Merry Christmas to All

Helene has been busy in the Kitchen all day making "Wonderful Things". The cats are trying to help. Bear is asleep in his 'house' so I let him sleep while I went out to feed.

What is it with freaking white stuff?! I treasure the image of a White Christmas as much as anyone...on Christmas Cards or anywhere I'm not. The good part is it was only stinging sleet and melted as soon as it hits.

The rabbits and chickens greeted me with "will we be fed today kind sir" whimpering from big eyes. It's followed up with "that's it?" They also got water.

We got an extra threat from 'Thing Two', one of the rabbits. She gave birth the first litter of this breeding season. I'm not sure how many but they are warm and wriggling.

Later we will be wrapping presents. Some folks will say I cheaped out on the Kids this year but I am giving each of them something they went nuts over when we were pulling gear out for the TV pilot WASTELAND. Our Grandaughter Ali, 11 and her little brother Spud, age 6, loved the military harness sets with ammo pouches and..."Look at the canteens!" They are too small for the harness and belt sets but each of them will have an Offical US Army Canteen and Cover. They got more excited over those than any toy advertised this year.

Later we will pack up to go to Matt and Stacy's home for Christmas Eve Dinner and to exchange gifts. Bear has been invited to come alone as well. The cats are not amused.

After we get home Helene and I will exchange personal gifts at the house. I already have the big one, my little buddy Bear who is getting better every day. This is something else that concerns the cats.

When I was a kid Christmas was about family and presents. To be honest not in that order. When I left home Christmases with the family at Grandmother Burnetts homeplace became less frequent due to distance and work schedules. Some were spent alone. Now I have my family and Helene and I are building our own HomePlace.

Merry Christmas everyone to you and yours from Helene, Art, Bear, Ock, Varmint, Bon-Bon, Bright Eyes, Fluff-ums, Wally, Boat, Peppie, 20 rabbits and counting, and the chickens.

Our Future

I got this from my brother-in-law in Wisconsin. It's enough to make you weep.

"Sure Wish Somebody Would Invent Something To Keep The Sun Out Of My Eyes."

You Can't Fix Stupid

No doubt he's a political science major.

Standard Bearers

Last year I saw something at the local grocery store that gave me a lift and made me a bit envious. One of the young managers was there with a woman I first thought was his grandmother. They were doing her shopping and were enjoying being out in each others company.
As I had lost my Grandmother and then Mom with-in the last three years I probably watched the scene closer than I should have. It brought back memories and regrets. I had left home after high school and never lived close enough to call for every day things. I can count the times I drove either of them on erans or day trips on one hand.
When I next saw the young man I mentioned how much seeing him with, the lady turned out to be his Great Aunt, had lifted my spirits. He was quite gracious, even introduced me to his Aunt the next time I saw them together. I would always ask about her and send my regards.
When I saw him yesterday we greeted each other as usual, but I knew something had changed as soon as I asked him about his Aunt.
"She passed away in November," he said quitely.
I was at a loss for words.
"She was 98," he told me. "She was starting to have problems..." His voice trailed off.
"I'm sorry," seems so hollow and insignificant.
"She's in a better place now," he said.
We all say it. I suppose we should be happy when loved ones go on to a better place. Truth be told folks, I for one am too selfish to feel that way most of the time.

What Will Shotgun Ammo Do

Recently Steve over at THE FIREARMS BLOG posted a great video about shotgun ammunition. As some of you know my trouble load at HomePlace is staggered 00 buck and slugs as any late night, uninvited guest and souvenir hunters will discover.

The link below is to a video that shows those old time favorites as well as flatteche rounds, dragon's breath, buck and ball and lots of other exotic loads you may have seen at gun shows or advertised on line or in magazines.

In addition to great footage of ballistic gel getting "what's for" they show some of the rounds being turned on protective vest and other targets.

This is not your typical YOUTUBE offering but rather 17 + minutes of 'Terminator Like' destruction. So if you have ever wondered what a "Breaching" round would do put it on full screen, turn up the sound, grab a coke and popcorn, wake up the kids and call the neighbors.

I personally don't endorse anything but the 00 buck and slugs but this is entertainment for young and old alike. Afterwards be sure and visit Steve at THE FIREARMS BLOG to see the other neat stuff he has.

Rounds of Authority: Shotgun Ammunition

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/

Life at HomePlace goes on

Greetings from Falls County, Texas
To begin with I want to apologise for the lack of photographs here. The camera is having issues. I hope to have that sorted out soon. If you are reading this and there are photos that means I did.

Helene surprised me a few days ago with an early Christmas present named Bear. Moody, our last dog passed away a couple of years ago and we weren't in a hurry to get another. You couldn't replace Moody.
While at the bank the last week we went to an adoption shelter near by and discovered a Shepard / Rottweiler mix with very sad eyes and enormous feet. He is fitting in nicely but not without issues. Ock, the senior cat, thinks he should be on a cracker. Peppy, the gray tabby that walks with Helene and I can't decide if he is a toy or food. Being the new hire at HomePlace Bear thinks he has to salute grasshoppers.

The girls coming home from the Vet Sunday did nothing to settle his fears. They needed love and reassurance so bad they were even getting in my lap. It looks like a couple of the girls will make friends with him Bear but it's an on-going process.

I have sent photos of Inoue's flag to the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago. I have told them I am wanting to return the flag but I wish to corospond with the family. I would like to know the story of the man who carried this flag.

Breaking news on the chicken front. After months of nothing we actually got an egg the other day...one. With all the feed I don't want to think what it cost. I do know what chicken at the grocery store cost, they better get with the program.

Helene and I are working on a new shooting event we will call COPS AND ROBBERS - ST. VALENTINE'S DAY. The plan at the moment is to hold it on the 81st. anniversary of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre but weather and schedules may force us to put it off a month or so.

Well, I have errands to run and choirs to finish up. I havn't seen or heard Bear in about 10 minutes and with puppys his age that is cause for concern.
Stay tuned.

I am Scum

It's official, I am Scum. How can you doubt it when you look at these faces? Through no fault of my own (that's my story and I'm sticking with it) we have acquired no less than four female kittens. If you have cats you know what's coming next. Cat / Klingon opera, in this case a duet.

In no time you are up to your ears in kittens. Cute, fuzzy, playful enduring kittens that will delight the wife and grandchildren, times four! They will have names like Snuggles, and Rascal, Dopey, Stalker, and George.

"Papa Art, can I have this one? Momma says it has to live here though."

So it's time for that trip to the vet. The cages are rounded up, now for the dirty deed. Of course, Helene can't bare to take part in the villainy.

"They would hate me forever," She wails.

Yeah, I'm being played here. So I alone

stalk and grab cats. No fair snatching them from Mom's lap either. One by one they are carried out to the waiting cat carriers on the porch.

Finally the scope of my treachery is revilled. Four shocked, betrayed faces peer out of prison doors at me. A combination of "How could you"and"We always knew you were no good".

They will be home on Sunday. That's when my punishment will really start.