Thoughts, like Vapor

As soon as my muse and gas like brain return to normal I'll try and set a normal pace for this blog. With her sick and in pain our lives have flipped to the erratic side of life.

As an example yesterday I sat in a local emergency room from zero five hundred until thirteen hundred....with a batch of drunks, druggies, loonies, and democritters.

She's fine. Scheduled for procedures in early June.  Hopefully by then the white shirts will have a diagnosis.

You will now understand my thought process, bad in the best of times, is now fleeting with occasional puffs of vapor.

Please know I have read and do appreciate all of your kind and thoughtful comments and prayers. I have gone days when this computer (or any computer) hasn't crossed my mind. Books, newspapers, and the Kindle have been my chosen escape. I will make every effort, soon I hope, to answer all comments.

Don't worry. With proper medication my Sweet Wife is functional, and at times, very happy. She continually tells me to have faith. She's stays quite busy with her flower beds. I did indeed sneak a few herbs into the mix. She welds the water can with aplomb.

In the  meantime I've decided to study the Daily Racing Form and take a ride on the ponies....busy mind and all that...

Again, thank you.

Stephen

 

By Lamplight

She departed this morning for points north. Said her mother was lonely and will spend the rest of the week.

She didn't ask if I'd be lonely.

So I believe I'll occupy my time with my book and read by lamplight. It gives a certain warmth to an otherwise quiet dark night.

Stephen

Perhaps a Good Book

Just outside my office the tinny rasp of rainfall pounds the old metal canopy above the window. The clock over my head pounds the seconds insistently against my wishes. Business is slow during the early hours. It's cool and wet and why slip the blanket when the bed is warm and you've company with which to snuggle.

So, here I sit. I cannot rouse my muse. She is slow to wake which makes my morning, here in the half-light of this office, all the more quiet as the seconds tick my storage of life's calendar.

I need a book. Preferably one which I haven't as yet read. There is the Kindle but I want paper bound in clothe with perhaps the perfume of age. I have such but its located miles to the north and out of my reach. Tick, tick, tick.

The steady beat of time, sucks.

Stephen


    

Adrift In a Sea of Books

Awoke with a sore throat, slight cough. Feel lousy. Self prescribed a day off and since I have a day to myself decided it was time to dust my books and the shelves upon which they rest and update my insurance digital files.

I own too many books. There, I've said it. I've an addiction. Spent most of this morning dusting the old tomes and wiping clean the woodwork. After each section was completed I took photos for our insurance files.  (Trust me on this. Snap pictures of all your household items, especially artwork. If you've ever experienced a fire you will understand. If not, you will thank me for this advice.)

Fifteen years ago my shop burned. Arson, set by a couple of lowlifes that owned a business next to my mine. Worst three months of my life. Record you assets.

Anyhow, back to books. Even though the internet and online retailers have killed, for the most part, the value of first editions I still own a few worth several thousand dollars. Rare pieces. If, God forbid, a natural disaster befalls our lives I want a solid record, digital, stored in various locations. This computer but one.

It's taken me most of the day and I was only able to complete our family room but I've at least a start. Here are a few examples.

Oh, and for my nice reader with the request - there are several photos of yours truly throughout these images.

As you well know I'm not the best photographer in the world...just a warning.

Above, built in cases next to our family room fireplace.

The mantle and my old friend, Hemingway.

I am a very eclectic reader.

Two very poor shots of a very rare first. This is Joseph Lippincott's, The Wahoo Bobcat. I first read this novel in the second grade. Took me thirty years to find a copy, a first edition in nice shape. Lippincott was Hemingway's publisher.

Above, couple of family snapshots. Sweet Wife and yours truly. Lower picture of me trolling for trout with a smoke pinched in my lips and hair down to my shoulders.

Want a challenge? Find a copy of Mink, Mary and Me.

The baby boy in the photo above is me with my first whitetail. Not sure if it's clearly visible but I'm holding the deers antlers with my right hand. If I remember correctly it was a one shot kill. Later that year I took up chewing tobacco. I understand male children of the Midwest were required by law to wait until they were twenty to enjoy the bliss of ripe sweet tobacco.

As I wiped each book free of its dust I gathered a score of long lost bookmarks. I suppose my Little Bit will be set for life when it comes to dusty old books and bookmarks.

I hope State Farm is happy. To be continued.

Stephen


   

One of These Days

I swear I'm gonna take a day off and just read. Spent all of today in our home office shredding papers and old junk mail and paid receipts. The paper shredder worked so hard I do believe I strained its little blades.

Late this afternoon Sweet Wife stepped inside and smiled and gave me a nice pat on the rear and threw an 'atta boy' at me. As my neighbor says, 'I did good.'

During the mass sort I came across two new still in the wrapper AR magazines stamped Brownells, and about five hundred rounds of 7.62x39 I'd handloaded years ago from new components and stashed away in coffee cans...just slap forgot 'em. Isn't it nice to stumbled across lost treasure.

As I dusted my bookshelves I came upon this old tobacco tin and when I picked it from the board it gave a rattle. Inside I found about a hundred old wheat pennies. So, I thought I'd try and take a few pictures. As you well know I'm not very good at photography, matter of fact, I suck at it. Seeing as how I only use my Dingleberry phone to take photos it isn't any surprise....but, I try. Here's one example. 

See Mickey? That's what you get for laughing...

The old bottle of aftershave should be thrown in the trash but I'm one of those guys with a hoarding problem. It was purchased back in the late sixties just about the time my young butt was shipped to the far east. Still smells kinda nice. Then, as a young man, any item with a duck or quail held my attention. I'm sure it only took seconds before my cash slipped from my pocket directly across the sales counter.

As I was saying, we now again, have a clean home office. It's time to kick back and listen to a few easy tunes and break out my current read. She said I've earned it.

Smart girl I married.

Stephen

 

Rain

Seems we are in for a rainy weekend, which I shall spend alone. SW has hit the road to spend some time with her mother. What to do....

Well, there is a gun show in town. I've a nice stack of books.

Do you suppose the combination of the two would hurt....

I'll let you know.

Stephen

Standing By to Stand By

I've made at least five different lists of items I need to load in our car.  I bet about half way to the Gulf I'll slap my forehead, sure to have forgotten, something.

Our vacation begins tomorrow. A week of rest and good food and books await. I might even wet a line. Then again why let a little fish interrupt a nice nap.

Now if you'll excuse me I have gear to load.

Stephen

It's Like This

Ever so often my books reach deep inside and hook their claws into my soul and refuse to release me. When book hook occurs my universe shrinks into nothingness - I simply disappear.

I apologize for my neglect of all this white space.

Not that I should feel the need for justification of my actions, but hey, you're my friends.

*****

As it stands my plans for next weekend involve gun powder and hot lead. Should be fun. Notes will be taken.

I need to dig out a few safe queens and put 'em thru their paces. Come on down and join us...bring ammo.

Stephen

Next in Line

My reading habits seem to be stuck in a rut. The next few evenings will be spent with Simon Garfield's, 'We Are At War.'

I need to ask our friend, drjim, to please identify the 'wireless' in the upper hand left corner of this dust jacket.


Stephen

The Rain, and a Book

Soft guitar and piano music issue from my stereo, and its accompanied by the sound of hard rain. As the old timers used to say, it rains cats and dogs.

The combination of the music and rain is good for the soul and offers a gentle caress to tangled nerves. Now, if only I could concentrate on my book. This is a perfect day for the written word and a good cup of fresh hot coffee, almost.

I'll read a few lines and then the chatter of my lovely wife and my MIL intrude.

I've just slapped my book down in frustration. A man needs to know when he's whipped and display a white flag. So, I'll write a bit and read your blogs instead.

Standby, I shall visit soon.



Stephen

I Like

The television show, Pawn Stars.

I mean, they deal in firearms, gold and silver, and books. Often, during the show, the camera gives a view of a showcase filled with Navajo Silver jewelry - another of my likes which I've collected since the early 70's. 

What's not to like...

Stephen

Down

I'll be back ASAP, I'm don't feel well today. Went to church with Sweet Wife this morning and had to leave the service early with severe abdominal pain. Nothing serious.

Time for a nice pot of herb tea...and a novel.

See you later.

Stephen

Bits & Pieces

I type this post under a handicap...kinda reduced to a seek and peck on my keyboard. Two days ago, like an idiot, I reached into a box for a thingamajig and cut my right point finger on an upraised discarded razor. Deep. I said a few magic words like; gosh golly gee, and ah shucks, then, darn it all. It hurt.

Dripped blood across the length of my garage and through the house to our bedroom where I left a trail on my wife's carpet then into the bathroom. Slung a bit on the mirror after leaving a puddle in a drawer where I attempted to dig out a bandaid...ever try to apply a bandaid with your left hand when you're right handed. Yeah, like that.

Anyway, now you know why I didn't post yesterday. Since I was out of commission, Sweet Wife grabbed my laptop and would not return it. Gave me a look, she did...

It's still sore. More of an aggravation than painful. Razor blades are kinda sharp.

Believe it or not Sweet Wife made me clean the blood trail. Mean woman.

*****

Remember the H&R Plainsman .22 rifle....of course you do. It was broken, or so I thought. I had a few minutes the other day and glanced over and grabbed the rifle. Took a long look at it. Removed the action from the stock and discovered the hammer frozen in place. The rifle was manufactured in 1948, according to the serial number, and I'm sure the action (trigger and hammer and bolt) had not been oiled since the day it left the line.

I applied some lubrication and a few gentle taps with punch and hammer and after a few minutes had the old girl back in action. Placed a .22 short round in the chamber and walked out back and pulled the trigger. Nice little pop.

She needs further care. I'll take her home and strip the barrel, and if I'm in the mood, put a fresh blue on her. She isn't worth more than fifty bucks, but she is a man sized rifle and worth the effort.

*****

I've had my nose stuck solidly in a book the last few days. Our television is seldom on of late...darn Olympics. When your channels of choice are reduced to Discover and History and The Outdoors Channel, and the programs are repeats, well, why bother.

Thank goodness for books.

*****

I purchased five fifty caliber ammo cans at the gunshow last weekend. Poof - they're full. I need about ten more of the same.

Sad, isn't it.

*****

Time for work.

Please, take care out there.

Stephen

Sunday With a Book

As you know I work Saturdays. After I close the shop it's home to more work. Yesterday, and most of this morning, it was yard cleanup from last weeks storm.

This afternoon I hope, really hope, to relax and read. I've a stack of books that need attention. Later today I might just prepare a meal, not sure. Kinda feel lazy.

Don't expect much out of me today. I will spend a few hours, now, and read your nice blogs. See you guys and gals later.

Stephen

For lotta joy

My new friend lotta joy left a comment with questions and concerns about our current experience with this tropical storm, and yes, we still have rains and wind today. The storm has made a very slow turn to the north, which gives us the bands of rain. So far we've had six plus inches.

lotta joy and her husband are new to the state of Florida. She and her husband are old hands when it comes to snow and ice, but hurricanes and tropical storms are a different breed of beast and require different preparations.

Let's make this simple - read this book.

Crisis Preparedness Handbook by Jack A. Spigarelli, and try and find the updated second edition. Amazon has ample stocks. The book is concise and simple to read and will prepare you for any emergency, either natural or man-made.

I do not believe in prepping for only one kind of emergency. It's a waste of time and energy. Prep for all that this old world will throw your way; if you need examples just ask the survivors of the Warsaw ghetto and victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Everyone wants a list. Fine, here are but a few items I have and keep in stock at my home. This list isn't from a book. I was born and raised in the state of Florida and have dealt with many hurricanes and storms. This list is from experience and I strongly urge you to pay heed.

You need:

Books - of course. An education is priceless, and hey, when you're bored you'll have reading material.

Radios - the power will leave you in the dark. Notice I didn't write, might. The power will say bye-bye. Get a couple or three. I believe and preach a 'back-up to a back-up to a back-up.' We refer to this as the rule of three. I have shortwave and crack (dynamo) radios. I own several of each.

Raingear - duh. You will make trips outside into the rain. Find good quality raingear. I purchased mine at Lowe's. I'm sure Home Depot has good raingear in stock.

Hurricane lamps (kerosene) - again, back to power outages. You'll want several of different sizes. Remember, the lamps burn fuel. I keep five gallons, in a blue container, stored in my garage.

Matches - or lighters. I prefer the 'strike anywhere' matches and have at least two cases stored. Again, this is one of those, duh items. It's hard to light a lamp wick or stove without fire.

Flashlights and fresh batteries - Again, several. Fresh batteries work better than dead batteries. I also have a nice supply of rechargeable with a charging station. A good headlight is worth its weight in gold when you're out in the dark rain with a tarp or chainsaw in hand.

Tarps - You will need a large tarp and a few small ones. Buy a tarp big enough to cover any hole in the roof of your home. Think, huge. Then, purchase some rope and cut six foot sections and attach these sections to the grommets on the tarps with knots tied in the loose end of the rope. This will help you either attach sash weighs or other heavy objects to the tarp. If you have a nearby handy tree, like the one that just made the hole in your roof, tie off to its limbs. Rain in your living room isn't good for libraries.

Generator - if you have the funds I highly recommend you have the generator hard wired to your house. Our generator has saved our bacon more times than I can count. It will give you (depending on its wattage) power to at least seven circuits. You will have power to keep your refrigerator and/or freezer cold, lights, ceiling and portable fans and a small window air conditioner. We've used ours for periods of two weeks or more....life will still be a challenge but at least, if you have satellite service for your television, you'll be able to catch the news reports and stayed informed as to the movement of the hurricane and its offspring, tornadoes.

Food - another duh. Keep a years supply of stored food. If I need to explain this...never mind.

Stored Water - not those silly little bottles, which are nice, but many gallons. Treat the water with bleach. The aforementioned book has this information. I have three blue barrels (blue is food grade) filled and treated. You will need a pump for the barrels. This gives me one hundred and sixty-five gallons of fresh water if needed. Remember, city and town water pumps need power. When the power fails gravity takes over so you should have water for a couple of days unless the water supply becomes contaminated. Store water, period.

Portable stoves - see Food above. I have a gas range so I just strike a match when the power goes, poof. If you have a gas grill try and keep at least two extra propane tanks. A good old fashioned Coleman stove will serve in a pinch. Hit Ebay and try and find a good quality alcohol stove too. Military grade if possible. Rule of three, remember. 

Firearms - Critters, moon fleas, democritters, and other scum of the earth always take advantage of the weak during power outages. I've had neighbors leave their generators, powered and attached to their panels, out and unprotected during the night. Guess what happened to those generators and other equipment in their garages. Home invasions take place on a nightly basis. Just a word to the wise.

Chainsaw - or two if possible. Think high wind. When winds reach hurricane levels (seventy-four) trees not only bend, they fall. Been there, done that. Take my word, a working chainsaw will save your bacon. Mine, at present is broken. It will be repaired or I will replace it.

Enough, I've covered the basics. Please, read the book. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck.

Stephen
 

The Gift

Several years ago I had a conversation with an older customer of mine. He's in his late eighties, now. As we both love the written word our ramblings turned towards short stories and authors. I mentioned I liked both Hemingway's and O'Henry's collections of short stories. Then he left and I forgot the conversation.

An hour ago he walked in and said, "Stephen, please sir, will you walk outside and lend me assistance?" I agreed and walked out with the nice old gentleman and when we arrived at his car he reached inside and gave me two heavy books.

Shocked me. Then I remembered our talk. Back inside he told me his best days were behind him and he felt it time to dispose of 'clutter.' He continued, "And when I found this set I thought of you and knew you, of all people, would appreciate them."

I do indeed.

He'd given me the two volume set of the complete works of O'Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter. They are the 1958 clothe bond editions and, when you crack their pages, have that wonderful aged smell about them.

I hope his best days are not behind him. Good friends are worth their weight in gold.

I've much reading ahead.

Stuff to Read

A box from Amazon arrived today and inside were two books.

The novel pictured below was recommended. After I read it, and if I can remember, I'll let you know if it's worth the time and cost. Either way, I'm a happy man. Books do that to me.

Both can be purchased at Preppers.com.

Stephen

Rawles, James W.

To be published this September:

To explain: "Founders" is the second sequel to "Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse". It is set contemporaneously to the first two novels, but in different geography, with some crossover characters. This novel details the epic cross-country trek of Ken and Terry Layton that was just briefly described in "Patriots". There are also storylines at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and in the vicinity of Fort Knox, Kentucky.

A link to Survivalblog is located at the upper right of my blog page.

Stephen

Bits & Pieces

In honor of Mrs. S., I've just switched on my coffeemaker.

Our weatherjerk has forecast rain and I'm prepared. I've a good book (One Second After, my third or forth reading) and it seems a quiet day to relax. I'm at work, but after a day like yesterday where the action was none stop and a few days after payday, I think it'll be slow around here today.

I do have a couple of long pieces to write. These memories have haunted me for weeks and I need to get them recorded while they're still fresh in my mind. Trouble is, I like to write when I'm certain I'll not be disturbed, which isn't possible here at the shop.
Someone will always walk in and flop down and want to talk. I'm not good at idle chit-chat. Some even call me reserved, too quiet. So be it. Anyhow, maybe I'll write a longer piece today. I always hammer my pieces out. Never a draft, just write as the words pour from my mind. Not an easy process. I seldom if ever edit, and that tells on me. So, we'll see how it goes today.

I have a working title for one of the pieces. South Moon Under. Don't steal it or I will track you down. I'll find 'ya and smack 'ya one. One or two of you might have read Majorie Kinnan Rawling's novel of the same title. It was one of my favorite books as a young man. Its setting was but a few miles from my current home. If you haven't as yet read the book, you're missing something wonderful. It is available in Kindle edition.

The piece I hope to write, of course, will be very different and from memory, if my muse allows. It isn't pretty. As I've written in the past, memories are killing.

Little Bit was very chipper this morning. She will attend the zoo today (they should be there now) with her class and her step-mother as one of their chaperons. She bounced in her seat and had the biggest smile planted on her face...."Papa, we get to eat a sack lunch. It's wonderful, Papa. A real sack lunch."

Hey, it's the little things.

"Papa, do you like the zoo?"

Game time.

"No, Honey, Papa doesn't like the zoo."

"Why not?" She turns to me and puts on one of her pouts. "You and Nana take me all the time."

I waited for an adjustment to my driving and glanced over and smiled and said, "Cause, it stinks, and its always hot and its expensive and the snacks cost far too much and the zoo doesn't allow Papa to shoot the critters for practice. That's why."

Big brown eyes stare back at me. She crinkles up her face and her mouth falls open. I've moved to the left lane and watch a truck cut me off. I'm smiling, inside. I chance a quick look her way. It's working.

"Papa."

"What, Honey."

"You're mean."

"Ah, Little Bit, Papa isn't mean. Seriously, wouldn't it be fun to ride the zoo train with our rifles and as we come upon the cages of animals select a target and bag some fresh meat."

Sometimes, mind you, I go a wee bit far with my jokes.

"Oh, Papa." She began to cry. Oops.

"Honey."

She's turned face towards her window and ignores me. I reach and gently rub her little shoulders and say, "Sweetheart, Papa was just joking."

Cheerful and chipper mood dispelled.

After we've reached our destination I parked and reach and pulled her into my arms. I felt awful. I explained I was just making fun, joking. She finally understood and forgave me. I helped her apply her 'lipstick.' Fake stuff her Nana gave her for Christmas. Then, "Papa."

"Yes, Honey."

"You'd never really hurt the Zoo animals would you. You really mean it when you said it was a joke, didn't you, Papa."

"Of course, my sweet little girl, of course."

She went to school with a smile.

I'm a good Papa....

Stephen

Old Books and Coffee

Seems I've made a liar of myself. This morning I stated we'd spend the afternoon hunkered down in wait for a large storm. We didn't. Instead Sweet Wife asked if I'd like to get out of the house, storm or no storm. I hit the shower and was in wait behind the wheel before she had a chance to take a deep breath. Women, are slow.

She wanted to take in a large antiques mall. Fine, I knew they had nice benches and a coffee shop. What I didn't know was it also held a fine book shop. As you know books are one of my loves in life. I was happy.

I truly hope you had a nice day too. Try the Balzac.

Stephen