Pittsburgh Bound

Tomorrow afternoon we're heading up to Pittsburgh. I'd like to leave earlier, but there's that whole "school" thing for Sweet Daughter. Oh well. Plans include the Gunnie Prom, and yes! My face is breaking out! And in case you're wondering, I'll be the one wearing the werewolf shoes and the kindergartener. Unless she's hanging out with Breda, that is. Sweet Daughter thinks she's the best thing since chocolate.  A gun chick that works as a librarian AND has cats -- in her world, it doesn't get any cooler than that.

Peteresburg and Peeps

We went to Battersea Plantation almost two weeks ago for a reenactment. It's not a large event, but the site treats us well (and feeds us on Saturday night), it's fairly close, it's kid friendly and it's one of our favorite events. Saturday started off okay, and I even made an apple raisin pie. In the afternoon, it rained. A lot.

The rain stopped, so we ran up to the house and grabbed some dinner, and then went back to to camp, and it rained some more.

Then, we got a rainbow! (Sorry, it wasn't a double, and nobody cried.) It was a full arc, and probably the brightest one I've ever seen. Sweet Daughter learned all about leprechauns in school for St. Patrick's Day, and warned us about how they'd trick us if we saw one.

This photo doesn't even begin to do it justice.

Once the rain stopped, a fire was built and it was time for the annual First Roasting of the Peeps. As you can see, we've been collecting them for a few months.

And the supporting cast was brought out as well. In addition to the bacon, we brought S'Mores supplies. Yes, those are Goldfish crackers.

Years of research have resulted in the best method: Wrap thin-sliced, pre-cooked bacon around a Peep, secure with toothpicks, then roast over an open fire.

Add graham crackers, chocolate, and prepare for your eyes to roll back in your head. It was enough for me to forget my wet shoes.

Catching up

Yes, we (Shorter Half, Michael W. and I) drove 2+ hours (in the rain, uphill, against the wind) just to get to the DC Blogmeet last Friday. And then did it all again to get home. But it was well worth it. Besides being able to present my blogfather, JayG, with a small token of appreciation , I got to meet Alan Gura. I did my best not to squee in his presence, but I'm not sure I was successful.  I got to meet lots of other bloggers, too, including my "co-start" T-Bolt, from B&B Guns last year.




For some reason, JayG looked a little nervous when he was handed this.


Thanks to Newbius for putting it together!

Guess who I got to meet today?

Michael W. is visiting for the week, so he and I went to The Range and met up with CTone from Legions Fate this afternoon. CTone’s a heck of a pistol shot, especially considering he prefers rifles, and was very encouraging to this n00b. He generously let me shoot both his Walther PPK and his 1911.

Michael W. has been doing law enforcement firearms training for around 25 years and it’s always great having him stand behind me and give me advice. Michael let me shoot his Mark VI Webley .45 ACP and his Chief .38 special. I shot ALL four of them better than my own gun today.

I really liked the Walther. Hmmm … I do need a smaller carry piece.

Lexington and Concord

The Second British Civil War, a.k.a. The American War for Independence began in April 19, 1775.

The NRA offers this print to certain Charter Class of Heritage Society Ambassadors.

"The Fight at Concord Bridge” by Harry Jaecks

There were three models used for this -- photographed several times in different poses. One was in drag. That would have been me. You can tell which ones I am by the leg length. And if you can't tell that way, I'm the guy that's broader in the beam than the rest.

And on slightly more relevant note, let me offer a replay from last year.

Gunnie Prom

JayG talks about what Breda coined as the Gunnie Prom at Pittsburgh in two weeks.

I acquired new shoes for the event. It all started when I paid to have Larry Corriea redshirt me in Monster Hunter Alpha and I get killed by a werewolf. So when I saw these shoes, I wanted an excuse to get them. A gunnie get-together seemed like just the thing. That, and to perpetuate the rumor that I'm 7' tall.

(And Breda said I could. So there.)

QOTD

"Shooting is zen with noise and smoke."

From Michael W.