8 months and swimming with the sharks.

What would one expect of the future citizens, sons and grandsons of almost certified adventurers... well, certified of something I am sure... I am so proud of both of 'em.

You don't know what the elder's mother went through to make sure her son could swim safely when he was a boy - she with the fear of water, and the understanding life guards that would allow him to swim the deep end if he could swim from one side to the other and back - which he did in his best dog paddle. Way to go son, way to go.

Making adjustments, and talking about fears...

I did get a decent jog in today, and dusted the Computer Cave, and sat and listened to my wife about our next stage in our journey. She fears I will fall into the computer and never come out again, or read too many books, or stay home all the time and have no outside interests (and don't go to the mythical long legged redhead). The fears only build if they aren't answered, so we will be talking more and I will have to do more to prove myself - no better person to prove myself to or for in the world.

At the end of my run I was hailed by the Postman on his route, he was a howitzer section chief and assistant Gunnery Sergeant in the Charlie Cobras of the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery, while I was the First Sergeant, diamonds being trump. We hollered at each other and caught up, and were glad to see each other - we are getting so old. I was a First Sergeant while President Reagan was the CiC and we got Grenada, and Eastwood gets a pretty good movie out of it.

Well, some rifle cleaning after a little reading, I am reading THE RISEN EMPIRE by Scott Westerfeld. Very interesting and a bit different on my typical Space Opera diet. This one makes me think a little more, and that can't be bad, can it?

U Rn't here 4EVER, R U?

I got a couple of interesting nibbles from my family on my proposed ride across America, don't ask about my wife - she isn't going but knows I will do it somehow. My mother wants me to stop and get pictures of my cousin's home before I see her so she can look at them, her mother and she loved looking at new homes. My sister would like to go with me to Tennessee and Arkansas, and I asked what kind of a motorcycle she would be riding - kind of cool thinking that she would ride off with me, about time she broke free and roared! Her son-in-law has had his time on motorcycles could advise her on training and machine, and it doesn't really cost as much as one thinks if one doesn't buy an H-D label nor new. The picture is of my brother's motorcycle he says it is "Pacific Coast has nearly 100,000 miles on it. (And parts are starting to break with some regularity.) It really was the right type of motorcycle for me. Now I'm considering a BMW F800ST or a Honda NT700" He and his son haven't been through Yellowstone yet, might be time for Boy's BreakOut - or something. I often think I was locked into work, cause that was what I thought men did with their lives, and we all seem to have that idea that when you retire you sit down in the rocker on the porch, with your gun, dog and the moonshine and watch the world walk by... too busy to stop and share. Maybe I should just ride around until I find that pile of jobs that Washington DC is going to create, or just ride and be happy. Any good hints on computer to carry and connections, one can't just ride and not write and post about it, unless I wanted to publish an e-book about the trip.... nah, only my mother would buy it. Nevermind, the ride calls for more planning. I have been riding the last three days to work, fog, drizzle and lovely lean and roar, only once was I too close for comfort... I am so in the groove.

Okay, I have a few ideas...

Still mild Winter here, geese have started their V's to the North for the Winter Olympics. I am looking forward at the Hawaiian vacation (May - June) and spoiling our grandson and watching my son and his wife try to slow my wife down, just knowing I can rent a Triumph or Harley to get some lean time on the islands, could get a scooter but I do have my pride, ha, ha. I am hoping the schedule starts to fill out for the Appleseeds soon, Idaho (Boomershoot and Appleseeds in April)looks good and they have recently posted Castle Rock, Washington - so I can fill in my attendance and lock those dates in. The big idea, and I need to go see my mother this Summer is to ride across these United States missing all the TSA and the flyover of the heart of America, its land and people. Wondering if my neice will be back from Qatar, (South Dakota) my aunt would see me (Minnesota), Indiana blog meet (?), Camp Perry, Ohio to see how the really great riflemen do it, North Carolina for my mother, sister and visiting Ramseur range, off to hot Florida for another niece, sister and family and the beach, around Atlanta up to see cousin in Tennessee and the home he has been working on for his retirement and his wife (whom I promised a good motorcycle ride on my Boy's Toy), and then back across the United States stopping for sure in Arkansas and Colorado if anyone is home. Not mentioned but thinking about is the library in Ohio, a dairy farm in New York, the Hospital in DC area and Arlington and Fort Bragg where they don't know me anymore, but I know Longstreet. Six weeks about six to eight thousand miles, better get a great seat, huh? Trim and paste to please, but for sure visit my mother if all else fails. The Lord willin' and me paying attention.

It is official, I am not worthy...

Knowing it was coming, and having my own plans and goals for the remainder of my little life doesn't make the impact of thirty-eight pages of print telling me I and what I was doing aren't worth spit. Kind of like getting hit hard enough I wanted to breathe but had forgotten how and was he going to hit me again? So I went home quietly and stewed a bit, and slept and dreamed of military and long runs along the roads in North Carolina. Actually, at lunch I did some serious looking at job offers in the county, and they are there, some of them interesting. I know I am riding the motorcycle until I have to carry firearms and supporting materials to a range - one must have fun in life, the Trusty Triumph still loves me.

Now what do I do for a blog? Kind of a Has Been? Wasn't Wanted? Didn't they do a movie about this?

Earl in charge,

I like the Library, my whole life I have been able to go to the Library to find books and fill my mind. I remember the Bookmobile in Allegheny County and that special weekly trip to turn in and get my books, and I would read by the light of the street light coming through my window long after the official parents' "Lights Out!" got my first set of glasses not too long after. Before I paid attention to author's names I would go to the same section of the Library for more great books like the last one I read, in other words I had no idea how to find anything, but if the cover of the paperback had a lusty likely lady and a sword somewhere or a ship I would pick it up.

Adventures, History, the legends and myths, and real heroes all were fodder for my mind. I missed Christopher Robin, I had Robin Hood and King Arthur and the whole Trojan War and the old Bible peoples. Book stores weren't big when I was young, they seemed to show up with the Malls later. You have to have money for book stores. There were always libraries stuck in underused buildings and rooms in the military, that was really good for allowing me to study up for a college level examination, CLEP or end of subject exams. Those college credits worked for promotions and for later filling in of college credits. They also had lots to read about my profession, war, combat, training, weapons, soldiers, Marines and paratroopers. Yeah, libraries are important. During my last tour in Germany I had people reading behind me, we wrote our names in the checkout cards and everyone would know if you had read the book.

So, knowing the Library is a great opportunity for us poor folks, to be entertained and educated and enriched, I have worked in libraries at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Public Library and with the Washington State Library mostly at McNeil Island Corrections Center. That is all coming to an end for me, I am retiring based upon the shortsightedness of other people and lack of tax money to throw around. Although, it does seem if I had been a "TOO BIG TO FAIL" bank I would have had enough money to stay open.

Earl would have two full time employees at each branch in each institution, and one supervisor per four branches and one program manager for it all - if Earl had been in charge. Because Earl knows when you have nothing left how much is inside those books, but the library has to be open, the books circulating and the patrons reading. The world isn't working under Earl's rules - I am just a tourist, a wandering worker and an adventurer that knew Henry Morgan's attacks on the Spanish in Panama long before I would ever know that it could be a rum.

A recent article about the budget for our state and lack of foresight: remember that giving money to something doesn't always mean it gets to that level of effectiveness you need, but closing the doors, hours and access to good library keepers will never a positive change in a patron, inmate or patient, bring about...

Even FarmVille has a library to buy and build your village with now, they still don't have any hounds or work dogs but they have a library.

The Trusty Triumph and I rolling on...

So, since I am in a weather man looking gloomy at rain patterns, and I see dry roads, I ride to work and back and I sing - lucky, you can't hear it outside the full face helmet, but I am smiling again. Lots to smile about.

Last evening I went home to see the Kennedy seat taken by a hard working man..., and the Republicans think they see a message there. They aren't looking deep enough, no one was electing a Republican they were electing a local man that has earned their trust and confidence. They don't think he will become a RINO (that wasn't in my spelling class). If he leaves Washington DC after six years he won't become one.

I keep thinking I need to write Adam Smith a letter of introduction and start walking for Congress. Election is just down the road in a few months, how much grass will grow that I can't cut in that time, none.

Falling behind aren't we...

As I worked outside I noticed that the daffodils are five to six inches now, the moss has beaten the grass in growth and that the wind whipped the weaker branches from the trees, the roof has troubles waiting for my attention. The slugs and grubs are growing and the moles will be back with a vengeance and we aren't paying attention since we think it is still Winter rains, another week of rains. But there are trees and bushes getting a head start and budding since the temperature is around fifty and Earl's Sol is hanging around longer each day - the approaching Spring has been declared by life outside the house, if I got outside more I would be in tune with its approach and better prepared for welcoming it.

Okay, I have about six hundred old business cards...

I once said as I received my first box of business cards from the Office of the Secretary of State, for my position as Library Keeper (okay, officially only a Library Associate) that when I had given them all out in all my networking contacts and representing the Office of the Secretary of State and the Washington State Library at McNeil Island Corrections Center branch... that when I gave away the last one it would be time for a new position or something. Well, I have been asked for my contact information over the weekend, and I have needed a quick card to drop off before, so I made some - they aren't officially business cards, just a reminder of my name, who I think I am and contact information and space on the back to write if needed.

WILLIAM EARL DUNGEY

US Army ABN CSM (Retired)
RWVA Instructor & Shoot Boss
NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
Library Paraprofessional

behind the neat orderly internet web blogsite...

I have the most patient wife, because there is on this side of my monitor the reality of the world of Earl, surrounded by piles of paper procrastination and good intentions waiting for the time to attack them and the spider webs attached to the mostly eye twitching finger tapping computer linked disconnected human male THAT IS REALLY DISCONNECTED FROM EVERYTHING he loves but hardly notices. It is all in my, and now your mind, never mind...

Returning to Earl and the homeboy...

Get you behind the shooting line, for sure we (the candidates) did get to shoot and coach and teach and practice all over and over again. There were tests daily, looking to see if we had found the knowledge, skills and positive attitude to conduct NRA training with firearms safely. Two days of Rifle for the five of us, two instructors, and then the Home Firearm Safety course, too. Covered lots of material, two notebooks full of information and notes, a zippy bag of handouts and pamphlets. An interesting idea, headhunting for new and renewing NRA members, ten dollars for the new, five dollars for the renewal, interesting. Scheduling is a challenge, of all the resources that one needs for a mission, class or an adventure the one that can't be borrowed, stored up, nor forgotten is Time Marching ON! So, the archery folks were coming in on us at six promptly. Kenmore Gun Range is a very nice facility and is an asset to the community, I won't tell you the story about King County looking for a place for sewage treatment plant, but the club held them off.

Long drives, and Sunday evening got almost as exciting as the Friday commutes on I-405 East of Seattle, Lake Washington. I really don't know what happened on the news all weekend, have no idea of the world I will meet today. My wife wants to walk, for exercise, and finish scheduling our trip to Hawaii and work on cleaning up the yard from the constant waves of wind and rain that we have been beaten down by... it is Winter in the Northwest, the raining season.

Networking, always networking...

At the first day of the NRA instructor certification program we practiced introducing another candidate, and my introduction was key to getting a quick conversation about a private school that was going to start a rifle marksmanship program that I might be interested in, got the business card to call when I get back. Talked with others about what they are getting certified for, several for Boy Scout support, lots for pistol and police advancement. I am sitting at the table with two shotgunners, (trap) and learning a ton of things I might have to try one day. Life is really good among the people of the gun, learning and sharing and maybe today and tomorrow a little shooting.

Oh, this was all started when the Boomershoot Master posted the link of the course on his blog and I bit, isn't the internet wonderful for keeping the underground gunnies growing?

Did you do a good job? you will remember it...

The big conference call was this morning, and the big in Library meetings held and I learned what I already knew - we did a good job but only those in direct contact with us understand how well we did it and if it has worth. I have had that kind of work before, in places far away and long ago, I recognize it well now. I do know I have two things to write about and post and sell to the media, and that should be fun in itself.

I took home to read and return two books recommended about America, by writers that have passed on, To America by Stephen E. Ambrose and This Noble Land by James A. Michener. I checked on my email, deleting the commercial solicitations, especially Sara's Pix (no, I won't open that email). I find on the Appleseed Forum a new place to see where children, kids and youngsters (likely lads and lasses) can post their pictures from Appleseeds and stories about how they started shooting and with Appleseeds and what they liked about it = Appleseed for Kids.

Dreamed last night...

Kind of brownish dark, firearms were among the tools, the plot centered around getting men and women together for marriage and then giving them a farm plot to build a life upon. Some religious connotation - Quaker Mormon - the women were mostly patient and silent (it was my dream) and I seem to have become a person that could find the missing men. My character was younger than I, got one of the better ladies for wife and was off looking for the missing men when the real me woke and wondered where all that came from, dreams are supposed to be connected to something, so I spend some time in the darkness reasoning the connections and the plot line out, something between Little House on the Prarie and Gundsmoke - and all the entire West looks like sunburnt Southern California instead of Kansas Nebraska Iowa or Dakotas - my back still twinges but I want to move to keep testing it.

My blog isn't supposed to be whining...

So I will go on about life and drop by when I have something to offer worth sharing, sometimes the really good stuff gets away when you worry at the wrinkles in your time on Earth.

So we are going to Hawaii, to visit our son, daughter-in-law and grandson, celebrate birthdays (Keegan's 29 May, Gideon's 1 June) and watch my son at Kona, 5 June. Nothing like the thought of warm tropical weather, bright sunlight and laughing baby and worn out son... doing something I would never try - but then he has been a skater for years, and I wouldn't try that either. Don't you just love WINTER? I am late for work.

Back is fine, now back to pickin' cotton...

Actually, I believe most of my back problems are from mental stress. This morning after prayer and gruel I played with the numbers, what I must pay for monthly (utilities, debts and such) and how much would be coming in on two checks. AFTER ALL WAS PAID OUT, I had five hundred and eleven dollars and ninety-nine cents for food. Without getting a part-time job for $14,160, there is un-employment everywhere!

Being an almost upright man, I have obligations to provide for my wife, who demands an allowance if I retire, who doesn't like to sleep on the ground, who likes to travel to see grandchildren, who knows that if she had handled the income we would be living wonderfully now, instead of her worrying about money being tight - my famous words from my youth "There isn't any more money." always come back to haunt me. She is a wonderful woman, but she talks to other women and compares us to them constantly. She even asks my mother for advice, who gave the advice and then told me about the discussion -- LADIES, talk among yourselves all you want, but don't tell the men what you have decided, suggested or what THEY said about something... leave me in the dark. Nothing I have said relieves me of my promises and responsibility, I must provide and since that has defined many of my better years continuing will not be a painful task.

The easy way out of all this is death, and then the survivor gets the insurance and investments and life without the other party... and Human Resources is very aware of the trauma of losing one's position so they have professional counselors to help the former employee past the period where suicide seems the best thing for everyone. I think at some point (when I can't do anything anymore) I will will myself off this mortal coil but it won't be suicide it will be acceptance and surrender. Until then, I have a Social Security Employee that didn't call back in forty-eight hours that might try today and I am going to work, taking my contact information with me.

I do have so much to clean up and finish out at the branch library, no matter what the options offered and the discussions to come, procrastination piles were not what I was hired for, so I should clean it all up. Last day is still 12 February 2010, enough time to shred most of the evidence. Oops! Need to turn in December's reports today, would have been Friday but I was trying to contact the government.

Just get the facts talk to the wife make your move...

Saturday was a big day for my wife, church friends coming over, so two days of buying the correct food and stuff, one day of cooking and moving furniture and cleaning and then the two to three hours of entertaining the Bible study group in her home. The event was a complete success. An hour and a half after the last visiting lady left my wife had all the dishes and utensils cleaned and put away, I had all the furniture down or back or moved to normal positions and we were almost normal again.

We got Skyped by Hawaii, and enjoyed the talk and the view, plans are underway for May and June, pictures come in over email, I save and print some, post others. And my back decides to remind me that I am just a fat old man, not that I didn't get a tight back - back in the old days when much younger and foolish. It isn't any better to get it as an older gentleman than it was as a youngster... Back to the heat pads and the horizontal adjustment platform - bed, good night.

Mom is wise beyond measure...

Don't Wait

by Melba Dungey

Don't wait till it's the funeral parlor,

with me in a casket,

surrounded by satin;

don't wait till then

to come see me!

If you don't want to see me,

well then just don't come,

but don't then, come to my funeral...

What good is it if you're there?

We can't talk, we can't hug,

We can't sit in companiable silence....

All the good will be gone,

there will be no love shown,

it'll mean nothing to me

for I won't be there,

just my body all worn out....

Think, you can see me now!

Are you too busy to see me?

Why can't you come like spring?

It comes regularly, so could you!

All the good will be gone,

there will be no love shown,

we can't talk, we can't hug,

we can't sit in companiable silence...

It'll mean something to my family,

because I can't hear you then

our time together will be gone....

The time with me need not be long,

Just come see me!

That's all I want!

Time with you,

to talk, to argue, to smile, to laugh,

to enjoy each other!

By Melba Dungey


Of course, there is my brother-in-law weighing in on The Government's side:

Subject: forget the math
Date: Friday, January 8, 2010 10:46:52 AM

look wait until you are 66....get as much as you can from the goverment.....the old timers when I grew up was right.....plus you are just useing math to prove to yourself what you want to do ....there is no reason to get money if you are still able to get around...do you really need the money???....don't you aready have everthing you need???.....do what you want....I just remember KC saying you are geting that amount.... thats more then I am geting....and I really did not work out there that much and they were not the best paying jobs....and I was very surprise at the the amount.....so I am trying to spread the word to everyone wait untill 66 or 67 or what ever.....you can always do it at 63 or 64 right

I want to write y'all so much, but...

But nothing I have to say or have been thinking is worthy. So since my back has tightened up for a bit I give you a picture of the future. Tomorrow I may have better'n t'day.

What I did when I turned sixty-too old for it all...

I went to work and had a good day, the inmate workers got a little tired of my "release date" song, but two of them realize they are going to look for real work when the library goes to only twenty hours of staff, they can't live on twenty hours of forty-two cents an hour and one mentions that the library service will be bad just on days and hours.

I did ride the Trusty Triumph to work and back home, and leaned in deeper and rolled on the throttle harder as I got back into the RIDE!, and the smile almost made wild laughter status - but did I mention it was 36 degrees in the morning ride and a balmy forty-two in the afternoon? Well, I was rubbing my hands for about an hour after starting work, trying to get the bones back up to body temperature - they needed a hot mug of coffee to wrap around and I don't do coffee at work. Nice thing about the Trusty Triumph, it is completely paid for, and runs more fuel efficient than the Caravan, smile -- says the guy thinking about pinching pennies till they scream, in retirement.

I cleaned up at home, dressed and took my wife to the movie, SHERLOCK, and she bought dinner, a very nice evening together. Back to the house and checking the world we missed by going out. My brother tried to Skype me, caught me Friday morning, and there was a message from Social Security denying my application for my making too much money - and to leave a working number, well, it is a working number, I answer my telephone more than they answer their's, since I have called them twenty times today, and only left one message like she asked for. She is correct, I put down last years income from my job in the space provided for 2010 and that isn't what is going to happen, unless there is something waiting for me on the 25th of January that I can't imagine. So if she doesn't hear from me and we get the application corrected I will likely have to resubmit, which is fine, but it could be easier if she would answer her telephone, or return my call and message, but I can be patient. I was told something about Happy Birthday to you, you are a 102 and look like it too. Wouldn't that be nice, to get all that money for all those years for breathing and the government being TOO BIG TO FAIL, like there is anyone but us little folks to bail them out, agin.

Birthday cards from folks, Mom sends flowers, and my son and daughter-in-law send a coffee mug for Grandpa, with about eight pictures of Keegan, that is too cool, but I use it anyway. It is the correct size for a manly drink of black coffee.

Hmm, lost a follower...

There is a Beatles' song in my head, something about Birthday. I did lose a follower, but then I keep losing stuff everywhere. Trusty Triumph and forty degree warmth await.

Well, I'm thinking about Walking for Congress...

Since tomorrow I will be sixty-too old to Run for Office, I thought I should walk for it. You know, go around and get signatures for getting my name on the ballot, walk around talking to people about how I won't represent the Democrats, Republicans, Communists or Alarmists - I only want to represent the voters of our district. Walk around and talk to them about not needing any money for our campaign, because if they don't know what is important for me to say, to vote for and do in Washington DC, then they can just not vote for me and I will stay in Washington State, with side trips to Idaho, Hawaii and Oregon. I had a great conversation in the library about ideas, and how America couldn't produce its way back to the top of the Industrial nations - and I mentioned as soon as the Consumer Culture gets done eating its young the only thing that will be left in America will be producers and they will rebuild it the way they work, yep. I am thinking of walking for Congress, ought to write Adam Smith and warn him that he is in my way, but I will need his help to work on the wrongs.

Looks like as part of that celebration of being Earl so long and so wonderfully (thank you all, family, friends, people passing in the night and those that haven't a clue... and mostly truly - Thank God) I will get to ride the Trusty Triumph to work tomorrow pretending I am bold enough to stop for Mocha at the bikini barista's stand - but knowing I am better than that or just plain old shy.

First of the last days of the library keeper...

Well, I did get the inmate payroll done, reports started and numbers crunched. On the email is a wild flurry about a RIF presentation by HR, can you make it, well they will send you a DVD of it. Apply early for benefits, or they may be gone.

A casual conversation on the ferry, asking about my military experience, have I found a new job yet. Nope, I don't know the man except by sight, think he works with the Special Commitment Center (rabid rapists). I pick up three mail bins, funny trying to keep them from tumbling as I go up the steps, just an old man with too much on his hands. I am angry at the criminal stupidity I have to work with, either from my workers or the patrons coming in the door. Part of that is the separation adjustment, needing to distance self from this link and get on with happier at another place and time, part of it is frustration with how they never get smarter. I need to back off - there isn't any confrontation needed - they have to stay and get on with their lives the best they can, I get to leave and do other things.

I did have a loud conversation with an inmate that wanted a different 1040 form, he had requested EZ but then couldn't get his wife on it, so he wanted a 1040A, so I told him to have his counselor email me and I would send them to her. He tried to pretend his counselor would have called, that it was his mistake, that I could bend the rules just a little and he wasn't listening to what I had already told him twice. So the third time is was louder with emphasis - and he told me I was disrespecting him. Yep, and I am going to be that way for a long time, no respect for people that don't act better when they should, no respect for behavior that isn't in keeping with his growth as a better Child of God.

I did have some success finding some reading material for some of the other patrons, and was moving (circulation) items around and out to other libraries, training the inmate clerks in their current duties, new year new duties. But I was glad to turn off the computers and head out the door, lights off, locked up library behind me.

The GPS Navigator tells me when to turn in the wet (raining constantly now) darkness, except I do make her recompute by taking roads she hasn't picked. Isn't there an alien voice for computers? Do they use a women's so I don't get angry at the little machine?

Vegetables, chicken and salad await me, and a smiling wife. She is concerned about the job, not enough to lose any sleep over, just enough to encourage me to take the easy way if offered - the part-time job at McNeil Island - but two problems there, they will want forty hours of work in the twenty hours, they will close that job down as soon as they haven't the money to pay for it. Although no one has said that, that is the way the Office of the Secretary of State and the Washington State Library have run in the past and there doesn't seem to be a reason for change, no matter whom was elected. I am laughingly looking at retirement, my father did at sixty-too old, but he had had two heart attacks and had his mortgage paid off and lived on cash not credit (so much smarter than I am). Had nine great years boating and being Dad, Don and Grandfather in retirement.

In the mail are bills I will work on Wednesday, and a large manila envelope from Colorado, my Certificate and ID card saying that I am a Range Safety Officer and Rifle Instructor, a very nice way to close this day down - the stuff of my future fun and adventures in shooting stuff. Thank you very much Riflewoman and Fred, pleased as punch to be a part of the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. Is pleased as "Punch" from the puppet character?

Book Reviews are so much better by others...

I like Farmer Frank's, and normally run out to read what he thoughtfully recommends, but I was asked to read "OFF ROAD" by Stephen E. Wright and give him a review. So I read it and put it on the procrastination pile for many reasons, but when SailorCurt did his review it meant my good intentions were going bad so I have written and filed my review and link to SailorCurt's for balance and fairness. I am a poor writer and way too opinionated to be a nice guy. But this is my review:

Humm, this is my review of "Off Road", by Stephen E. Wright, who I have met on the internet and through blogging, so I have opinions before I even open the book. First I am honored to have been asked to read it, as if my opinion matters at all, second I think I should find an interesting book hidden between the cover sheets since I have read some of his writing before, and last I have to decide if it would go on our library shelves.

So I have finished reading "Off Road", and I had my biggest problem with the worthless main character - I wanted to beat him up and straighten his attitude about life up, and he was already too old and too lost to be worth my time and ancient talents. I hated the guy, named Paul, his only saving grace would be blindness and conversion and I wasn't in charge of that option. Every move he made, all his thoughts were anti-me, which meant as a stereo-type of folks I wouldn't be around, he fit the bill perfectly. Now his brother, Gary, I knew from where I grew up and where I have been and I wouldn't have minded saying hello to him, but then since I don't off road I would have just looked on in awe and helped hook up towing cables and belts when needed, his camping was good, too. Since I don't off road but have been stuck many places I had no real benefit of the technical possibilities presented in the detail - it could have been pared down to the critical points, especially when the narrator (Paul) had little idea of what was going on beyond dangerous but they could do it. I think the rifle of the father, was really a beauty and could do some great shooting, but I don't think Paul would have made those shots presented on the first shooting scene, I have done some teaching, there aren't a lot of people that shoot up to the potential of the firearm, without lots of practice - especially long range shooting.

So those two technical sticking points were not what the story was about, so what did I think of the three men getting together for a weekend of family fun, off roading? Well, I think that could have happened and would have been very good and is the major reason this story becomes important -- I think Gary would have been learning things from Paul, although it didn't seem to be happening. I know that their father would have treasured every step of this trip, and had to rest long and hard until the next challenge, breathing oxygen at altitude means your life is already on suck, you grab everything you can when you can, and rest up between times. I could believe that Paul was changing a little bit, forcing him to face his father's and his own extinction and the phony life he had been leading were almost convincing, but since I had given up on him as a real human being early on in the book I wasn't convinced he could be converted to the Light. Having issues with the past in my own life, I know that one has to conquer those long before this story did. Gary had because of his belief, and Paul should have because there wasn't anything he could have done about it, and the father - he would have, should have held on much tighter to all he had left, although I think the story does give him credit for support, he needed to be the role model of manhood, and that is too missing, which is why Paul is a basket case Metrosexual and Gary is just a Guy going Good.

A very powerful, convincing and important death scene, especially dragging the unbelieving Paul into the prayer. I would have figured Paul for getting a coffee and sitting thinking about the weekend and getting back to work, but then I didn't like him from the start of the book, not one thing did I identify as something I could be considerate of his lifestyle choices. There should have been one I could have empathized with, don't you think?

I do know that this book goes on the shelf in my library, it does have important points, is about things that my patron population needs to think about and some of them that are real off roaders will enjoy parts of it, the ones that will benefit from it will only if it is on the shelves and taken down and read. The sure knowledge that you can make a change in your own life, that you are responsible for your life and that others (whom you laughed at, looked down upon, or victimized) might be part of your salvation comes through in this book.

Hmm, my review is a rough as I thought his story, maybe he should review my review - nah, don't. Thank him for writing the book, and asking me to read it.

Start a New Year with three days off and...

Strange things just aren't going to happen, but you sure can get fat. I am on day three and finally check my blog roll for input - a few people are upset with Doonsebury, the President, and other foolishness - could be the blog is going the way of Main Stream Media - not important in my life? Nah, some really good stuff was out there waiting on my comments, and a reminder that I haven't reviewed "Off Road" by Stephen E. Wright, since SailorCurt did his and published it on the blog, arrghh! I didn't read the review since I wanted to write my review without other opinions. Right after this, in the email, pinky promise.

History of Earl, did go to church, did write up a plan for the year:

Bible reading daily, prayer and meditation (that would probably lower my blood pressure without any medication).

One hour daily aerobic exercise (I know it should be eight miles but I am so old, once upon a time an hour of aerobic exercise would have covered eight miles)

Exercise moderately daily, moderately exercise daily, daily moderate exercise.

Daily dry fire forty rounds all positions for the AQT

Weekly fire one .22 LR AQT, one Redcoat, and a NRA small bore Rifle target, and one pistol periodically.

Monthly fire one 30-06 AQT, and some long battle sight distance and beyond.

GOALS -- Save the World (one Earl at a time), keep hiding from the long legged red head, work with the NRA on shooting certification and shooting expansion, keep working with RWVA on Appleseeds and meeting great Americans, almost Americans and wonderful people at rifle ranges doing good stuff - safe shooting and talking about the History, support other good gun stuff, ride the Trusty Triumph into the Sunrises and Sunsets, take wife to Hawaii to visit grandson and his parents, visit my mother, stop and hunt small game, larger game and get some game this year... one would think I would know how to take time to do such a thing - but it needs to be a goal, otherwise the World slides right by me, so busy saving the World. That might be more than I can manage, but I think that I can do it so I can write it down, today.

I didn't put getting a new, better, more wonderful J0B down anywhere in those goals. When I went to the GUN Show (looking for loopholes everywhere) I renewed my Washington Arms Collectors membership, with a young lady with long fingernails that wouldn't work on an M1 Garand, anyway -- when it came to the occupation or profession part I wrote down RETIRED - I have just given up. That gets fewer expectations about me, quickly - although I may get more offers of Retirement Homes and Assisted Living in the mail with the Reverse Mortgage offers.

I met an old running buddy at the Marine Corps table, bought their raffle ticket, met several other people and talked a little about rifles and what works for me. Saw nothing I would buy, so didn't. There was a lot you could have given me, and I would have had more stuff than I do now, I did buy one more raffle ticket at the NRA booth, since my luck in such matters is offset by the wonder of my real life I don't expect anything good to come my way there, but I did think the Quigley Rifle was totally awesome when compared to the other raffle choices, totally. I don't need to own one, but shooting it for a bit would be good.

Well, my wife has returned wonders why I am at a computer when important Korean soap operas are going on. Well, dear, I have a book review to write and grapes to harvest on FarmVille... priorities you know.

This is not a good start on the New Year

I goofed off yesterday, and that means I have 365 days of improvement to cram into 364 possible days available. I did sign up for two Appleseeds, but still feel like they don't need me since they are holding secret meetings in North Carolina without me, not that I was ever in favor of meetings in rooms. I think the ones called at the scene of battle preparation or after action debriefing are better.

I have all my shooting gear, some ammunition and Appleseed stuff in my Caravan, the suitcases are put away, along with the Christmas decorations, will keep the reason in my head and my heart. Americans are fat because we have so much we don't know how to share. Luckily I am not giving up on all Americans, just the ones that think they have to demand I share - those are a loss.

I put Defiance on the DVD player and ironed all my stuff, stopped the movie and cleaned up the garage, then moved out to the shed and stuffed stuff in it (too much stuff, land of the fat), then I started raking leaves, certain satisfaction in raking the leaves, you can see the immediate improvement. Now, my wife has left me, I have answered the telephone for her and I have less reason to not watch the remainder of Defiance than I did before. Time to get back to watching people surviving a democratically elected government that destroyed its constitutional protections for security reasons and glory.... yes, History can repeat itself.

Good morning, World

The longest journey begins with the single step, like you are going to walk away from your home, but this is the beginning of the end, my friend. Did you hear the music behind that when you read it? Too young, well, that wasn't the only thing you missed out on, but pay attention as we go on down the road, there is more poetry to match the music and all your adventures will be so much fresher than mine - new car smell syndrome.