Just to Brighten Pioneer Preppy's Day

We are all aware how our good friend from Missouri hasn't had a full nights sleep of late, what with all this Global Warming and its icy aftereffects. His nights have been occupied with stoking the furnace at two hour intervals followed by high doses of hot coffee. Which leads me to think perhaps he needs a bit of added energy.

What better than the rare and tasty elixir of the honey bee. To be more specific, Tupelo honey harvested fresh from the panhandle region of my home state of Florida. This rare bee produced sweetness has been proven to be the only honey to never, ever, crystallize.   

Please excuse my awful attempts at photography - I was in a rush.

A small teaspoon stirred into a cup of hot tea with a dash of cream, as they say, is good for what ails you.

Sip, ah, here's to you my friend, Pioneer Preppy, enjoy.

Stephen

It's a Wrap

It's been a long tiring day. I walked into the house tonight to the smell of a nice dinner and a hug from my lovely wife.

Spent most of the morning on a nice multiple firearms deal. Problem was I had my friend, Duke underfoot sniffing around my business in a vain attempt to pick off the choice pieces. Maybe I'll feed him a bone tomorrow morning. Got a beautiful Ruger Red Hawk .454/.45 Colt late this afternoon. He'll bite.

 Picked up a nice little Rock River AR-15 today. Held it twenty minutes and resold it. Ah, well. Easy come....
It was a great deal.

Now, if you'll please excuse me it's time to read my newspaper and ease this slight headache. Have a great evening.

Stephen

Rain, with a Sprinkle of Cash Investments

The garage door opened this morning to reveal rain. The current temperature of fifty-four is supposedly the high for today. I can live with this forecast.

Had a call yesterday from a fella said he's fallen on hard times. He's the self employed type, like me and needs quick cash. Asked if I could help. Said sure and he's agreed to drop off his small collection of firearms today.

Only reason I'm telling 'ya is he said one of the items is an old Ruger Mark I....

If it meets conditional requirements I will purchase the baby for my personal collection. I'll probably change my mind in a few weeks and sell it but for now she'll be mine. The other firearms in his collection will step out the door sometime this week. I've orders for all, based on condition. The owners prices are just too good. Investments, don't 'ya know, instant cash - firearms.

And, don't you forget it.

Stephen

Don't Tinkle

Please don't tinkle in your panties if you notice my profile picture has changed. It has been suggested my old picture of the Gadsden Flag turns certain people off. Said those with weak constitutions might even fear me. Just goes to show most Americans have very little knowledge of their history.

So, if you check out your follower list and find my old Gadsden Flag missing do not cry...see the tiny picture of a man's back...that's me. I'm 'pulling a Brigid....'

('Pulling a Brigid' is now copyrighted.)

Wish I'd fixed my shirt before she took this picture.

Anyway, there you have it.

Stephen

Chicken Fried Rice

I think this will be tomorrows dinner.

 

Recipe, here. Wouldn't mind adding that Le Creuset pan to my collection too.

Stephen

Monday, and a Tale of a Critter

I hate Monday....I mean truly hate it. Today, Monday, is my day off yet here I am at work. Even the weather sucks. Its sunny and hot, close to fifty-seven degrees.

I've had one customer, so I'm bored. My current read can't hold my interest, so I've taken out my carry piece and have it field stripped for a good clean and scrub. This morning I switched my carry from the Para .45 to a Glock 27 in .40 with its small of the back Galco. I'm weird this way...but I believe it a good practice to switch out your carry pieces now and again if for nothing else to familiarize yourself with all your safe-queens.

My hands smell of Break Free. Keyboard is sticky. Rambling, aren't I.

Just finished a long conversation with an old friend of mine. He's a retired Birmingham homicide detective. Nice fella, older at seventy-six with a head of pure white hair. Not in bad shape for a senior citizen and makes for a fine back-up in sticky situations. I've proof of his grit.

Last September he was here in the shop along with another friend of mine, Pirate Jim, when a critter (democrat) stuck his head in my door demanding cash. Long story short, within seconds the critter had three handguns pointed at his nose, and I, in a very loud voice, suggested he (the critter) should leave my property if he wanted to live. (I make light of the situation now, but trust me, at the time it was kinda intense.) Now, here's the funny part. After we drew our weapons, all in condition one, and had clear fire on said critter, the critter looked me straight in the face and said, "Well, ya'll be gots guns, huh. Well, mothafuck*rs, so do I."

The critter then proceeds to lift his shirt tail and takes a black semi-auto democritter brand piece from his pants. The handgun had been wrapped with black electrical tape. Extended magazine stuck out of the grip. I, as calm as possible, suggested if he lifted or moved the firearm, I'd kill him dead right there....I meant it.

Then, and I swear to our Lord, the idiot said, "Hey, motherfuck*r, mine be loaded."

Really, he said that....

The critter's eyes were jittery, so I suppose he was as high as a kite. Anyway, here this dumbass was with three handguns pointed at him; my old friend the retired cop with a fine vintage .38 wheel gun, and Pirate Jim with his little carry piece and me with a Beretta 92FS, and he still insisted I give him cash.

I had locked my vision on his hands and had my trigger finger firmly snug. In as loud of a voice as I could possibly generate told him in no uncertain terms if he moved his hands I'd shoot. The old cop gently waggled his piece, Pirate Jim the same....we were seconds from gunfire when I yelled, "Look around you, dumbass. (Paraphrasing here.) If you move you are dead."

The critter did take a moment to look around. He cut his eyes right and left then ever so slowly returned his gang piece back into his pants and stepped back. He reached to open the door. Just as his hand closed on the doorknob he decided he had to 'get back his respect,' and said, "Hey, motherfuck*r, you gots to be closed sometime tonight." I don't really remember what I replied but the old cop said I told him I'd be right here if he wanted to return. Whew....

Now I'm gonna be honest with you, my friends. I did not want to shoot the critter. As a matter of fact, like I've mentioned, I must have thanked the good Lord Jesus a hundred times on the drive home. I'm aware many of you would have fired. I understand. I had every legal right to put this man down but held fire. (I was later told by two U. S. marshals, friends and longtime customers of mine, I should have done them a favor and shot the sucker, but they understood why I held back. They also said if I'd of called the local police it would have been a waste of my time. I agreed on that point.)  They asked me for a description of the critter and I gave it over. Asked why and they said they'd find the sucker if it took 'em a year. I believe them. Dwayne and Mike are my kinda people.

Sorry...off track. Anyway.

Try if possible to imagine the rest of my evening if I had indeed put the critter on the ground. My group was due any moment for our monthly meeting - can you picture a load of cops as they stroll into my business and find several armed men and a dead body taking space on my shop floor...yeah, neither can I.

If I'd indeed killed the critter, the police would have found a dead body covered in blood on my nice carpet, which instantly requires them confiscate my carry piece. Then we'd have television coverage (Oh, that would have been wonderful for business.) then, me, taken into custody for a question and answer session with a night in a holding cell. Yeah, right. Think Zimmerman.

 
I'd like to believe it was my age, compassion, and maturity (chuckle) that saved this young man's life. He was lucky. If he had moved his hand I would have fired. This morning my old cop friend said he was surprised I didn't drop the man. Then, he said, "But Stephen, you did the right thing."

So please remember the unintended consequences the next time you find yourself about to pull the trigger on your firearm. Sure, I would have walked, after all we have Stand Your Ground here in Florida, but my actions would have haunted me for the rest of my life. Do protect yourself. Do take the shot if you feel your life is in danger....but take a moment (Trust me, a zillion thoughts will cross your mind as you pull your weapon.) and think about what happens one second after.

By the grace of God I've escaped three such encounters over the last few years. I'd like to think an angel rides my shoulder.

Take care.

Stephen
 

Ramblings on Food

Our old cat is sound asleep in the wife's chair. She's old, I'd guess her age, since we really don't know for sure, at about twelve. Her name is Patches, named thus by the wife for the white spots on her front legs.

We both love our old cat. She has made a fine lap warmer over the years, but here's the thing - the wife believes I accepted this bundle of fur into our home as a pet - nope. An explanation, and confession is required.

As a survivalist I look upon her as a potential meal, if a tough chew, when and if necessary. Otherwise why keep critters about the house. They're expensive. Our old cat only eats certain canned food and the stuff isn't cheap. I'm sure my good friend, Harry understands. He has all those ferrets, cats and dogs underfoot for a reason don't 'ya know. He may balk and give long explanations about companionship and protection, but I know he has long range plans for his oven and griddle when desperate times arrive.

Dog makes for a fine meal. Bit greasy, but tasty none the less. Just an FYI.

Like I said, our cat is old. I've tried to keep her weight stabilized at around ten or so pounds which should yield a dressed out parcel of six or so pounds of fresh meat when the poop hits the fan and my grill is hot and oiled for the feline bar-b-que. So, here's my quandary...should I expedite the field dressing, grill, then search for a fresher cut of cat. You decide.

Kittens are cheaper by the dozen...

*****

Pray tell what do you folks do with beet tops, greens? Yesterday I did a wee bit of shopping and came home with a two bundles of beets. My friend Duke's mother was nice enough to share her beet recipe with me and I'd like to give it a try today. Thing is those beet tops look awful tasty. Never in my life have I utilized beet greens. Oh, and a lamb roast....give those over too.

So, help me out here and I'll reciprocate with my house cat recipe.

*****

My mind is locked firmly on food this morning...perhaps I should shut this computer down and eat breakfast. I just spotted the neighbors poodle, and poodle, I understand, makes for a fine quiche.

Although I recommend a good twenty-four hour salt water soak prior to preparation.

Trust me on this.

Stephen