Just about the Ladies, not that I know anything about them...

One of my problems with the way the world works, or that women are different or special or a problem is that I had my mother. She was not like your mother, mine was different, a problem and special (although when she was the first two I wouldn't admit she was special).

I started this thought process, having received an email about linkage, someone wrote something, some other read it and rephrased it, and someone read that and added a bit to their work and caused the first to read and think about who was writing, look and see pictures and writing about - linkage! What goes around, comes around. It is flu season.

In the way Appleseed works, trying to reach the vast pool of people, trying to save a sinking ship, trying to get back on the track (railroad reference) the Appleseed folks decided that Ladyseeds are a great idea. And I am always against it - because I had my mother. Or she had me. Or because I like women - nah, that can't be the reason. I just think that women, ladies all, need to be included for their part in the nation and its heritage. I have watched ladies take instruction and run with it, working harder and better and improving the program constantly - so I have never supported a separation of the species by gender. Having said that up front, I am smart enough to know that some men are and some women are and they just don't always work well together in some events. That some people need to be sheltered from their fears, so they can gain the power to confront the foolish and make the shots and speak and do math in public. Later

The nicest thing about being truly humble is my self awareness that the world isn't looking to me for leadership, wisdom nor the solution. So although I am against the Ladyseeds on my watch, I wish them all the best, from personal experience I do know there are men that can ruin a great shot or even a shoot if one allows them.

So, Ladies, do attend an Appleseed or a Ladyseed, enjoy the time and the heritage becomes yours to pass it on to posterity. I am sure my mother would approve and one of your daughters will be teaching me something about Liberty, shooting, or life one day.  But it won't be at a Ladyseed.

High stress day, or not really...

My wife is back from her hiking in the snow, in subfreezing weather. She showed me her soaking wet coat that she had removed and replaced with a dry one while out. I gave her the good old Army fighting in the snow, don't sweat, wear only dry socks and don't sweat but drink lots of fluids. The 2-325th AIR lost a couple of troopers on an sled race with snow shoes or skis, ten man teams, not too serious, they had heart and were tough but needed more seasoning, winter seasoning. Good training.

I went and hid out in the YMCA, where it is warm, did my 10k rowing and then hit the bicycle machine to knock out twenty miles in Yeti country. Took forever but I have my marathon mileage day done. It was slower and easier when I could really jog that distance, 26.2, those were the days.

I did stop and check on the possibility that the rear TSM200 sight had fallen off the rifle at the gun store where I picked it up. They haven't found it, but will call if they do. I wrote letters to Gallery of Guns.com and Marlin Firearms about the quality control and the tightness of mounting that rear sight. I do hope they fix that in their future manufacturing and shipping. What folks buy should be there as advertised. I did put a fine Rifleslinger RS2 sling and mounting hardware on the new rifle. Will have to cut it down a little, he makes the excess long so the shooter can cut to measure, everyone is different. But quality stuff. I also looked at Amazon.com for the sight tool and optional sight apertures, and a new rear sight. I may really trust my rifle's Natural Point of Aim with my body, but I really insist on using two points of reference for sight alignment with my eagle eye.

In Rifleslinger's blog he talks about getting smoother getting into his best position, by practicing it as a separate skill set. Repeating correctly until it seems like he is always falling into the perfect shooting position. Slow is Smooth is Fast! So added to those things I don't do enough of, but only take time and a little effort going from standing to prone, standing to sitting (squat, kneel, crossed legs, crossed ankles and open legs) five times each. Then taking on dry shot, stand up, rinse and repeat. Like walking and snapping into a solid aimed shot at a fleeing target and picking up the lead, dry fire, call the shot. Practice, practice and a little more practice. All without ammunition. That will really save some money, now the wear on body parts and patience I cannot speak to, I am too old to acknowledge and too young to admit it.

A little old, but I could become an expert on alcohol...

Since I have no real experience, that I remember well from long ago, I walked in the Safeway along all the bottles of stuff to drink - refined carbohydrates - alcohol like sugar isn't really good for life forms in quantity. Remember, that you can get as overwhelmed as you like with either, I will just be sadder, but I am not getting in your way of stupidity. The pressure of being perfect reflection of your lord might be too much for you to bear. Being a perfect reflection of our LORD is much easier and more rewarding - do good and great things until they crucify you, evil does fear.

I was looking for the Christian Brothers brandy, named Honey, for the sweetness and the calm. I saw that Honey seems to be another way to get more acceptance for various types of alcohol - whiskey, vodka, rum? I was also checking out prices, knowing how much the Federal and State governments depend on the consumption of the biology-physics-chemistry lessons refined and aged. The young clerk made some friendly remark about the choices, and I was quiet which will make him think I am dependent or abusive in my drinking. I will just think I am stocking up, more ammunition and Bibles in my home than alcohol and I have used them more than my drinking of anything except coffee and water.

I called about my digging, they took my information, promised that the marking would be done by Wednesday, and to mark where I wanted to dig with white - since they are using blue, red, yellow and orange and green doesn't cut it in the Evergreen state. So my second Christmas present decoration was waiting for me when my wife finally returned home. Snow, a light dusting, the promise that Global warming isn't going to ruin another ski season.

I received my first Christmas decoration from one of my Sunday school-Bible study members. He does worry about me a bit. The guns you know, he wasn't in the military and all his firearms experience is from the fears of the fools in the Hill District of Tacoma. Since I only rode a bicycle or a bus through that area I have only rumbles of what crazy goes on there. Bad shootings are legend. Anyway, he thought I would appreciate his bauble, it is a re-elect Obama pin, so cool in its plastic container that says MADE IN CHINA. I love it. Although I have a deep understanding that our President was made in America, born in Kenya, and raised by a step father in Indonesia with a foreign culture, and educated by failed economic and political refugees from awesome reality of representative government and capitalism. But since he is a dope smoker I figure he has his own troubles to calm. Still looking for his father, I guess.

Well, breakfast then the bills, then off to the YMCA to help my team on the bicycle riding challenge of  expresso.com Top 100, I am in it for the t-shirt, I do so much for a cool t-shirt. Yes, I will still row 10k, and I will do other stuff, too. But I am so broken that it will only make an olde man proud. See, I don't even drink the alcohol as much as hit the sweat machines and the fool ideas of youth long flown. Now, about how well you are shooting? Do you need some help? Appleseed, we will come to you.

Flipping the calendar page... to see what tomorrow has done...

Looking for a Revolutionary War themed calendar, with pictures of the good ol' days when one could stand up to tyranny, and the King, which didn't have to be the same.

I am now in December, the tenth month of the Roman year - and our last month of 2013, never have been comfortable with that number, for no reason beyond it seemed so far away once and like looking in the mirror wondering whom I am seeing, 2013 was not up to expectations and all because I wasn't at my best. That makes me think, was I ever? Yeah, periodically I was close to awesome, but I don't remember those times that well - nothing to grip onto, the time just slid by me I was so happy, busy, engaged and in the zone.

The Men's Bible study was interesting, lots of opinions and some planning for 2014, the Pastor (being a younger family man) listened a lot. His son listened and I have always wondered what young people think about the strange ideas and stories of the old guys. I sometimes ask, but mostly I wonder where they are dreaming what they are reaching to find, their opinion of the old doesn't change the nature of the old. What are we going to do when it all falls apart was a big part of the conversation. Seems like I am supposed to provide the guns, not that anyone at that table wants to use them - but they have been influenced by the entertainment industry. Will Smith against the world's dark and uglies.

Some of us know way too well how empty evil is, and are working seriously to avoid it. Funny, that the prepper in the group doesn't fit the stereotype at all. He really has done his homework and continues to reach out to the helpless and needy, which makes me believe that he has no selfishness harming his potential for the dark ages ahead. All of them are good men to have around and count upon, not perfect but sound. They won't be making a film, writing a book, nor noticing them as the media marches on - missing most of America, the quiet Americans, just doing the best they can some days and better than expected many days.

Not exciting enough, not worthy of note, and no advantage in politics of fear and fraud. Ever wonder why the reason everyone has to worry about the homeless, the children and the poor? Because the rich, powerful and the idle idols don't want anyone to see what they have done and attack them. I am of the opinion that poverty begins in the spirit, and failure is in giving up. The counting of wealth in dollars in a false value - not a true measure of worth. Real value and worth of a human is... only temporary and slips by the accountant while they text their textress or is it testrix?

Blogger diet

I am on Friday now, The pie has disappeared, the ice cream is half gone, the turkey is same, I have one meal of mashed potato/stuffing left and never opened the wine, the Steelers lost. Did get to talk to my grandchildren, that littlest one is tickling.

As I watched football I loaded fifty enblock clips for the M1, a fine day. Thanks...

Shopping seems to top the stuffing of Thanksgiving/Christmas...

Cool, neat, sexy, hot, OMG! just look at what I can get on Black Friday (tell me that isn't racially motivated). All in time for Christmas. Remember the theme of Miracle on 34th Street is: that Santa Claus is real and so is the spirit of Christmas and Macy's is where one can find the good stuff, or they will send you to their competitors for better pricing. They hadn't heard of Pricematch Guarantee back in the day.

What is the point? As the holidays expand, as the commercial success that can be measured in dollars, viewers, glitter and follies.

Start with Thanksgiving - I don't have it so bad. I have it really great, I live on the bounty and eat to my bursting point - which will be in some little noticed artery in my head or heart. Thank the Lord. I don't have secret police writing my name on watch lists because I am a vet, have somekind of disability and haven't a job but like to shoot guns and read the Bible and go to church, they have computer programs that will sweep me into their database - we have advanced so far beyond J. Edgar's secret file folders. I am thankful I don't live in a state like New York or New Jersey where they have fools for governors and support laws in defiance of the Constitution the People gave them to follow. Of course I do live in Washington State, where there is a decided possibility that it made slide into California madness if we just take a few more refugees from taxation and housing prices, thinking more government is a solution - but then I trust the Lord, maybe it will make us smarter to have so many fools around.

Seriously, I have been blest, we all have been blest by being here and being allowed to be foolish and grow out of it, to be stupid and to learn better, to be young and to grow older and weaker. Having started the first chapter of  I Am Malala   and for many reasons I am thankful that her voice hasn't been stilled.

My wife has the dinner planned, I keep wondering why she bought so much - figuring that she doesn't forget the spread my mother told her was the proper way to feast the Thanksgiving (my mother loved the holidays for the occasion and the getting family together). I will remember to wish you all the best of the bounty this holiday, safe travel, fine foods and family and friends... okay, some great football between little acts of love. God bless us, everyone, and save the shopping - no better gift than your attention, concern and love for others. Start it all by realizing and thanking the Lord for His goodness. Amen

Precision, or the perfect shot...

I think I know what precision is... that is when you do everything in your power to make the bullet hit exactly where you told it to... Or you are building a home and the door fits and closes tightly - no cold wind, rain nor burglars may enter.

There is a life time of making one fit, to be part of a group, part of the culture, part of the norm and finding that one mate to spend one's life with - fitting perfectly, with precision...

To have order, to meet the schedule, to design a product for success, things must be exactly as... you do get the idea. The idea of government at some point is to make the world perfect, which is silly because until the human beings arrived it was perfect. God just didn't have anyone to admire it with Him. For those of you not comfortable acknowledging God I will move back to perfection by humans.

I went through the government public education system and earned or didn't earn but was awarded grades for my perfection or attempts at perfection or for my non-compliance with the teacher's idea of perfection. Then I went into the military and had to meet more time goals, standards and measurements and it really became a problem making all the pieces of my world work. Add the burden of leadership, a wonderful wife, a dog and a cat or two and suddenly it isn't all dress right dress.... which is military for being in perfect order, cause we said so. Life is never going to be precise, and love is a bit more irregular in life. You do understand that there will always be comfort in everything going according to the plan, the rules and the wants and desires of all those I love and myself. But... it will never be comfortable. Goldilocks found some too hot, some too cold and some just right. Luckily the best military planning has always been blocked by the efforts of the enemy, and first contact restarts the plan - react, adapt and overcome. That adaptation and knowing the commander's intent is how one wins.

So many times on my journey on the Appleseed Trail I have found less than perfection. Little irregularities add texture to the event, and every shooter has a life outside of the weekend rifle clinic. The shoot boss and the instructors even have lives outside the weekend. They all come together to promote safe marksmanship, reviewing the heritage of Lexington and Concord on April 19th, 1775. There is a Course of Instruction, there are objectives and standards, and then there are the shooters and the instructors, the weather, the warmth or lack of any,  Adapt and overcome, because making that precise shot, to hit the target perfectly is a constant struggle, to honor the heritage is to know that being awakened at one in the dark of almost morning does not mean by end of day you will still be hale and hearty, you might have gone to your maker.

Doctor Warren sent Revere and Dawes out to warn the sons of Liberty, Revere and Dawes didn't make it to Concord, young doctor Prescott did. He wasn't part of the plan. So when I am doing a shoot, and it isn't going exactly the way it should, we aren't grinding out AQTs, I have to know that answering a question, keeping everyone engaged and giving a tip to improve another's technique or use of the rifle they brought might be the start of something in posterity's future that will have made the difference.

It reminds me of the way, slowly, I changed what I took to the field in the military - this I find useful, this must go with me. So I will allow others to make determinations, what things they will take forward and use. I will just add some of my Shoot Boss stuff to my instructor needs, in case it will help a shoot and I have already ordered two timers for me - so if the watch doesn't work I will still be able to time events. Some stop watches have so many features and functions I will never have time to learn them - like a fully loaded AR, too much stuff, too complicating, and not that cost effective to making my shot.

So, instead of constant complaints and repairing of potholes, and other surface irregularities in my Appleseed trails and trials, I will consider it all texture to keep me awake and participating. Always hoping to catch the fire in another human for sharing the skills and our heritage to our posterity. Maybe my perfect shots will be made by those I met along the trials of Appleseed.