Who me? Been there and done that, have the t-shirt

You Should Be Allowed to Vote

You got 15/15 questions correct. Generally speaking, you're very well informed. If you vote this election, you'll know exactly who (and what) you'll be voting for. You're likely to have strong opinions, and you have the facts to back them up.

We do remember how to make choices, don't we?

After Bible study, the men started talking about who they wanted to vote for, one confessed to voting the way his wife would approve of, so he would have dinner at six - when he expected it, instead of having to make it himself. Well, we all make choices, but I was surprised by the number of men that still weren't decided - enough wrong with both candidates that they didn't want to vote for either. One man had already voted and left off voting for a Presidential Candidate - just didn't pick anyone, and that is a vote that means as much as picking one.

When I went out to the garage this morning, I found the mouse trembling in fear, looking at me from inside the big glass jar where my wife had him trapped. He had eaten and moved the apple to the point that he couldn't stand on it and reach the lip of the jar and climb out - TRAPPED - his heart rate was way faster than mine. Well, killing the fierce predators is my job, so I got out my 9mm and blew him away - nothing too small about that round. Or maybe I just put my work gloves on and grabbed and squeezed him until his eyes popped out and he expired... or maybe I decide to leave him for my wife to handle when she got up... or I made a choice and took the little furry pest outside to where the cats patrol and allowed him to make his best get away. The jar was empty and my wife cleaned it up thinking I had destroyed him. We make choices, and believe what we see, what we think happened and what we are told that we trust. And maybe the little rat gets away, or maybe he didn't.

I voted for people I trust to go into all the offices campaigned for - After the exit polling victory is announced, before the Electoral College meets to make whatever official, I will start writing letters about repealing gun control laws, building rifle ranges, and putting guns back into the schools and libraries of the nation. What are we afraid of, the law abiding citizens with guns or the criminal and terrorist?

Almost November and Washington Winter...

Have been a lot of dry days, but the Sun is slinking off to the South and taking the migrating birds with it. I leave in the darkness and return just before the Sun sinks in the Southwest, somewhere over Hawaii. As it has gotten colder the temptation to drive to work in the Caravan looms, but then I would have to scrape the frost off of the windshield and driving doesn't make me smile and I have troubling zooming around corners in a lean with the engine winding up higher. It just doesn't work in the front wheel drive - four wheels on the ground lumbering beast.

Still, the temptation is there, I didn't put my motorcycle boots on this morning, I thought I was late by ten minutes of the normal starting time, and I was - but I can wheel the motorcycle out of the garage, start it, pack my lunch in the back pack and grab helmet, kiss the wife good-bye and hit the garage door switch (don't ask why I don't carry a remote with me - I am traveling light). Before I had checked for frost on the van's windshield I was on the motorcycle and rolling down the driveway to another adventure. A few days back the fog was thick enough to cut and stack off to the side, the condensation on the face mask didn't help visibility either, crack that face shield and get some cold air on it and me. It is cold, leather jacket, good gauntlets, scarf and maybe ski mask - if the road is dry I am going on the motorcycle. Days in the gray fog are the ones where I wish I had that brighter or darker color for the bike, but that passes.

As I ride I feel the road and remember the first tentative times turning at some corners, I am glad that they have finished the short stretch has been sitting grooved waiting on the finishing asphalt layer, I don't like grooves in my direction of travel - constant riding on edges - and grooves perpendicular are just little bothering bumps-s-s-ss... But enough dry days and the promise of an election mean the road crew puts down that solid smooth surface to lean deep into and power on and around upon... Nicely done, thank you all very much, another place to play. I have been riding aggressively, only slowing down for future stop lights when I have to, if I see it red it should be green by the time I get there - I do look that far ahead. If I have to slow then I really slow, scoring extra points for not having to full stop and place a foot on the ground (only I keep score, but I watch the other riders - many count the same points for the same slow).

I pull into the parking lot, find my space and shut down until later. I put a ball cap on and start the walk to the dock, so I am late, still I must stop and buy the three Lotto tickets (only fools, those with faith in more than themselves and the ones certain the government hates them but wants their money buying Lotto tickets - think I fit all three of those). Then I swing into the stride and get down to the dock, the canopy of maple and oaks have changed color and it is getting light enough to enjoy the sunrise on the leaves as I wade through them, rustling them dryly. Washington will be the Evergreen State, but the flaming reds, orange and burnt yellow and browns make a magic memory of the glory of Summer with the Sunshine and Blue skies, catch it before the real grim gray grips in gloomily.

Tuesday, not only the garbage is going out...

My wife made brownies last night, I had one (ah, the only sign of discipline lately) and recommended she take the rest to work to share - not that her co-workers need more food, but there are more of them to share the bounty. I couldn't ever get fat if I shared more, and I am such a loner. At work we are replacing battered and broken books with the almost new donations, which is so cool, fourteen so far.

Discussions about the election in the library, the WHITE vote, and what my opinion is about them. My conclusion was that Obama could be voted in as President even if the die-hard White Supremacists vote otherwise (just not as many totally stupid people as the government thinks there are - never have been). Then I offered my opinion that Obama looked much better as a candidate over McCain until he picked Biden (same ol' Democrat politician that thinks so little of me and the rest of the common folk). And I wasn't leaning to McCain until he picked Governor Palin for his VP, which meant CHANGE and some kind of contact with the common folk. Not that I like his interview explaining that Sarah Palin needed a wardrobe because she and her husband weren't rich - the way it came out sounded like a slur and I don't think he meant it that way - Count them, folks, most of America isn't rich we like it that way - the idea of being a middle class society is the great leveler. I know why macaroni and cheese is a staple at a family table, it is cheap food if you start from the basics. I know why we went to the public library or bookmobile so much - four kids that read can't be bought enough books to fill their idle minds - which weren't. And the kicker was that half my presents for Christmas and birthdays were undergarments, socks and some outer clothes, purchased on sale and saved (if I didn't grow out of them first, but a younger brother could always use them then). But I knew we were middle class like everyone else seemed to be, and I was so happy being me.

The vote for Governor is really ugly here, those that would like Rossi, from the GOP not quite a real Republican (difficult to sell Republican values on this side of Latteland - they like them on the other side of the Cascades). There isn't any real hope for his success, although Re-elect Rossi bumper stickers have been passed around, the feeling is that King County will continue to manufacture missed votes and voters until they out number the first two ballot counts. I am proud that several of the Counties in this State had the same count each of the three counts - solid American value there - just not enough voters and money to overcome Seattle and King County. But what is saddest is the ugliness of the campaign ads on television and the amount of paper I have been steadily recycling to help save a few more trees from the Asian market.

Seems to me that all the politicians and the media want me to believe that certain people and certain policies and regulations will get me out of this terrible crisis that certain people and certain policies and regulations have gotten me into... but I am the one with the high blood pressure, the flabby fattening body, the goals that I haven't met yet - Biblical, professional, personal and popular - and ALL the KING's MEN and ALL the KING's HORSES couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again.... hmm, must be a real message there.

You know, it isn't the Economy that will kill me...

No, I will be fine, no matter who becomes President. What is going to kill me is the America that isn't at war. The America that thinks someone else is going to protect us, heal us and be our heroes. I have a story to tell in November, and it is about a time and a country when people took responsibility and acted. No, I went to the Sandbox and saw what Clara had written and remembered that I wasn't at war, I wasn't following, I wasn't leading and I wasn't doing more than wearing a magnetic We Support the Troops ribbon on my Caravan. You and I aren't paying attention to the cost, too comfortable, but listen. Not enough turmoil in your vision of harmony? Well, this is another way of looking all around you.

Tough talk about shooting last weekend, how hard it is without Internet connections at work, the cable guy that comes late and makes me miss work for a day. I am the absent American, too busy to make sure the right people get into government - elected and hired for that dream that became so selfish. How did I forget? Patriot Guard Riders are out honoring fallen Veterans, current service personnel and past ones. I have been too busy to ride? I am surrounded by serving soldiers and I should talk more with them - don't want them to end up as broken as a young sergeant I remember once was. Well, close the day with a prayer to help all those wounded fighting on out there - especially the ones that really care and need to share their burden and their pain. Good night and sleep well, for your brightest and best are off at their country's behest, and you have diss'd them too much, too often and too long.

Gee, what were they thinkin'? Superior Scribbler?

I have been nominated and that is different, but I seem to be a write in so I can live with that, thank y'all very much.

Old NFO (Naval Flight Officer?) of Nobody Asked Me (and he shoots so well) thought I was worthy of a Superior Scribbler Award.

So to keep the magic moment going I need to find five to nominate:

The Armed Canadian who is a fine writer and shoots lots of strange old stuff and can look at Americans with clear eyes.

Frank W. James, of Corn, beans spent brass... who writes for love and money, but I read him because he writes about work, the land and it rings with the truth of traditional values.

MC, an old guy on a skateboard, Hopeless Old Men on Skateboards is where he scribbles artistically and he hits me in several levels, being hopelessly old myself and my son the Skater so far away.

Jeffro, of The Poor Farm , writes from his truck driving and sometimes the homestead, and drops off pictures and political cartoons and such to share.

BT, known as Big Tobacco, from The War on Big Tobacco , warning and disclaimer - he writes like a foul mouthed adult with stuff on his mostly military mind and a bit of an attitude. But I read him regularly. I once knew fellows like him, and all he ever alludes to about women isn't the half of it...

Now, according to the rules….
Every Superior Scribbler will name 5 other Super Scribblers.If you are named you must link to the author & the name of the blog that gave you the award. Then you must display the adorable award and link to THIS POST, which explains the award. The same post also allows you to add your link. Then they will have a record of all the people who are Super Scribblers!

There are several bloggers like Tam, Breda, Brigid, Jerry Pournelle, Kim du Toit, Chris Byrne that are too good to trouble much, but I love to follow their thoughts and stories.

Don't you know I would get so excited I forgot to publish the post?

What is it they fear? When did I turn evil?

I was looking at the William Shatner, Boston Legal gun fight in the parking garage clip and sent it out to see if anyone had seen it on television. I got two thanks for the laugh, and my mother couldn't get it to watch. But I did get this answer also:

Funny, but not very realistic. If he had been wearing the gun in a hip mounted, easy to see holster, the assault wouldn't have happened.He also wouldn't have been allowed in a court room, not gotten service at most businesses. It's the price of wanting to carry a gun. I wouldn't want to serve a gun toting civilian. We can always find someone more peaceful looking to do business with.

Not that you would notice, but I carry a gun, just not at work - I carry mine at play. And no one has complained about not seeing it, most people don't notice it. I carry knives and no one challenges it, at the court house I got to check all the weapons, but they really promised to protect me with extra police and security systems while I was defenseless... So much fear out there, and no rational thought behind it - I am just not a nice man because I shoot pistols and rifles. Goes with riding a motorcycle, stigma and guilt by association with black leather and foxy ladies. Funny that it is exactly the same PC tone of voice that thinks I shouldn't mention that I read the Bible and try to practice Christianity. Probably can't carry a Bible into a Court room next. Not only won't I not shoot you for cause, but I likely won't bother you with more than 'God bless all your best.'

I do think it is time to roll back and throw out the laws that try to CONTROL firearms instead of the human beings misusing them to commit a crime. I hate to tell all those good folks - the firearms are not rational thinking beings - they are just tools, totally irresponsible for their use and effect. Get the man behind the gun, for using it against people or property, not because you would feel better about watching the soccer game or having a beer with naked defenseless sheeple all around you...

Do you really believe that the person breaking the peace really cares about your laws? any of them? Yes, only the ones that save him from justice or being found guilty of his crime.

and when it is gone?

In the prison library I have been having problems this week. Not with my workers, although one is at school all week for his programming (learning how to get a job when he gets out). Also not with the library nor the patrons that need our services, when we are open we are on top of being helpful - well, as helpful as we can be; being male, proud and pugnacious (I am too old for pugnacious - but playful and petty would also get in the way). In the library my being gone for household maintenance and forgetting my keys one morning held us back a little. But those times can be overcome by working harder and faster - I can't give back the hours open for them that could have used them on Tuesday, but I try.

Nope, the big problem this week is the crashing of the secure computer data exchange and storage system that I have to reach through to the Internet, my supervisors, support systems, action agencies and information not in print. On Tuesday I was called to be informed the Internet was closed until repairs could be made. I wasn't in the office to receive the call, they left me a message. Remember that the Internet is designed to work around large burning radio active holes that were part of defense systems or cities of some enemies. Everything can get around switching points that disappear in mushroom clouds and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions or meteor strikes, unless all traffic to a really secure protected constantly monitored system must pass a gate keeper, then the death or absence of the gatekeeper and the locking of the gate means nothing works. It is Friday and yesterday, if we went by time travel back to the month of August and could match our DNA and memory of long ago changed passwords and identities, then we could log on again. Since we didn't have to give back our salary for the missing period - I logged back on - but they aren't giving me another month of September and half of October for my retirement - so it wasn't a real time trip.

I am back on the Internet at work, ordering books to borrow, reporting their arrivals and departures, building carts of books and CDs to recommend for purchase. Finding information not in our print reference materials, business and local government addresses and stuff that I never knew inmates lose sleep over. It was an interesting few days, working on without the distraction and support that I normally have from the Internet computer. Made me wonder what y'all would do without the internet; at work, in your shopping, as entertainment and education. Go to the library? We are open.

Y'all get out and VOTE! we have here done so...

I had an appointment for more and much better electronic death - High Definition Television was to arrive - according to the contract, between 8 am and 12 noon.... well, I waited, then called my work day off, notified the Corrections Sergeant that the library was closed, put in a vacation day request, called my supervisor's cell phone and told her, and sent a Library-All notification that MICC was closed for vacation and no coverage. Just at twelve I was called by the cable guy, that he would be late - and he was, two more hours before he shows, then the whole thing doesn't work, he put in two different boxes, then a DVD box, and messed with the cabling and connections and finally we had a signal. I signed his paperwork and he left and I started putting everything back together - video, DVD players connections check picture, check connections, and change out the old favorites for the new favorites. There is a large difference in picture quality. And my wife is happy enough with the improvement - this was the kind of picture she bought that fine Sony for... just think how hot those wrestling Divas are going be on Smackdown! Not that she would notice.

We also voted today - the Presidential, Governor's Race and many other things are done and we don't have to pay attention any longer. They go out in the mail tomorrow on my way to work. My son also sent his ballot in, absentee service person - I always wonder why the Democratic Party thinks that the military is leaning Republican, although they are Conservative in many values they don't hold too much hope in any politicians. Although, I do remember singing "Train, train, train, in the Eighty-Deuce, Please Mister Reagan won't you turn us loose!" those were the days... we just liked knowing we had a President that would support us and we wouldn't die for no good reason. Don't mind the dying as long as it was worth the pain, some days I wanted to level Washington DC, or just take out all the people wearing expensive suits. Those days were always while I was in some forsaken land, doing the impossible with as little or no effect on tranquility and shopping maddness at the American Malls.

Did talk to my son and daughter-in-law (in Hawaii), with my wife, and marveled at their youth and energy, sent a message to my cousin's wife (in Mississippi)and told everyone too much about my weekend shooting adventure - I was comparing historical accounts of the start of the American Revolution while I waited for the Cable guy, and I pulled down my copy of Firearms of the World, too. Like me, an older edition and out of touch with reality, those old rifles just keep going, and going, and going. Well, enough for one day, the High Definition will be good background for my study of the M1 and some needed exercising.

I remember Nate, who qualified Rifleman, with a 213 and then a 233, telling me that all I needed was a little Magic, and I wondered how serious that was - but I think I have the magic - and will work on the knowledge to support it well. Nite! y'all.

My experience at the Appleseed Shoot...

Got up at 3:00 AM, got the car loaded with rifles ammunition and stuff, and the wonderful lunches and snacks (vegetable type) that my wife had prepared. Coffee in cup and thermos and over the Cascades and on to Yakima I went. Got there early enough, one car ahead of me waiting in the darkness for someone to open the gate - I thought the sign said open at seven, but it really said eight, and it was six thirty, relax and wait. More cars arrive in the early morning light, the gate gets opened around eight and we all go in, to sign paper work, pay range fees, get the safety rules - four of them, but not the ones I was most familiar with, but they work, too.

We also got the first of the stories, the HISTORY, of April 19th, 1775 - the day of the Shot Heard Round the World. The repeating drum beat of the message, you are Americans, who you are started on this day (April 19, 1775) and you should know and remember and aspire to their great courage and responsibility to their neighbors. Good message, I have always held with reading the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution at least once every year - the 4th of July and Constitution Day will work, you could do it on April 19th or September 11th or your birthday or the day you became a citizen or got married. Take your pick but read those two documents and know, and do study History ( Paul Johnson's A History of the American People or Zinn's People's History of the United States) - two very different but very true versions of what happened before we (current title holders - Americans - showed up). Lots of time for tales about the people of New England on that day would be shared by our instructors during the two days.

I was asked about the difference between the Service rifle training and this - there are weeks of preparation, training and shooting and twenty-five meters is only for zero, after that you do known distance - in the military and with expert instructors and peer coaching and living with and talking about the opposite sex and your rifle for weeks you will only remember what you learned about the rifle for years later - the opposite sex stuff was mostly lies and never sunk in. For ease of compressing good shooting techniques all our shooting with the RWVA was done at twenty-five meters, with a sling and at targets that were tiny, the famous or infamous "head shot" square on the Redcoat target is as tall as a quarter but narrower - representing 250 yard head shot - you get one bullet on that one. They also use a combination of drills to evaluate you to the point of proficiency and getting better every time you shoot. The goal is to become a Rifleman, scoring over 210 points out of 250 possible, 50 in the standing position, fifty in the sitting position, fifty in the prone position from standing, timed (those first others are timed also) and then a hundred points possible on the bottom, smallest targets from the prone with plenty of time to make each shot count.

Some of the instructors had Marine shooting jackets with a nice RIFLEMAN patch with the Continental Flag over the heart and the RWVA patch on their right sleeve, and that was to drool for - or just envy and wanna get one, really where can I get one and looks so cool? Yep, on my list of things to accomplish before I die. I had a great time, range time is almost always great, I shot my single shot Stevens low wall target rifle on the first day, and got very tight by end of the day, and then I fired my M1 Garand on the second day. On my last two targets I had 179 and 199 and was a Sharpshooter - not good enough for Rifleman. I will have to work on the things that held me back. It was not for lack of help from instructors and experts that I didn't get that 210, they were there and always bringing me back to better. Most of my problems were Operator Head Space - and I will list the things one really must do to do well if you attend one of these events.

Earl's advice: First, get very familiar with your rifle, only use one rifle the entire time, I recommend a twenty-two with a sling with a quick disconnect so you can put it on your arm and leave it until you go to the ready then connect tighten and do your position and dryfire practice. Magazine feed, semiauto or bolt or lever or pump, and I like peep sights and front post - but a low power scope would also serve. Practice malfunctions, no fires and immediate action. Because everyone had a different weapon the instructors were concentrating on the shooting techniques but the shooters should have their weapon fitting cold. Dry fire daily at home, standing position, standing to sitting, standing to prone and sight alingment and sight picture. I say this because my experience says I would have done better with my own better preparation - the two days are fast, and fun and very instructive and really build your comfort level and experience for the test - but they only have two days, and if this is your first exposure to rifle marksmanship it will be a bit frustrating - just trying to take the same shot with each shot and have them all grouped touching - everyone's rifle can do it not every shooter does it.

Earl's excuses for failing to do better: using two rifles, although the target twenty two was fun to shoot and shot tight groups it was slow in feeding (no magazine). Sling adjustments, using leather slings, not measured marked nor with quick releases slowed my prep time down for dry fire and position - also they came apart at the really wrong times. Sight screw on the M1 came loose while adjusting something else and shooting, lost zero and had to start over once problem was identified. Loading two rounds in the M1 is novel and frustrating but with practice wouldn't have been a problem. Remember what I advised on familiarity with firearm - those things were the why.

I feel very good about the experience, I learned a ton of things and am motivated to continue to go to shooting camps and improve. I am taking the target twenty-two to a gunsmith for a bit of important front sight and extractor work. I know I am terriblely dangerous with my M1 Garand but don't worry - I am dangerous with my Dodge Caravan, too, and I still made the hundred and eighty mile trip safely in both directions. My wife remarked on missing me, but then wanted to know why I have a puffed and bruised lip (where I was locking on to the M1) and then I held up my right hand so she could see the bruise and swelling of the thumb palm pad from the recoil of the M1 - those soldiers were giants weren't they? I have a reverse racoon sunburn on my face, the shooting glasses left my eyes white ringed, the shoulders are worked and worn and tired - the rifle is only eleven pounds, the Revolutionary War muskets of the folks on 19 April, 1775 were as or more heavy. A lot of nice instructors, great shooters to share with and meet, a very good time was had by me, looking forward to seeing y'all out there one day.

Poetry day in the library...

I know, no one really understands poetry - which is why Rap works for them that don't want to strain to understand. No, I really don't listen to Rap, and cannot say it isn't music nor poetry - if I had heard it I might say that, but I haven't. Still, one of my inmate workers wanted to know which poet said something like "To strive, to seek, to find, and..." or something like that. I have Google and I found it quickly and was amazed at how the poem spoke to me. That guy was almost me telling my story.

I am a big follower of Kipling, and e.e.cummings and Kim Addonizio but I am always willing to listen and read another that someone finds fine and listen to another melody in life's verses. So this should be on my epitaph - it won't be, too many words for the veterans marker, but if I think it should be required reading for all Social Security applicants, it would be a fine tribute to what I thought of this older elder me.

Tho' much is taken, much abides;
and though We are not now that strength
which in old days Moved earth and heaven;
that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

The last Debate...

Okay, time is up, get your ballots and vote. Thank you very much for participating in Democracy in the United States of America. United? well, we should be... States, mostly ignored except in historical reference and coloring currently Red or Blue - no White States, that would be racist. America, chosen for a more Politically Correct map making explorer, than Columbus. Don't put your choices and ballot off until the fifth of November - that would be a like a Dollar short.

Speaking of choices and the Fifth of November I left the Debate at 6 PM PDST and watched the Masked Man and Natalie Portman in "V for Vendetta". Good to be reminded that the Government isn't always the solution, that often it becomes the problem. I have noticed that among the blogs I follow, their choices are clear and most of them are back into their lives and such, or their choices aren't any of our business. Since I want government at all levels to roll back all of the prohibitions and infringements on my rights and self inflicted fool choices - I haven't got a party, a platform nor much hope of change that will suit me. I wouldn't have voted for buying into the banking system, although I did deposit $26 like everyone else should have. Take care out there, and go gently.

And when you aren't looking that way,

The visiting English Prison Librarian was nice, and that went very well. We even took a little tour of the prison - which is the only time I get to see it, when I am taking people around to look at it. I am very aware that the "house" of two inmates is smaller than my computer cave room.

Surprised by a call yesterday, someone has found me since I had been looking for him a few years ago. He and I are in the picture of this class. He had the biggest Superman Comic collection, a swimming pool and a maid. I can tell you the names of many of the boys, but only one of the girls. Can't wait to find out how his life has gone - very different than mine but he sounded wonderful, he called and talked to my wife first and then called me at work. Isn't technology just wonderful?

Good morning, too early but sleep is done...

Time to run, haven't gotten the blood pressure measured yet, but I am very heavy, although a half pound lighter than yesterday morning. Imagine that, change to fresh batteries and the air pump and measuring stuff hummmm, right along and find the pressure and the heart rate in record time. Duracell, not that Energy Bunny.

Dreams were different, a bit, there was a military overcast, but a church was much more central than barracks with broken plumbing. The church was a bit disorganized, but the ladies of the church (and this was a kind of country church) rode around in shiny aluminum camper vans with busy hens painted like nose art on the rear end in eight foot by seven foot size - nothing 'chicken little' about that, and they were busy. There was singing, picnicking and good works being done, but there was friction and the minister was in shadows and not leading as much as led... I did get to slide my M1 Garand into the dream, to take shooting, right up there with the other church activities. I have thrown darts, played cards, dominoes, volley ball, softball and pitched horse shoes - but have never shot targets with the church. More the Boy Scout activity, is my life that compartmentalized? Is compartmentalized a verb? Don't forget the Girl Scouts need to learn how to shoot, too. Breda would never forgive my lapse.

Big day today, register the newer rifle on Fort Lewis, registered weapons hurt so many fewer people than unregistered weapons - look it up (everyone has an opinion). Then drop off twenty-six dollars in rolled coins for my savings account - every penny saved today will help the credit crunch. Bankers know if they don't have money to move and if they don't move money quickly that they won't get rich and be able to send their grandchildren to Ivy League schools - because bankers only get paid by the number of times they assist in moving money - more times equal more money (successful moves, not the throw away kind). And it doesn't matter what kind of money - drug money, thug money, tax money or Zimbabwe's best fresh printed. The only thing the government needs to do is make sure the money is sound - but policy seems to dictate that is really beyond the control of the government, or they pretend it is. Although the United States is my country and is BIG, STRONG and wonderfully Democratic as an evolving Republic/Empire - the current policy of printing money to pump up the volume is exactly what little ol' Zimbabwe does to keep the population placid... along with thuggery. We haven't gotten to the laws making us behave better yet, but they are right behind the bail out. Anyway, back to my last positive thought - put your loose change into a bank today, help jump start the economy (no, don't go buy anything on credit, pay all that off!).

The visiting English librarian visits today, this afternoon, the crew cleaned up and we look okay. I have eleven boxes of almost new books, donated by a citizen probably because our library was in the newspaper and he was reminded that not everyone was as fortunate as he. So he shared, and it adds to the work day, but he is a man and the books I have looked at so far will circulate well in my reading population. Still, there are too many for just my library and we will list and ship to other libraries and camps over the coming weeks.

My wife has finally paid attention to my being gone this weekend -- off to shoot, wondering if I was going hunting. Nope, just shooting. She has the estimators coming on Friday morning before she goes to work. She had yesterday off, Federal Holiday, and was housemaking and humming along. I got the Kiwi, Strawberry, Pineapple, Cherry shortcake for desert last evening - which is why I am not two pounds less weight this morning, but it was so good - yes, Cool Whip could have added a pound but she didn't add that and I like real whipped cream - but no one does that anymore do they?

Any day at the range is almost perfect...

Maximum Effective Range of the M1 Rifle is 460 yards, maybe. What that means is that half of the bullets fired at a target four hundred and sixty yards away will hit it, with a trained rifleman. So I have been told. I made a quick composite of my day firing my first rounds down range with my rifle. Lower left the beautiful rifle itself and my almost spotting scope (no, I don't have one yet). The picture on the right is the range, farthest targets are three hundred yards - always remember that cameras can magnify a little but one's eyes are really better.

The target on the fifty yard line centered is on the upper left - three rounds, check (lower right), sight adjustment, three rounds, check (upper left out of black and getting wild), sight adjustment cut half of last move, two rounds, clip jumps out, leave bolt open and put weapon on safe. Go out and paste target, taking a picture, and move the target out to two hundred yards and plant it.

Two clips to shoot, sixteen bullets and all over everything. Still, the target if a man-sized zombie standing still or coming straight at me might die - needed a head shot don't I? Bring more bullets, concentrate and tighter shot groups, windage is flaky and hurried, but mostly the focus on the same point on the target isn't there so the vertical is very bad. I do know that an eight inch bull at two hundred yards is tiny, especially when focused on the front sight post. The military center of mass might be better. I do know that I am in love with that rifle.

Yes, there were high speed black rifles with scopes and red dots and bolt actions that will reach out and take those mountain goats on the other side of the moon - men love their rifles - but I am glad I only took twenty four rounds to break the ice - otherwise I would have stayed all afternoon until the ammunition was all gone, and that makes me think I should fire both days next weekend with the M1. But I won't, the .22 Stevens Low Wall on the first day. The M1 Garand on the second day. I need to find some discipline and get off the computer and television, this electronic death is the pits.

It really is Fall

Cold air settles and fog rolls in from the water and frost grays the green of the grass and ices the wind shield of the cars waiting for the morning Sun. Ducks rest, sleeping in the park or on the water, gathering strength for the continued flight to warmer climes. I know, there isn't any ice in the North, the glaciers are long gone and Mount Rainier has just bare rocks covering it, since the Earth is so warm, but I put my leather coat on, thick gloves and wrapped a scarf around my neck when I rode my motorcycle the last few mornings. The Child Care Center had a fire drill, and everyone went outside, got counted and chilled and now my wife has her first cold of the season.



I did some purchasing, upgraded my Quicken, and went for the HD on the cable since February is coming and there are more HD items available and WWE Smackdown went to a HD cable network. Our television is ready, but the Cable Company wants more money for the higher priced HD box. It does seem to be about the money. I had thought of dropping off of television altogether, instead of going with the herd of lemmings - I have lots of DVDs, VHS and FM stereo is relatively free - and I know where all the books I ever wanted to read are - in one of three library systems I seem to be a member of now. I can't, I am still responsible for providing a bit of entertainment for visitors and my wife. Funny, when we have visitors we seldom have the television on, isn't there a message there?

Being Saturday, I didn't get all I should have done today, but in the mail is my membership card in the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. I am also a Washington Arms Collector and a Life Member of the NRA - I am such a joiner! I did some shopping for blinds for our windows with my wife, and looked at garden stuff, and thought about the future. We did go out and walk around the park and check out the cool weather, (but sunny) and picnicking family groups. I still say that free parks are the best value for young families with young children that want to explore and play. They were out in force and having a great time.

I am proudly stealing this to share... I am so shameless.

I was out visiting today, when I happened to stop for a rest at Airman Mom's place. I was there for a while as she has some wonderful reads. The one below I have reposted here with her blessing.

Before you read, grab some tissues. I was a sobbing, sniffling mess as I left her a comment, requesting my 'steal'.

Next week, I'm heading up to Dayton to catch a flight to the Sunshine State. I think I might take some extra cash with me. Just in case I happen to see a few or a dozen of "Our Guys".

Who knows, it might be her son...


Day after day, we are blanketed by news of our failing economy, we are sickened by the political advertisements, and some days it seems as though the only news we hear is negative.



This story was posted on the "Blue Star Mothers" site.



Please enjoy these uplifting words.





The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap," I thought.


Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. "Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

"Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq ."

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. "No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago."

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. "Take a lunch to all those soldiers." She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. "My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him."

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best - beef or chicken?"

"Chicken," I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. "This is your thanks."

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. "I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this." He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, "I want to shake your hand."

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, "I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot." I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.

Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. "It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You."

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

The above story stolen without any permission from anyone - From Little Drops
it is time for Atonement, but not over this one...

Good day at the Library and blood on Wall Street...

I am a boomer, and have invested in stocks and IRAs and expected that my wife would have a better retirement because we planned for it (kind of). But someone somewhere wants FEAR to run off the fools so they can feast on the hard work of others. They are doing a fine job, from Y2K to WMD in Iraq, to Hope (which seems to rest on one smooth talking man) the Media pumps the current Knowledge (global warming anyone?) at the folks most hardwired to the message. The Sky is Falling, and sure enough, it is. Anyone old enough to remember what happened when Johnny Carson said, during one Oil Crisis, that there was a TOILET Paper shortage? For the next week there was, the shelves were emptied. The power of the press in panic.

One needs vision, faith, trust and no time to fool around following - get out and lead. For sure the government is lost and behind, but they aren't doing it for Earl, they don't even know my name unless it is tax time.

I am in fix me mode, found all my dollars and today being a pay day I have control of them, I know I have three debts to my Credit Union, what the payments are (and the interest rate is fixed), and I am paying off the two credit cards. Come to think about it Citi Corp canceled one of my unused credit cards, which is fine with me I don't think it is a good time for more debt. I will leave the excess money for y'all to fight over. I am not selling anything that I have invested, today being Friday I will plug in the numbers at the closing bell and find how badly beaten my Mutual Funds and stocks have been had - but they were for my wife's maintenance not really mine. Truthfully, there are some really great companies out there that are sliding down to below their base value, and the wolves are waiting to bite.

Remember it is a MARKET and the last sale price was an agreement between the buyer and the seller. So that couple of trillion dollars of value lost in the market is a measure of how much the last High seller took away from their sale and the current LOW seller took away from their sale. Both of them walked away with money going out of the market (well, yes they did) and the buyer is holding paper to believe in for the future. The government is going to love to compute the taxes on all these sales, and some investors are going to love losers to offset the winnings (I will never understand that, but I don't have that kind of piles of profits to plunder - tax me!)

Yep, time for breakfast gruel and to remember that the Tango is beautiful, but you have to get on the floor with music to make the magic happen, wall flowers and frightened fools just watch in wonder - how did he get such a hot babe? Get out and dance - the economy is only measured by the government; the workers, shoppers, business men and crafters are the economy and I am sure Frank James is looking at his portion and the next year differently than Uncle Sam - unless you understand that Hope comes from a great heart and a love of doing the best one can.

Yes, I am still working in the prison library...

Travelling Librarian Award

An award jointly sponsored by the ESU and The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is granted each year to a professionally qualified librarian working in British libraries or information centres. The programme is designed to encourage US/UK contacts in the library world and the visit is for two weeks and normally takes place in the autumn.

The 2008 travel grant has been awarded to Sibylla Parkhill from HMP, Bronzefield who will travel to the US in Autumn 2008.

Washington State Library (ILS) is hosting her visits to four of our Institutional Library branches next week, I think she is in Maryland this week touring. I received the clearance yesterday and the coordination has been made. Weather permitting and the creek don't rise it should be very interesting. We are doing better at making sure the world knows that the Institutional Library Services exist and what a fine job we are doing. I should inform the Superintendent and his Associates that she is coming, he saw me on the steps taking mail down and asked how the Book Business was - I told him it was great, we had six hundred plus circulation yesterday with the reduced evening open hour, that is a good thing.

As the Appleseed Shoot comes closer...

The rains have really returned, the Sun leaves our gray cloudy skies sooner and gets up later, making me wish to hibernate under the warm comforter. Nice name for such an essential sleep covering. I am preparing for shooting, took the M1 down on Sunday after church, using the copy of an old FM 23-5 from 1965. The pictures weren't clear enough but I was on a roll, skipping the lunch and the football games for the finer fitting of the steel pieces of the rifle. I moved on to "The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide" by Walt Kuleck with Clint McKee. They did have much better detailed pictures and a complete understanding that I would end up taking it apart and putting it together in my own sequence one day - everyone does.

I do go to work and spend quality time with my wife, and still the rifle calls to me. I have much to do in dry fire, more familiarity and immediate action drill. I do get over treating the rifle like a lady, my machine gun instructor would be proud of my remembering that it is only steel and will take a little slapping around and prodding. Once I have its attention I can start to hold gently but firmly and nuzzle close and squeeze gently. Wonder why Davy Crockett called his rifle "Ol' Betsy"? Well, I don't, but then I haven't come to the point of needing a name or personification to seduce it to better behavior while I am shooting, yet. No symbols of power to paint nor carve into it, no lucky underwear to never wash but always wear, haven't gotten that close nor that good that any little extra would work wonders. I am only going to punch paper the best I can.

Appleseed Shoot, 18-19 October, Sun Valley Shooting Park, Yakima, Washington. Now that is important and the check has already cleared the bank so I am committed. Washington will have the Absentee Ballots printed on the 15th of October - will I have mine before or after my wonderful weekend. Aside from bullets and rifles, sleeping bag and food and drink (water, folks I am shooting!) I will bring the Bible, the books on Service Rifle shooting and the M1. One may not have time to read again, but reference materials are better where the questions are than locked in a library far away.

Well, the world almost came to hear our talk...

Went to Olympia, the Red Lion Hotel to the WALE conference to give our presentation. The organization was wonderful, and completely helpful, I started thinking I was special and then noticed they were very nice to everyone (have I been working with bad guys too long?). I took in two presentations before lunch and then had a nice light lunch, and was asked if I was interested in writing something about working in a prison library for ALKI magazine. I told them that they would have to see my bosses, my reputation for bad word choice and attitude wouldn't help.

We set up, and there was a computer and projector and I found our ILS blog site, so we could show our visitors that we were entering the electronic age. Kathleen had about ten books, one of which she would try to sell, a picture of a chain bus and escorting vehicles, bibliographies of Mental Health Institution and Prison books, fiction and non fiction. There were tables of laminated newspaper articles and our esteemed senior secretary Rändi was video taping the entire presentation and questions. We were ready and our audience came in - your friends are always there for support, aren't they, sure enough if they knew who we were, they came to see the performance wishing us well. I was beginning to believe that no one else would be interested in institutional libraries and the role we play in preparing our patients and inmates for returning to the outside world. But we did get some visitors from the State Library, and from other area libraries, so I didn't feel like I was only preaching to the choir.

Kathleen started out and warmed up, I took my turn and back and forth we talked, answered questions and told tales. The important message of our pride in our work was laid out, the need for more staff, that our job does change lives because we take the time and do it right. Only the second time we have presented the message and it changed a bit, especially since we were answering questions as they were asked about things that needed some clarification, seems like I had extra words that were fit this time that had been too few before. We hurried and cleaned up and talked on our way out, I went to another session on how to find good medical reference resources on the Internet. I was still concerned about the presentation and its effect. I left the conference saying good-bye to Richard on my way out. One of those nice young ladies that had been making me feel special gave me a book bag full of goodies to remember them by.

The rains are back and I was in the Caravan on I-5 during the commute, so I pull off and go to Cabela's to pick up some important stuff for riflemen, a military leather sling 1 1/4", and dummy rimfire rounds, they were out of 30-06. And don't ask them about shooting coats or jackets - they seem to have the trap, skeet, hunting camouflage and blaze orange covered, but real shooting coats were not in evidence (get them online). I was given a military discount, but the sales tax is almost 9%, so the shopping was great - and the buying just enough.

What a terrible way to start October, almost but...

I am being beaten down and feeling like a fool, totally unprofessional and a minor instance, then the inspectors from the Executive Team show up and inspect and note my further deficiencies. I am turning into a very nasty man, so the minor problems that I would deal with laughingly just grate and I start snarling. My best workers and favorite patrons back off seeing the warning signs -- the fools just keep coming. Then I start singing songs (mentally) from the Christmas selection we are practicing, and I start thinking of going home to the wife that cares about me when no one else does, and the weather is with me and the Trusty Triumph, and I talk to one of my former workers (a wrencher biker) about motorcycles - and I am a bit mellowed back out....

Dinner is excellent, coffee is great and doorbells ring. I have my ammunition from CMP (what is the reason the Post Office can't deliver guns and ammo? so FedEx rules?) all seven hundred plus rounds of 30 caliber, then my wife's ride shows up and they talk about how the flowers look on the porch and they depart for church activities, and the cute smooth talking soccer player drops off my cookie dough - I ask her how soccer is coming, she plays all the positions. The day is too short with all the good stuff. But I will look at the blogsphere, I am not impressed by television and I have plans for exercising, dry firing and unpacking the Ammunition!.

I leave a little trail of comments and then find something way too cool. Totally undeserved, but most welcome Tribute to some sound advice for all shooters - I didn't do the shooting; she has great coaching and natural perfections (color choice, just ask). Another great day, no matter who tries to make me lesser - without any government intervention I am still king for today! Although I am more likely comfortable as a Sergeant in Arms, an American Rifleman, and your good neighbor.