Unsuccessful weekend

I struck out deer hunting this weekend. Luckily venison is a luxury rather than a necessary staple of the family diet.



It was at least a beautiful day to be in the field.

One of my bigger sources of frustration this season was our wildlife division's modified shooting hours. They quietly shortened the legal hours... removing the traditionally second most productive time of the day.
Last year they rolled out digital deer check. I wonder how many people are going to self report themselves as criminals with the new system.

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First project of the new year complete

My first attempt at leather work. Seems secure so far.


I'll be remaking this design once I locate some heavier leather. I accidentally ordered split cowhide. Still a fun little project and a learning experience.

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Goals

For 2013 I resolve to get 4 (or more of course) new or novice shooters to the range to learn the fun available in safe gun handling.  Already have my first guy lined up. I'm no expert but I can drill him on the 4 rules and teach him at least a few of the mechanics.

I resolve to learn to reload my own ammo.  This is an ongoing project.  I've got a second hand press.  Fair amount of used brass.  Dies to fit some of my brass.  Lots of dies in calibers I don't own.  But given one thing and another I hadn't bought any small pistol primers before December.  I might be out of luck on that until the furor dies down.

Canning.  I need to learn the art of pressure canning.  I've a fair garden given the tiny plot I'm working with, and I'm ashamed to admit I left a fair bit of useable food to waste in the garden again this year.

Looking back over this I guess my goals are knowledge transfers.  I think I can be happy with that.  Especially since I can fulfill them while spending more time with family and friends.  

Merry Christmas to all. Or happy Hanukkah. Looking forward to having a house full of kids this afternoon. Then in a few days I'll be traveling to see my parents and my brother's family.

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Conversations

Seems like you can't trip over any corner of the American focused internet these days without someone spouting about the need to have a conversation about guns these days.  Unless you've been living under a rock you've read Larry Correia's wonderful opinion on the matter. 

But it seems like the American people has decided definitively on gun control with their wallets.  Clearly they want guns and magazines under their control.  You can't find an Ar or M4 pattern at any commercial retailer these days.  Ditto on the magazines.

In fact I have to admit one of my long cherished suppositions is totally wrong in at least a few instances.  I always thought government couldn't stimulate the economy without resorting to force or cronyism.  But just a few words from our esteemed leaders and I expect that folks in gun manufacture are all pulling overtime.  Soon orders will be shipped, and transported, and restocked.  The economy is stimulated.

WTH?

So I ducked into the local Kmarket yesterday to see if they had anything that would fit onto my wife's Christmas list.  As I was leaving the store empty handed I saw a little girl maybe, maybe 8 years old, in front of the main entrance.  She's watching incoming cars like she's waiting for someone to pick her up.  She's still there about 5 minutes later.  10 or 15 people walk by her without giving her a second glance.  I get back out of my vehicle to ask her if she wants to use my phone to call anyone.  As I approach she walks back in the store.  Still not a parent in sight.  How does a parent leave a kid that age unattended in a public setting on a day that includes Newtown Conn?

The Godshead

Just bought The Godshead from Holly Chism.  It was a pretty decent book.  Picked it up and it kept me entertained on a dreary rainy December Sunday.  Price is pretty good for the kindle version too.  Give her a look if you enjoy mythology or sarcasm.