North Korea: It seems the pudgy little guy may well throw a nuke tomorrow. I can’t see how that could possibly end well. Baring that – I believe he will need to have some kind of cross-border exchange just to keep his creds. If he just makes holes in dirt – I suspect things can be walked back from the abyss. If he makes holes in Seoul . . . or Japan . . . or Guam . . . . things will go down the crapper pretty damn quick. There’s just a bit of a paranoid part of me that wonders if one of the big boys – China in particular – might not use this moment to push a high altitude burst weapon out of orbit over the central portion of the US for it’s EMP burst – and put the blame squarely on North Korea. Or perhaps an all-out cyber-attack – again blaming North Korea. The next few months are going to be a lot edgier than any of us want . . . .
Friends with cancer: 1 in 3 folks get a form of cancer during their lifetime. For a married couple that’s a 66% chance one or the other will be affected. In our marriage – that hit 100% . . . . so far. AGirl posted that it seems her “bump on her head” may well be cancerous. She’s going through the “oh shit” stage as I type. She’s not looking for reassurance that all will be well . . . . so I encourage all to send prayers. That goes a friend of Msgt. B’s and his son . . . . and a family friend whose husband is in his second year of battle . . . . and all the others that fear and fight and win . . . . and loose. Prayers help folks – prayers help.
Follow-on training: I encourage all the folks I train to take some type of training each year. For those who take just the NRA Basic Pistol courses I remind them it is NOT a carry class – yet it exceeds all Iowa training requirements to get their permits. Every once in a while there the comment that goes along the lines of “you just want to sell more training . . .”. Well duh – I have a training company for Pete’s sake! Of course I want to sell training. HOWEVER – if you can’t draw your weapon, if you have no idea how to comfortably carry it each and every day, if you can’t hit a threat from 3-yards, 7-yards, 30-feet, 50-feet . . . . why carry a gun?? Just beg for mercy instead. The VALUE of training is learning new skills that can be used to defend yourself, your family and your friends. Everyone needs some training class each and every year.
Gun Control: Our various federal and state governments continue in their quest to make me a felon. I wonder if the Jews in Germany and the people of China under Mao and Russia under Stalin had the same gut wrenching feeling I have as I read the news. Our ability to keep and bear arms in unique in the world. Their purpose is to defend ourselves from a tyrannical government. A review of the history of our parents and grandparents easily shows that when governments control/register/seize the arms of their populace . . . . things do not end well. I have my “line”. I understand the power of the word “NO!”. And I will not surrender my God given constitutional right . . . . period!
On Granddaughters: Ms. Lucy had her first birthday this past weekend. Her Birthday is actually today! Happy Birthday Ms. L!! Her sisters – Ms. A and Ms. E. provide grandpa and grandma some pretty good entertainment! And they are truly good reminders of the pure joy that life can be. Simple things – a cupcake with a candle, a new ball or truck, a hug and kiss, a “nuggle” with a granddaughter snug on my lap – her head on my shoulder. I forget these things all too easily. I am profoundly grateful they are here to remind me!
Weddings: TheBoy and his fiancé Ms. H are getting married in about 6-weeks. Mrs. B, our daughter, TheBoy, Ms. H and her mom worked out wedding/reception details this past weekend. I was “profoundly disappointed” I could not participate – had a pistol class ya know – “can’t make it”. (stop snickering!!) Again, one of those reminders in life that some things are going well in deed. Mrs. B came home all smiles, details in hand, plans made – a good time was had by all. They make a great couple – each bringing their own strength to the marriage. And, again – I find I am truly blessed.
Enough . . . . I’m starting to sound like an old fart!! Oh . . . wait . . . .
Life is life folks – it’s as simple as that . . . .
Good ones, and tell the son I said congrats... :-)
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