TRICK OR TREAT

Halloween is one of my favorite little holidays. But, it has changed so very much since when I was a little kid. Yeah, we still carve pumpkins, decorate outside our homes, and inside also. And we hand out candy, if we get any trick or treaters. It now seems that going around the neighborhood on Halloween is not the thing to do.

Instead, parents take the kids to the mall and the stores hand out candy and such. Or they go to a party where they are locked in a building, with music,candy,

games, and adult supervision. Also, the schools will not allow any costumes of a scary nature. No witches, goblins, or monsters of the like.

When I was a kid, I had a costume one year as Frankenstein. That's when you had a plastic mask with eye holes and a little slot for the mouth. It was a slip on, one-piece costume that you tied at the back of your neck. It was meant to be worn over your clothes, and you'd throw a fit if it was to cold out and you parents made you wear a jacket over your costume (which it always was and they always did).

Over the years I went as Superman, Dracula, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, a cowboy, a soldier, fireman, Indian, Roman soldier, Hobo, pilot, and so many others.

And those masks! You couldn't breathe through your nose; you had to breathe through your mouth.

We used paper grocery bags to haul our candy. We would go from house to house, as fast as we could, for about the first five houses. Our faces got kind of sweaty from breathing too hard through our mouths into that plastic mask. It seemed that about every block there was at least three or four houses where we would have to do a trick before we got our treat.

About all I could do was a somersault or to stand on my head. Some would sing or recite a poem of some kind. We were allowed to go through our neighborhood by ourselves. Only the real little kids had grown ups with them. 'Course, they were watching out for all of the kids. 

As the years went by, and I was old enough to be on my own, I went to a Halloween party. 'Course, I dressed up as a cowboy with six gun and all. A friend of mine wanted to go, but did not have a costume to wear. So, with the help of my grandmother and some of her makeup and some lamb's wool, we made my friend up as the wolf man.

I knew that another guy was going to dress up as a cowboy also. So, my friend and I came up with a plan. I would call this guy, the other cowboy, out for a show down. As we were about to draw on one another, I told him that I would sic my dog on him. I whistled real loud and another friend came lumbering in, all hunched over and making growling noises. He proceeded to grab the guy by the leg and humped his leg.

Everyone went bonkers laughing and my friend ran outside. Everyone was trying to figure out who it was! We had them all going for about 10 minutes or so. He finally came in and they figured out who he was. We both got invited to a lot of Halloween parties after that. 

We even ended up getting a few dates also. 

IN NEED OF A HOLSTER

A friend of mine likes older pistols. He has several. The problem is, he can't find any "new style" holsters for a few of them. He thinks that he should be able to buy a Kydex holster for his Colt snubby. I've told him that I do not think that they make such a thing.

I told him he could make his own, but he would rather buy one instead. I have seen this little snub nose Colt. It has no bluing left on it, except maybe a little bit around the handle. He has had it since we were in high school. It belonged to his grandfather, who gave it to his dad, and his dad then gave it to him.

Even some of the checkering on the handle has been worn away. I shot it a few times years ago with he and his dad. I couldn't hit the broad side of the barn with the darned thing. He and his dad popped away and could get a soup can to dance with every hit. And almost every shot on a paper target was in the black.

He has had it in to a gunsmith only once. He dropped it and buggered up the front sight. (Don't worry -- it was unloaded at the time.)  The gunsmith fixed it up as good as new. As for a holster? Well, the one he had has gone to holster heaven, as he says.

I told him that he could make a pattern from the old holster. He said there was not enough of it left to even slide it on your belt. He has several other handguns and some are pretty new. But, he likes the feel and how it sets on his hip. He has his carry permit and goes to the range often. 

So, how do you get someone to try a newer style holster? Like a pocket holster. I don't know of anyone who makes holsters for older revolvers. Everyone wants the newest and best, as he says. He likes wheel guns. There is just something about them that feels right, looks right, and shoots like it did when first purchased all those years ago, right out of the box.

Maybe, some times, the old stuff is just as good as some of the new stuff. Or, is it just a few of us that think that way? Plus, he and I both like the smell of the leather, and the way it is tooled. I just might have to try some leather work my own self.

COWBOY'S GRACE: By Baxter Black

"Dear Lord,

Yer lookin' at a man who never learned to cook,
unless you count pork and beans.
And a flowery grace like you'd read in a book,
is really beyond my means.

But you can believe I'm a thankful man,
though it might be undeserved.
And I'll eat whatever comes out of the pan,
no matter what's bein' served.

I don't take it lightly if it's real good,
'cause I'd eat it anyway.
See I know there's people, in all likelihood,
that might not eat today.

So count me in if yer needin' grace said,
and bless those who provide it.
The farmers and ranchers, the bakers of bread,
the loving hands that fried it.

But most of all, Lord, we give thanks to You,
'cause we who work on the land,
Know how much our harvest and bounty is due,
to the gainful touch of Yer hand.

So bless this food and the life we embrace,
and please forgive us our pride.
When others with tables a-plenty say grace,
for what we've helped You provide."
(c)1994, Baxter Black

Baxter Black just seems to have a way with words.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: 10/28/13

"Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives."

--William James
American psychologist and philosopher

Jim and Bob (A Kathi Post)

Jim and I met Bob and his wife, Ginny, for lunch Sunday after church. It was good to see them.

Each time they visit here or we visit them, I take a picture of the two of them. I wish I had pictures from when they were in fourth grade (when they met and became friends). Wouldn't that be fun!

So, here's my cute husband and his friend. Thanks for stopping by.

Where's Jim? (A Kathi Post)

He didn't go anywhere, but he's been busy.

Bob is in town, so they are getting to have some time to do guy things that they haven't been able to do in awhile. (You may remember that Bob is Jim's friend -- from the 4th grade -- who has brain cancer and whom many of you contributed to last year.) Jim's also still going to physical therapy for his knee, so that has been taking some of his time.

In case you are wondering how Bob is doing (and who wouldn't!), he's holding his own right now. He's still having treatment, 28 days on, 28 days off, but he looks good and feels okay-ish.

On today's agenda: breakfast that included steak and a field trip to Cabela's.

I took a picture of the guys Sunday, and I'll get it up here tomorrow night. 

We hope you are well and doing fine!

AND SO IT GOES

When lightning flashes, and the crashing voice of the Thunderbird rocks the earth. I love to go out on the dock of the small mountain lake and watch the storm approach over the mountains. There to remain, until driving rain and mighty wave breaking over the dock, force me to seek shelter. There is no music that can compare to the pattering of rain, on the roof of a tent. I have heard the symphony of the land. And felt the heart beat of mother nature. Setting in the doorway of my tent as the storm passes me by. The world seems at peace, as I feel the same.

Quote of the Week: 10/7/2013

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” --Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

THINGS TO DO, AND NOT ENOUGH TIME.

Jeeze, I'm busier that a two pec**** billy goat. I thought that things were supposed to slow down as you get older. I'll be at it until, at least, Monday. See you all then.

Have a good weekend. The government is closed, so take a day or two off.