Things I saw and heard at the Rangers, today:
Number 4- Question was asked, if you picked the Joker on the card suit stage, you could choose your side, but could it be
one side for pistol and one for rifle? I said, "No." Capt. Bill said, " But it's "A" side, and "A"nother side." Good try, Bill. ;D
Number 3- "Way to hang in there," might not be the nicest thing to say to someone who had a bad stage. (Inside joke.)
Number 2- That thing that Unpleasant wrote about: " Do not look at the donut hole. Look at the donut whole!"- I think really
helped me clean the smaller targets on a couple of stages, today. Seriously. Something to think about.
And.....Number 1- Empty shotgun shells WILL NOT fire! :o
Harley.
As for # 1. Also never mark a questionable shotgun shell "shoot last"
#2 having read Unpleasants post, but not looking at the stages I assumed we were going to shoot the massive rnd target with the hole in the center. Hence the don't look at the donought hole look at the whole donought.
Thanks for the clarification.
"The wisest are the most annoyed at the loss of time." - Dante Alighieri
Dante came up in conversation. His quotes are many and worth reading.
F.H.
Nothing but neglect for my thread, here. Too much real life and responsibility.....
I have often thought that if I could have talked with our western heroes, who would it be?
I would have said, and have said, John Wayne, and that's worthy, however, with maturity, and
just perhaps, wisdom, I now would say: Audie Murphy.
Thoughts, anyone?
Harley.
Harley,
I can think of 3.
Audie Murphy is a good choice.
Lee Marvin is another.
Jimmy Stewart would probably be first on this list.
I don't know if all would consider my list heroes, but I would like to talk to Billy the kid, Tom Horn and doc holiday!
Lee Marvin was a genuine tough guy, also a war hero.
Jimmy Stewart would always be a good choice, he could play any part. Also a war hero.
James Arness was always one of my most favorite western stars. He is the only actor, celebrity that I ever sent a message to.
Some years back, I said that and someone gave me his website info. I sent him a pm and said in part: "At the end of the day,
Matt Dillon had made things right, and that was important to me." I was told he didn't answer them all, but looked at every one.
Also a war hero.
There is no reason not to include historical western figures in this discussion. If I had one choice, it would be Wild Bill, (Hickok.)
Harley.
Bringing up sidekicks is a good point. Arthur Hunnicutt in El Dorado. Walter Brennan at any time.
As an aside, I like Tim Holt movies. It seems like he would have been fun to know.
Harley.
Plus Lash Larue and his wonderful sidekick.
Darn it Harley I'm enjoying this thread and thinking about it when I should be loading( any squibs I'll blame on you)
I as usual went of the track, seems we are talking about actors and movie people.
I am from a generation where some folks seem the original, I seen it in reruns.
Sticking to actors, and if you will allow me movie people.
My choice would be Wyatt Earp 1rst, he was there!
Second mine and Slo Jens favorite actor Robert Duvall !
At Wyatt Earps's funeral, Tom Mix wept.
Robert Duvall has always had the ability to make himself, AUTHENTIC, no matter what the role.
F.H.
My first western hero was the Lone Ranger . We listened to weekly episodes on the radio. Later on when the neighbor got a tv ther would let us come watch the Lone Ranger once a week.
Also, one of my favorites was Bob Steel.
Wasn't Wyatt Earp instrumental in John Wayne's early years at the movie studios?
Lone ranger was not to be missed as I grew up but was a black and white, later color program played after saturday morning cartoons.
Looking back the black and white where better than the color versions, kind of like Mayberry.
Never heard it on the radio, also never logged a mountain with mules.
A Thread on the SASS forum regarding SASS early originals being forgotten caused me to post this.....
Having been involved in SASS for several years, and several years in range affairs, like most of us,
I have a list of folks in my head that is into hundreds of names. So many passed, got too many health
problems, quit, moved away, etc. The point to me is that all of us in CAS are a part of a breed that will
not be seen again. I have met some of the originals, I even met Phantom, once. I'm positive he wouldn't
remember. (In a parking lot in Texas, some years back.)
Some, not all, of the finest friends I have ever had in this life have been in Cowboy Action. They are real,
they last, and you can ride the trail with almost all.
A price can not be put on the enrichment this game has meant to my life.
Whether well known or not, with thanks given to all that have helped our path, how wonderful it is to
have known these people! New shooters, as well!
Harley.
I agree!
This game has allowed me to have a ton of good clean fun, but the greatest part has been the friends I have made, old hands and green horns alike!
It has been a blessing and I'm looking forward to it continuing!
Last weekend, as a purpose, I was looking for westerns I had never seen, (Yes, never seen.)
On xfinity, In the app section, I ran across a TV western from 1960 called Tate. I had never
heard of it. Turns out it was a summer replacement for the Perry Como Show! There are only
13 episodes. It was never picked up and was never syndicated for replay, (as far as I know.)
The Star, David McLean, was one of the Marlboro Men! I had doubts, at first, but soon I was
hooked. Stayed up half the night. Story lines, acting, and especially guest stars, are great.
I have only two episodes left to watch, after a second session, mid- week. I will miss it when
I see the last of it. If you find a way to see this, you should. At least you should google the
history of it.
Harley.
Last Kiss had misplaced her phone here at home.
She said, "Call my phone."
So I said..."Hey, Phone!"
Apparently, that was NOT what she wanted.
F.H.
Thoughts on virus restricted matches:
A little more than a week ago I shot a "social distancing" Cowboy match. I wore a mask the entire time
as a personal experiment to see if I could. The whole time from out of the truck to back in the truck. Can't
say it was pleasurable, though probably safer, with heat index more than 90. Believe it affected my shooting,
but that's a real convenient excuse, having not shot a match in 12 weeks. Roll Eyes
I felt like I was being unfriendly, no hugs or handshakes, when of course, may have been the friendliest thing.
Difficult to keep distance when it's not what you're used to and large posse.
I'm glad I went, and while it was grand to be with my friends, it certainly wasn't the same.
Having read the very complicated new SASS guidelines, would I shoot another club level match that way? Likely
Yes. Would I consider shooting a state or higher match with similar guidelines? For myself, certainly, no.
Hopefully this very real and potentially dangerous situation won't last forever, but who knows?
What are your thoughts, friends?
Harley.
If you have seen the modern version of the Lone Ranger, one of the themes was,
"Nature is out of balance." Well, along with all of the other things going on, now,
yes it is. I have a daylight raccoon, which comes round 3 or 4 times a day. We have
slingshot wars. Due to too much padding by my opponent, I am not winning, YET.
That used to mean it was rabid, no more.
Also, we have a less than nocturnal skunk which is friendly and we happily feed when
possible. THEN, we have the groundhogs which have long cursed my barn from time
to time. After repairing damage several times this month, I checked this morning and
a rabbit jumped out of a NEW, and gigantic groundhog hole. Trust me, here, I know
what a rabbit looks like. Seemed apologetic. Yes, I'm a rabbit, get over it.
Nature is out of balance.
Harley.
Love reading your post Harley!
Seems like things are lively at the homestead!
Fixed many a shed/ barn due to ground hogs, when I was a kid if we wanted to hunt a farm we'd ask permission and the answer was usually kill the ground hogs and you can hunt next fall, seems they ruin crops , and break horses legs and farm equipment with their dens.
I've seen many run down a row of lettuce and eat it all before you can get to your 22!
As for feeding a friendly skunk, you may want to consider going to a few big matches to reboot from this lock down, not being mean I consider you a great friend and asset to our cowboy community, just not sure about habitating a skunk to come by for dinner!!!
Every person should do what they think is best for them during this weird time, no judgment.
CLean your hands and don't spittle on others.
Ps does Kiss know about the pet skunk????
Kiss started it. (Feeding the skunk.)
Must be that motherly instinct!
Thank god for that or a lot of skunks would have no love whether they deserve it or not.
I'm Fast Harley and I was anti-social.
THEN: I found Cowboy Action Shooting. From the very first folks were friendly and helpful.
Before too long, I became accustomed to the comradery, the hugs and handshakes, the genuine
caring for one another. The touch and closeness of others became the norm. This collection of
like-minded souls was like an addiction that had to be experienced!
After many, many years, one day a calamity occurred. No longer could we gather as we did. No
more contact and friendly gestures. Alas, at times even facial expression could not be seen!
I, for one, am in withdrawal: In fact, I am backsliding. I had become a social animal, but now...
F.H.
Well put and many relate to your statement, I for one.
This to shall pass!
You are still one of our favorite socialites!!!
Now, I've been called lots of things, but never a socialite! ;D
A socialite is a person (usually from a wealthy, or aristocratic background) who plays a prominent role in or is very frequently involved in high society. A socialite generally spends a significant amount of time attending various fashionable social gatherings.
Harley,
You've always seemed aristocratic to me (it may be influence from Last Kiss), you definitely play a prominent role and look at whom you shoot with, definitely HIGH SOCIETY!! And cowboy matches are frequently fashionable social gatherings.
Sounds like a socialite.
DB
Appreciate the good words, Double Barrel. I might be a socialite, then, but I'm not wealthy...
F.H.
Thanks Dbl Barrel for the clarification, didn't want to start a gun fight with Fast Harley!!
Many ways to measure wealth my freind , I'd say we are both wealthy, I'm just lacking in the socialite department!
See ya saturday.
Yes, I have awakened, climbed out of my hole, not seen my shadow, so:
What have you been doing during these terrible times for your mental state? I checked and mine is fine... :-\
I have revisited the guitar, (loudly,) and the drums, (loudly,) at least one gun project, as always building, remodeling,
planning gardening for the season, etc.
Harley.
Drinking heavily!
Yep. 8)
I love nature and the outdoors, however, here is my list of least favorite creatures:
1. Brown shield bugs, a.k.a, stink bugs.
2. Ticks. (any.)
3. Mosquitos.
4. Fire ants.
In that order.
What are yours?
1. Mosquitoes
2. Mosquitoes
3. Mosquitoes
4. Mosquitoes
5. Mosquitoes
They love me and I hate them. Some people don't seem to be bothered by mosquitoes. I've never had that luxury
Mosquitos don't usually bother me as much as others, and that's what started this thinking.
They were around me in clouds working outside today. After some thought there were at least
two things I hated worse.....
F.H.
1. Roaches
2. Rats
3. Snakes
4. Wasps
5. Mosquitoes
I have been dead airspace here for a long time, It's hard to deliver during a plague...
It will be bittersweet, but how about The Thrilling Days of Yesteryear:
I'll start with how much I miss Possum Trot! Wild times..... I think of it often.
Add in how it was and used to be When L.K. and I owned a cabin a few years at Hooten Old Town. Adventures there.....
Not to mention, I think it was our second year in the game we shot 49 of 52 weekends that year. How I long for THAT.
Not having my partner with me every time causes me grief.
The current state of things cramps my style. I want freedom like we used to know.
What is left for the game, I don't know... For all of us, I don't know...
Hell, there used to be a party connected to everything.
Many friends have been lost, hard to stay in the path.
Tell your tales, let's talk.
Harley
PS- Last Kiss and I have been married 27 years, Aug. 6th. Some would say, "WOW! That's great." Others would say, " Pffsstt, that's nothing!"
PS- My focus is gone, last Rangers 1st stage proves that. I want it back.