…and the Monday after Christmas, even more reason to be happy:
…or something like that.
And a Christmas message:
And from my own family (Daughter and Son&Heir exchange):
And from the Bad Elf! Bad Elf! Bad Elf! Department:
And that’s it for this Monday.
…from Santa’s favorite elf:
Good question. Here are a few gift ideas you can send to Santa.
From Steve Barnett (for the wealthy among us): ABBIATICO & SALVINELLI – O/U PAIR 12 GA
A bargain, by the way, for a pair of matched shotguns from this gunmaker.
From Sportsman’s Warehouse: Henry Pump Action Octagon Rifle .22 LR
Every home should have one.
From Collector’s Firearms: Smith & Wesson 686-6 Plus .357 Mag
Nobody ever regretted buying one of these, but almost everyone regrets having sold one.
Hinterland Outfitters: Ruger PC Carbine 9mm
I am seriously considering getting one of these, especially as I’m moving over to 9mm (!!!!) as my primary handgun caliber.
From Academy: Ruger Wrangler .22 LR Revolver
This might actually be a decent “first handgun” for that grandson / granddaughter / nephew / niece that you love so much.
From Cabela’s: CZ 612 Home Defense Pump-Action Shotgun 12ga
For those wanting something just a little different from the usual Mossberg / Winchester types…
That’s a decent little list, I think. Something for everyone.
We have a guest in our house: New Wife’s brother will be staying with us for a week or so, having managed the 330-hour flight from Johannesburg to DFW (some exaggeration, perhaps).
Anyway, he is a man of gargantuan tastes (despite being slender in frame), so yesterday consisted of picking him up from the airport, feeding him breakfast at our place followed by an evening which consisted of beer, wine and BBQ. Also much laughter and good times (see title).
Today promises more of the same — and we haven’t even reached the Christmas weekend yet.
Oy.
And he brought with him from Seffrica all sorts of delicacies e.g. biltong, Richelieu brandy and various Christmas comestibles, so the effects of his visit will be felt long hence.
Next week will be spent pretty much at the range, as he attempts to deplete my ammo stock as much as he’s started to attack my booze cupboard. Little does he know…
What fun. What glorious, glorious fun.
My head hurts.
Lainey Wilson calls her musical style “bell-bottom country“, and I’m not going to disagree with her. What I like is how she describes country music — “we lived the lyrics” back when she was growing up in Nowhere LA, and I think that’s always been country’s appeal, on its most elemental level. And she’s got the voice to carry it, oh yes she does.
I also like that she’s not one of the pretty young things that Nashville seems to push out like Simon Cowell pushes out Brit boy bands. Nope, our Lainey’s one of them big ol’ country gals, with a big voice and a big songwriting talent — and I love it.
I will say that the girl needs to stick to those tight bell-bottom jeans, though:
Not her best look. She’s country, not r&b or rap.
I have mentioned in the past that I planned on giving Connie’s Browning High Power to Daughter for her birthday, for hereditary reasons. Well, I broached the topic with Daughter, and was surprised when she showed no interest in the Browning at all.
“I have enough handguns. I mean, I have as many as you do.” (true)
“But it’s your Mom’s gun.”
“It’s like offering to give me her favorite hammer — it really doesn’t mean anything, but thank you for the offer.”
She’s completely unsentimental about the gun — although I wouldn’t be surprised if the Browning didn’t also trigger some unwelcome memories along the way, but I’m not going to explore that little issue. She doesn’t want the High Power, and that’s that.
Which is fine by me. I love the BHP, its Europellet chambering notwithstanding, so it’s not going to go anywhere.
I also listened to Hackathorn and Wilson discussing the 9mm cartridge, and Bill Wilson is of the considered opinion that in terms of tissue damage and even stopping power, the new breed of 124gr 9mm hollowpoints are as effective as the lighter 185gr .45 ACP cartridges — which are exactly what I’m carrying in the 1911 because of recoil (pain) issues with the heavier 230gr.
So the plan has changed. Son&Heir will indeed be getting my old Springfield 1911 .45 ACP for his birthday, and…
…I’m going to be carrying the High Power 9mm in its place:
…loaded with these:
You may all pick yourselves up off the floor, now.
And yes, I’m aware that these may be the End Times.