Welcome Aboard Newbie

The Old Salt and His Beautiful Bride are shown here welcoming the newest member of their crew. Launched today at 0832 hrs, he displaced 8 lbs 12 oz with a keel length of 19 inches. So far this recruit seems to be laid back and relatively peaceful. However, may I point out that recruits have been known to demonstrate attitudinal changes during their first few weeks in service.

May he have "Fair Winds and Following Seas" throughout his life.

Happy Birthday Ise & Cheez

Today is our birthday. One of us is 64, the other is 4. I will leave it to the reader to figure out who is who. Sometimes you can't really tell by observation.

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
You look like a monkey,
And you smell like one too.

WAY TO GO NAVY, A FANTASTIC SHOT BY THE USS LAKE ERIE (CG-70)

The USS Lake Erie (CG-70), launched a SM-3 missile designed to knock down incoming missiles (not orbiting satellites) at 10:26 p.m. EST. The Lake Erie hit the school bus sized target about three minutes later as the spacecraft traveled in polar orbit at more than 22 times the speed of sound or about 17,000 mph.

Talk about wingshooting!

The three-stage SM-3 Navy missile has been very successful in a series of tests since 2002. The previous tests targeted short- or medium-range ballistic missile but never a satellite. The Navy had to adapt the SM-3 programming for this shot. Navy officials have said the changes would be reversed once this satellite was down.

A Runny Nose Type of Day

Well all of our weekend company has left the building. They left only two snotty noses behind, one on the Nana and the other on me. As I write this, I think I have already used about 12 pounds of Kleenex today. Of the three local grandchildren, I think two recovered enough to go to school today but the other one had to stay home. In fact, he got somewhat worse and had to go to the doctor today.

Tonight is going to be a hot shower and go to bed early night.

It's Here

This is my grandson helping me check out the newest addition to the family. He is also the one who saw me looking on the internet and then announced to everyone at the other end of the house that I was buying another one.

I quess that would make him like his uncle, my youngest son who asked me one day: "Which Glock is that your cleaning Dad, The 9mm or one of your 40s?"

I told my youngest then, "Son you never ask those questions in front of your mother. All Glocks look alike and she doesn't need to be bothered with how many we own."

However, as you can see, Friday the long awaited new toy arrived. It has been wiped down and the bore run through with Hoppes #9 and many patches. The bore was fully crudded but overall the rifle looks like a nice little piece. If nothing else, it should be fun to shoot and could be used as a hunting rifle. At this point, I have a little more checking of the bore to do to see if I have more crud, some erosion, or rust up by the chamber. I guess I'll have to find some kind of reasonable bore scope to check it out with.

Anyhow, I have to work on the bore some more and some of the screws need replacement since they have been torn up by using the wrong screwdrivers. The sling swivels are probably from Uncle Mikes. All in all though, not bad for a rifle over 100 years old. It's age alone made it a good deal. It should be a good shooter and hunting rifle.

A looked For Delivery Never Comes, But Turn Your Back For One Second

While I have been waiting for my new toy to arrive, the Btoh has stopped at my house three times. Today, while I was inside helping my blushing bride of double digit years, we heard a thump. As she just had L4-5 back surgery three weeks ago and is still coming back up to her normal operating speed she is in need of occasional assistance.

I quickly headed to the porch and arrived to see the BToH driver jump in his truck and drive away. I could see through the sidelights of the front door a brown box sitting in the chair out front.

Yep, a fifty pound box, one I recognized immediately because I recieved one just like it only two days ago. I ordered a McCulloch 1800 psi pressure washer from Target and lo and behold here is a second one.

SweetHeartFace called up Target and Surprise, both distribution centers had sent me one. Almost thought I had someones Christmas present for an instant.

If the BToH driver had not been running so fast he could have taken that back with him. Now Target is going to send the BToH back to retrieve the second delivery.

The good news is that my e-mail confirms that all paperwork and payment have been recieved and my new toy is actually enroute.

Gotta keep an eye on the curb.

Sitting By The Curb, Waiting...... Impatiently

This morning the temperature was almost 32 degrees. Luckily around here we are normally on the high side of 32 degrees. (I had to crop this picture so y'all would feel sorry for me. You can see my lawn on the right side of the driveway.)

Normally I wouldn't care but I have to be outside in case the BToH arrives. That's the Brown Truck of Happiness for the unknowing folks out there.

I sent in my money immediately with my order along with a copy of my C&R License.

I don't know why it is taking so long. Snail mail is a bummer. So are weekends when you are waiting for your new toy to appear. Saturday the BToH dropped my brothers new toy off in North Carolina; sooooo maybe I am next.

The C&R Adventure Continues

Today after much thought and consideration I used my C&R License for my first purchase, a US Springfield 1898 Krag Sporter. As I write this my USPS money order and signed C&R are headed North via snail mail.



The purchase was really more difficult than I thought it would be.

First, there are a lot of items out there that I want that exceed what I want or am willing to pay. As my brother Rick pointed out today while we discussed options: "So many guns, so little money."

Secondly, I really don't know what I want. I can sail along for quite some time and then, ZAP right out of the blue, I want that one right there. Sometimes what I want is an extension of one of my collectible categories, sometimes it is not.

Thirdly, I noticed there appears to be a noticeable number of firearm dealers (FFL) who do not want to accept a C&R License for transfer of the firearm. I believe in some cases, the problem may be due to more restrictive state laws. (You know those legislators believe a lot of evildoers arm themselves with 50 year old firearms they buy from collectors.) Additionally, I also believe some dealers failure to accept a C&R License is to ensure their livelihood since government inspectors are not neccessarily there to assist the FFL dealer if perhaps the law is actually misinterpreted.

During the time I was trying to decide what to buy, I contacted Brownells, Inc. and ordered a Firearms Record Book (S/N 108-006-000) to maintain my required C&R logs in; as well as a Brownells Personal Firearms Log Pkg (084-225-000) to maintain information regarding each specific firearm. They, as always, responded promptly with excellent service.

I also forwarded a number of signed C&R License copies to various companies that require a signed FFL/C&R to be physically on file with them before accepting any order.

Now the wait begins again. This time it is for the Brown Truck of Happiness to arrive. I know the BToH is busy right now because he/she has to drop another package of at my brother Mike's house before they can come to my house. Don't slow them down Mike, I am already getting excited.

It's A Tough Job But Someone Has To Do It

Throughout my the majority of my life I have been a rabid McDonalds fan. I drove two wives crazy with that place. In fact my kids will tell you that I can navigate around most of the known world by going from one place to another.

One time years ago while during a military cross country transit my spouse asked me if I knew where we were. The answer was, "Certainly, we can't be lost there is McDonalds."

Well over time and with many weird looks from my doctors I have managed to lower my numbers of visits; along with the size of my order.

Now I occasionally visit McDonalds and it's usually with one or more of my grandsons in tow. They kind of look at it as a treat to have a Cheeseburger Happy Meal with the Cheez (a nickname that has nothing to do with cheeseburgers).

It has been reported to me that my oldest grandson, age 4+, who had just been invited to his friend's birthday party, asked his friend if he would like to go with him for a Cheeseburger Happy Meal.

Upon hearing his question, his mom asked him if he was buying the Happy Meal.

His answer was no, but his Cheez would buy.

My C&R License Has Arrived

Friday, the USPS delivered my brand new shiny and crisp C&R License. I sent it in about 14 January, 2008 with a check and it arrived here dated for 1 February, 2008. That would be about 17 days.

Now comes the big decision, what should be my first C&R purchase.

There are certain requirements that are mandated such as it must be 50 years of age or more. Or it must be specifically listed on the Firearms Curios or Relics List as C&R eligible. And I also have to find someone who is willing to sell to a C&R License (03) holder rather than a Federal Firearms License (01).

Even more importantly, I have to find something I really like. I am somewhat enamored of 22 caliber training rifles; particularly those with a military background. But I am also fond of the various Lee Enfield, Krag Jorgenson and US Military rifles out there. Then there are old deer rifles and lots of nice shotguns out there.

There is also the question should it be a shooter or not. I'm really not into firearms that don't work although I do have a couple.

Well time to get on with the search. Whatever I find the adventure is on now.