Starting the New Year 2013~~~

Hello  Sweet Things,

This Diva is getting very tired of the cold, cold weather, I didn't think I would need such a heavy parka here in the Bay Area but Mother Nature is making me a liar.

I went to my first gun show of the season and could barely move around; although there were some gentlemen who would place a hand on my back and I'd turn and look them in the eye, I loved how they'd get so apologetic.  

As a matter of fact everyone was very polite, even if it was crowded.  Sales of Ammo flying out the door, and people discussing the various weapons, WOMEN asking about personal weapons for self defence and BUYING them!

And everyone just---well excuse the word---Pissed Off at Obama and Biden.  

Much of the talk was more about enforcing the laws that are currently in place; that more new laws will Not keep the guns out of criminal hands,  but making the legal gun owners more responsible about the guns they have,  gun safes of all kinds were being pushed,  more training and being aware of the laws, such as if your house is broken into and you are not home and your gun is stolen reporting that immediately.

But with a gun safe bolted to the ground that will be a deterrent, as well as having a home alarm system.

Many people were concerned that Obama will do what Hitler did, leaving the people defenseless against a corrupt government.   And don't tell me it's not corrupt, if Di-Fi can have her own personal weapon and a CCW plus armed guards then I want the same for myself.

There is a  push for more safety training and the NRA signing up people at such a rapid rate made my head spin. I even renewed by membership.  

Yes Sweet Things I am a card carrying member of the NRA.   And I spotted a few darling weapons I'm considering for future purchase.   I am also seriously looking into a CCW.  Joe would like me to have one.

The reason?  Well I am now a consultant to my former firm,  I get paid more, but I have to buy my own health and dental insurance but I can set my hours as well.  My income from fees and investments is more than enough for all my needs.   The fees that my country house brings in for parties and weddings go right into the maintenance of the house and it's taxes and insurance.  I do not keep any money from that so I do not profit from it, but my historic country house does.  A special fund is set up and over seen by myself and my care takers.

But sometimes I have to work late and Joe is worried for my safety which I can understand. 

Joe is now retired, and he was glad to get out of the police force, the insanity there was too much for a reasonable man,  the special consultant that they called in is being resisted by the Police Union and Joe says that the man has produced results in other cities.  To resist what is known to work would make any turn arounds' useless.

Joe is going to start in a few weeks for a private investigation firm, its something he's been planning for a while, of course he will keep his contacts with the police departments, he has many friends, but he's pretty sure that he will be looking into a few missing person cases.   He can only hope they will turn out well but usually they don't.

Heather and her parents have finished moving into Lillian's home, they have kept most of Lillian's furniture since they had to sell off most of theirs, and their future is looking much brighter for them, Heather's folks now have full time jobs and although they are earning less than before its more than enough especially with health benefits.  Heather is still going to college but her art work is still reflecting the loss she feels for her great grandmother.  The little beast "Baby" has become totally devoted to Heather and is doing well.

So are my Folks, Dad should be retiring but he's continuing to work, says he's decided to retire at 70 instead unless he feels the need to retire earlier.  Mom's business is slow now after the holidays, but she has an early spring wedding so she's working on the dresses for the bride and the Maid of Honor, totally 1930's style.

I am off this morning so I'll be leaving in about an hour to the office, I'm putting in a half day since most of them will be at an all morning meeting. 

I'm enjoying this new routine, but still trying to wrap my mind around it as well as dealing with the freezing cold.   I'm glad we didn't have any spare the air days for the holidays, having a fire in the family fireplace was very comforting.

And now looking at the clock I must finish getting my things together before I go out the door.

So Sweet Things, I and everyone are doing well as we start this new year of 2013.  We shall see how it develops.

Kisses Sweet Things

Gun Shows~~~An American Freedom~~~

Hello Sweet Things,

I love flash drives, I can type up something and then save it to down load later, which is one of these times, I’m typing this opening paragraph from work, because I’m waiting for a meeting to start which has been delayed for the next 20 minutes. It is very cool and over cast here in the city, which is not unusual because it is now Fall but for what our weather people are saying and sometime I think they really don’t know what the weather is going to be.

Once again our weather people here in California are saying that we are having a heat wave.

We are, but it is a strange one. The more you go inland, the closer to triple digits you get, but here on the coast it is like a mild, cool summer and here it is the Fall Equinox! Such paradoxes for this area.

I want to do a brief mention of Fram’s blog “The Great American Gun Show”. I have to agree, gun shows are as American as God, Mom, Apple Pie and your dog. It is the only place were I have been able to see antique’s, collectables, security devices, classes in training for self defense, the latest in camping equipment, Rod and Gun Clubs, and survival equipment, (which is a bit different from just camping equipment).

Let me explain----you go to a County Fair, also an American institution, and you see the latest wizzy things to make one’s life easier, more fun, things for the home, places to go to, unusual exhibits like the six legged cow, little strange collectable bric-a-brac, and foods that you never find in the usual fast food joint’s like funnel cakes, frozen bananas’ and Big Bad Bubba’s Bar-B-Que with turkey drumsticks that could choke the Hound of the Baskervilles.

(By the way did I ever tell you that I love an old-fashioned county fair?)

A Gun Show is much the same thing, equivalent to a Boat and Camping show, an Antiques Show, a Harvest Festival (have you tried the Teriyaki jerky?), a Gem-Mineral-Jewelry Show, a Military Collectibles Show, a Coin and Knife Show; it is all of these all rolled up into one big ball, the only thing missing is the “All Alaskan Pig Races” (and you will have to Google that one just to find out what that is).

But there is an advantage, that it is under one very large roof. You meet the nicest, friendliest, politest people, who are more than willing to share their opinions based on their experiences. For example I was at a gun show in Antioch, I took a lunch break and enjoying one of spiciest hot dogs I’ve ever come across, seating was tight, but a few nice gentlemen scooted over to give me a seat. As I was about to bite into my dog the man next to me saw the ring I was wearing, an old Navajo ring that I knew to be at least 50 years old.

He asked me where I had purchased it and I told him the history behind the ring. He said that he found one exactly the same style in the bottom of an old junk box at an estate sale. He was fixing to cut it and use it as a concho on his holster, but after seeing mine changed his mind and instead will keep it as is. It’s moments like that that can make life so interesting. I seldom have it at the more traditional, very upscale antique shows, where people are more interested in showing off that they can afford to buy such expensive things, but at a Gun Show everyone is more down to earth, and especially with the old timers, who strongly believe in the “Code of the West”.

Gun Shows should be preserved; with the exception of an old-fashion county fair it is one of the few places where it is a great equalizer, where everyone is on the same level, based upon their experience, and where one is willing to learn more. I love them and am working hard to preserve them, because the minute we become a too pacifist society, that is the moment we, as a society lose our freedom and to quote Charlton Heston as he held up his rifle “From my cold dead hand” for that is only when I will give up my guns and my 2nd Amendment rights.