Got his Wolf

This past week, my son completed his last requirements to earn his Wolf badge, and advance to Bear scout next year.

We planted trees at a local park as a community service project. To say I'm proud is an understatement. Both sides of my family -and my wife's family- have a long history in scouting. He was proud of his accomplishment, and I was sure to make certain he knew I was proud of him, too.

Hopefully one day he will be the next Eagle Scout in a long line of Eagle Scouts.

He's the one in the hat, to the right of the picture.

Pocket Rocket Redux

I decided to make a back pocket holster for my LC-9. See, the LC-9 has a manual thumb safety on the left side of the frame. So naturally, it is a backup gun for me, as I am left handed.

I made a back pocket holster so that I can carry it in my right back pocket.

It's super GAUDY but, like kinda like it, style-wise. I don't like carrying it, however. Sitting on a gun just ain't comfortable!

I may try carrying it in my right cargo pocket while on duty... I guess we'll see.

Layaway

When we were younger, we owned horses. We had a Shetland pony at one point, several quarterhorses, and even a Mustang at one point...

But this will be my first Colt. Can't wait to pay it off!

Annnnddd... reloading stuff!

I went to Cabellas... and spent more than I should have... but...

I got some more reloading stuff, and a buddy gave me some lead! Not a bad day!

Fixing a Glove

This was a new one on me, but it was an interesting challenge. I will say I'm happy with it turned out.

Before:

After:

What's Fer Supper?

Glad you asked! Red Beans and Rice, or as I call this recipe, Cheatin' Beans.

See, to make the traditional Red Beans and rice of South Louisiana, you start the night before, soaking beans. But sometimes you don't have the time to do all that, hence Cheatin' Beans.

Brown a pound of chopped sausage, whatever the store has on sale. Add a chopped onion, and about 5 cloves of minced garlic. Once it's all browned, and the onions are clear, pull them out. Make a roux, and once it's a peanut color, add water, the sausage and onion mix, 3 or 4 cans of kidney beans (I always use 1 can of Blue Runner brand red beans... they add a certain something.) Let it simmer on low for a half hour. Make a pot of rice, and enjoy some Cheatin' Beans! They're almost as good as Traditional Red Beans and Rice, but the time investment is much, much less!

I Can Think of Lots of Worse Ways to Spend a Sunday...

But only a few better ways come to mind than reloading...

Liquid Alox

For anyone out there that is new to reloading, or at least new to casting bullets:

Liquid Alox is an awesome cast bullet lube. I use about a half tablespoon per 200 bullets, and it's overkill, truthfully. You could get by with less.

Plop some in a sandwich bag with about 200 bullets, seal the bag, and knead the bag for 3 or 4 minutes. Pour the bullets out onto a clean surface that you can throw away (I use whatever is handy: wax paper, aluminum foil,  paper plates) and let dry for 24 hours.

It covers everything in a nice coating that STAYS PUT, especially once dry. Even before it dries, the natural lubricity repels water, and it sticks so well that it took 4 washings to get it all off my hands, even using Dawn dish soap.

So, just saying, if you are looking for a good cast bullet lube, don't overlook liquid Alox. It's sold by several companies for reasonable prices, and it works like nothing else for cast lead bullets.

Actually finished

I've been on vacation for the past week at the Happiest Place On Earth. The Star Wars section of Hollywood Studios was pretty amazing. The family had a great time, and I managed to walk 34 miles in 3 days. I'm slap worn out, but I had a blast.

Anyway, I hit back home yesterday, and I got around to finishing my dad's fast-draw rig. I think it turned out great!

Practically Finished

I say practically, because I need to burnish the edges of the knife sheath and the roping cuffs. And I need to emboss the family brand in the cuffs and sheath. And I need to add snaps to the wrists of the roping cuffs.

But the hard work is done.

The knife is one I forged from a lawnmower blade in 2009. It's a "boucheron", which is French for "butcher knife". They were very popular amongst the French in the 1700s, but the design is one that looks as if it could have been crafted by any Louisiana boy who knew his way around a forge from the 1700s up to today. Probably because it was! Lol. Actually I can't take all the credit for the forging. My blacksmithing Mentor, a French-Canadian named Marquito walked me through the whole process, and actually did most of the rough forging.

I branded the handle of the knife with a bent paperclip back in 2009, and it's holding up well.

I hope this setup will serve my Pawpaw well.