Two weeks , already?

        First off, I want to thank all the veterans, past, present and future for their service. I know, I'm a day late, but they should be shown appreciation throughout the whole year and not just on their holidays. I have the up most respect for everyone who has served and are serving. A Big Thank You To  All OfYou!            Pretty uneventful here since my last post. One of my highlights, speaking of veterans, was doing some target shooting with my buddy Jim(Time Traveler). I had a great time, even though Jimmy is a much better shot than me( I'm gonna get some private lessons. lol). Like I've said before it's a great stress reliever. Nothin' like shootin' a .45 to get the mind right! Alot of fun.  Can't wait to go with you again Jimmy!       

Good Times!

I so wanted to get muzzle blast in the pic! Sorry Jimmy.

   

Splurges

         I will sometimes go a year without buying anything off of Ebay, and then, all of of a sudden, don't know what triggers it, I go on a buying spree. Gotta get that good deal! Lol. I've been on an Ebay roll for a week. There are good deals if you look. I got a new pendant urn for my buddy Ed's ashes, a really nice cross. Got some pendant urns(crosses, angel wings and a red glass heart wrapped in angel wings) for Amber's ashes for her grandfather, brother, me and a new one for Shelly. Filling the pendants wasn't the most enjoyable thing I've ever done, but I did it right and with respect. On a lighter note, I also bought some more Harmony Kingdom collectibles ( I know what you are thinking right now Time Traveler! Lol ). Yeah, I'm into guns and snakes, have tattoos, into weird exotic plants(I'm starting to get lame) and yes Harmony Kingdom( OK I'm totally lame now! Lol). HK are my total soft side weakness! But they are so cool! So many details and most are only a few inches in size. The sculptures start off as a clay/plasticine carving. Master moulds are taken from this piece, and then pieces are cast from a mixture of marble dust and resin. After hardening, they are stained and polished in a tumbler, making them look almost like they are made out of ivory. They look like they are solid, but they open up and there are carvings on the inside. They are really nice looking at first glance, and then when you really look at one there hidden jokes and messages. My favorite sculptor, Peter Calvesbert, has a tiny mouse hidden in most of his pieces, his trademark. I'm up to seventeen pieces so far, four of which I acquired in the past week buying spree. I know what you are all thinking by now, "What a geek", but before you go calling me that, just remember, I'm also into guns! Lol! Thanks for listening, Kevin

One of my new ones. This one is called "Foul Play". Notice the rabbit wearing a gas mask.

The inside of "Foul Play"

Anouther new one "Nic Nac Paddy Whack"

Notice the passenger pigeon carving the tombstone for the dodo bird, this one is called "The Last Laugh". On the inside of this one are tombstones of other extinct animals.

"Brean Sands", anouther new one this week.

"Croc Pot", one of my favorites. Notice the zebra leg paddle.

Remembering a good friend

       One year ago today, a really great friend of mine passed away due to the ravenous effects of cancer. He put up a good fight and at times it seemed like he could beat it, but unfortunately for him and everyone that knew him, he couldn't. Ed was a great guy! We went to school and graduated together. In our early twenties, we shared an apartment together. My late teens and early twenties were some of the best times of my life. Ed and I had alot of crazy, fun times together. So many stories, alot of which, I can't discuss here. Lol. Unfortunately, we drifted apart and didn't have any contact with each other for many years. We grew up and settled down. I did the marriage thing for awhile and Ed did the father thing. Ed did a great job raising his daughter, he was a really good father. Ed and I reconnected about four years ago. He was now living in Florida. We spoke to each other at least once a week and got together whenever he came to Connecticut for a visit. I really miss those weekly conversations. In February 2011, Shelly and I had to make a last minute trip to The Keys for her daughter's memorial service. We were going to drive home right afterwards. Ed didn't think that was a good idea and had us stay the night at his place. We stayed there most of the next day also. I'm so glad we did, it was the last time I saw him. It was a great visit, even though the circumstances all around the visit were bad. I think about Ed alot. I have so many good memories, we had alot of good times together. I have a pendant with some of his ashes in it and anytime I go out and have a good time, part of Ed is with me. I miss you my friend, Kevin

Happier times!

The most dressed up Ed and I would do back in the day! lol



Our last visit together, just like the old days



I miss ya Ed!

Best stress relief....almost



     I went target shooting on Sunday with one of my shootin' buddies, Frank. Shooting is one of the best stress relievers I know of (after sex, of course! lol). I wish the good affects lasted longer though. It's way to expensive to go every day or even every week, for that matter. Shelly was supposed to go with me but wasn't feeling up to it again. I know she would enjoy it. Shelly and I used to shoot my rifles twenty-something years ago, so I know she would enjoy the handguns. I finally got to shoot my new Ruger SR1911. I love it! Awesome piece of machinery.Even though my shooting was way off Sunday and Frank's was, in his words, " one of his best days", it was still a great time. Like I said the cost to go shooting now is so expensive. One hour of range time + 150 rounds of .45 ammo + 100 rounds of .380 ammo = well over 100 dollars,and that was just me, I don't know what Frank spent on ammo.



Me shootin' the Ruger SR1911



My SR1911




Great shooting Frank!





It's a really expensive hobby, so I can't go that often, but it is my favorite stress reliever, almost. My favorite one I don't get to do as much as the shooting anymore.lol. Thanks for listening, Kevin