Father's Day is Right Around the Corner!

Nobody beats Amazon with shipping time, so if you are a last minute shopper as I am, be sure to click the link above and take care of your dad or father-in-law on their special day. Now, Amazon is not going to have firearms or ammunition as I reference in the story below, but they will have the associated accessories your dad needs to enjoy the great outdoors and a trip to the sporting clay range. Also, new or used, you will find great deals on tools for DIY projects if, like me, you enjoy those!

Recently, some friends from church and I went to a sporting clay range that recently opened. This was my first time of visiting such a place, but I scored fairly well considering I had not fired my Beretta shotgun since becoming ill almost four years ago. In addition to the fun with my church guys, almost all stations were shaded by tall pines and were connected by a winding narrow gravel road. Golf carts were used to travel from station to station and provided us with the opportunity to soak in the great outdoors, nature's beautiful streams, rocks, and small waterfalls, all from the seat of the cart.

After returning home, I had this great idea of taking my dad there for Father's Day. Now, this is not going to be easy as my dad does not get out much, but I know how much he used to enjoy a good dove shoot. Another challenge is that he gave me his shotgun, a Remington 878 Automaster, several years ago so I know he will use being "a little rusty" as an excuse to try to stay home. The final challenge is that this shotgun, around 70 years old, has a tendency to fire when IT wants to instead of when the trigger is pulled.

I did some research on this shotgun and learned that only ~70k of these were made and they were made for approximately five years. The Remington 1100 eventually replaced them. During this research, I was able to find a schematic to how this thing is assembled. Now, this firing issue has been a problem for many years. In fact, it lead to dad retiring the gun. We have cleaned the powder residue from it ourselves and have had it professionally cleaned. However, with this schematic, I feel that I will be able to take it apart and thoroughly clean the remnants of the thousands of shots it has fired in its life. This shotgun is still in mint condition on its exterior and barrel bore, so it is imperative that I get the firing order repaired in time for our trip to the sporting clays range.

To make this day even more memorable, my brother is going with us. Dad does not know about the trip and his soon to be reunion with his old shotgun. And, no, he want find out here. He does not know about my blog, and would not read it even if he did as he is not one with the patience to read.

If you are not fortunate enough to have your dad or pop around physically, I am sure he is with you spiritually. Use the coming days to reflect on your past memorable times, perhaps your trips to the sporting clay range. Talk to him, laugh a little, cry a little.

I'm Late Again

After being the guy with dazed look in his eyes in a crowded shopping aisle on Christmas Eve so many years, I finally became creative, prepared and disciplined and started shopping earlier the last five or six years. I was able to do this by taking advantage of the internet, Paypal, overnight shipping, and the fact that Christmas is the same day every year. Tools and resources I have had for quite awhile. Imagine that - Christmas is the same day every year, yet I was waiting until the last minute to shop.

The past years have been so much more enjoyable and less stressful knowing that the delivery truck is bringing the packages to me. In most cases, I am able to pay an extra $5 and have the packages arrive already wrapped. Now, that is an excellent shopping trip. Until this year. I did it again. My three weeks of being ill, followed by a week in the hospital, interfered with my shopping. I am not sure why as I had a year to prepare, and Christmas is once again to be celebrated on December 25. However, I was not prepared this year. My streak of five or six years of planning through the summer and ordering in November came to an IV dripping halt this year. The bad part is that my wife's birthday is two days after Christmas. I am not sure if that is bad for me or bad for her. But all of this is to serve as a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. It should not be about me, or her, or about checking everything on the shopping list. It should be about Christ, new beginnings, second chances, everlasting life, being on His list. John 3:16. Merry Christmas to those of you who still follow.

ESPN's Thursday Thesis

Tonight, the question was what does last week's SEC upsets say about the SEC...or something like that. It was so ridiculous, that I can't fully remember the question. All week they have continued to talk about the SEC "upsets" last weekend. What they have failed to mention is that the SEC teams who lost were beaten by other SEC teams. So the answer to the thesis is that it took another SEC team to beat the first one...as it does every year. If the SEC didn't have to play against other SEC teams, their dominance would be even greater than has been discussed the last...what..7 years? Think about it. The SEC usually begins the season holding the more top 10 positions than any other conference. Who knocks them out? Other SEC teams. However, by season's end, the SEC will still occupy more top 10 positions than any other conference.

I Had all of the Symptoms Except One

And, then it was confirmed I had that one as well. Gastroparesis, or partial paralysis of the stomach and intestinal muscles. Food or beverages fill me quickly and just sit in my stomach. At some point I suppose gravity and acid assist in getting them through my intestines, or I eventually get nauseous and vomit, but the "sloshing" I hear in my stomach as I walk confirms that it is a slow process. This is a great way to lose weight as I have been instructed to eat many small meals per day instead of the traditional three (large) ones. However, it is also a great way to stay dehydrated. You see, I am supposed to be drinking 80 to 100 ounces of fluids per day due to the dysautonomia. I am down to 32 ounces and am needing infusions more than ever. I take so much medicine that the water alone for a dose of medicine fills me. I have to make a decision- do I want something to eat or something to drink? I cannot have both. Then, I think of people who have it worse than I, and give thanks to God for this. I know it can be worse. I also know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Squeezed a Camping Trip in This Weekend

My wife and I took a quick camping trip this weekend. I am not sure it is fair to call it camping when you have your laptop on the picnic table and use your cellphone as a hotspot so you can blog. The number of mosquito bites and the brief thunderstorm are clear reminders that this was indeed a camping trip. Anyway, here is a view of the lake from Lakepoint State Park Campground:

And a relaxing conclusion as any camping trip should be - around a campfire.

Can't believe it is football season....

Also can't believe Bama has scored two TDs on special teams. O-line needs some work and really the offense just doesn't look prepared. I guess this is what you expect in a first game. Penalties have been fewer than expected for the first game.

6 Weeks and Counting

It is hard to believe it is almost time for another football season. Seems like it was just last night that Alabama was beating the hell out of Notre Dame. I am a traditionalist, love defense, and games between classic schools. I was looking forward to this game and felt privileged to see the two historical programs face off. I was a kid the last time they played. I am glad my Bama team won, but would have been proud had they have lost in a close, defensive game - one of those history making games. Being a traditionalist and a fan of defensive football, I would have taken the loss in a close game between these two schools over a blowout as we witnessed. Really. However, I will gladly accept another National Championship as well! So, here's to another opening weekend that will be here soon. I am placing an order soon for some fresh homebrew, will be stocking up on firewood for the smoker, and then just counting the days. Until then, I will enjoy a few ESPN Classics.