For Your Edi-fi-cation

Had a late afternoon email suggesting these little blow-back pistols were not reliable. Please, pay attention. I do not like repeating myself.

Matter of fact they are so reliable I firmly believe they're prefect companions for ladies purses. The Model 21 is safe for carry in condition one and holds nine rounds of belly popping power. I own the model shown in this video. Suggested book price for used models ranges between two hundred fifty to three hundred fifty dollars.

That is all.

Stephen

Welcome Aboard

Thank you and welcome, Steven. I promise to reply to all your comments.

Pull up a chair and I'll pour the coffee. You are now among friends.

Stephen

Good Morning

The drive to work this morning was dark and wet. A Nor'easter has moved into our area with its refreshing wind and light rain squalls.

Just before my turnoff the bright lights of the Donut Shoppe pulled me over and made me walk inside and order a dozen hot ones. I used the excuse my customers would appreciate fresh warm pastry with their coffee, and once one bite is taken by a paying customer I have an automatic tax deduction.

*****
Couple of nice pieces walked into my shop yesterday. Both Beretta's. Cute little semi-autos, a model 21A, often referred to as a Bobcat and its smaller cousin the 950 Jetfire. The two chambered in .25 auto. Bread basket weapons, pocket pistols. 

 I hate to keep my funds tied for long periods of time so I  need to climb on the phone and call, Duke and Senior Chief. They both love bargains.

Hey, time for work. Another day, another dollar wasted in taxes.

Later,

Stephen

The Greenhorn

He's a nice man, late middle age. Short and kinda on the chubby side. As green as green gets when it comes to firearms and the gun culture. I kid you not his name is, Jesse James.

After months of consultation he's finally ready to pull the trigger....asked, as he pointed to a notice of items for sale, "May I hold that derringer?"

Back in my office we're seated and he fondles the little baby. Its a vintage piece, nickled, chambered in .38 Special.

Then, as sincere as sincere gets, he asked, "Stephen, seriously, will this really kill someone if I shoot them with it?"

Stephen

An Oversight

Thank the good Lord for Claritin. There are certain plants and trees, in our area, that bloom during early Fall and the resulting pollen as kicked my butt. As a result Claritin as become my daily routine, and I now realize an oversight in my emergency medical kit.

I shall correct this mistake.

Post haste.

*****

The last two days have been very busy here at the shop. Rain this morning. Between the drip of my nose and customers I haven't had time to sit and write, or read blogs. I hope all is well with you good folks.

My friend, Duke, dropped in yesterday and spent a few hours here at the shop. We had a good visit. He left light of pocket. I'm sure he'll relay the information in his own good time.

*****


Sweet Wife has taken the day off and is at home supervising carpet cleaners and furniture movers. I made double sure she had her little Ruger LCP attached firmly to belt before I walked out the door. I don't trust delivery and contract help.

We contacted Goodwill Industries and donated our old leather sofa. What 'da heck, a write off on my taxes beats a loss.

Later,

Stephen

And, a Kiss

When she rang the bell I released the lock and she stepped in and said, "Please, will you buy this." I was handed a small brown packet and inside was a nice sliver bracelet. It was heavy, made in Italy and weighed out at 51.5 of .925 Sterling, a vintage piece. She was all of twenty, slight and well worn.

She wiggled in place as I looked the piece over. Then, "I'll even throw in a kiss."

I'm a sucker for silver.

I gave her a price and she squealed with delight and before I could move she planted a nice wet one on me.

Think I'll keep it.




Some days are like that...

(Keep this between us.)
 
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