Stevens Sure Shot: One More Reason You Should Go To Reno!

Engineering Johnson has announced a fantastic surprise for folks who attend the Gun Blogger Rendezvous this year.  EJ bought this Stevens Sure Shot, cleaned off the grime and corrosion and will be adding it to the raffle prizes at the annual Rendezvous in September.  CLICK HERE to go over to his blog and read all about this fine little firearm.  THEN, click over to the Gun Blogger Rendezvous site for all the information you need to register and make your travel plans.

The addition of this little rifle brings the number of guns being raffled to three.  Hi-Point will be donating another of their fine pistol caliber carbines, and Ruger will be sending a stainless .357 Blackhawk to Mr. Completely for the raffle. 

The Gun Blogger Rendezvous isn't just for bloggers; it's for anyone who is interested in shooting, Second Amendment rights, and following the gun blogs.  You will meet and visit with other shooters, from the casual ones to world class competitive shooters.  The Rendezvous is very much like a family reunion, and you will have three days of range activities, plus great meals, stimulating speakers, and of course, the big raffle to raise money for Project Valour-IT.  Don't miss it!  Click the links, register, and make your travel plans.

Here It Comes Again, Already

                                                                     Back To The Old Grind!

Not My Victrola: Farewell To A Friend

It hasn't been very long since Major Chuck Ziegenfuss took down his blog, and now another blogger associated with the Rendezvous has shut his door; it brought this Woody Guthrie song to my mind, even if it's from a different place, another time. It's always hard to say goodbye to friends, and this song captures that. We will miss you, Derek. Uploaded by Alberto Al, and copied from the Library of Congress. The Dustbowl years came up in conversation with Mom recently. The day she was born, the temp was 104 Farenheit. That was an at-home birth, pre-electric fans and air conditioning. That would be a tough day to push out a baby.

Weekend Steam: I Want One Of These For The Pond!

This fine little steam boat is a home-built project from Sri Lanka. Too Much Fun.

Crankin' It Up: Skipper Joins Team Brunswick; Brat Is Not Impressed

The Whistler And His Dog by TrueBlueSam

Arthur Pryor's Band recorded this rare novelty number on June 18, 1913.  Skipper, the Schipperke wanted to be in on this one with Brat, the record being about a dog and all.  Brat stayed on his end of the Brunswick, and wasn't too happy about a dog invading his space.

Floral Jocularity

Some People Keep You In Their Thoughts...

...some keep you in their prayers; squared!  Our friend Father Malottke prints these on an antique press in his shop, performs a Mass for you, and never forgets anniversaries or birthdays.  It's not easy with Parkinson's Disease dragging him down.  Thank You, Father Malottke.

Disappearing Act

You Pick!

A) Ramshackle
B) Shabby
C) Dilapidated
D) Help Me, I'm Melting!

Prob'ly A Good Story Here

Next to an oil lease road, out in the Middle-Of-Nowhere.  The body looks good, it has air in the tires, but it's being swallowed by the encroaching jungle.  It looks too good; too useful to be abandoned.

This one is on the other end of the same property, so it's a pattern.

The folks at American Forest Foundation would have a cow if they saw how their sign is being displayed, but the landowner has grown a lot more trees than any of those folks have.  I'm not going to complain.

Gun Blogger Rendezvous VIII Schedule, at Mr. Completely!

Mr. Completely has posted the schedule for the Reno Gun Blogger Rendezvous on his blog, and this year is bigger and better than ever.  New activities and new sponsors make GBR VIII a must-attend-event for bloggers and blog followers.  Mr. C has scheduled three days of activities at the shooting range, with bowling balls being launched on the final day.  You don't want to miss that!   Click over to Mr. Completely, or the Gun Blogger webpage to read all about it, and to register for this annual reunion of bloggers and blog friends.

Here is a slide show of Derek, The Packing Rat's photos from the 2009 Rendezvous.  The bloggers visited the Reno Scheel's store that year.  This year the plan is to visit Cabela's.