Last day, of September, of work week, of....

blogging for a bit. Seems I am going to do many chores tomorrow, and pack out and fly away to Florida with my wife. Remembering all that is unexpected becomes an adventure and like having faulty ammunition just another preparation for when things really go wrong. Y'all do well without me (have been so far haven't you?) and remember to nurture all the growing things except your fears, give those to God and get on with it.

Being mentioned in Dispatches, don't you know?

In the Empire's military, being mentioned in Dispatches was sure to bring attention to your heroic (or otherwise) achievements, and since many could not buy their next promotion it remained a valued measure of one's capabilities and potential. Well, I have been mentioned in the Travelling Librarian's Report of 2009.




"4.1.3 McNeil Island Corrections Centre
McNeil Island Corrections Centre is a 20 minute ferry ride from the mainland and
is a facility for male medium security offenders. As it takes time to access the
prison some staff live on the island, outside the facility, in case of emergencies.
There is also a special commitments centre on the island which holds sex
offenders who have finished their sentence but are considered too dangerous to
be released. These men do not have access to the library in the prison and as the
centre is not considered to be a prison no library is provided within it.

McNeil Island has the capacity to hold around 1,000 prisoners and the prisoners
work in all areas, including on the ferry carrying staff and visitors from the
mainland. The library has a stock of around 17,000 books as well as the music
collection. Earl, the associate at McNeil Island had integrated the easy readers
into the general collection although they were still identifiable by a yellow sticker, but he found that the men were more likely to borrow them this way, indicating that they found it embarrassing to be seen borrowing the easy readers than other books."

One of the boys from Darlington is gone...

He lived across the road from my home, we went to the same bus stop and I laughed at him and the other boys smoking in the morning while we waited until the State Trooper tried to scare me into not buying cigarettes, and then I bought my own packs and joined them. He taught me all about poker and I wouldn't play it again until Vietnam because earning a dollar an hour meant I had things I wanted to spend it on, instead of betting on my cards. He and I beat up on the same boy that was bothering my sister, I stopped when the boy turned into the sobbing slime he was, Jerry went down and made him remember the pain of messing with our girls. He threw pears at my brother practicing trumpet in the creek bed. He joined the Marines, his family tradition and where I thought he would do well. When his father had his heart condition he came back home early.
I was standing in the cold at the telephone booth behind the barracks in Fort Sill Oklahoma and talking to my family over their Christmas when my sister told me she was engaged to him. They got married while I was overseas, Germany or Vietnam, and had a beautiful daughter and raised her with snakes and dogs in a trailer in the wilds, where I introduced my wife to the babe and my sister. He got some better work they moved to town had another daughter and we would visit or meet at my Mom's home. Playing Canasta, men against the women - only my sister would play the cards hard, Dad, Jerry and I were counting and knew where every exposed card went.
There were Christmas get togethers, Thanksgivings, bringing our children together for camping, his fished, mine skated, and we all played games and talked and teased. I had his daughter believing she had to whisper on Christmas Eve or Santa might not show - he threatened great harm if I didn't set that right. I did. We played a little Dungeons and Dragons - and many other games with the children. Came back from Germany in time for my son to go trick or treating with his cousins one October.
My mother noted that he had many of the strengths of my father,I always knew he was Jerry and I could count on him for my sister and all our backs if needed. He was working in strip mining, still smoking and had a family history of heart problems and he wasn't getting healthier. One of his daughters wanted me to make him get healthier and I had to tell her that he was doing the healthiest thing he could, he loved his family and friends and it doesn't get healthier than that.
Heart operations, pace maker, pills and by passes and visits to doctors and hospitals, and he didn't get healthier but he hung on and in there, seeing five grandchildren, giving away his daughters to their husbands' care and always interested and wishing he could do more and helping. I saw him last when I went to drive his truck, with the dented front end he had provided it, to Florida with some of the stuff they were moving. He was under Hospice care at his daughter's home, and had a good Tuesday going outside, playing with his grandsons and laughing a little and caring a lot. He never woke on Wednesday and passed on at 7:10 this morning in Florida. I always told my wife that she was going to have to learn how to throw far if she were going to feed me and my son outside the walls of Heaven (knowing I would never get in) but now Jerry is there I don't have to worry, he throws just fine, ask my brother.

Be sure to ask your doctor if you are healthy enough...

Yeah, like my doctor and I have real dialog. I do have the visit and examination accomplished: Blood pressure is fine, 125/84. The blood test is really great TC 179, Trigli 98 HDL 61 and LDL a bit above 116 or so, I am cleared for one baby aspirin a day now. The only results left to find are about the replacement for the Thyroid hormones. I should have a new prescription by Friday for that, I am sure that isn't on target yet, which might explain part of my meltdown. The doctor was excited enough with my results and the technician was gentle and really professional about stabbing the needle in my arm and pulling out three vials of vital fluids (blood, just blood) that I was really happy to be rid of it. I was thinking I should send them some flowers in celebration of getting me and my blood pressure and cholesterol where the box says they should be. Don't get too excited, my wife says the doctor should send me the flowers and Earl figures that he is still going to die getting run down by a fourteen year old in a stolen car while jogging. They all goin' tah miss me when Iz gone.

I did try to tell the doctor that it was the motorcycling that had my blood pressure down, but I don't think he was buying it. Still I rode off a happy man, towards the Hot Bikini Latte stand, which I rode by and stopped at the McDonalds for a Bacon, Egg and Cheese biscuit, walnut and fruit salad and a large black coffee. The biscuit would never have passed my mother's ideal of a proper biscuit (it was small!) but being an ancient it was probably the correct size to provide the fuel for my morning walk. I ate inside and watched a party of nine 'retired thank you' men having breakfast wondering why I hadn't gone to the Bikini Latte stand since I was motorcycling.

I finished the fruit and walnut salad and took the coffee outside to the Sunshine, sitting on my motorcycle and soaking up the warmth and the rays. Nice to slow down and take some time for ones self - a kind of healing right there. One day in the future I might be stopping for breakfast somewhere with a bunch of old men, or I might be fool enough to stop at the latte stand. You already know that I avoid women if you are paying attention. I do like fearless ones, competent ones and happy ones, but that all has nothing to do with gender - that is all in the way 'good to know' folks look at the world and me and share their best. If a woman doesn't smile all the way to her eyes, I am too close and need to back away.

Back on the Trusty Triumph and down the road, fill it up, buy the winning Lotto tickets (think positive it can't hurt) and ride off to park and walk down to the dock, another beautiful day in the Great Northwest, boy, when we get them we really get them, it would be eighty-three degrees at five on my ride home.

Work went swimmingly, patronage was light, but we were knocking out circulation, reshelving, ILL requests, information requests, clearing out departed patrons, and house keeping in general. I actually saw self motivated work by two of my new workers. That is a great thing. Now to be sure to say thanks for all the best that I have shared and get to bed early. I don't know if I can handle a full day of work after a part time one. But I will try.

Twenty pounds over and they call me in shape?

I think therefore I am confused and thereby I am. Or something just like me in some respects. While motorcycling to and from work yesterday I was pleased to be forced on to new roads by the construction detours, another opportunity to excel! And last night I cut five minutes off my normal travel time by blasting, and I was really rolled up on the throttle, down a couple of miles of Highway 512, that was a "WOW" moment. So much joy in such a simple thing, get out and ride the weather won't wait.

Fasting last night for the doctor's examination this morning - I have such little problems but they seem to be leaking into my work and life - that I thought about stopping and visiting the bikini latte station after the check up to refuel. Then I realized I would really be hungry and McDonalds and Starbucks were just half a block further on down, I have Starbucks cards and money in my wallet. And I am really not the kind of guy that would stop at the Bikini Latte Stand, just be in awe that it exists.

Since I would be missing my Wednesday morning work routine we pulled the F-unit Seg books during a fire alarm yesterday afternoon, called for an escort and got them delivered and our returns. Worked well, and one of the F-unit officers told me he appreciated the early delivery, nice to know. The crew is working well, as I slowly get them up to speed in their positions and what needs done next. ILL requests are pouring in, books moving briskly both ways, information requests noted, books that we don't own but are of interest noted for future purchase perhaps, busy day when we have four of our five periods open and the inmate patrons roll in. Still pleased with the old guys showing the new guys the library and how to get into the system and where the good books are (no not the two hundreds of the Dewey, the steamy stuff over there).

Looking at the picture of my hand on the mouse, I notice the only the pad of the finger touches the left button, hmm,,, could I use that as an illustration of trigger control? Notice I am not dragging wood, plastic nor metal, just the tip of the finger to control the buttons on the mouse. And it doesn't bounce off like a happy finger would upon recoil or single shot reload preparation memory (have to blame something for a happy finger). Fred would want me to keep it simple, and I will but I will keep looking for relationships with reality to anchor upon.

Sure, there is someone out there waitng for...

contact, I did get a note off to my mother yesterday, but she knows who I am now and for her it is always the same as I was at six and seven. I am sure I am not but then I don't remember that young fellow as well as she.

All of us have some one's name stuck in our head that we would like to know they did well and got on with life. I have searched for old friends and found and exchanged notes with some, not being a talker as much as a writer I am more comfortable in email or letters than the telephone, but Bruce Wayne ran me down and we talked forever about his life on the telephone. Great call, then sometime after Z called and told me that he had died and about the funeral and what had been happening in his life as he and his wife follow NASCAR around. Links and connections...

Anne Lecki-Ewing comes to mind; as the girl that out shot me in the Junior High Rifle club, she went on to be part of the first girls team from our high school to compete against other schools in 1964, then she and her family went off to Canada. Looking at the picture of the girls in the rifle team I realize they were the really good ones, and I wonder if she did as well, she had all the right stuff and a great start. But one never knows all that lies inside anyone, do they? I hope she had a great life, actually hope she is still having that kind of life and that she is still shooting. But then I kind of doubt that she would be, but she could be.

The trouble with Google and women is they keep having opportunity to change their family names, and they do. I won't be running anyone down, breath a sigh of relief, this is just idle speculation to start my motor running today. Take care out there, and you go find someone you knew from way back when -- you can tell I am sure there aren't any teenagers reading this - they don't have a way back when folder in their mind, everything is new and now or just yesterday...

Happyness = Church, Choir, Warm Gun with Wife...

I am sure I am not living exactly up to the President's stereotype of a bitter gun clinging, Bible Thumping, Redneck - but I am trying. Church Choir, Church, coffee with Hal the guy in the picture that knows how to smile, the other is trying too hard but what can I say - no fun in that boy. Home to meet wife, have light lunch and go out shooting, me my rifles and she the camera, it is difficult to get a rifle position just before hunting season, but I only needed one and settled in, my wife spotted for me and loaded the magazines - don't you love it? We stopped for Hot wings, and bacon Cheese burgers with cole slaw and rootbeer. Another beautiful Sunday together, we know too many widows and widowers at our age. Oh, maybe I can't smile, but I am not bitter, just amazed I am so mis-understood by such smart people. But then I mentioned on Facebook that my cash and investments were more than my debts and that makes me smarter than the whole government...

Not that money is the game's score ...

But I thought I would allow the world to know, my economic crisis (which I will always blame on media, George W. Bush, his Secretary of the Treasury and my judgement) is over. I have been on the plus side of net cash assets over debts for the last six months, I still have a job, won nine dollars on my sixteen Lottery tickets (at a dollar each), the Sun is shining and I am on my way to church to share my joy and bounty. Yeah, turn the television off and get a life, Earl's economic crisis is on hold until the next media panic.

Raining here in the Great Northwest...

It was predicted, so no surprise, I have a yard to mow and clean up, a Caravan to wash, clean out and reload - do you have any idea how many hats and caps are in there? My father's bayonet catches my eye and I pick it up and pull it out, wondering why he kept those things, and knowing that it meant things I will never know - but important to him that he wouldn't or couldn't forget. They are looking for veteran's pictures from our wars at work, funny that there are now so many little ones that came after I took off the uniform, ones that my son and so many others are handling while the nation does the fun stuff elsewhere. Someone suggested that I give a speech about Veterans - I don't know why, he is one also and I haven't displayed any talent must be one of those all calls. The singer is lined up, and he is great, still that is all the way away in November and other things await my attention, I will have to check all my Lotto tickets tomorrow for winners!

Right now I have to get out the old Training Cycle books from my Drill Sergeant days, received a message from a man that believes I was his Drill Sergeant. In a nation of over three hundred million people someone on Facebook sends: "you may not remember me but i believe you were my drill sgt. at ft. sill 6/77 thru 9/77. you really had an impact on my life and just wanted to thank you....."clown platoon drill sergeant" Yep, I was there then and getting into a little bit of trouble with those higher up than I, I would never have called my platoon clown but others might have. Like that bayonet of Dad's some memories don't fade. Wife is up and it is time to make our world better, onward!

So is it time to quit? or start something new?

It has been a good day in the Northwest, motorcycling weather, so I go to work upon the Trusty Triumph. I left my computer on all day, hoping to up load the video clip, but my telephone line DSL, isn't up to the task, so it isn't happening. On my ride in I was passed by a tri-cycle ridden by another worker on McNeil Island, it was about the time to pass the Bikini Latte Stand so I was slowing a bit and missed the yellow at the next intersection he rode through it. Ah, well, safe and not at all sorry. I had been asked to do somethings, step up and take up new work, and I wasn't certain I should, so I sent out some emails asking, and prayed - I will get answers.

I was really happy at work, four workers, started with a pep talk and reinforcing the rules of counter conduct, one of them had been manipulated by a patron and I had to make the point of making me the bad guy, the library cop, the Man - they can't perform that roll. Next training assignments have been made, the Branch Manual updated and most of my piles of paperwork are disappearing, yep, I was happy to be there. Mail done and I check the email and find out that I am not up to standard, I have failed to function and have disappointed the program manager. There went the day, the glow and the glory. And I should have closed the library on that movement and gone home. I turned in the failed assignment, confessed my sins and went back to work being a miserable old man. There were a couple of rays of light, some things that needed done got that way - must have been magic, for I wasn't really trying, by this time my crew was sitting around making more noise than the patrons and doing less work while waiting for my inspired leadership - had none. At Recall I was ready to lay down my burden and just never return...

But the Sunshine was waiting for me outside of Control, nice weather, lovely stuff and I knew there was a ride awaiting my attention. Construction has grooved the roads in certain places, the traffic did seem lighter - like I was late chasing the White Rabbit, but it was lovely and burning away a lot of bad chemicals, I purred up the driveway to the landing pad, my wife hurried to open the garage door, she had been waiting for her ride to go with the Church ladies and my dinner was waiting the microwave treatment. I didn't run into World News, I stayed outside and listened and talked with my wife. There were messages waiting for my attention and I would answer, but just look around at the wonder of the world and think about needing to cut the lawn properly tomorrow. I should stick to stuff I do well, even as it seems I am getting older and might have real problems handling the easy stuff, or what once was the easy stuff. The world is still full of beauty and I have all that time the Lord gives me to enjoy it.

What day is it, did I miss something, somewhere?

I washed the Caravan on my way to work, but the undercarriage needs lots of help - where was that mud in Idaho? At work I tested two interested offenders, I allowed the three that weren't to depart without testing or interview, they wouldn't have worked out. The pay is only forty-two cents an hour. I did start getting some of the piles of paperwork under control, as those above me kept sending more to work on, it is always that way. My totally slow shelver, is still slow but progressing just as fast as totally slow would, not very. By the end of the afternoon I was getting depressed working with the criminal minds, I really don't like them, there are some that aren't working their lives in that mode, but not enough. So, when it was Recall I was breathing a "Thank you, Lord" as I prepared to lock up, I had made it past the middle of the week. So tired that I woke from a deep sleep on the ferry - so very old man of me.

It was raining by the time I arrived home, so I didn't get the lawn cut and it is so green and lush, perfect for somersaults and rolling around on, but a bit too wet now. I sent off the still pictures to the ILS staffers and the Honorees from last Thursday night's party in their honor - retiring and birthday. I attempted to load the video of the poetry, but it is too large a file and I couldn't. While it tried to load I paid bills and sent a marriage certificate and a bank statement with my wife's name and mine and our only jointly inhabited address - I didn't blank out the financial information and I told them to send it all back after they approve its proof of our relationship. Someone pretty stupid thinks they have been paying too much for people that shouldn't be covered, must be management. I will need the name of the people that are going to testify in court that my wife and I are married and living together, now that I have provided their proof. Or do they think they get to keep paper to use for ID theft in the future, hmm, was that a real request from my health insurer? Or is it a scam, did it have my Governor's signature on it?

I trust too many people, but it works well for me. Y'all have a great night, I scored as a "Real Biker" on Facebook, I do need to get a life don't I?

It makes me feel so good...

Oh, I should be concerned about how far my library is behind, my almost shelver is almost shelving - turtles are faster, but they don't spin their wheels looking like they are moving, they really do put one leg out and draw themselves up to it. Still we did several things well and are making progress and will continue, imagine walking across the United States of the Nineteenth Century going to Oregon Territory, for the chance (only a chance) to build a life for you and your family. And yes, most people weren't riding in the wagons, body weight is weight and the draft animals have enough to pull without that of those that could walk themselves onward. And the children had to gather buffalo chips for fires in the evenings.

I got to be really happy recently; yesterday, I got to see a packet of pictures of my grandson, in the morning before work, come home to a professional picture of the same fellow (and sure enough it doesn't look like the same fellow but oh, so handsome - how do they do that?) and then as a topping I get the Skype.com alarm and my son is calling and willing to wake the baby so his grandparents can act like the totally silly with happiness people they really are. Sentence structure from James Joyce? Half my joy is in seeing the child, my son, his wife and the other half is watching my wife trying to reach through the computer monitor to hug and nuzzle the little fellow. My cup overfloweth, surely.

And if I want to be around for his graduation and growth, I had best get to the breakfast, exercises, jog and working on becoming a healthier better old guy. I am getting more settled into becoming the Great Uncle of lots of young kids.

My weekend and camera troubles...

So I was getting ready to leave for Idaho and an Appleseed Shoot, and three of the library ladies had asked about Appleseed and what was that all about. Well, we try to teach everyone how to shoot to 4 MOA and tell the story about April 19, 1775. I gave a peek at my POI and Fred's Handouts (but wasn't carrying extras), gave away one one article to Randi and drove out of Federal Way to adventure. Hawkhaven (Ed) had sent a POI and I had it printed, and I had the Google directions, and the RWVA flyer on the shoot and the range and away I went.

I was a bit concerned, they were talking like we were going to have a beautiful weekend, with seven of the instructor corps to teach about seventy-four shooters, a ratio of ten to one? That didn't sound like a good idea, but maybe some folks would get a benefit out of it. Afternoon turned to darkness as I drove over the Cascades, the central desert (it has a river to drain for irrigation, but otherwise it is so dry) and on to the rumbles of the Rockies (Spokane and Coeur d'Alene). It was dark, the moon was bright but when I was driving down the dirt road five miles to the range I couldn't see to much to the side, save a couple of fishermen on the lake, I was the correct distance but there wasn't a range there, I drove off the road and parked and went into sleep mode waiting on the sunrise. I had picked a spot right above the range which I could see in the light when I woke up. Okay, nothing happening yet, drive to town and get some scrambled eggs (bacon and broccoli) a biscuit with gravy, and home fries. Nice friendly place and constantly refilled coffee cup, life is good.

Back up the road to the range and park and meet my co-workers, Ed (the Shootboss from Indiana), RL (RWVA instructor from Seattle), Reformed Redneck and Western Rose (ITTs from around Moscow), Pa Rah (ITT from Oregon), and tdow (ITT from Eastern Washington). Bob is also there, our hard working host of the range and the beautiful facilities - this is a real solid shooting range (Fernan Rod and Gun Club) and we are going to populate and run two lines.

Well, we did, for two days and it was great. I need to get back to bed for some more sleep, but that POI worked, the shooters cooperated and learned and put into practice what they needed. I have been photographed way too many times handing out Rifleman patches to those that made 210 or more on the AQT, and only Andy got watered because he made exactly 210, but he worked Sunday as an orange hatted ITT making that next step up in the program, the seventh step.

I really like the people of Idaho, seems like I have been welcomed there more than most places I have been, and this shoot had lots of families working the skills together; father and sons, father and daughter (way to go, Becky! {she brought two books to read between shots and I understand that kind of people}), husbands and wives. Lots of shooters, veterans of Appleseeds earlier, which means I have to thank those earlier instructors for building solid shooters before I could mess them up... not that I would on purpose. We even got to do long distance shooting with about eleven shooters on Sunday afternoon. And I was coached a bit about my 'Happy finger' when I was testing my new rifle on Saturday evening. Not being the kind of fellow that sticks around I got to shoot, hang around watching the children run around in the evening (remembering when I was that young and wild) and eat too much good pizza, with the crew as we talked about the world of Appleseed, that day's shoot and our progress.

I have to get back to bed, it has been a full weekend and four days of new stuff and experiences. My camera finally needs a good cleaning and maintenance, the shutter shield isn't moving closed and open well at all, shoving the poor thing in my pocket and rolling around in the prone position may not have been the best thing for it.

So you want to make my day?

There I sit being polite,cooperative and listening in the ILS Quarterly meeting and I am blind-sided by Jill telling me that someone in the Office of the Secretary of State is editing our ILS blog postings, correcting grammar, adding pictures and other stuff that makes it better... I was almost ready to blow the building up, I have calmed down since and am not interested in getting the proper amounts of stuff to make mayhem happen, leave it all to the next earthquake or volcanic erruption.

I really think that helpful editing is like the defensive player tipping a beautiful spiral pass.... it isn't going to hit the target, not the way the passer intended.

So, OSOS, I think I am off of the library blog business - I really thought that a blog of institutional library folks with challenges, successes, passions and problems would be read by others in the library community, just because. Not everything can be entertainment nor entertaining, many of the blogs I read are just about what the author thinks worth writing or posting. And they go from awesome beautiful pictures to heart wrenching sadness and the Blues at their blueist. I know that when I did something worthy (not often as I should have hit it out of the park) I want to record it, I don't think I need to know who read it, nor why (they could just be trying to understand English from America) but I don't need anyone to edit my postings to their own direction.

Well, I am not going to do more than think there are an amazing number of fools and foolishness in the World, and continue to pretend that I am not one of them... I can fool myself most of the time.

Kevin's in Reno, NV and I am still in conference...

Someone somewhere is where I am not, our conference went well yesterday, I got two quick rides around Federal Way, WA, during breaks. Isn't this a great country? Stayed for dinner and celebration of retirements of two staff I worked with (as much as with as one can in mostly isolation of institutions) or met at conferences in the past. So hang in there, there could be a retirement in one's near or just a little bit farther future. One of the new younger ladies was there among the ancients, only forty more years to go -- how many budget cuts could she be looking at in her future? Well, I look at the current military and all its changes and I can imagine there will be many.

Don't look too hard for me, unless you are shooting an Appleseed in Northern Idaho this weekend, long drives both ways, good people instructing and lots (almost eighty signed up) on two lines, I may need Monday off (nah, I will crash on Monday evening during RAW). Take care out there, God still loves ya, if you take the time to pay attention.

Where does that dream come from...

I was tired and went to bed earlier last night, about eight fifteen, guessing Jay Leno will have to continue to do without me, he has survived so far. I do think he is going to ten o'clock because the boomers are about to die off, or drift off. Harley-Davidson had better beware - they aren't going to be selling many bikes and things on Boomers' dreams and mythology much longer (fifteen years max).

I dreamed most of the night that I was getting a hip replacement or knee replacement and spending a lot of time talking to doctors, and I think my knees and hips work just fine - I am just not working them enough. Do you think that angry young President (strange feeling being able to call the President "young", which means I discount about half of his passion to too many hormones and not enough fighting) talking about health care put my brain in medical treatment mode? I did notice that what I think is right, is not what he thinks it is.

Everyone has to have health insurance to make sure there is enough for everyone, it won't work without that.

Everyone has to have reading ability to make sure there is enough literacy for all, libraries won't work without that.

Everyone has to have a minimum wage of a hundred dollars an hour or our deficit will never be repaid, Whoops, it was never the plan of the government to repay any of the debt, just roll it over.

Off the political nonsense,

I was visited by four other Library Keepers yesterday. I hadn't prepared DOC for the visit and will have to send paperwork immediately next time, waiting just allows other stuff to overwhelm my better performance. Two came from Stafford Creek, one from Shelton and one on her way to Monroe. Since I had visitors my telephone was ringing (nope, never for me).

We had a nice lunch - that is different, normally I eat alone which isn't really healthy - but my wife makes my sandwich and buys my apples so I do know I am loved. I got to participate in the talking about other people that aren't around to defend themselves, but mostly we discussed retirement, dream jobs, and shifts in the Library because of budgets. I did say that if I were the State Librarian I would have a FTE and a half at each branch and take the half-time employees from the State Library at Tumwater. Now you can understand why I will never be selected State Librarian. The legislature thinks the number of employees and the amount of operations expenses mean you are a going concern, not basic book circulation and effect on individual human minds.

I am behind in my work, but part of that is my personal dysfunction and part is still working on getting a full trained crew. I have watched my newest worker spend his time moving from book to book touching them so I think he is shelving, but the books on the carts aren't flying onto the shelves - his primary function isn't and therein lies his darker future. Will have to seriously talk to him on Monday.

The Trusty Triumph was a fine solid ride yesterday. it is cool, about fifty five and I am wearing leather and happy for it. There aren't a lot of us two wheelers out, if you discount the healthy bicycle riders - pumping the fat and the blues and grays away. In America, they don't seem to change their childish bad riding habits just survived them into adulthood. In Europe they actually were given tickets for all those stupid things they perform here, I know I have been halted by German Police and talked to in one of my foreign languages... they understood themselves perfectly. So if you aspire to be a real great bicycle rider for all the best reasons; green, health and fiscal reality, go to Europe and ride, they don't hate you because you don't have more horsepower than brain power like Americans.

Not having looked outside nor on the television for the weather I am planning to ride the Trusty Triumph to the Institutional Library Services Conference, the final one of this year, 2009. It is a good ride and I can think about all my romantic thoughts (just remember ladies, a man's romantic thoughts are normally about other than women). One of the always to be bothersome realities of life with two sexes. I did get out Liberty, the rifle, and lock tight the screws on the sights. Then I practiced shooting positions with Hasty and Hasty hasty slings, and Natural Point of Aim. Good stuff to practice when you can't shoot paper in the backyard, although I am thinking of a pellet air rifle, for home practice. Just thinking, just thinking, doesn't seem to be enough time in my day now and the darkness is descending dailey.

Back to library business, but first a word from...

Remington's computer sent me a message hoping that my problem was resolved. So I sent them another message they may never allow a human to read, about how my 597 is now with GI cotton web sling, TSM200 tech sights, and I am going to test it in Idaho on Saturday, after the Appleseed is done. Tell marketing to build rifles for the program and it could be a very good thing.

I have the garbage to move out to the curb this morning, it really is Tuesday, I have to get to work and finish my August reports, start another book cart, get the library open for business, four and three quarters hours today, and only one hour tomorrow, although I will have visiting Library Keepers from other institutions visiting and working in McNeil Island Corrections Center branch library tomorrow. Then two days, Thursday and Friday, for the quarterly Institutional Library Conference. That will be all for the Office of the Secretary of State and the Washington State Library. I start driving to Idaho when I pack out from there, busy guy for almost completely retired, where is that winning Lotto ticket - oops haven't been buying any all weekend, way too busy to dream of the almost impossible.

I am so lucky and even better blest.

Wild Geese

I have a full day of catch up, since I was on the road and the target and firing line for the last two days, so I thought I would demonstrate I was paying attention to other than line commands and target squares. It is also a reminder of where we are in the seasons, and I should have done video with sound, because these birds were honking!

And on the second day, we applied yesterday...

Did I mention, early rising, driving almost two hours in the night to dawn, and becoming the nice (? who me?) Revolutionary War Veteran Association Instructor yesterday, well rinse again and repeat. And I do mean rinse, I was caught by a pool of water on one of the covering tarps, that was lifted by a stiff breeze to dump all of its cold water on top of me and behind my bib over all, ahh... I have been places that would have been a refreshing shock, today it was just a shock.

We started with twenty shooters, and seven instructors, very good ratio, and our silver tongued Shoot Boss Wheeler44 convinced three more Riflemen (Nadia, Grant and Maury) to step up to become instructors in training. Another RWVA Instructor, Koolaid, showed up and added to the flavor and broadened the experience. Of the twenty shooters, four were women and six were youth. We fired Red Coat targets, sighting squares, ball and dummy drills, carded the sights to improve their concept and belief in Natural Point of Aim, and jumped into AQTs, seven for the day, a good 300+ round day. For the center fire shooters that is a lot on top of yesterday's 200+ rounds. Finished with another Red Coat target.

All that individual coaching by shooters and instructors paid off, three Riflemen made today Nic, Alex, and David all earned their patch. Now one of the stories is that a former paratrooper brought four youth yesterday to cheer him on, nah, he brought them to learn how to shoot better, and he was working on his skills with the M1 Garand, today three returned with him and two of them: Nic, and Alex earned their rifleman patch. That is cool, spreading the skills and all, but Alex had never fired a rifle before yesterday (and had no bad habits, I would guess, or was very willing to pay attention and learn) and he had more ammunition and mechanical problems with his rifles and gear, but he kept at it, and we kept giving him a different rifle and ammunition so he could. The lessons transferred to the new rifle, he sharpened up and finally broke through. A rifleman persists.

I have to confess to age and tired creeping upon me, I surrendered the Line Boss position, squared my accounts and paperwork with Wheeler44, and said good-bye about four-thirty, I am due to work another Appleseed in Idaho, don't I know how to have a roaring good time? Yeah, I do! See y'all at the range, the Spirit of America in action.

Castlerock, Washington has an Appleseed....

Rise to the alarm at five, out the door and into the loaded Caravan and off for my almost two hour drive to Castlerock, Wade's Designated Appleseed Range (DAR). Shoot boss is Wheerler44, RWVA Instructors are Earl and RL, ITTs are Old Geaser, Kratos, Wade and anyone else we can hook into performing (no takers yet, but getting closer).

The weathermen from Seattle promised us rain, and it was there to soak all the paperwork, but didn't dampen too many spirits. Riflemen persevere. Set up canopy cover for the light stuff, wind played with making it all lighter than aircraft, heavy rain pooled and threatened a good soaking. But it was pretty busted up, so a wave of rain, then batch of sunshine, then gray skies again and more drizzle. Two hundred and thirty-six rounds, three AQTs, two Redcoats, and two real Riflemen awarded their patch and given three loud Huzzahs!

Hour and almost a second one driving back in the driving hard rain, hoping for no Hydroplaning.... made it, home safe and sound. A good day to be a Rifleman in America, but then that is every day one is a Rifleman in America, isn't it?

And you WANT government health care?

Silly me, to think that Medicare is government health care - taxing every worker to pay for the old folks (I am almost there) and you have to participate, no options for getting out. Then when you are covered, your employer or own insurance must still pay first! That is correct, the government program is made up of weasels, eating away at your life savings, your produce and your future and that of all your prosperity... and the great idea of President Obama is to expand the stupidity, to ruin you so much earlier in your life. Our family doctor is still trying to get his bills paid by Medicare, and they don't do housecalls, work after hours nor answer their telephones with real people, just computers. They also don't do it in Korean, only English and Spanish (press "dos"). This is not what is good for America.

Actually, my mother is very ill, and on Social Security and living off of her and Dad's investments, his retirement and Medicare a little bit. As soon as everything she has is gone then Medicare will be there to cover anything that happens. No mention of getting her healthier, just paying for her treatment. Prayer works so much better than the government ever will.

Since this does represent my life, a little bit...

At the library today, one new hire, so I am back to three full time offender (the politically correct term for a prison inmate) library clerks. Only training two and I asked to test and interview four on Friday to find the next cog in the wheel. Just pile it on. They are working well, and I can see me catching up on the stuff I am supposed to be doing while they run the library operations under my periodic supervision, I am so alone. No, I am not afraid the offenders will do terrible things to me, the Department of Corrections would punish them if they did, the Washington State Library and the Office of the Secretary of State would deny they knew that any of the offenders were really dangerous, although they do know they are locked up for some one's protection. Anyway, work is really fine, they had a staff Barbeque PotLuck at the Main Library of Washington State Library, bring a dish or five dollars, I sent five dollars and best wishes that they had a good time and fine food. They have staff lunches, picnics and such here, but there isn't anyone to replace me for me to get some, so I don't. But it is nice they appreciate the staff, isn't it?

Don't worry, I like to support things I believe in - like the Gun Bloggers' Rendezvous in Reno, NV. If I weren't going to an Appleseed in Idaho that weekend I might have ridden the Trusty Triumph down there to partake of the fun and festivities. Yeah, I know, I am not really a gun blogger, just and interested party in the struggle to regain the Liberty and Freedom that was won in the American Revolution and stolen by evil politicians of various sorts.

I was having a great time riding the Trusty Triumph this morning in the fog, laying way over and cutting tight turns and rolling hard to keep it up and bringing it back all the way - what a feeling of power... what a rush. The evening ride is okay, but there are a lot of cars and cellphone diverted drivers out there and the fun disappears although the adventure is more (will he make it in time for World News tonight?). Yes, I did, and then went out and cropped the lawn, front and rear, no trimming but a good start on improving my neighborhood image. I think after a hot shower (only those that know bathing in steel pots can appreciate) I will read and sleep, perchance to dream.

Working on Liberty... not the rifle...

Among the things to worry about is my pending heart attack, stroke or ugly end. If Tim Russert, Michael Jackson and Senator Kennedy all died it is proof that the current American Health system is in crisis as Doctor Oz prepares to become a fixture on daytime television. They all had the best medical care money could buy.

Really my personal health is about to be examined again, and I am fatter, weaker and older and it is all my fault. I would like to blame the number of medications I take for the problem but know that would be a lie. I get so easily distracted and the road back to better control of my health is farther away than it was years ago.

I am not sick, ill, feeling outta sorts just the gray is coming back with rain in the Northwest and my mind absorbs the mood. As soon as I finish typing this I will finish my coffee and have devotions, go do my exercises, dry fire forty rounds at the AQT in all four stages and then have hot breakfast gruel and another cup of coffee as I clean up to get out the door. By then a long legged red top might bring a smile, most definitely the purr of the Trusty Triumph will. See y'all on the road!