Unusual Easter Weekend Plan

For the first time in FOREVER we had NO plans for Easter.  For the last 20-30 years almost exclusively we have had plans with the extended family and some friends to spend the day at my Aunt and Uncles out in the country.  It was always lots of food and hunting Easter eggs.  A great time to catch up with the cousins we see only once a year or so.

My Aunt and Uncle are no longer able or willing to deal with all the work that involves having an event with so many folks.  Can't say I blame them at all.  Last year was the first year for that.  So we made alternate plans.  This year?  Not so much.  There are several factors that have played into this.  One, the date just snuck up on us.  We have had a few distractions that caused that.  The main one being that Kim was to start at the new resort Saturday.  Gearing up for that has occupied the thoughts enough to throw things out of whack.  (We needed that to be really successful.) We assumed the kids (oldest and his family) would spend it at his in-laws like last year.  Oops, you know what they say about assumptions.  However, with the all the time/work Kim had to put in on Saturday at two resorts, there was no way she would have been able to do an Easter event at our house.  It just wasn't going to happen.

As it turns out Kim didn't get home till after 9 PM.  She did well at both resorts and was very busy.  She was bushed when she finally made it home.  I am very proud of how hard she works. 

The youngest son, Wesley, came over for lunch.  I had smoked some ribs and threw a few things together for sides and it turned out pretty well for no real planning.  We also got to catch up with him and all the developments with his company and it's scheduled launch.  If you care to, go by and give him a look see over at Guardian Knights.  The oldest son and his family came by later.  As it turned out, the day was better than we expected not to mention the entire weekend.  Sometimes no plans are the best plans.

Happy Trails

Figured it out

Finally got some time alone to try to get my new air rifle figured out.  Since I shoot in my own yard I like to wait until most everyone is at work so I don't alarm them.  If they see this rifle it might concern them a bit.  It doesn't look like any normal air rifle. 

 

Since it is pretty powerful too it has a bit of a report to go along with it's looks.  Better to be discreet than have a concerned neighbor calling the sheriff on the nut shooting everything in the neighborhood.

If you remember I was having a difficult time aiming that thing with the scope.  As it turns out, the mounting rings are a bit more finicky than I noticed the first time.  Once I got that figured out it was just a matter of taking enough time to get the scope zeroed.  It was way off when I started due to the mounts but also the X-hairs were pretty far off also.

Since I was shooting at only about 17 yards it took quite a few clicks as opposed to say 100 yards.  Each click was a 1/4" @ 100.  So I was at about 1/16 or less at the distance I was shooting.

I feel much better about this rifle now that I got that scope figured out than I did the first day.  At that time I was pretty bummed.  Now I just am itching at the chance to see one of the pesky tree rats in or near my garden.   

I will get some high end precision pellets of different types to see if that improves my aim even more.  Did you know they even make hollow point pellets?  Then there are alloy ones that increase the speed by as much as 200 fps as opposed to the lead.

Fun Times.

Groceries

If you do any of the grocery shopping for your household you are aware, if not at least shocked, by the high cost.  It seems that it has risen more than considerably over the last couple years.  I'm sure a lot of that cost is justified due to the cost of fuel during that time.  At nearly 4$ per gallon that is understandable.  However, there was a spell several years earlier where the cost of fuel went to that extreme and it didn't seem to affect the grocery prices as much as it has this time around.  I think it has to do with the length of time the fuel prices have been high and other costs of doing business going up.  Until recently the fuel prices have been too high for too long and someone has to pay the price.  And that someone is staring right back at you from the mirror.  I blame the occupier of the WH and his failed energy policy for this mess.  Actually he thinks it's not a failure, this is exactly what he wants, higher fuel prices.  It is part of his 'agenda' of change.

The thing is, the prices of fuel down here are as low as anytime since 2005 and have been that way for several months.  But are we seeing any relief in prices of anything else?  I would think some of the first things to lower their prices are perishable items that need to replaced frequently, such as meat/beef and vegetables (groceries).  It ain't happening though, not in my neck of the woods at least.  I just wonder if any of those prices are ever going back down.  In fact just this last week there is evidence of higher grocery prices than the last time we went.

It's a real PITA to do our large monthly shopping for just the wife and I and have a bill that is more than twice what it was when we had hungry sons living with us.  Yes, it has been years since they lived here but that doesn't make me feel any better at all.  It's just  too expensive to eat, but my stomach ain't listening.

Happy Trails.

April

A busy month for my doctors.  I have four scheduled appointments in April starting this Friday.  It wasn't planned that way it just sort of happened.  My prostate surgery had the effect of getting my regular appointments thrown all out of whack.  I usually get an annual physical every February.  This is done in order to keep my diabetes meds on schedule.  Since they put me on a new med last Sept. that schedule also got screwed up. 

I have to see my Urologist along with a lab visit the first week.  Then the Ophthalmologist for diabetes eye check up.  Then it's over to the regular dental check up/cleaning and finally the Primary Care doc.  If everything goes OK, which I have no indication it won't I should be good to go for another 6 months.  

I have a strong curiosity on the blood work the Urologist will be looking at.  The PSA numbers should be a big fat '0'.  I only have my imagination of what would be next if it isn't.  I am not going there at this time.  I see no need to buy trouble that I don't need.  We'll just wait and see when it happens and not worry about a thing.  But I will be glad when this month is over, and it hasn't even started yet.

Just in case you haven't done it, fellas, get that Prostate checked, especially that PSA part.

Happy Trails

Custom Leather Work

I really like working with leather.  It's just a hobby to me and I am relatively new to it, but I have made a few $$'s with it.  Sometimes it's is really hard on the arthritis in my hands.  So it may take a bit longer to get things finished.  I have been trying out some new wallet designs and the first two tries did not meet up to my standards.  One was trashed and the next went into my pocket.   No, no photos, I don't want that crap being seen by others.  It will be there as a reminder to me as to 'what not to do.'  Leather work is a skill that can and does erode, just like any other skill.  I had not done much leather over the last 6 months due to my surgery and the change in Kim being able sell at the resort, and it shows with the latest efforts. 

I was contacted through the wife in regard to making a custom phone case that rides on the belt.  No big deal, for the most part.  I usually will make these from a kit.  It's not as profitable but it makes it easier to get them fitted correctly since I don't and can't have the actual phone for the time it takes to make a case. I then have a pattern to use from scratch also.  However, not having the actual phone or a current pattern for that type phone can be a bit tricky.  Not to mention this person has some sort of giant case surrounding the phone.  Any pre-fab leather kits I have access too doesn't allow for those cases.  This will no doubt take a couple tries before it meets my satisfaction. 

Surprisingly, I am beginning to really dislike custom work like this. I try not to be negative about this sort of work since it challenges me to try something new.  Most of my custom work has been rather simple knife sheaths and holsters. 

Usually I can get the item from the customer for the time it takes to get the item built and be fitted properly.  They are usually friends so they are not too worried about letting me have the item for the time I need.  They get a really good deal since they are friends and I get to have fun.  Win win.

The good thing about this build is I will then have a pattern for that type phone with it's monstrous case, that I will probably never use again since it is one of the older Iphones, by at least 2 generations.  The wife has an Iphone that is bigger than this older one but not much, and the carry case for it won't fit either.  That must be some giant case.  Most of this situation is due to my wanting it to be near perfect, which it never is, at least to my eyes.  SMH.

OK I'm done whining now.

Happy Trails

Quiet Sunday

One of my three Mountain Laurels in full radiance.  They smell terrific, like the grape bubble bum my kids used to chew.

They really get the honey bees stirred up too.

My small patch of the State Flower.  Past years have been about 5 times this size.  No idea why it's so disappointingly small.

Happy Trails

Remember Goliad!

 March 27, 1836. Palm Sunday.  When General Jose Lopez de Santa Ana discovered the Texians that surrendered on March 20  were not executed on the spot as per a recently passed law declaring all foreigners taken under arms were to be declared pirates and executed, he ordered their execution immediately. This despite pleas for them to be treated as prisoners of war.

 

On this day his wishes were finally carried out.  The Texians were marched out onto the prairie several miles outside of Goliad.  They were unaware of what was about to take place.  The Mexican troops stopped the column for a 'break.'   While the Texians milled about while the Mexican troops gathered and began firing upon the defenseless Texians.  Several escaped the massacre yet most were killed immediately or if wounded dispatched accordingly.  James Fannin was executed by firing squad.

'Remember Goliad!' was to become a rallying cry along with 'Remember the Alamo!' that would soon be heard around the world.

The Runaway Scrape continued, many of those citizens were paying a heavy price with sickness and even death trying escape the advancing Mexican Army.  General Sam Houston and his army was all that was left to stand between Texian citizens and the barbaric Santa Ana.

 

Remember Goliad! Remember the Alamo!