Friday, August 31, 2018

Thank You For Your Service


Veteran benefits and perks have been on my mind recently prompted by a letter from my ex wife. We parted ways in 1993 with her leaving me the two youngest to raise. I never cut off contact but rarely initiated contact.

Recently I received a letter from her saying since I’m eligible to be buried in a national cemetery, could she be buried beside me? She is feeling her mortality and her spendthrift ways have left her broke, alone, and with few prospects. Well, the answer is, NO, as I have made other arrangements.

She brought up the extent of veteran benefits I’m entitled to. “Free Money”. Fuck that!

I’ve financed two homes with VA guaranteed loans. I’ve attended college on the GI Bill. I’ve instructed my kids that, when the day comes, to drop me on the steps of a VA Hospital with my DD 214 stuffed in my pocket. I’ve assured them I won’t care.

Here is my reasoning. I served three years in the peacetime army. Other than a few sporting moments on the East German border, my biggest danger was racial strife (and there was a ton of it) on the kaserne and in the barracks. I went in healthy and came out healthy. 

Why, 50+ years later, does my country owe me a damn thing?

Others were not as fortunate. My youngest son is medically retired on a 90% permanent disability. He is one of thousands. Why should I siphon off funds from those in true need?

OK, I get it. Others may not have the same opinion. That is fine, and I don’t judge them. I choose to take a different road.

Maybe I do judge them just a little. While I pay my American Legion dues every year, I haven’t been inside one in years because of the entitlement bullshit that goes on.

As always, YMMV.

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Range Report


Took the Savage Model 60 .22 to the range to check out the new sight. Looks like my grandchildren will be receiving another .22.

My eyes are at the point I couldn’t hit a target at 50 yards. Just to make sure, asked another shooter to try. He had no problem. Stings a little to realize age is catching up with me.

Took the revolver over to the 7 yard range. Two handed, double action, and using my left eye (the one without macular degeneration) put all five on paper. Not great, but good enough for self defense purposes.

I do like the holster I got from Charter Arms. No issues of any kind. Holds the Bulldog secure while being easy to draw and reholster.

Almost always something to see at a range. This gentleman plans to go elk hunting with this flintlock. 

He is planning a four day hunt. First two days with the flintlock and then two days with his rifle assuming he doesn’t get an elk with the flintlock.

Sometime back Pete Grant

bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com

mentioned binoculars he purchased. His review sounded interesting for the price so I order one. I’m pleased with the clarity, even with my eyes, and they now have a permanent home in my truck.

The Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area


is a 45 minute drive for me but worth the trip. Before this we used a couple of gullies about a mile North of this site that was, “one of those ranges”.

It is fair to say the place is remote.

The Pawnee National Grasslands is a favorite place of mine that I visit frequently.


It takes some “looking” to see the variety of animal and bird life the area hosts. 


The Rattlesnake Buttes in James A. Michener’s book Centennial are the Pawnee Buttes.

 A “birder” drive is established with way points and information signs. While not a “birder” I do enjoy the loop.

Saving Your Financial Ass, Car Buying Edition




It is no secret car dealers make more selling add ons and financing cars that they do on the actual car. Extended warranties, maintenance agreements, insurance of all kinds, and the always popular paint sealants and undercoating are large profit centers.

The very best salespeople get promoted to “Finance Manager” and are often the highest paid employees in the store.

Peter put up an excellent post about cars becoming disposable.


There is one type of insurance I insist anyone seeking my help buy, GAP. This insurance pays the difference between what you owe and what the insurer will pay if your car is a total loss. Please, please don’t be naïve enough to think the insurer cares what you owe. This also applies to leasing.

For your financial well being, have your financing arranged before you begin shopping. Your bank, or better, your credit union can help you understand what you can afford without the excitement of that studly 4x4 you just drove sitting out front waiting for you to take it home.

That is not to say you shouldn’t finance through the dealership. They may have a better deal or will beat the deal you have in hand when you first walked in.

As always, YMMV.

On a personal note, the last time I had a car payment was 1984. Over the years, I have helped hundreds to go into debt, or even deeper into debt, so they could drive the car/truck/soccer mom van of their choice. 

We all make choices. I enjoy my vehicles and part of that enjoyment is if I break it, only myself will be harmed.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

$30 Solution Update


Had business in NE Colorado yesterday giving the GPS speedometer a good workout. Worked until it puked.

My sister listened to my carping then made remarks along these lines:

“After you over think the whole thing, why don’t you visit one or two of the local car stereo aftermarket stores and see what they have. Instead of getting ripped off by Amazon, get ripped off locally”.

What do you think? Will it fray my man card to follow her advice?

I’m convinced the system is the way to go. Now need to find the right piece of hardware.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

$30 Solution



The speedometer in my 1986 truck is become unreliable. Few shops know how to work on a speedometer and I am loath to pay shop rates for them to learn on my dime. Parts are another problem.

The pictures are of a $30 projection GPS speedometer bought off Amazon.

Ignition on, it reads battery voltage. With the engine running, it shows the alternator output.

Once moving, it starts reading speed in about ¼ to ½ of a block. Checking against my Magellan GPS speed readout, it is within a MPH.

The problem I’ve encountered is my numb fingers have a hard time with the tiny controls. Fortunately a comely young neighbor helped.

I will use it for awhile. If I like it, I will hard wire it instead of using the cigarette lighter plug.

There are a lot of these available now but most are designed to work with an OBS socket. My truck is far too old for that (one of the reasons I keep it).

Friday, August 24, 2018

Not Alaska


Moose were rare in Colorado with just an occasional stray wandering in from Wyoming. A stable breeding population didn’t exist until 1960-1970 when the Colorado Parks and Wildlife set up a moose sanctuary at the foot of Cameron Pass (CO 14) in Jackson County. 

Protected and nurtured, moose have thrived and now wander around places where they have become a nuisance.

We now have a young bull wandering around the fringes of Greeley. Nobody got too excited until he decided a local golf course was home. Now he is a problem!

From the local rag.


Wildlife conflicts seem to be increasing. Mountain lions in Boulder, bears on people’s decks, and coyotes everywhere. Why?

In years past people simply shot them. Now with the anti-firearm hysteria maturing, there are generations who have never fired a weapon and haven’t a clue as to how to use one. All the local ordinances against discharging a firearm within the city limits means you will get arrested for killing the coyote in your yard attacking Fluffy.

Law of unintended consequences?

Monday, August 20, 2018

Back From The Gunsmith


The Savage Model 60 .22 acquired in a barter is back from the gunsmith with a new sight. He fitted a base in a manner the sight can be attached or detached keeping the iron sight.  My cost?  $100. Probably equal to the original cost of the rifle.

I’m not terribly concerned. The accuracy and durability of Savage products are what is important to me. Yes, the finish is already showing signs of wear. Not an issue for me.

Macular degeneration affects my right eye. Not all, but enough to make sight pictures a challenge. Over time I have become left eye dominant. So why not learn to shoot left handed? Answer: Have a pacemaker. Not recoil friendly. I’ve found a sight like this one, with the dot only, works fairly well for me.


Next step is going to the range and sighting it in.


Some time back had a ghost ring/peep sight added to my revolver. While I’ve never been more than adequate with a handgun, with this sight I can still put five out of five in a paper  plate at 20’. Not great, but good enough.

Overall I’m pleased with the way this turned out.

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Tough Kid

A boy worker in the fields near Kersey was injured when the plowhorse team he was operating broke from the plow and ran. He suffered a cut to the back of his head and had 16 stitches. He is normally in kindergarten at this time, but now is working the fields due to a shortage of labor. The boy is 5 years old.
— “100 Years Ago” is taken from the original pages of The Greeley Tribune, the Weld County Republican and, when they merged, the Greeley Tribune-Republican. Questions or comments may be sent to mpeters26@comcast.net.
Not that uncommon in years past. The summer I turned five was leading a team on a hay stacker lift. However, adults were nearby and giving me directions.

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Why?


On one hand I'm pleased I can still hack a 600 mile 18 hour day at age 74. On the other hand, why the hell am I working 18 hour days at age 74?

Maybe I should retire.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Summit Springs

Scene of a big fight July 11, 1869, the site is on private land. Once open, abusive people leaving gates open, trash, and firing weapons brought about the scene above. The land owner/lessee will allow vetted visitors. Located a few miles SSE of Sterling, CO the history surrounding the events interests me.
One of the books listed in the brochure, "Sound the Charge" is in my library. Part of the book goes into some detail of ordeals of 'white' women in the hands of natives. Something fuller:

http://www.historynet.com/death-at-summit-springs-susanna-alderdice-and-the-cheyennes.htm

My view of Indians differs from current orthodoxy, shaped in part by listening, as a young child, to relatives and family friends who experienced life in the West in the last part of the 1800's. 

Sterling, CO has an excellent museum well worth visiting. Located just of I-76, it across from the Colorado Visitors Center (Rest Stop). Admission is a scandalous $3.


The quality of the following photos is poor. My cheap pocket camera is better than the user and the user was too lazy to go to his truck and get his SLR.








 Both my mother and sister would ride side saddle on special occasions. My sister, a superb rider, would jump side saddle. Showoff!

A large section is devoted to rural electrification and the nearly unfathomable positive impact on the lives, and life spans, of rural people.
There is far more than these few snaps show. It humbles me the amount of volunteer effort that goes into creating these small city museums.


Two more museums of note should you be passing through Colorado would be at Burlington, CO on I-70 just past the Kansas line and Craig, CO in the Northwest corner of the state on US 40. 

Can't forget the "Tread of the Pioneers" museum in Steamboat Springs, CO. A good friend has spent many years making that a regional resource. 

A passing note on Native Americans. I have no, repeat no, animosity towards those living today. I would say those who view socialism and trusting the 'government' favorable should examine carefully the current state of Native Americans. As always, YMMV.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

(P)regressives as Missionaries


IMO, the political problems we have are caused by the ‘liberal’ elites viewing themselves as missionaries with a duty to enlighten the ignorant masses. Secondly, to protect the masses from those who reject the elite’s message.

From Google.

Missionaries
ˈmiSHəˌnerē/
noun
plural noun: missionaries
1.    a person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country.
synonyms:
evangelistapostle, proselytizer, preacherministerpriest
One blogger was kind enough to explain in a private email the Chinese control their ethnic/religious minorities by confining them to specific geographic areas and not allowing them to leave.

While being completely unconstitutional, wouldn’t it be a boon to wall off blue counties and not allow the residents to leave without permission?  
YMMV

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Not a Bowtie Fan


I’m no Chevy fan even though I’ve owned a few. That said, IMO, they got it right with the 2018 Camaro, both appearance and sound.

Guess I will always be a Ford guy, promiscuous as hell to be sure, but that is where my heart lies.

I like the Mustang GT. To me, it looks like a clenched fist ready to knock you on your butt.

MOPAR? Cannot be a fan so long as their bean counter mentality, “The quality comes out before the name goes on”, prevails.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Impatient


An entirely personal blog posting. You have been forewarned.

“You are not impatient”, says my sister. “To be impatient, you need to have some patience to begin with”.

She is spot on.

Today I started watching an “infomercial” about a subject that interested me. On and on it went, droning over and over the same points. No way to skip to a “bottom line”. Clicked it off midway.

Sure, I remember all the advice that to reach an audience you need to tell them the same thing five ways as different people learn different ways. Guess that might work with a captive audience, that is, those still awake.

A question I sometimes ask myself is, “Have you missed golden opportunities because you are too impatient to hear the whole story?” Probably.

“Are you ahead of the game because you didn’t waste time with damn fools that can’t get to the point?” My ego wants a positive “YES” to that question.

One would surmise, after seven decades of breathing air and taking nourishment, I should have learned to be more patient. Hasn’t happened. If it does, I will need to change my blog title.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Unalaska Lite


From our local newspaper.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a summary of crime reports taken from the Greeley Police Department's daily logs. Only a few of the hundreds of reports will be used in this weekly column because of space limitations.
July 22
Noon: Greeley police responded to the 200 block of 20th Avenue Court for a report of a man who borrowed a car but couldn't return it to the owner because he forgot where he left it.
One could surmise alcohol was involved at some point.
3:30 p.m.: Greeley police responded to the 1000 block of 11th Street for a report of five people so inebriated they kept stumbling into traffic.
Party hearty.
July 23
1 p.m.: Police responded to the 1300 block of 6th Street for a report of a naked man.

It was a hot day.

1:15 p.m.: Police responded to the 200 block of 35th Avenue for a report of an injured domesticated rabbit. The caller insisted the rabbit was domesticated because "it's the white, fluffy kind."
Knows Peter Cottontail when they see him.
5 p.m.: Police responded to the 3000 block of 13th Street for a report of two kids listening to music on the roof of a school.
No, no, being on the roof.
6:30 p.m.: Police and Weld County deputies responded the 5200 block of F Street for a report of three mischievous goats that escaped their pen to go play at Rover Run Dog Park.
Were the police forced to become goat ropers?
July 24
5:30 a.m.: Police responded to the 2100 block of 30th Street for a report of a theft. The caller told police he was with his ex-girlfriend earlier in the day, left some stuff in her car and couldn't get ahold of her. He wanted officers to go to her house to get his things back for him. The man was told he needed to get his stuff back himself.
Hint of relationship problems?
9 a.m.: Police responded to a supermarket in the 2700 block of 11th Avenue for a report of a woman sitting on a pole wearing black lace pants, a little top and nothing else.
New advertising campaign for King Soopers (Kroegers)?
3:30 p.m.: Police responded to 65th Avenue for a report of a naked man running toward U.S. 34.
Did someone come home unexpectedly?
3:45 p.m.: Police responded to the 500 block of 24th Avenue for a report of a Port-a-Potty fire ignited by some kids.
Just training to be future enlisted soldiers.
5:30 p.m.: Police responded to the 2500 block of 10th Avenue for a report of a man changing his clothes in the caller's yard.
There were clean clothes hanging out to dry?
11:45 p.m.: Police responded to 35th Avenue and U.S. 34 for a report of three men digging.
City employees caught in the act of working?
July 25
9:30 p.m.: Police responded to the 1800 block of 8th Avenue for a report of a bat that flew into a house through an open window and was now hanging from the Christmas lights.
She’s a redneck woman channeling her inner Gretchen Wilson.
10:30 p.m.: Police responded to 30th Avenue Court for a report of kids peeing on a front lawn.
Just a little contest on who can pee higher/farther.
On a more serious note.
Waldvogle
Two Greeley transients were hospitalized Monday night following a fight at an encampment on the banks of the Poudre River.
A registered sex offender was arrested last week in Greeley after becoming the focus of a sting operation by a vigilante group on Facebook.
A Nebraska woman was arrested early this past Tuesday morning on suspicion of driving high on cocaine with a child in the car.
The Weld County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant in connection with the death of a 65-year-old woman in Longmont.
To end on a positive note, one of my sister’s many “daughters” retired as a sergeant from the sheriff’s department after nearly 26 years of outstanding service.

Gala of the Royal Horses

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Road to Hell


(P)regressives continue to prove the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Seemingly they can ignore reality because their dreams are so powerful reality can be ignored. Such is the case with the $12 minimum wage as put into law in Seattle and elsewhere.

Examples of the negative effects of this dream are everywhere. Been to a chain burger joint lately?

Please allow me to put it into personal terms. My oldest son, now in his late forties, was born autistic. Through a long and torturous journey he ended up some years ago living in a residential mental health facility. He quickly progressed and no longer needed the mental health treatment but was kept on as a renter in another wing and as a dishwasher and kitchen helper, a job he successfully held for years.

The kitchen provided simple meals for all the residents of the facility at a cost the residents could barely afford. Along came the $12 minimum wage and the facility, which has always operated on a shoestring, was forced to close the kitchen.

My son, who is very good at his work, quickly found a job washing dishes in a restaurant just outside the Seattle city limits.

As for the residents of the facility? They are well and truly fucked.

Remember the hippie anthem, Give Peace a Chance? Too many people don’t want peace for that to work.

I do understand the altruistic motivation of (P)regressives. In college, the book by Edward Bellamay, Looking Backwards,


spoke to me. Like so many hope and dreams, the perfectibility of mankind is necessary to achieve them. That tain’t happening, IMO. YMMV