this white horse and out of this cold chain mail and take a shower myself. Took some doing but another dragon bites the dust.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Snow??

2011-02-04T07:26:00.000-06:00

Yep, snow. Fluffy white stuff covering the grounds and all stationary items. All outside water is ice, again.

Five gallons to flush toilet each time??? Boy, was I way under estimations, even at once a day. HB is NOT happy, which means I better get it in gear and get a better handle on this. NEVER aggravate the cook!!! I just have to overcome my natural lazy nature.

Well, time to get on it. More later.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

A Test

2011-02-03T07:43:00.000-06:00

As many people have said, the on-going weather pattern is a good test of our preparations. This is a good time to determine where improvement is needed, take notes and determine the "how to improve" side of the coin. Granted that this winter flummox may not happen every winter, but that's not why we're preppers is it?

We're still without a water supply from the district and using our stored water, so I'm giving this part of our preparations a good hard look and looking for ways to improve. Once this has passed, HB and I will sit down and brainstorm some improvements. I think another part of our preparations needing some more deliberations is heating/lighting. We're OK for a while but maybe not so OK in a long run, and one thing I know is HB needs to be warm and I do not want to be out in this cold snap cutting firewood. Not my idea of romantic.

The old rule of thumb with firewood is when you think you've got enough, you'd better triple it that much more. I'm thinking it applies to water also.

Now if y'all excuse me, I got to go chip ice out of horse troughs and water dishes. Where'd I put that parka?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

No Water

2011-02-02T07:04:00.000-06:00

Woke up this morning to no running water in the house. Frozen house pipes? Maybe but doubtful. Maybe main lines problem? Maybe. We'll see when the sun comes up in an hour and I can contact the water co-op. All outside water for the animals is frozen as I expected. Reckon I get to haul water for a while. Later temps are expected to just get above freezing mark, then back down again tonight, and continue so for a few days. Nothing like the poor folks further north, bless their hearts. Just an inconvenience for us, but really tough for them, what with snow and wind and white-out conditions. Y'all be careful out there.

I'm sure everyone has seen these:
http://cliffsofinsanity2010.blogspot.com/2011/02/health-care-constitution-and-obama.html
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=178879
and what I find interesting is the timing, also. This may very well fly as people deal with more personal matters right now.
Think about it.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Ladies and Gentlemen

2011-02-01T16:18:00.000-06:00

Act 3 appears to be progressing faster than anticipated and INTERMISSION may occur sooner than desired. Do you know your AO? Including all choke-points, ingress and egress? The habitual patterns of the politicians and LEOs? Known ranges and ballistics of your favorite percussion instrument? What's for supper?
A fancy degree gives you as much chance of being a leader as a fancy rifle does of making you a sniper. The report card on the battlefield is pretty hard to miss. Logistics, Strategy, Tactics, what do you KNOW and can you put it to use? Ain't no fancy college here, kid.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

I Am TJIC

2011-01-20T06:48:00.000-06:00

Via JayG and Borepatch:

These gentlemen have put it very succinctly and I can add but little.
Are Inalienable rights determined solely based upon geographic location or political affiliation? Can anyone truly have Freedom of Speech if his neighbor is silenced? Are the Bill of Rights simply privileges from the State (be it Federal or local), which can be parceled out to the people as a few "elite" determine?

If you truly believe we have not reached the "cartridge box" yet, then call, write, e-mail your Representative and DEMAND they take the lead on this and restore that which has been lost through inattention. To sit in cowardly silence and tremble at the powers of the State should be repugnant to anyone who deems themselves FREE.

Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say 'what should be the reward of such sacrifices?' Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, supplicate the friendship and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth? If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! -- Sam Adams

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

The "LOOK"

2011-01-18T21:09:00.000-06:00

Women have been working their wiles on us menfolk since the time of Eve but nothing comes close to "THE LOOK". All husbands know what I'm talking about. Women learn it from their mothers in highly specialized rituals that's always been passed down mother-to-daughter. It's never used on boyfriends and never used in the first year of marriage. A man's physical condition must be sturdy enough for it's usage. It's not the disdainful raising of the eyebrows or widening of the eyes or furrowing of the brow most women use prior to marriage. A lot of communication goes into the LOOK combining the visual, the visceral as well as the complex thought processes.

When used on the luckless male for some transient error, THE LOOK petrifies the brain, freezes the tongue in the mouth, turns the joints to stone and liquifies the innards. The most loquacious male is turned into a stammering idiot with a complete loss of motor skills. Only immediate withdrawal or instant capitulation are the remedies for this condition.

However, overuse or continued exposure will allow the male to acquire a minor tolerance and major abuse of the countenance will create antibodies in the male thus negating the benefits. Therefore, it behooves the female to use it sparingly and only under the most arduous circumstances. It has no affect on the aged male, whose hide has become thickened through repeated exposure and wouldn't notice it anyway. If it has an effect on you then you know you haven't gotten there yet.

So when you come face to face with The LOOK and feel the same response as you would in falling off a cliff, tell yourself, it's only temporary and she really wouldn't boil you in your own fat just for amusement. She's only letting you know that you are very close.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Consider

2011-01-15T09:40:00.000-06:00

As we pass through this life, we can hold true to our principles and convictions, yet our priorities will change as our responsibilities change. The ONLY real truth in life is death. It comes to us all in one shape or another. Is it better to be remembered for how we died, or how we lived?

JB Books in The Shootist decides to go out in a blaze of glory rather than suffer the incalculable agonies of prostate cancer. He is forced to select the "town bullies" to achieve his end, yet a lowly bartender is the ultimate scythe. Now JB lived a life that stood for what was right in his beliefs and had the strength of conviction to determine his own end.

Consider now the lives and deaths of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Each man also took it upon himself to stand for what he believed was right regardless of the personal cost, yet they both died at home in advanced age. Unremarkable deaths but lives that we still see as heroic in their living. These men left their lives to posterity as examples. Yes, they were men with all their foibles and weaknesses yet, their convictions and resolution in their beliefs stand as beacons against the night.

Our convictions and beliefs may soon call us to stand against the night, yet we must live our lives and accept our responsibilities as true men (and women) up to that time. We must provide and protect our loved ones and in the final act place ourselves between them and any harm which may come towards them. Let us act to divert the harm from them in whatever way we can, but ultimately let us have the conviction and fortitude to close and defeat those who would harm those we hold most dear.

Read the full text of Patrick Henry's speech to the Virgina Assembly and consider the occasion upon which it was delivered.

Our time to stand in The Hot Gates of Hel will come. No Renderse, muchachos.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

How's This?

2011-01-13T10:41:00.000-06:00

Bryan, Texas -- a 12 year old girl is stabbed at a McDonalds by a young male leaving the restaurant. No politicos injured or even in the area. Made front page of newspaper-- below the fold in a little corner next to index.

Hello?? RIGHT??, LEFT?? Potok?? Helmke?? Brady?? ANYONE????

Is this thing on???

HMMMM?????

YeOldFurt

Disgusted

2011-01-10T07:15:00.000-06:00

A politician collects a bullet, LEFT blames RIGHT, RIGHT blames LEFT and EVERYONE is back-pedaling from the rabid pariah dog so fast it's like they have wings. Suddenly they don't remember their own rhetoric. Let's face it, the little girl wouldn't even be on page one for one day if it wasn't for the congresswoman getting shot. Like Bill Nye said, what about the hundreds of people killed and maimed every day? What about all the other people shot that day? Can you name them?

What about Andy Jackson, Garfield, JFK, Reagan and Huey Long to name some other politicians? Were their shooters LEFT or RIGHT or just NUTJOBS? Here's a challenge, go back through your own blog posts and count how many times you spoke about doing something to politicians. Remember, "POLITICIAN, TREE, ROPE, some assembly required"?

Yeah, I didn't have to go back through my posts, because I OWN the words I wrote and spoke. Ain't backing down either. Seriously crew, you want a rebellion/revolution without anyone getting hurt? Just want to use the political/judicial process although you admit the process is broken? Hello?? McFly???

What are you going to do when they pass FIREARMS REGISTRATION? And it's going to happen, probably before the end of this year. "For The Children". They don't even have to come to your house (at least not at first). Just use the 4473s located at all the FFLs. Copy those and put them in a Federal Database and viola, you are registered. It will progress from there. Gonna make "a last stand"? With the wife and kids around? Sure you are.

Face reality and get pragmatic. Think hard about what's coming.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Been Watching

2011-01-09T13:10:00.000-06:00

All the developments around the Az shooting and subsequent comments. Bill has a good one up at The Elector Retards.
A good one to really think about. Was it rigged? Maybe. maybe not but, there was no collateral damage. Every shot fired was previously planned by the wacko pulling the trigger. The primary targets may have been the congresswoman and judge but the others shot were considered secondary "targets-of-opportunity" by him.

Yes, we can expect to see a plethora of proposed anti-gun laws coming down the pike and a lot more of government control. Don't let it get a toe-hold. Don't give up more liberty for (dubious) security.

Oh well, I know I'm just wasting my breath/preaching to the choir. The majority of the populace doesn't read these blogs and will just turn to the football game or Dancing with Stars and sleep through it all.

See Ya,
YeOldFurt

Act 3

2011-01-06T07:51:00.000-06:00

It's begun and I must say that I expected a little more time lapse than six hours (though not much).

http://theelectedretards.blogspot.com/2011/01/witch-has-been-deposed.html

http://dailycaller.com/2011/01/05/early-push-for-adding-teeth-to-new-gop-constitution-rule-fails-in-conference-meeting/#ixzz1AD6jxrj3

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?singlepost=2342711

Maybe it's just as well. Forget the seat belt and hand rail. Just pull a vacuum on that seat cushion, toots, the ride has just started.

YeOldFurt

Brigid

2011-01-04T12:03:00.002-06:00

I'm late to the news and maybe ya'll already know, but go here and offer some encouragement as well as prayers.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Dang It!!

2011-01-02T09:22:00.000-06:00

Wife just beat me about the head and shoulders -- "So just where in your side bar/links are the places to send support?"

OOPS!!! Problem now corrected. Sorry Bill, thought I took care of it a while back!! It's heck getting old.
Sidebar and linked.

http://theelectedretards.blogspot.com/
http://www.guardiansofliberty.org/

I'm sure the lumps and knots will heal.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Square and On The Level

2011-01-02T08:12:00.000-06:00

Do you know how to use a level and carpenter's square? Or even a "Speed Square"? Believe me, it's something you'll want to know. They're handy little gadgets that have been around since people started building and really help in having things not fall down. Also useful in artillery, fields of fire emplacements, and similar endeavors. Claymores aren't curved just to make them look pretty.

Which brings us to Tactics and Logistics and I'll have further posts on both, but for now let's consider the definitions of them. Tactics is the physical actuation of moving to and the actual of engagement while Logistics is the "bodies, bullets, beans and transport" side of engagement. The Logistical arm is the support for the Tactical arm and in some armies in the world can outnumber the Tactical arm by 10 to 1.

Let's take a simple exercise such as the "Siege of DC" and define the Logistical side and Tactical side. On the Logistical side, we have supplying the personnel who are willing to go to the engagement (bodies) as well as supplying the means of their going (transport), feeding the personnel (beans), and providing the figurative ammunition such as placards and banners ("bullets").

Now, not everyone can go, nor should everyone actually go (who would supply Logistics?), but if each person that went was supplied by ten people that didn't go (or even a hundred people) and was recognized as the "tip-of-the-iceberg" effect of dissent by the government of We The People then they'd have a heck of a time trying to ignore or minimize that effect.

Think about it. ten dollars can pay for a meal, get a half-tank of gas, make several placards or banners, etc, etc. Any multiple of ten dollars can provide that much more for the people that are willing to be the Tactical arm of our dissent, possibly at great cost to themselves. The cost of a box of ammo, or two, or three. What price liberty?

We, the people who yearn to be free, have among us the individuals requesting, nay, demanding, to be the Tactical arm of our dissent. Willing and able to stand face-to-face with the wanna-be tyrants that believe they can dictate every facet of our lives, cradle-to-grave. They will be the ones putting their bodies, their fortunes and their reputations directly on the line for the rest of us. They must be cognizant of the Tactical planning of our adversaries and the required Tactical responses. I hope they are.

Shall we meet on the square to level the playing field once again? Who will help the widow's son?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Something To Think About

2011-01-01T07:39:00.000-06:00

Ran across these little tidbits for thought:

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20100603HRF.pdf

http://www.infowars.com/national-guards-homeland-response-force-coming-to-missouri-nine-other-states/

http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2010/07/071310-DoD.aspx

Interesting, no?

See Ya,

YeOldFurt

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T05:36:00.000-06:00

Raise your glass on high to "Absent Companions" and resolve to DO something in this coming year.
And like Shy Wolf says: "God Bless, Bless God"

I'll have some thoughts to share later.

See Ya,

YeOldFurt