Autumn

Autumn

Friday, September 14, 2012

Bits and Pieces

It's been a busy week. You might have noticed I haven't posted much of late. In between work I'll walk back to my office and pour a cup of coffee and sit to write and the bell rings. This is good. The bell means cash. The blog can wait.

*****

The 'Pimp' called yesterday and asked if he could drive over and show me, 'a gun.' I said sure, come on. Most of the time he never shows. I was just about to flip the closed sign when he walks around the corner and knocks.

I don't trust the Pimp. Instinctively, when he approaches, I'll reach back and touch my carry piece. I can't  help it and truly don't understand my reaction other than I know sooner or later he'll try to rob me and then there will be one less pimp in this world. (Off track here.)

Anyway, he reaches into his baggy shorts/pants and digs out a little black Beretta 950 Jetfire. Cute little booger. .25 caliber, and of course, she needs a good bath. I unloaded the piece. All firearms are loaded - remember that. The Jetfire is a pocket pistol and as such fits in the palm of my hand. Production ceased in 2002. I asked his price.

Him, "What 'ya give me?"

I excused myself and grabbed the Blue Book, returned and gave him my price. Surprisingly he didn't argue. He took the cash and without another word, walked out.

Even he is a child of God.

*****

I lucked out and won another camping stove on Ebay. She's a Sears. Made by Coleman. Light blue with black wind screens and tank. She'll be my next restoration project. Due to our increased rain of the last three days I can't do paint work on my current build. So I wait. After paint I can begin reassembly.

Above is a stock photo of my next attempt at restoration. Should be fun.

*****

(Two hours later.) A good friend and customer just left. He informed me he was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.

To top off this news, sadly, yesterday, my best friend ShooterSteve called and said his doctor found a large mass, tumor, on his lower spine.

Sometimes there are just no words.

*****

Please, take care out there.

Stephen






31 comments:

  1. When it rains it pours. Sorry about your 2 friends. Man, I sure hate this.

    Is ShooterSteve the one that just got married?

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    1. Thank you, Matt. Yes, Shooter was just married. I sure hope the doc's can help him.

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    2. Coming from someone who had a malignant tumor in his Lumbar spine, had it and the bone removed, Titanium placed and a year of chemotherapy; tell your friend to fight. I am now five years from treatment and still being a pain in my Oncologist's arse.

      I'm an avid reader and please keep writing like you do. Thoughts and prayers with your friend.

      Joffre

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    3. Joffre, thank you very much for the inspirational comment. I'll pass along your advice to my friends. Please, don't be a stranger.

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  2. So sorry to hear about your friends; I hate cancer with a passion. Please let them know of our prayers for healing.

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    1. As do I, Rev. It nearly killed the whole of my mother's family, and her. Thank you.

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  3. Indeed. There are no words.

    All one can do is to hold our friends in our prayers.

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    1. Thank you, my good friend. Sorry for the late answer...

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  4. Prayers sent. Wish I could do more.

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  5. Prayers and good thoughts all 'round!

    gfa

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    1. Thank you, my friend...prayers are always welcome.

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  6. Sorry to hear about your friends Stephen :(

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  7. I will include your friends in my prayers, Stephen. I know they do help. I hope both of them have a speedy recovery.

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  8. dear sweet one - there really are no words. except for the words friendship, love and prayer. we will pray for your friends. and for you, Sweet Wife and Little Bit, as always.

    your friend,
    kymber

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sweet kymber. And may God bless you both.

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  9. I'm sorry too about your friends. Hopefully both will do well with the treatments. Btw are all guns female --or just pistols?

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    1. Thank you, kirstine. For me, all firearms are female...just one of my little quirks.

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  10. I am sorry to hear about your friends.
    ---
    I have a .25 jetfire. The .25 was a John Browning creation specifically for vest pocket guns. It conceals very well. It's a single double, and the flip up barrel makes it very easy to safe-off. It also makes it easier for people without a lot of hand strength to rack the first round, as you don't have to rack it - just flip and insert. It also comes in .22 and .32. I didn't know that they were no longer made. I think I have usually seen them sell for $200 or a little more, but a dealer told me a story of someone who got carried away at an auction and bought one for $400.

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    1. Thanks, Bubba. I've always had a fondness for the little boogers...most firearms appreciate twenty percent a year, of late. They make great investments.

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  11. I so wish we could stomp cancer out totally. I'm sending prayers on both of your friends. God Bless!

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