Time to do the bills and shut this computer down...

Have a great Monday, and if I don't come back --- have a really great week.

Piles of Procrastination and Pocketsful of Plunder..

So, awhile ago, Breda had a thing about what one was carrying, and asked for photos. Most comments don't have a way(IKNOW)of posting a picture, and since the camera was one of the things in the pockets - it has difficulty in photographing itself... like I have difficulty in seeing and coaching myself in shooting techniques and finding my problems. So I found the old digital camera and made a picture to share. Since it was a bit and a time ago, it has been lifted from the piles of my procrastinations. Kind of like asking forgiveness for one's sins, then adding more and asking again and again - the sins come faster than the requests are generated... so they do pile up. Don't give up, one day you will sin less frequently and pray for forgiveness much more and balance and grace will be yours. Almost like finally conquering your diet then the chocolate comes around.

The piles of papers aren't totally things I should have done already, but much of it may be so upon reflection. The handle each piece of paper only one time didn't really stick, the papers I only handle once are torn in half immediately - that makes them only a dim memory so fast. Others I work with when I get to them... I was much better with letter writing answers when in the military, sigh. I will get back to them... in a bit.

I dressed so well for church today, size forty, I am way so big. Last evening I was at a home Bible study for the men, the women get together to make sure we are fed, and the men go off to talk and then have the Bible study and then eat and talk some more. I started the ball rolling by telling them they were messing with my marriage because they weren't going to shooting clinics with me on the weekends, and since they were different than I and my wife's marriage their wives were picking on mine for her not being worried about my absences and what was I really doing. They (the men) know I am not doing anything - but they also understand that their wives really do like everyone to be the same in life... I did get a want to get a gun from the younger man that wants to get one in his home, I offered my pistols and the Fort Lewis range on Saturday at the Bible study, and later again to him and his wife at the after church coffee. The Pastor was wound up this morning, great sermon about why and such, at the coffee he came by saying hello again. He had asked at the service for new comers to raise their hands, and if you hadn't been there in the last two weeks - not being shy about it, I did raise my hand - he made it seem that meant I could be saved. I certainly hope so, so when he came by again at the coffee I offered to take him shooting, too. Rifles. Seems he had to give his up when they left Montana (wife's choice?) but he was impressed with black powder shooters and Hawkins Buffalo hunters. He may come shoot, and I may get saved... or not. The offers always stand.

And yes, I did carry successfully at church, can hide a lot in that suit, I did enjoy the service, they start with almost a rock band sing along - I have fallen for the drummer, but there is a child and I suspect I will have to only like her drumming and the smiles the boy gives his mother (no, I write these stories only in my mind, I will never be anywhere but in the pews singing while she drums). Well, enough, there is an NCIS marathon today, and Seattle will likely lose to Kansas City, but then it is all about the Benjamins... isn't it? Nope, it isn't - after so many years on Earth all that stands out in my life is the amount of love I have received so undeserved. Do you know there are young people out there that don't know about John Wayne? Shocker to me, too.

True, eating too much might cause dreams...

Not that all that goose was consumed yesterday - but there is no sign of the pumpkin pie. The goose was very good, especially since we don't normally have that - like ever. My wife pointed out its price and I understand (no, I never price food). There were some potatoes and much stuffing left - the asparagus was gone, and I carved all the remaining meat for later.

The dreams were military, there was running on the roads, there was shooting and rifle safety (which doesn't come up much), there was a new assignment dream - meeting the commander and being naked, the position was First Sergeant (which is a great position to have lots of effect). I hadn't gotten my office set up with uniforms and bug-out bag (alert gear, really) so I wandered a lot without clothes on, doesn't bother me much - I have been to Munich where the secretaries shed all their clothes for lunch time in the sunshine in the city. And I went to my Basic Training in Fort Benning, GA. in WWII barracks with un-stalled toilet facilities, no secrets among the guys there.

Since it is Friday, and I may have gained three pounds or more, I will have to do something productive before nightfall, wish me luck.

Can't get to the computer with shorter arms...

It's melting, it is melting...

Happy Thanksgiving has to do with the simple joys...

It may fly right by, with the excitement of travel, family, football and feasting - the Army put on a great spread on Thanksgiving Day, now they send everyone home on a four and a half day fast furious drive across the country.. or where they are locked in service far away, or locally on post across America, they still put on a great dinner. Enjoy it, it isn't Thanksgiving on the Yalu in 1950, so many uninvited Chinese guests. Once upon a time, 19th Century, when we were still sure that government couldn't establish religions there were only two holidays off for soldiers - one was Thanksgiving and the other was their birthday. The rest of the time they were caring for horses, guns, barracks and kit.

Ah, that is all behind me, dusty stuff up in my mind's memory. I will get to see Macy's Parade, Football, and sweep the light dusting of snow off the drive and sidewalk that arrived in the darker early morning. I have a roof over my head, my ex-girl friend is close (she is cooking my goose - turkey being too big), the power is on in this area, the furnace has been kicking out heat. I have way too much to be thankful for, may all my cancers be small and removable, may all my motorcycling be with the wheels down and only my heart flying, may all my shooting be on paper and not while being shot back at, and may I do better at giving and accepting hugs. Amen

Happy Holidays...

I have been out ruining the picture perfect snow covered landscape. You see I don't think too much about slipping on icy walks or driveways that are just slides and such. So it is twenty-seven degrees out, I get my shovel and start clearing snow from the concrete. There is a Sun behind the clouds and some radiation gets through. Snow being white and very reflective, and also a fine insulator must be moved away, to allow the radiation to hit the darker concrete, to allow the air, which may wick icy moisture away, away. The other thing is I have to move to burn calories and my wife is baking a pumpkin pie, like my mother taught her. And y'all aren't coming to help eat it... the price one pays for being in an abundant Earth. If I don't get back by the time the football starts, have a happy holiday, and do give thanks - we have too much and want so much more. Definition of spoiled isn't it?

Okay, I will go out to get the mail, but if I fall.....

Snow and ice, wind chilled and waiting for those that aren't paying attention. The US Postal Service has been by, the garbage collectors have not (yet). Most of Washington seems to be holding their breath and waiting for the melt down as more cold FRIGID air comes down from Canada. Haven't read the blogsphere today, did note that North Korea shelled a South Korean island, killed one Korean Marine. Not an instant response from either South Korea nor the United Nations - except to note it and wonder if there is a problem somewhere. The South Koreans had been having a very large military operation and the North claims it was thinking the the End was Near, so they are only acting in self-defense. We could send all the TSA screeners to the North so they could pat down the invading South Korean Army - it would make Thanksgiving travel so much better. I also read that certain folks don't have to go through the screening process in America - the Royal family and such, I believe it.

Good Monday Morning!

Snow day here, I have rifles to clean and Caravan to unload, a snow shovel to purchase and then use. So I haven't much to add to the information systems of the Blogsphere.

I do know that I have two lovely rifles, and the only way to really improve Mister Garand's fine M1 Battle Rifle (Patton said so it must be true) is to wrap a blond behind it and smile.

Good

Just having too much fun...

Wind chill and snow flakes and big clouds in the afternoon, Earl is going to work hard on his shooting skills as soon as his final Appleseed if closed out in December, yep. And he is going to get prettier and friendlier and send a little extra to Uncle Sam(uel Whittemore) fine veteran he was. If nothing else, I really do like those fine people I meet on the line, working to improve everyone's safe and accurate (to only 4 MOA). People liked my Stevens target rifle, my CMP Target 22LR ammunition and of course the fine BATTLE RIFLE called the M1 Garand. I took lots of pictures but it was dark by the time I was driving out of Yakima, and the snow was flurrying down. Ah, large black coffee, oldies and the Blues and remembering to downshift instead of braking on the mountain pass road, I-90, the folks in charge slowed us down to forty-five and except for three crushed cars on an icy bridge - most of us handled the challenge safely. Good night! The shooters were awesome, lots of Riflemen and potential ones in the future.

Good Sunday morning, folks everywhere but here...

I am having a great weekend, shooting as a Veteran (FREE!) with Appleseed in Moxee, where Big Red's is the place to order pizza - way better than great pizza. I brought my ribbons, and then had to explain what they meant for those that asked, my uncle had one that even he didn't know what it was called, we do start forgetting, and every generation they seem to be more issued - starting to look like comic Italian generals. Still I was wandering back into the storage areas of my darker mind as I thought about all I didn't say about them and where I was when. Since most of my askers werent born when I served for some it was interesting... remember that I belong to the Revolutionary War Veterans Association, and those real vets from that era got only a Purple Heart for different reasons than the current one, and their best reward was land grants for starting new on the frontiers.

Anyway, I woke to a very hot room, and thought about how my shooting had been the day before. I give you the two Redcoat targets, AM and PM and it was better by end of day, but really I need to shoot more, instead of shooting my mouth. I went to my first Appleseed and learned much, went to others and taught and learned - always having fun and always learnin'. Still need more shooting, and dry practice to increase my proficiency. Because the why I went to Appleseed hasn't changed but I seem to have picked up stuff along the way - the good stuff is the friends and fellow shooters, the smiles of the youngsters, the best shooting and you get to pretend that you helped make that happened (no, it is always the shooter, the target and the rifle - and that is the shot!).

I live in a nation that has lost its way, and the Terrorists have won. They changed America - just like Columbus, they will be remembered long after Earl isn't. Our government treats its citizens as they travel like cattle going to market. Our citizens that can "if they wanted to" creat a better government (oh, that makes everyone's head hurt) accept being treated like cattle because they feel safer on their way to market. But I don't worry, folks, really I don't expect a government to save me in anyway - some of their foolishness has tried to kill me in various places and for things they don't remember nor want to admit - they write books about it.

But all that government hasn't a real handle on making my weekend nor shots count - I am one of the masses waiting for the end. of the show, the movie, the life of Earl, the future, the past, the now... and I came to Appleseed to learn how to shoot better and was distracted along the way. I need to shoot better, so like Bruce Lee - study, practice and shoot better. Glad that I live in the country where the forces of Gun Fears haven't control yet - but then I do have to do it their way? but they don't shoot - remember they live in Gun Fears. I can't learn to make my shots count with them. That is like putting the government that couldn't stop the 9/11 terrorists in charge of the next group of terrorists... or of pretending to stop them.

I do know, in the end, how well I shoot - has to do with me, the moment, the rifle, the ammunition and the target - and all the forces between. And my brother tells me that the government hasn't stopped my shooting, but they pay a lot of people lots of money for the noise between me and the targets, the noise I am not paying attention to. Why did I go to Appleseed, why do I still go to Appleseeds? So I can be a better shooter - why am I not listening to NPR, The Federal Government, Homeland Security, The Terrorists, New York Times, Time magazine, ABC World News - because none of them are doing enough to help me shoot better - they are just noise. As the RWVA has its internal infernal disputs about the mission and the message and the man - I am still looking for improving my shooting. Will be taking my M1 Garand into the fray today... and either The Guy or Fred could help me improve my shooting but they aren't where my Appleseed weekend is, the the folks here on this line, shared the cold, the wind, and the snow flakes beating vibrations into the barrel of my rifle which rippled my shot (this is my blog and I'll tell it the way I saw it happen). Anyway, those that care sent me here, support my flickering eyelids (don't blink!) and I will be trying to be a better shot - which is why I came here two years and a month ago... and do again today... don't lose focus. Only God loves you in the ways that matter, and only you can share that with those that matter, so make all your shots count and do it with love, they will hit the target.

I was going to Hibernate, but instead I will just be...

obsolete. Not to worry, it has been a great run and I have really been blest, most of us just had a good time, but I get to know that I have really been blest. My spell checker doesn't like that way of spelling but then it wasn't an Anglo-Saxon spell checker - see, I am very obsolete. When I went to school the difference between blest and blessed was more than spelling and phonetics, still is in my mind. Of course when I went to school we were expected to pass or fail, and failure was repeating the grade with younger children.

I went to do stuff today, preparing for shooting this weekend, looking for my survival in broken-down car in the wilderness, found most of it but then noticed that I had a big box of RWVA t-shirts, and two bags worth, and I knew I had a aviator's kit bag half full of t-shirts from my last Appleseed and a totally un-used shoot box with everything one needs for a shoot of thirty plus folks. So, I changed my supply request for December's Appleseed in Eagle Creek, Oregon to just Winterseed Rifleman patches if they had any. I also took a picture of my Trusty Triumph surrounded (and it can't get out!) by all the Appleseed stuff, targets, t-shirts, shoot boxes, supporting tools and gear, but no rifles in the garage.

I finished the cutting of the grass and mulching the leaves, broke the mower but finished is finished, won't cut the yard again until Winter breaks - just not enough Sun to grow grass - it is dark out there. Then I got ambitious and got the high ladder and went to mudding the skylight, and did it. When it is well set, next week, sanding and painting and my wife will be shocked again. She has Women's Bible Study in her home tomorrow and I have much to do before I sleep, wake early and drive off for three hours of darkness. One of the things was to turn in the film from Korea that her sister sent her, from the cameras that we had given them years ago.... and sure enough Safeway doesn't do film any longer - read above about the dinosaurs... me! I am on digital and my computer and only print the pictures my wife wants of our grandson, but my wife gave the older cameras to her sister, with film and she used them somewhere and sent the film back to share and get processed... and Safeway doesn't do that anymore. Hmm, so I found the drug store that would take the film and send it off to be back in a week. I haven't played any of our old vinyl records lately either. Being lazy I just turn on FM stereo and listen to what strikes me as moving...

Convincing me that I totally out of touch is an EXPERT telling everyone that divorce is good for the children. Build a civilization on that won't you?

Shakeups... and breakups... the end of one's world...

Ever wonder how it was for others when it all came to an end, every rule, all that they had worked for or created - brushed aside, crushed under or burned up in a sad day of bombing one back into the stone age? Most of the victims wouldn't have noted it, it just was what was happening, if they survived they went on the best they could. But it would never be the same, and thousands of years later someone would be digging up the long buried History and guessing (using the best guess method) that a society lived a certain way, because that is the way all societies live. And yes, it is happening today, but we are too close to understand that it is happening.

In the Appleseed society, the one-up-manship grows, make it special enough for a colored Winterseed patch (which there aren't enough of in the world of really cold range weekends) and some hot weather posers want to have a SUMMERseed patch. One of the hard working Master Instructors has been relieved to ripen off the vine. He should have chosen my option - Hibernation - one needs reflective time, to identify what needs to be done, what one can add to the measures of worth. And bears do very well fattening up and then sleeping it off until enough Sun comes back to stir things.

Ah, well, George R. R. Martin has still not finished his Saga of Ice and Fire - but then he isn't a starving author any longer either. Maybe a little more hunger in the world could be a good thing to keep everyone working. I heard that universal health care would be a good thing, and we should have it - but then one couldn's smoke, abuse drugs, get fat, eat strange diets and such - you would be breaking a compact with the nation that provided your health care, like you can't complain about the TSA at the travel hubs, since they provide your security - you can't carry concealed there and they have all the guns and THE LAW on their side. Don't worry, Mom, I am not going to visit for Thanksgiving - but I will be thankful for you and your share of my life. And remember when you pray for your enemies, include your friends you don't agree with - like the whole Homeland Security bunch. They are doing the very best they can... they definitely need more help and God is the answer.

It was dark, so dark last night...

Who said 'the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself'? Ah, not that it matters, it is true, and in America we are beaten up by fears constantly. Then the lights go out - could it be assassins cutting lights, phone so they won't have police and alarms? just teenage burglars? rapists? or the wind blowing down tall trees into junction boxes and power lines? Not that it matters - grab the flashlight, turn it on, go get the candles and the kerosene lamp, get them lit and start reading the Bible and the Warhammer novel. Okay, we could have called 911 and reported we thought we were under attack by the Zombie hordes, but it wasn't the reasonable answer to what was happening. Did we have water and food? weapons and ammunition? First aid materials? Warm dry clothing? Transportation away to a safer place? Did the gas fireplace light up brightly when the switch was flipped? Yes, to all of that. So why do y'all have a TSA and believe (reasonable answer to the threat) that is more than a waste of everyone's time, talent and money. If you think that the pedophiles only become Boy Scout leaders (not true) or the drivers of school buses, what kind of new playing fields are there now for the perverts?

Okay, go in the other direction, there is a real threat - then you do have to do full body cavity searches, ground all air traffic with too large a load of fuel, stop being the world's enemy in fact and in fiction. Remember, World War II, Axis and the Allies exchanging bombers daily and nightly, blowing up everything they could find big enough to call a target. Not one of those countries stopped everything to ask for a safe day. Yet on 9/11, they grounded all air traffic, gave orders to shoot down any aircraft that didn't have special permission to fly (are the friendly skies of United gone forever?), and then cower in fear for many years there after pretending that it can never happen again - cause we made it so much safer. OR, there is an illusion of safety, like the dead bolt lock on a door frame that will pop into the room when struck properly.... it doesn't slow much down at all.

I don't like flying because I am on fixed income, they charge for baggage and they treat you like a child without a mind --- but I will fly because people I love are far away, and I will almost wish for bombs on Washington DC because there doesn't seem to be any intelligent life there worth saving. Key word, ALMOST, I have seen the face of war and the innocent are always the victims of someone's stupidity. So I don't wish for real bombs, just that they know how badly they are at representing me - I have one representative, and he hasn't made me secure in my life yet. Hmm, wonder if I could do better without him? Oh, I am doing better without him. Well, that will be all from here, don't forget it does take FEMA a bunch of time to get it right after the TSA fails. Homeland security, home security... which works best?

By the way, this story can't be true. Only a commander wanting to make sure he had his ticket punched with combat command and no friendly fire or accidental discharge would do this. The ARs will go on safe when the hammer has been cocked, but not when it hasn't. You could carry a rifle or carbine with a round in the chamber and tell anyone asking that of course it doesn't have a round in the chamber and it is on safe. Remember that the Secret Service has commanders remove the whole bolt carrier groups of troops around the Commander in Chief, just no trust left in the world is there? Yeah, that story couldn't be true, or all the troops would be back home, patrols without ammunition mean more bayonet training in Georgia. Get them all back, now.

I am so ready for Hibernation....

Well, I am really fat - no matter how much they tax my fixed income and my various purchases I still am consuming more calories than I am burning. I was shuffling channels and ran across Leave it to Beaver and watched it between commercial break throughs in chopping vegetables. Black and White television was so much simpler and better. Fred sent a message to all the IIT2s and above and says he is in charge and he wants numbers.... and many other things, so much noise. As I look around the noise I find cops shooting vans badly (are they all afraid?) people still getting on aircraft so they can get their jollies (the TSA or the frequent fliers?) a 19th Century political activism with gun fire from Kansas and people we care about falling victim to illness unknown. So much to worry and be concerned over. The Appleseed close out for three promotions, sending in the cash and finishing the paperwork without abusing the support staff will get done this week. But I want to return to reading my Warhammer adventure - when men were HEROES and orks were green, and giant sized. So ready for Hibernation.

does all life exist on facebook, dare I look for it...

Nope, although I did find the Black Falcons there, 2-319th AFAR, they became falcons during the reorganization of the 82nd Division when they burned Division Artillery's place and threw the artillery battalions into the Infantry Brigade (2nd Brigade 325 AIR was the Falcons of various colors) - now the artillery got black. Constant improvements, name changes and reorganizations. They should be in Reno in August of 2011, gives me a place to ride the Trusty Triumph to and find out how things are.

James Bond had much more interesting life in motels - all I seem to do is wander the internet and find out what people are posting, and drink the morning coffee, time for another cup. Snow up at Reformed Redneck's home in Idaho - says it will make find the dear easier - he meant deer. Now I kind of see why Army Men occupy certain blogs - sleep works but the television doesn't. More coffee and pack up for the day on the range. Not cold enough for Winter Seed Rifleman patch, but then no one sent us any, and shooting in good rainy weather is better than COOL patches, isn't it?

Looking around still more to get rid of....

Hoping to buy the winning Lotto tickets, isn't that what the Federal government is going to try? President Obama went to make a deal with South Korea (Dae Han Min Guk)and they held tough, tried to reason with the Chinese and they also proved so unreasonable. Now he can come back to America and reason with the Democrats and the Republicans and have just as much success. Trust is the basis of relationships, we do as much together as we trust each other. In America a man's word was his bond - now you have to post a bond. A handshake sealed the deal, now you have to have your people meet their people and lawyers have to get a cut. If I, an American citizen, can't be trusted with a loaded firearm in the White House, at the airport, on the streets, in the library, at the schools and in my home.... I start to think you don't trust me.

Now except for the White House, I have had a loaded firearm in all those other places - and didn't start a revolution, riot, hurt anyone, rob anyone and kept my best manners. Y'all honored my service to this nation, and all my brothers and sisters in arms, yesterday. But today it is back to normal - spying on our email, listening to our iphones, OnStar, and monitoring our movements. Why? are your demons worse than our demons? Well, if they don't trust me - why would you ever think they would trust you? skin color? religion? language?

You know you are too old when they call you a Vet...

I was a working professional military man for many years and never ever called myself a Vet, yes, I was a combat vet and wore my patch on my shoulder proudly - didn't need to say anything else after we had quietly departed the Republic of Vietnam in 1973. I left in 1971, on a normal rotation, I expected to go back if we stayed. Not quite as bad a rotation as the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - the Army was much larger then, the Marines also.

Veterans to me were always those old guys marching in local parades a couple times a year, honored by the community for their service. In fact veterans have been the backbone of any great military organization - as Lord Percy once wrote "Whoever looks upon them as an irregular mob, will find himself very much mistaken. They have men amongst them that know very well what they are about, having been employed as rangers against the Indians and Canadians, and this country being covered with wood, and hilly, is very advantageous for their method of fighting." The Greeks and the Romans put their veterans in special units to back up the younger unblooded warriors. Napoleon didn't love his Old Guard for just their mustaches - but that he could always count on them not to break. Zulu warriors had not much status until they got to wash their spears (in the blood of their enemies).

Oh, well, these last few years have worn off that foolish facade of eternal youth that one wears with his uniform. I got old in the military, becoming almost a father figure although never "The Old Man" (always reserved for the commander). Now many years later after retiring I am so very happy to be still alive, that the title Vet will fit me and my feeble body just fine. Remember, Arby's and other folks have special deals tomorrow for veterans. Shucks, even the Revolutionary War Veterans Association has something for Vets:
Vets shoot Free!. Yes, I signed right up, all I have to bring is my rifle, ammunition and a great American attitude!

Happy Birthday, Marine Corps now about barriers...

Yeah, I know, but I am celebrating on Zulu time so I am golden.

About barriers, I was locked out of my home in the cold wet rainy Northwest, an effective barrier (if I didn't want to break in). But the thought is worth an entire long winded by Earl post - but I am going to bed after my glass of wine and finding out that I can't get to the Appleseedinfo.org site. Barriers, someone somewhere doesn't like me - or maybe I am just the bottom of another conspiracy theory. G'nite.

And don't forget to say your prayers for all that you love, all that you should love and those that you really, really have trouble loving in any meaningful manner (which is mostly your problem not theirs) - pray for them all, the long the short and the tall. Nothing would defeat a terrorist quicker than finding himself in Heaven with our God.

What qualifies you? who put you in charge?

Somewhere in the world, my father and mother decided to marry - they met all the requirements of the local law enforcers - and I am certain that Dad paid a fee for the official sanction - so there is a certified copy somewhere. No test, no school for developing married bliss or other, no renewal like there is for a drivers license, no coaches or mentors assigned, one of my mother's uncles married them. My father didn't have to have a job nor income for the position - he didn't have to submit a plan of their future for anyone to look over - probably got by with my mother's nod of approval to some vague proposal for marriage and living happily ever after, the only portion she would have looked at was the marriage part, she was already happily ever after. Well, the world was pretty fortunate - that marriage worked, at least until Dad died.

There is something called the TEA Party out there - and it came to the attention of the media and immediately it had to be classified, identified and made some kind of official something. So it could be handled properly... sigh. Since some of the ideas of the groups look conservative - the Republicans looked at adopting it (or so the media would want you to think) but THE REPUBLICANS (who probably wouldn't want a wrastlin' log splitting Abe in their hallowed chambers) didn't really want some of 'those' people around spouting their wild ideas. Have you ever heard the one about - "doesn't have the experience for the job"? I think that was always General Gates' reason that he would be such a better Commander of the Continental Army than George Washington. It does get thrown around more now days than long ago.

I belong to a few organizations, how that happened I don't really know since I am not much of a joiner. I am a member of the 82nd Airborne Association, a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and a five year member of the Revolutionary War Veterans Association (going on my third year of the current five years). And I like to shoot, don't do it perfectly, but enjoy the challenge and the moment. Most of my work with the RWVA has centered around the two day Appleseed, but they are taking something that works so well and reforming it to a bigger, brighter and more perfect organization that can't be looked down upon by REAL shooters. More experts, more qualifications, more challenges and chest thumping real shooting to come. I do wish them well, really, I hope that they do very, very well.

It won't be the kind of organization I would join again when they get done with it. I was a real Rifleman, 11B, in August of 1967 part of an Army that could move, shoot and communicate. I like the idea of a Nation of Riflemen, and everyone of us able to handle firearms safely and effectively -- yes, I said EVERYONE. I liked being part of the RWVA and earning my RIFLEMAN patch (really a cool patch on a Marine shooting jacket), I loved helping others to learn the skills, telling the stories of the beginning of our American Independence. I volunteered my time, talents and money to help spread the word, hire more help (since we pay so much)and have successful Appleseeds and find new Riflemen and instructors for the cause. But, I don't want to become one of the country club set. There are shooting clubs, some really nice facilities, and some excellent shots and shooting events and competitions - but that isn't where you will find Earl, probably why he doesn't play golf either.

When the Revolutionary War Veterans Association gets locked into the big boys' game of shooting they will be as effective as the National Rifle Association is in teaching new shooters and spreading the heritage. I will wish them all well, and long for the return to the day of an adult taking one or two youth out to learn new skills with their rifle or shotgun or pistol or revolver. I have in the early almost but not entirely un-scripted Appleseed Shoots, taught more shooters their skills and sharpened them up than I did anywhere except in the Army as a Drill Sergeant. I have really loved watching the pride in parents and off spring as they grow and share the experiences found on the range. Lots of great people out there getting on with their lives just a bit better prepared for the future. I am pretty sure none of them are going to duck back into the darkness if I show up somewhere, I might even get a smile and a fine hello and a slap on the back. That is worth more than gold, folks.

So, the only people that are qualified are those that did what? when, where and for whom? Or are they only qualified that stepped up, and did the very best they could for all that they loved and held dear? See, I did get back to my parents - don't really blame them for all my faults for I hold them the most qualified I could have ever had and hope I did them mostly proud.

Are you ready for an Appleseed?

Not that Jeff Cooper didn't tell us to use our time on a couch during commercial breaks to practice our shooting skills, which we all do, but most of America is still driving into and out of the garage, parking as close as we can get to our destination, or never leaving the vehicle on our hunting gathering trips through the commercial jungles of modern America - not a lot of physical activity for sustained periods of time - the Appleseed is two days of getting up and getting down, getting up and getting down, walking twenty-five meters to check the targets (what is the distance a shooter will walk on an Appleseed weekend?) we do know how many rounds it takes to get through (about five hundred).

I do imagine that in the day, 19 April, 1775, most of the people of New England were more ready to fight up and down the road to Boston than their modern desendents. Just guessing that if you lived in Lexington, caring for and milking four hundred cows without modern machinery would take some effort, yep.

I have been feeling like I haven't been getting my proper level of physical fitness, but I do see that there is a difference between me and the shooters that come with less active life styles. And just think, Americans everywhere, Appleseed doesn't grow everywhere, not everyone else is learning how to shoot better, walking back and forth to target lines getting lower than a shooting bench or practicing the sitting or kneeling position enough times to fall into it, the same every time. Open mind, good attitude and appreciation of the difference a little preparation and time well spent can make in one's life. I do need to spend more time off that recliner that is conspiring with the cablevision to kill me - someone has called me to bail more on the sinking America. I am so unready for sustained exercise.

Earl is a dying breed... Darwin was right...

My wife hasn't been feeling very well, but she has made up the potluck for her work, and went off with it and stopped to tell me to answer the telephones today. When I mentioned I had planned to be away, she asked if I had my cell phone. This is where my breed is going to die off. I didn't have instant access to my cell phone, I didn't really know exactly where it was. I was going to get it with all the other preparations for my departure tomorrow very early dark. But at that moment I was not one of the mainstream metrosexual mostly Men, sigh. I did have the two day ragged growth of beard on my face, but hadn't shaved my chest or legs. I did have instant access to a 9mm pistol, and about fifteen sharp knives, and fourteen other firearms with ammunition for all. But I didn't have the cell phone. I can't survive.

Oh, and Patty Murry won the Senate seat again, so you see, I am not of the fittest.

One taxpayer, three or four levels of government?

Okay, it is morning, the Institute For Justice had this nice video, easy to understand and it goes to a couple of points of mine. One, me, and all those hungry levels of government needing my attention - why?

I watched the media too much yesterday and listened to a left leaning rational person tell me that the Right has a monopoly on news that only they believe. She had not looked closely at the Gun Control arguments? Duh. Not saying that I haven't heard about Black Helicopters, but I still remember my mother about to flee the United States because George W. Bush was going to become President. Seems that the promises of terrible Right-wing control of all that was good, done by the Left Liberal Media had scared her, since she actually knew people that had suffered in South America from evil men in charge.

I am going to exercise now, unpack my Caravan, pack up the discarded electronic trash for disposal, buy my Lotto tickets, go shoot, pack up my Caravan and prepare for the weekend. I already planted a four day crop in Farmville, so that will wait. What is amazing is that I am not sure I had to have the government for any of that - really. Was my morning gruel healthy because General Mills and Quaker Oats are watched carefully by the different levels of my tax payer dollars? Didn't we have thousands and thousands and thousands of years without the government control of what we ate? smoked? slept under? walked over? huh? Maybe increasing government control is one of those Darwin things - too much and we die off, those without prosper? It wasn't done this way when I was a lad... and it really wasn't, Grandfathers did okay.

I feel free! wonder what that comes from...

Okay, Bread Love and Dreams is over, the Korean serial I watched twice a week, 36 episodes. It ended very happily ever after, and for a story about baking bread, it had all the drama, violence and beautiful young women one could hope for in life. I am so glad that I have had beautiful women in my life - I have never done anything to deserve it, but really cool that they exist, isn't it?

I was thinking that the reason I feel so free is that I have both computers up to standing position for my better health. Maybe, that makes me feel more in control, the first of the three Appleseeds I am working this month starts this weekend. Will pack out the Caravan and fuel up today. That might also make me fell free, as these seem to be the last ones I will be working for a while, 2010 is almost over isn't it?

Now the dust is settling over the election hype and hope, we can all move on from that. My brother wrote that he worked the polls in Colorado, and they had some problems. Nothing major, since we went to absentee ballots we take lots of time to count, very good turn out here in Washington State, lots of things to vote on -- I think it should be a rule that King County (where Seattle is) should count their votes and announce them first, so all the other counties can turn their votes in after. But King County is large, really large in population of many things - bears, deer, cougars and such.

Second mug of coffee done, weighed, measured and medicated, I think breakfast and Fox News Now... time to really break free, the day is starting and the Sun isn't even up yet.

Well, I don't know who won the Senate race in Washington...

I did catch that President Obama is still not paying attention and is surrounded by people that tell him how great his programs are. One fine example is his mission to India, Indonesia, Korea and Japan - how does one justify that many aircraft for the mission - oh, what is the mission?

I didn't really expect to find anything changed, the Republicans are just like the People, we will have to petition his attention and then find out that he didn't hear us anyway. Working together, his way... he just doesn't understand - smaller government.

Luckily, all of us can do without a leader. Too old to lead, follow or get out of the way. My last John Ringo book makes me think he doesn't like old guys unless they can get rejuv'd and sent to fight the evil aliens. He kills us off constantly with dread biological warfare or such. Take care out there, I have two computers up for standing while using them, didn't notice that I am typing taller? did you?

Election DAY! Yeah! Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah!

Five telephone calls this morning, reminding us to get out and vote for whomever they were supporting, sigh. And I went looking for 2010 Election Results graphics, since this is the most important spending campaign in History. So much money and didn't change our votes once, luckily we voted early before we both got sick of the noise - not even white noise, the ugly black stuff.

I dreamed about Scrabble last night, better than hippos to dream about, strange dreams.

Back to the election, I went looking for some American graphics, and didn't find them easily, the results aren't in but it is 11:05 AM on PDST, (reads like a dread illness doesn't it?) and found one of Cuyahoga County for Congressional districts. I have ridden the Trusty Triumph through there but results aren't in. This is kind of like listening to NORAD tracking Santa's sleigh the night before Christmas. Jobs are on the line, Dick Morris, lots of other pundits (fine Hindi word that) all the advertising agencies that took money for their madness, all the ones that aren't getting elected today (they will have to re-write their resumes). Every dark cloud has a sliver lining, I am for Rubio in Florida - as long as he is an American, not a Cuban-American. To think that I once ran away from home to join Castro's rebel forces, hmm, my Spanish would be so much better if I had made it over the first ridge.

Nice to know that the Tea Party isn't those other guys...

If you only listen to Main Stream Media, or the polished PROFESSIONAL politicians like President Obama (who wants to punish his enemies - which seem to be ME and mine), the Republican Party or the Democratic leaning Party (its about to fall over) - then the Tea Party is the same as the Republicans. WRONG! The balance of power has one last chance to swing back to THE PEOPLE. This could be the time, or the PEOPLE will take their time, talents and sacred honor and start all over again.

The Balance of Power - according to those in the know - is between the Republicans and the Democrats (if you were European you wouldn't see a difference either) - but the struggle seems to have gone to between the people and the government, and we have read the Preambling statement, long forgotten.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

And We the People, not MSM, not the Republicans, Democrats, and such will do it all again, we the People have always created government, not the other way around.