Autumn

Autumn

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I Know

I haven't posted in two days, sorry.

The construction outside my shop is giving me fits. The noise is awful. The workers are busy with the installation of new water transfer and distribution lines. As they lay the pipes one team moves in and compacts the soil by vibration...which in turn shakes my building. The vibrations are so bad it shook light bulbs from overhead fixtures. Imagine how I feel.

I complained to Sweet Wife. She said, "Honey, unload your gun."


Light bulbs aren't cheap. This construction project has cost my business in more ways than just the loss of light bulbs. I'm sick of it.

*****

I did not watch the Super Bowl. I read. Many, here, have asked why I don't like ball sports. My standard reply is something like, 'it's boring,' or 'don't know,' but really in truth, well, I just don't find it interesting.


I've always felt field sports, in any form, would be far more interesting and fun if only firearms were introduced to the game. Until then, I'll read, thank you very much indeed.

*****

An old timer just came in and asked for assistance. He'd just purchased, through private sale, a new to him Para P-12 .45. He removed the handgun from its case and demonstrated the fact he could not slide nor lock his handgun. The poor man grunted and turned red in the face from the effort. He's seventy-five, a Marine, and I knew the fact he'd asked for help was both humbling and humiliating.

The springs on P-12's are strong; its a small framed firearm and it indeed takes some effort to slide and lock. I noticed he had small hands and used only his forefinger and thumb of his left hand. I corrected his grip and told to push down with his right hand. After fifteen or twenty minutes we had success.

It's fun to watch a man swell with pride. I think he walked out on a cloud of air; big smile on his face. Bless him, so far he's made my day.

Today, if you run across (or into) an older Marine shake his hand or throw him a man hug. They've earned it.



Until later,

Stephen
 




26 comments:

  1. Anchorage does street projects like that, too; sometimes they block off entire business districts. The biz owners throw a fit, petition the Mayor, and appear on TV ... and nothing happens until the roadwork is done.

    You have my sympathy - and my thanks for helping that old Marine. You're one of the good guys, sir.

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    1. Bad, bad, bad. We're lucky here in Florida. It is against state law to block commerce. Contractors don't like and do try and cut corners but eventually it'll catch them by the shorthairs.

      Thanks, my friend.

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  2. I'm not much of a sports fan either, with the exception of my Aggies. I dozed on the couch on and off during the SB interupted when Mrs. Paladin would yell at the TV.

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    1. Not sure why, I just don't enjoy ball sports. Haven't watched a ball game since I don't know when...years, I guess.

      Thanks, my friend.

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  3. I'm also proud of the fact that I didn't watch the Stupid Bowl or any other football game this last year. I've grown tired of all those athletes standing for the national anthem only to act like Unamerican asses the rest of the time.

    I bet they probably slowed the work down outside your shop when you complained....

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    1. I agree, Matt. Most athletes are buttwipes and their lives prove me out. Yes, I'm sure I'm on the workers poop list, but screw 'em...I'm inside out of the rain.

      Thanks, Bubba.

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  4. It feels good to help someone out doesn't it. We can never thank our veterans enough. I really like watching football on TV. The teams are all full of low-lifes and thugs, I pick my favorite by which team has the least number of a**holes on it!

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    1. Yes, my friend, it does indeed feel good to help others. Since I do not watch football, or for that matter, keep track of teams and players, I haven't the knowledge from which to draw to pick any member, so I don't even try...thanks, my friend.

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  5. I went through that vibration for a good six months when they turned the orange grove behind my place in Lutz, Fl into a development of cheap houses. Now I have peace in the country in Or. Very nice to find others that don't watch professional sports! I read Askins The Art Of Handgun Shooting. Just picked up an old hard copy.
    Regards:
    Victor

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    1. Lutz is a fine place...I miss orange groves. Good book. Thanks, Victor. BTW, Victor was my grandfather's name.

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  6. I consider the fact that I married a man who doesn't like watching sports on TV one of my best decisions. Makes for a happy marriage on Sundays.

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    1. Then he's a fine man....thanks, dear friend.

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  7. My eight year old goes out of her way to shake hands with older Marines. She saw China Marine on the back of this man's hat and went right over to greet him and thank him for his service. I didn't tell her to do it. His girls had tears in their eyes that someone would acknowlege him. The light that shown in his eyes was so bright.

    It is a shame that people are so into themselves that they miss so much.

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    1. Amy, it's a shame indeed. Your eight year old is a remarkable young lady...thanks, my dear.

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  8. Hey, guess what I do!!!!

    Yup, I'm a Water and Wastewater Superintendent for a small town. I actually hate those projects, but sometimes they are really needed. Just be glad there is no asbestos removal (some of the old lines are asbestos-cement)

    We have the opposite problem, they never have done maintenance to the lines for the last 100 years and we have to fix stuff once it breaks, putting us in the red. And if we raise the rates, they scream bloody murder in the streets for weeks.

    It always could be worse.

    FWIW, the only sports is LSU football. Everything else is just filler.

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    1. The vibrations shook several items off my shelves today...money, down the drain. Breakage will be included in my report to the city. Thanks, my friend. Oh, what's an LSU?

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  9. Ha!
    That's too funny-
    I am currently reading "Sixguns" by Elmer Keith...
    OldNFO sent it and "Hell I was there..." to me last fall and I have been reading it off and on when I am at home.
    Being a .44 shooter, "Sixguns" is an awesome treatment of the what, why and how of revolvers...
    "Hell I was there..." is a different story-
    Some of it is a little difficult to read- the descriptions of some of the events that he encountered while hunting- especially in Africa- are disturbing to more modern hunters who strive for the 'one-shot-one-kill' scenario... The description of his encounters with LEOs was pretty interesting too...But those were different times and different tools.

    (That reminds me- I need to finish reading and get them back to OldNFO. He was extremely kind to let me read them.)

    TBG




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    1. Big Guy, prior to his death Elmer and I were pen pals. I have inscribed copies of both books. He was a fine but cantankerous man. It was a sad day when he passed. I miss him. Thanks, my friend.

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  10. Occasionally see a Normandy veteran out pushing his walker on the exercise trail. Always stop and talk to him. Poor devil is nearly deaf,and seems to be fading mentally. Nicest guy you could hope to meet.

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    1. Most are nice men. Some better than most, all far better than the current generation of tat wearing idiots walking the streets today. Thanks, my friend.

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  11. I LIKE the new poster... and thanks for helping the old gent out... One day that will be us!!!

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    1. Actually it wasn't much on my part. I was glad to help. Yes, we're awful close indeed. Lost youth, the tracks fade.

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  12. It was indeed humbling and humiliating for that once strong and fearless man to have to admit he could no longer do what once came naturally.

    I had to relearn how to chamber ammo by HOLDING it steady with my left hand and racking it with my right. Humbling indeed.

    I now wonder how much longer I'll even be able to do THAT.

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    1. Thanks, Joy. Never give in to old age....fight like hell.

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  13. I've been working part time in a gun shop and it's interesting to see how many folks(and women)don't have the hand strength to rack a slide. Never really realized it. Some I can help through instruction, but many just can't do it. It's always funny to have some full-o-hockey boyfriend/son/brother/husband come in, ignore any of my advice about revolvers and go straight to the badass semis, telling them the attributes and this is the one for them. Like the grip? Try that laser! Perfect size for you! Nice carry weight! Me:"M'am, try to rack the slide for me." Female customer:"(grunting) I...can't...get ...it...)" Me to male advisor:"want to look at revolvers now?" At this point they usually walk off to look at some doohickey and we can get some real work done. I sell the crap out of hammerless S&W .38s and my female customers will usually send me more customers who ditch their significant other to come by the shop. Glad to hear the old leatherneck left feeling good. Good work, brother.

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  14. Thanks, my good friend. I like giving assistance to the old timers...they make me smile.

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