CCW Trip

I went to Jacksonville today to turn in my CCW paperwork and pay my fees. Although I own a GPS, I like looking at the directions on Google Maps before I go somewhere, Just to get a general idea.

Glad I did. I was planning on stopping at a gas station and entering the licensing office address into my Tomtom when I got a coke, and when I stopped, I realised that I forgot to put the GPS in the car. I also left my cell on the charger. Double Damn! I felt like I was back in 1997. Luckily it was right off the interstate, I remembered the exit number and the direction of the three turns. It was easy, and it took about 45 minutes to get there.

After 15 minutes of filling out paperwork and taking fingerprints and pictures, I left with a warning that it could take up to two weeks before I get my license.

Two weeks, ya'll... two weeks.

Treen Ware

Treen ware is an archaic term for wooden kitchen ware. I've made a maple spoon and a cherry spatula in the past week.

The maple spoon is going to my Grandma, Mom D., when I see her in July. I'll also be seeing my Dad's wife, Momma, in July. The Roux spatula is for her.

Titan .25

Several years ago, my wife and I went to a small town Mardi Gras with my Dad and momma. As we were getting out of the truck, I saw my dad palm and pocket something from the console. Curiosity getting the better of me, I asked my dad what it was.
"I'll show you later."

I'd heard dad use that tone many times, understood that he would brook no nonsense. Now was neither the time nor the place. I nodded, and we went about our day of eating gumbo, dancing in the street and merrymaking.

That evening, as we were climbing out of the vehicle at my dad's house, he pulled a small pistol from his pocket. It had obviously seen better days, but everything seemed to be in working order. Apparently my dad had bought it from a friend because the price was too good to pass up, but the little gun was not of a good pedigree.

"You want it?" the old man asked.

Never one to turn down a free gun, I readily accepted.

The next week I took it to the range and put a box of ammo through it. Expecting Saturday night special type results, I was surprised! I had zero (yes, zero) malfunctions, and acceptable accuracy at 10 yards. Now, this isn't ever going to be a great target gun, and at the time I got it, I never considered getting my CCW permit, so it has sat in my collection, rarely touched, for the better part of four years.

Now, I'm getting my CCW, but I have a s&w j frame that shoots .38 special+p and only weighs 2 oz. More.

I've only taken the little .25 to the range twice. Occasionally, I'd pick it up, and I'd think about how my dad was carrying it (responsibly!!) for an entire day, in the streets of a small town in south Louisiana, and no one was even aware. Should something bad have happened, he was ready to defend his life, and the life of his family. That's powerful stuff. Yes, I put less than 100 rounds through that gun, but it fostered an idea in me. Every time I picked it up, it made me contemplate the idea of being not only willing, but able to defend my life, and the lives of others.

It's a small gun, and a small caliber, but it lead to one of the biggest decisions I've ever made. In that respect, didn't it do exactly what a self- defense weapon should? It made me realise that I am my own best defense against those who wish me and my family harm. That's one powerful little gun. Maybe I should pass it on to someone else who would benefit from it's silent lessons.

I'm Hooked

I've been trying to figure out what to make my brother Matt for days. I'll meet the whole family in Tennessee next month, and I'm trying to make little trinkets for my immediate family.

I finally figured out what to make Matt: hand forged shop hooks. I made 2 pairs in the shop today.

I love working the forge.

Gunnie Post

This is a post for the gunnies out there. No real reason, I just wanted to post about guns.

The particular gun in question is a Savage model 10 left handed, bull barrel, chambered in .308. It's my target gun. The glass is a Swift 6-18x44 scope, and it's a damned fine scope for the money.

It's fun to shoot, but I've worked most of the kinks out already. With a good gun, good glass, and a good hand load, I can consistently make 1&3/4 inch groups at 200 yards. Guess I need to get out on a 300 yard range now, and really see what she can do.

At any rate, enjoy the gun pr0n.

*UPDATE*

Sorry about the horrid lighting. I use my phone to take most of the pics on this blog, so I guess the least I could do is find a better-lit spot to take posed pics. Better ones in future posts, I promise!

Father's Day II

Elyas drew me an awesome picture. The pink scribble is Elyas. The Green one is a tree. That's fine work for a 2 year old.

It's awesome being a dad.

Father's Day

Called Dad for father's day, and to tell him I love him. Less than 2 minutes into the conversation, we were talking about gunnie stuff. Specifically, reloads, and what loads I wanted loaded for my 638 Smith and my Savage .308.

Just one of the many reasons I love my dad.

Happy Father's Day, dads!

Geaux Elyas

Ain't that a good lookin' Tigers Fan?

barbecue

Jay G. Did a post about grills, and it got me thinking. I have a love affair with grilled and barbecued food, but I never posted anything about the subject.

My barbecue addiction started in October of 2004 when I took a break from college and went to work for a locally owned barbecue joint. Within 6 months, I impressed the owner enough with my desire to learn all aspects of the business that he decided to make me the manager. Now, I learned some valuable skills about payroll, inventory, ordering, stock rotation and accounting, but the thing I loved the most about my job was cooking.

I became a decent camp cook in boy scouts, and my Dad helped me refine those skills over the years, but I didn't have much experience with barbecue. I quickly learned, though, and soon was able to turn out amazing meats on our 3 foot tall, 4 foot deep, 16 foot long wood burning pit. And the key to it all? Temperature.

For those just entering into the world of grilling, gas grills are great. They're easy to use, are easy to maintain a constant temperature, and are relatively quick. But if you are interested in really becoming a true Pit Boss, then you will need a large charcoal pit with a smoke box. This lets you use direct heat with charcoal for burgers, steaks, and such, or you can use an indirect wood burning fire in the smoke box if you want to barbecue ribs, brisket, ham, chicken, etc.

My pit is a Char-Broil barrel grill with a smoke box. Yes, I can grill 2 dozen burgers at once. I can also smoke a large brisket, if I so choose. And if I want to grill 2 small steaks? I can just put a grate in the smoke box and build a tiny fire!

When I moved to Florida from Louisiana, I didn't have room to bring my pit with me, so after things settled down I went looking for one. The one I wanted was a charbroil barrel pit with smoke box attachment, and it ran $180.00 at Home Depot. That was a little rich, but I was smitten. I happened to walk into Winn Dixie the next day, and they had a charcoal display with my Char Broil right in the middle of it. I grabbed a staffer who was walking by, and asked the price.

'not for sale.'
'what do you mean?'
'It's a display.... Well, what would you give for it?'

It turns out he was a manager, and the display was going away next week anyway.

'I'd give 100 for it.'

He thought for a minute, and agreed. I loaded it up, fully assembled, and took it home for $80.00 less than retail. Never hurts to ask.

Now this is just me, but I'll never own a gas grill. Is there a place in the world for gas grills? Absolutely! But if you are ready to enter a whole new and exciting world go for the charcoal, and don't forget the smoke box!

Dinner

Farm fresh black-eyed peas, Yukon Gold mashed taters, and fresh Pork Chops.

Didn't have any of Momma's sweet and spicy pickles for the peas, but we had some pepper jelly that a friend made. It was almost as good.

Hope everyone else had a good dinner too.