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Post by texican on Dec 21, 2023 23:46:43 GMT -6
223, No serious meat eater would ever put a fried egg on a juicy 1/2 pound grilled hamburger, but the folks east of the Mississippi must have some strange eating habits. Thanks for the new story. Texican.... That's funny. I used to get burgers with an egg in Texas when I lived there and I have occasionally seen them here in Missouri. You really should try one. BTW, I AM a native Texan. From current Whataburger breakfast menu: Breakfast Burger What's On It: Small Bun (4"), Small Beef Patty (4") (1), Egg (1), Hash Brown Sticks (3), American Cheese (1), Bacon Slices (2), Creamy Pepper (Regular) FF, That is breakfast, not lunch or dinner. Texican....
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Post by feralferret on Dec 22, 2023 2:07:43 GMT -6
Yes, Texican, but there are several places that have a regular hamburger with an egg on it on the regular menu anytime. Don't knock it until you try it.
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Post by sniper69 on Dec 22, 2023 6:47:44 GMT -6
223, No serious meat eater would ever put a fried egg on a juicy 1/2 pound grilled hamburger, but the folks east of the Mississippi must have some strange eating habits. Thanks for the new story. Texican.... Oh a serious eater definitely would. I know I love the taste of a nice sunny side up egg on a burger. The yolk definitely gives an added dynamic to the whole burger and toppings. Plus the added protein helps to build muscles. lol I even had egg on my burger west of the Miss'ippi when I visisted Utah a few times.
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Post by CountryGuy on Dec 22, 2023 8:33:05 GMT -6
question is, could you put an egg on say a fried chicken sandwich or would that violate some law of the time space continuum?
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Post by sniper69 on Dec 22, 2023 9:52:23 GMT -6
question is, could you put an egg on say a fried chicken sandwich or would that violate some law of the time space continuum? I'd do it - but then some may say that time and space is only relevant to the point one is at.
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Post by CountryGuy on Dec 22, 2023 10:05:49 GMT -6
question is, could you put an egg on say a fried chicken sandwich or would that violate some law of the time space continuum? I'd do it - but then some may say that time and space is only relevant to the point one is at. And then there is the age old paradox... Which came first, the chicken or the egg??? or is that egg or chicken sandwich??
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Post by sniper69 on Dec 22, 2023 10:36:47 GMT -6
I'd do it - but then some may say that time and space is only relevant to the point one is at. And then there is the age old paradox... Which came first, the chicken or the egg??? or is that egg or chicken sandwich?? Oh an easy one - the chicken of course - God created the chicken which then layed the egg. As for the sandwich - doesn't matter if it is an egg or a chicken or both together - it is a sandwich. LOL
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Post by feralferret on Dec 22, 2023 14:41:38 GMT -6
question is, could you put an egg on say a fried chicken sandwich or would that violate some law of the time space continuum? Look up the origin/inspiration of the Paul Simon song "Mother Child Reunion".
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Post by imahic on Dec 22, 2023 17:39:08 GMT -6
223, No serious meat eater would ever put a fried egg on a juicy 1/2 pound grilled hamburger, but the folks east of the Mississippi must have some strange eating habits. Thanks for the new story. Texican.... That's funny. I used to get burgers with an egg in Texas when I lived there and I have occasionally seen them here in Missouri. You really should try one. BTW, I AM a native Texan. From current Whataburger breakfast menu: Breakfast Burger What's On It: Small Bun (4"), Small Beef Patty (4") (1), Egg (1), Hash Brown Sticks (3), American Cheese (1), Bacon Slices (2), Creamy Pepper (Regular) That's those gourmet burger ideas the prune pickers from the Republik of California are bringing as they are moving out and invading Texas.
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Post by feralferret on Dec 22, 2023 17:49:27 GMT -6
That's funny. I used to get burgers with an egg in Texas when I lived there and I have occasionally seen them here in Missouri. You really should try one. BTW, I AM a native Texan. From current Whataburger breakfast menu: Breakfast Burger What's On It: Small Bun (4"), Small Beef Patty (4") (1), Egg (1), Hash Brown Sticks (3), American Cheese (1), Bacon Slices (2), Creamy Pepper (Regular) That's those gourmet burger ideas the prune pickers from the Republik of California are bringing as they are moving out and invading Texas. Considering they had the burgers with an egg 50 years ago in Texas, maybe they learned it from Texans. The people in Commiefornia are especially talented at over complicating and screwing up things, aren't they?
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Post by 223shootersc on Dec 23, 2023 15:44:59 GMT -6
Hello MOAR Hounds,
I was hoping to have Chapter 3 ready for Christmas. It was not to be, I lost all but the first page of the Chapter yesterday. My son who is a real genius with computers found like three pages but even he could not get the rest back from the big computer black hole in the universe. Maybe by the first of the year, hopefully. Re-writing to me is always the hardest, have lost a few chapters in my time and I always feel like the re-write is garbage and work even harder than when it flowed the first time. Wish me luck on the do over.
Merry Christmas to all!
223shootersc
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Post by sniper69 on Dec 23, 2023 16:09:57 GMT -6
Hello MOAR Hounds, I was hoping to have Chapter 3 ready for Christmas. It was not to be, I lost all but the first page of the Chapter yesterday. My son who is a real genius with computers found like three pages but even he could not get the rest back from the big computer black hole in the universe. Maybe by the first of the year, hopefully. Re-writing to me is always the hardest, have lost a few chapters in my time and I always feel like the re-write is garbage and work even harder than when it flowed the first time. Wish me luck on the do over. Merry Christmas to all!223shootersc 223shootersc - I'm sure the re-write will come out excellent, it always sucks losing ones work though. May you have a Merry Christmas as well.
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Post by gipsy on Dec 23, 2023 18:07:00 GMT -6
I have three different disks with my saved stories on them and copy them over every other day. I have lost them in the past. it is 1.25 terrabites
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Post by 223shootersc on Dec 23, 2023 22:01:37 GMT -6
I have three different disks with my saved stories on them and copy them over every other day. I have lost them in the past. it is 1.25 terrabites Gipsy,
I usually do the same. Just have an external hard drive and 1 TB scan disk or whatever they are called, just got stupid and didn't back the work up.
223shootersc
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Post by feralferret on Dec 23, 2023 23:22:45 GMT -6
You know that Murphy watches to see if you remember to backup.
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Post by kiwibutterfly on Dec 24, 2023 0:02:44 GMT -6
Yes, Texican, but there are several places that have a regular hamburger with an egg on it on the regular menu anytime. Don't knock it until you try it. McDonalds in New Zealand usually have a Kiwi Burger out over summer, it has beetroot and an egg and all the other stuff and I usually buy ONE once a year cos it is yumm. Merry Christmas Everyone, I'm lucky I celebrate it before you all. hee hee
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Post by kansasterri on Dec 25, 2023 15:16:14 GMT -6
Computers are great unless they do not work. THEN they are just a paperweight, LOL!
MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by 223shootersc on Dec 29, 2023 8:21:05 GMT -6
Good pre-New Year's Eve MOAR hounds, I have a little end of the year 2023 snack. Hope you all enjoy and have a blessed and prosperous 2024. Comments and concerns on my work as always are appreciated by this would be author!
Chapter 3
After finishing lunch and the cleanup, Tom and Ruth convinced his sister to take off the silly designer socks and put on the pair of Thorlo hiking socks from Ruth. Candace even begrudgingly admitted after walking just a few steps the socks from Ruth made her feet feel better and the shoes more comfortable. Tom said, “Candace since you have not really gotten your boots broken in properly you better take an extra pair of tennis shoes, just in case for the hike back to camp. I have a small knapsack you can use to carry them.”
Candace whined, “Do I have too?” Getting a look from her brother and a reply from Ruth, “Candace of course not, but no one is going to carry you back because you have blistered heels and cannot walk on your own.”
Candace replied, “Okay. Before we run off for this joyous mid-day of hiking and shooting two things which you all know I hate. What are we going to do this afternoon? I noticed that we only have enough fresh food for supper and maybe breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Jerry broke into the conversation saying, “Candace just listen and pay attention to what Tom tells you. He does it for your own good. You know he loves ya. Now you need to get dressed and ready to go hiking. I am ready to do some shooting without someone having to let me borrow their weapon, okay baby?”
Candace replied, “Jerry you and Tom promised me that we would not have to eat that freeze dried stuff it was just for emergencies.”
Tom replied, “Candace that is right but it is not only freeze dried it is vacuum packed. When we get back from hiking and our shooting, y’all girls can go back down to the river and work on your tans, go swimming, or just have some girl talk. While doing that Nat, Jerry and I will take the Excursion and run down to Smitty’s store and pick up some fresh food. I told you we did not want to keep much fresh food on site to keep the bugs, critters, and things from wanting to investigate our camp site.”
Christen said, “Why don’t we all go down and see this great little store in the middle of the wilderness that you are always extolling its virtues, Tom. I want to believe it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I do have my doubts, though.” All said with a hint of mischief in here voice and body language.
Ruth added, “Yes, that sounds like a grand idea to me Christen. I agree we should all go.”
With that all settled the girls went to get dressed for the hike, Tom, Jerry, and Nate finished burning the paper waste and scraps from lunch. The sun was at its apex and was beginning to bear down while the humidity soared to astonishing heights as it can in the Carolinas. Tom was thinking of how great it was to be out in God’s wide-open spaces and splendor. Thinking it was also great not to have a million and one deadlines to meet in the next hour and the pile still growing by the minute. The prioritization of and completing the deadlines was what Tom did best. It however was a great feeling to be shed of the burden if only for a moment. Breathing in the fresh mountain air and feeling the sun on his back was a reward and a gift like no other.
Jerry at the same time was thinking about all that he had read and been told by Nat and Tom about shooting high powered magnum revolvers. Jerry knew he had never been able to truly relax and enjoy the experience when shooting someone else’s revolvers all the times before. Nat and Tom had always told him not to worry and let him shoot their weapons, it just was not the same as having your very own weapon. A prize you could call your own and be proud of the results of its craftsmanship and accuracy. Deciding that he was a happy and blessed man. These thoughts segued to him wondering how Tom could be athletic and his wife such an accident looking for a place to happen. Then decided he would not have it any other way because he loved them both just the way they were.
Ruth was sliding into a pair of Wranglers; she was glad that Tom had convinced her to give them a try. As usual he was right, they really were a better jean than any of those designer jeans that people had started wearing back in the 1980’s. They wore better, fit better, lasted longer, and cost less how could you go wrong on Wrangler jeans. Ruth sat down and was putting on her hikers with a pair of Thorlo socks as always. She was just about to leave her tent when in walked Candace saying, “I just don’t know what to wear to a hiking and a shooting afternoon as Jerry says.”
Rut replied, “Candace just put on some jeans and T-shirt, easy-peasy. Lemon squeezy. What is there to fret, you think you are meeting the fashion police.” Candace frowned and replied, “Thanks a lot Ruth. You know for a fact I don’t own any T-shirts, not even one. All I brought were some light sweaters and blouses.” As she finished Christen stuck her head in the tent and asked, “You girls ready to go?”
Ruth replied, “Give us a minute for Candace to put on one of my T-shirts. She did not bring any t-shirts on the trip.”
Candace said, “I told you I do not own any T-shirts. What are you wearing Christen?”
Christen replied, “Nothing special just some jeans and an old Carolina sweat shirt of Nathaniel’s with three-quarters of the arm sleeves cut out. I like to wear it to knock around in at the house, it is comfy.”
Ruth said, “Candace just put on the T-shirt and you do not even have to worry about sweating in it. It is already broken in; it has been sweated in before.” Laughing along with Christen at the look of horror on Candace’s face at the thought of her sweating, oh the horror.
Ruth put on her straw cowboy hat and said, “Come on girls let’s go find our big studs and go do some frolicking in the woods.” The three left the tent looking for their husbands with impish smiles on their faces.
At the Travelette, Nat was pulling his weapon and gear out of a small black foot locker type plastic case and sorting through his ammunition for his GP100. Nat asked, “Tom what is in this other gray Pelican case? I have not seen this one before. You been holding out on me and bought yourself a new toy. It looks about the size of another one of the Ruger GP 100s.”
Grinning at his friend he replied, “No, nothing like that. That my friend is a surprise for my dear Ruth. I ran across that pair of little jewels while I was on my quest for the GP 100 for Jerry. I plan on giving it to Ruth today once we get down to the clearing.”
Jerry walking up asked, “What is it? Do not hold out on us, brother-in-law. I surely want to know.”
Tom answered, “Both of you know how recoil sensitive Ruth is to long guns. But she is an awfully good shot with my Bergara Premier HMR Pro 300 Win Mag, she just will not shoot it more than once or twice. She complains that it hurts too much even when shooting something like a two-forty-three caliber rifle. Her ideal long gun would be a DMR platform on an AR. Maybe like the Daniel Defense MK 12 or something along those lines. Pudding Pop Bedum outlawed the sell of all AR assault weapon platforms along with any auto loading long guns even shotguns on his last weeks in office and ordered the DHS to confiscate all inventory from FFL stores and all licensed manufacturers. Even though President Orangeman has recalled the Executive Order the damage was done and it is going to take some time to change the amount that are available. Anybody who has some are holding on tight or wanting a king’s ransom for even a plain jane AR, much less a MK12….”
Nat replied, “Yeah, his Executive orders and the nation wide buy back of ‘assault rifles’ put a big dent in the amount on the market and the price. With the government offering a thousand dollars for any ‘black rifle’ in them stupid make the streets safe for children campaigns the price on the street had to be at least that.” Nat had used his fingers to put air quote marks around assault and black rifles as he spoke.
Having stopped for a moment to catch his breath and just let Jerry stew in his own mind, before Nat spoke, Tom continued his thoughts, “The one I think she will like the most is a Magnum Research MLR22WMH-GT. It is a twenty-two magnum with a nineteen-inch stainless steel competition barrel with Carbon Barrel sleeve and threaded muzzle. It came with five, nine-round magazines and a discontinued scope but a good one, it is a Leupold Mark 6 3-18X44 M5C2 with illuminated reticle. I have not shot it but the guy I got it from says it will shot less than a three-quarters inch MOA group at a hundred and fifty meters and stay under one MOA out to two hundred meters. I am not sure I believe it but he said if it did not, he would give me my money back. I got a deal on it. He wanted fifteen Silver Eagles and twenty pre-64 dimes. I gave him ten Eagles and four, one-ounce generic silver rounds and ten dimes and a silver quarter. We both felt like we had won that is usually the sign of a good deal. I am happy anyway.”
Nat said, “I thought you said two jewels? Were you talking about the rifle and the scope or is there another jewel in the big box?”
Tom laughed and replied, “Nat, you do not miss much do you, my friend. You are right there is another prize in locker number one. The other one is a little on the weird or exotic side. It is however a center fire cartridge. It is chambered in the fabled FN 5.7X28mm cartridge. It is the very rare Kel-Tec R50 rifle with a custom sixteen-inch heavy barrel and folding stock. I was only able to get four of the fifty round magazines and it has a Meopta ZD 1-6X22 RD illuminated reticle scope. It is not nearly the scope that is on the Magnum Research rifle for fine accuracy but the 1-6 gives it some advantages to take advantage of the other aspects of the fifty-round capacity of the rifle. If you know what I mean, it could send a lot of little bees down range in a hurry. That is if one needed something like that. I tell you guys if you are in the need or want for a weapon right now there are some deals out there if you have cash. I do not know how long they will last. I think President Orangeman is going to get the economy going again just like last time he was in office. He just removed the legislation that stopped the Keystone pipeline construction and opened back up the Bakken oil sands for business. That is going to help for sure. I put a rubber boot on the Kel-Tec shoulder rest to help with the recoil, even though I do not think there will be any to speak off. What do you guys think? Do you think she will like either one of them?”
Nat replied, “I think she is going to be one happy lady with either and probably will just say she wants both They will be like purses one is for jeans and the other for dress pants. You know what I mean, like golf clubs, you need more than one. I will say this if she does not want the Kel-Tec I will take it off your hands for Christen or myself if she does not want it. I have always wanted one of those 5.7 Rock pistols from PSA and this would be even better. Deal? Why wasn’t that rifle outlawed like all the other semi-auto pistols and rifles?”
Tom replied, “I am sure it was outlawed. His Executive Order could not or at least, did not outlaw anything anyone already owned. This one I am sure was already on the streets by the serial number it was manufactured in late 2024. Probably one of the last made and shipped out for sale. Guy said he bought it the week before the law when into effect. He did not like it and his wife wanted him to get rid of it before they got in trouble for having the thing. Only problem with it is probably will not ever be able to get parts for the dang thing much less any more magazines. The thing only came with two originally glad the guy bought a couple extra and if she does not like it you can have it for what I have in the thing, a thousand green backs and two 5-guart containers of Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor oil.”
Nat opened the case and whistled on seeing the contents of the case. Jerry peaked into the case and said, “Man, those are two neat looking weapons. The Magnum Research is normal looking compared to the Kel-Tec. Even though I think it will be Ruth’s pick, she likes rifles and it looks more like a rifle. I am not sure I have ever seen anything quite like it. I am not even sure I could figure out how to get the magazine in and out of the weapon. You say it holds fifty rounds in the magazine. That is a wow and would get someone’s attention a bunch of times.”
Tom said, “We need to get them into my pack. I tried them at work and they will fit fine but I need one of you to hold it up while I put the two of them in my pack and get this towel between them so they do not clank against each other and get beat up on the hike.”
Nat said, “Why don’t I just carry the case and we will not have to worry about them scratching each other up? If I get tired one of you can help. Either that or we just lash the case to the outside of your pack. I think that would work the best.”
Tom answered, “Good idea. I like the lashing them to my pack one better we will just lash them to the pack. They will be a lot easier to carry that way. That will keep our hands free for other stuff, if needed. I was thinking about keeping Ruth in the dark. The girls will just think it some of our gear like the tables and stuff. I think it will work best. We need to get it done I am ready to do some shooting and I know brother-in-law is about to bust a gut, too.”
Jerry grinned and said, “You know it.”
Nat and Jerry started helping Tom get the case for the two rifles lashed onto his large Mystery Ranch Terraframe 65 back pack. Tom had been given this pack while in the service from a fellow soldier he had did a solid on his annuals form. Nat said, “Looks like they are going to fit without any problems. Just a thought with the new regulations how hard is it to find the ammo?”
Tom replied, “That is one of the cool things about both the 22WMR and the 5.7x28mm they were not on the list of regulated calibers. The 22WMR like 22LR even avoided the extra tax that Bedum put on ammo. One of the good things about non gun people trying to regulate guns they miss some things in their bundles. You know they missed the SKS as one of the assault rifles in the order, they did get the 7.62x30mm ammo thought because of the AK-47. I was able to get two bricks of CCI 22WMR one of 40 grain JHP and the other of V-MAX and two 125 round boxes of 30 grain VNT from CCI, just to compare and the price was right. I got 450 rounds of 5.5x28mm Fiocchi 40 grain FMJ and 500 rounds of FN Herstal SS197SR 40 grain V-MAX.”
Jerry asked, “Tom, have you and Ruth won the lottery or something. All this stuff had to cost a fortune. What gives?”
Tom laughed and said, “I have told you a hundred times not to let Candace control all of you all’s money and I do not care how much more she makes than you do. She cannot hold a penny it burns up her hands and she will have to spend it on something even if it is just something she does not need or even want, just the urge to spend. On that same note, I have told you not to spend your lunch money she gives you on lunch to take a sandwich from home and what she does not know will not hurt her. Instead of eating out every day and drinking those seven-dollar coffees you like so much get you a thermos and some lunch meat. I have done that for years and Ruth does not care what I do with my money like Candace does. She leaves for work before you make yourself a couple of ham sandwiches and a Little Debbie Cake or a candy bar in a bag and a Thermos of coffee and that is twenty dollars a day you could save almost. That my friend is how I have money to do the things we do. That and having a pocket full of cash enables me to buy stuff when someone has a great deal or they need cash. You remember last summer when we went to the jockey lot and that guy was selling all those Olympic plates out of the back of his car. They might have been stolen; I do not know. I do know that I bought six forty-five-pound plates, two thirty-five-pound plates, and two twenty-five-pound plates for less than I could buy two forty-fives new and even got him to help load them in the Excursion. I offered him a hundred and fifty cash even though he wanted two hundred and when I showed him a hundred-dollar bill and a fifty he jumped.”
Jerry replied, “Yeah, but the big softy you are I saw you hand him an extra ten spot when he loaded the stuff in the truck.”
Tom laughed and said, “You are right. He threw in the thirty-five-pound kettle ball he had sitting there for the sawbuck. I still got almost 400 pounds of good plates for less than twenty-five cents on the dollar at a hundred and sixty dollars and I conned you into helping me get them in the basement for a couple of beers. I would say having cash is king!”
Nat said, “Is that how you were able to get the rifles or Jerry’s revolver?”
Laughing Tom answered, “Heaven’s no on the Jerry’s GP100. Purchasing that think was like trying to buy the Holy Grail. I found three in my quest and ended up going back to the first guy who had the pristine one of the three. I thought he was high until I found the other two, one of which looked like it had been drug down the road behind an automobile for twenty miles. Both sellers wanted more than the first guy. The only thing that made the buy palatable was he threw in the speed loaders, the three boxes of shells and a hundred rounds of brass for his price. Now I did get a deal on the Magnum Research, one of the guys at work bought it for his son when he turned fourteen about five years ago. I guess his son told him he did not want it, that it was white privilege for him to own a weapon and he was ashamed of his dad for thinking he would want a gun. Long story short boy is gone off to college and the weapon had only been fired enough to set the scope. Dad decided that if his son was not going to use it, he would sell it as his wife had gotten laid off and they needed the cash. Got it for a good deal for sure, bought it the same day he asked if anybody at work was interested. Followed him home from work and purchased it on the spot. The price was so good, I did not even bargain with him. He even through in the sling and a box of bullets that had a bout twenty left in it.”
Ruth walked up to the back of the truck and announced, “Are we going hiking or the three of you going to sit around and gossip all afternoon? I am ready, I got my hiking boots on and I even got Candace in a T-shirt. Now top that one, can ya? I will bet you can’t.”
Candace said, “Yeah, yeah, yeah…, I got on a stupid T-shirt. Ain’t I the joke of the town now. I am just glad that there is not another person around for miles. I was just call y’all liars if anyone tells.” Tom took out his Motorola Edge and quickly took a picture adding, “The proof is in the Cloud now Candace, forever. So be good for the rest of the trip and to Jerry forever or maybe some of your Country Club diva friends get a copy of it for Christmas.”
Tom standing at the truck donned his competition belt and placed his Ruger in its kydex holster, then placed his four eight round speed loaders in their pouches on the belt. He had two speed strips in his gear that he left in the box. While he was doing this Nat was doing the same thing right beside him. Jerry asked, “How am I supposed to carry my pistol and speed loaders?”
Ruth replied, “Jerry you have a revolver, not a pistol, even I know that much and it came in a box. I think there is your answer.” As she walked over beside Tom and reached into the box and pulled out her Kel-Tec PMR-30 with her gun belt and four magazines attached. She put on her belt and drew her pistol from its holster and dropped the magazine. She racked the slide and a round popped out of the slide and she deftly caught the round. She re-holstered the weapon and placed the spare round back in the magazine. After doing this she pulled her pistol reinserted the magazine and racked the slide to charge the weapon, placed the weapon on safe and holstered her pistol. Then curtsied to the other ladies and gentleman who had been watching her handle the weapon. Ruth said, “I am ready to go now that I am fully dressed for the occasion.”
Christen in response to Ruth saying she was now fully dressed, asked, “Nat, so where is my fashion accessory belt? Tom has one for Ruth, why do you not have one for me?” Nat looking like the proverbial deer in the headlights, just shrugged his shoulders and threw out his arms in surrender to her question.
Candace looked at Tom, Nat and Ruth said, “You guys look like you are dressed for war not for a hike, much less a vacation.” The group had a good laugh at her announcement of what some would call a fact. As all three of the guys were wearing blades affixed to their belts and even Ruth had a small Leatherman tool on her gun belt, that Tom had told her was a must for in the field when shooting.
Tom to break the tension asked, “Ladies do you have any drinks packed or at least a water bottle to take with you on the hike?” They all filled their canteens or water bottles and Christen packed a few extra water bottles along with some GORP that Ruth she had prepared for the trip in her large butt-pack. Then the group was off on their hike to the clearing. It was a beautiful day as was the norm in this part of the country pre-autumn. The temperature was in the mid-eighties as the group left the campsite for their hike with not a cloud in the clear blue mountain sky.
About forty-five minutes later the group emerged into the scenic meadow clearing they had been hearing about from Tom and Ruth. All the group even those who had been to the favorite spot of the Sexton property before were in awe of the natural beauty of the small meadow and the surrounding mountain side. Ruth even though she had been there before could not believe the surreal view that stretched out in front of her as she left the forest trail and entered the clearing. Tom was the first to break the reverie by starting to drop and offload his pack and take a swallow from his water bottle. Tom reached to a side pocket of his pack and pulled out a pair of 12x30mm Zeiss mini binoculars and handed them to Ruth saying, “These will give you an even better view.” Ruth took the binoculars and started looking back up the mountain as Tom told her to look about three-quarters of the way back up the mountain to her right and see if she could spot their camp site. Ruth scanned the mountain side for a few moments and finally said, “I can see the Excursion, but not the Travelette or the tents.”
Jerry hearing Ruth’s talk about seeing the Excursion added, “I guess it helps that the Excursion is big as a house and is Silver. That would probably help in all this green.’
“Yes, Ruth replied, you cannot imagine how beautiful it is looking through these binoculars. There must be a bi-zillion shades of green of the mountain side up there.” She handed the binoculars to Christen for her to check out the view of the surrounding hills.
Seeing Tom dropping his load Nat and Jerry decided to follow suite. Jerry asking, “Tom where do you want me to set up the shooting table and chair?” Tom responded by pointing to a spot a few feet down the way and then added let me get my grass whip out of the side attachment on my pack and I will clear a spot right quick for the shooting table. The grass is not too high but it will make it a lot better and we are going to be here all week might as well do it right the first time.”
Candace commented, “I have to admit it is pretty, but it is really hot out of the shade of the trees and all.”
Once Tom had removed the grass in about a fifteen-foot circle, Nat brought his old Jansport Mountainer backpack over and started stacking the ammunition out that he was carrying for them to use. The guys had only brought two hundred rounds of Tom’s reloads besides what they had on their belts and Jerry had in his case. He did set out the hundred and twenty-five packs of 22WMR and two boxes of the 5.7x28mm cartridges from his pack without thinking of the consequences of the error.
While Christen and Ruth were taking turns looking through the binoculars and commenting in amazement about the view, Candace was asking Jerry for a drink of water from his canteen having already finished off her water bottle on the hike to the clearing. Tom was squatting down after finishing the weed whacking and putting in a large chew of Redman Golden blend chewing tobacco. After closing and putting the pouch of Redman in his back left pocket, he stood. Nat looked over and said, “Tom, this is a great place. It is so peaceful, serene, and beautiful.”
Tom spat a long slug of tobacco juice between his feet and replied, “Yeah…, yes Nat it is.”
Nat answered, “Tom all this time I thought you were just bragging or really exaggerating about this place. I have to say though, you did not really do it justice. This place is even better, prettier, and just greater than even you described. I do not think there are really the words to describe this place and do it justice. One must witness this majesty; you know like the saying a picture is worth a thousand words and all.”
Jerry handed Candace his canteen and told her to just take a small swallow and at the most two small swallows. I do not want you to get sick on your stomach. Tom hearing Jerry’s caution to his wife said, “Jerry you have been reading to many of those action-adventure novels again. Let Candace drink all she wants. We have plenty of water and she is sweating like a whore in church. She needs to replace some of those liquids that she is losing to sweat and evaporation. I sure do not want to have to carry her back up the mountain.”
“Ruth, Christen how about the two of you? Do you want something to wet your whistles. It is hot and humid and I have not noticed the two of you drinking any water.”
“Horse, that sounds like a winner to me, replied Ruth.” As she walked over to where Tom was standing and handed him the binoculars as he handed her his canteen. After she finished getting a long swallow of water, she handed the canteen back to Tom. He put the canteen back in its pouch and handed the binoculars back to her. Tom said, “Here baby, take them back you can give them to Christen she can be your spotter today.”
Ruth exclaimed, “Why would I need a spotter? I only have my Kel-Tec PMR-30 and you guys only have your revolvers, even if I shoot them which I most likely will not I am not going to need a spotter.”
Tom removed the black case from the back of his backpack and pulled out some paper hundred-meter targets from a side pocket. Sitting the box and the targets on the table that Nat had unfolded and sat up after he finished cutting the weeds. He opened the case and folded it flat out on the table and stepped back pointing at the contents to his wife. As Ruth, Christen and Candace looked on in amazement He went back to what he was doing and Nat stepped over to help his friend. Tom picked up the receiver for the Magnum Research and Nat handed him the barrel. Tom placed the barrel in the receiver and correctly aligned it to the receiver then he snugged it in place and tighten the barrel screw to the receiver. Nat handed him the scope and Tom aligned it with the quick detach mounts and tightened the lugs. Then he took off the scope eyepiece covers and placed them back in the case. Lastly, he reached into the case and removed one of the already loaded nine-shot magazines and inserted it into the weapon with a final tap to make sure it was seated. He then pulled back on the charging handle and loaded a round into the weapons chamber. Checked to make sure the weapon was safe and handed it to his wife. After handing the weapon to Ruth, Tom said, “I know it is a little early but Happy Anniversary to the one and only one I Love.” Ruth just stood there for a few long moments holding the rifle like a new born baby and looking naturally beautiful as usual in just jeans and T-shirt, no make-up and old Stetson straw cowboy hat. When she finally could speak without crying, all she could say was, you big lug get your buns here an let me give you a big kiss. Opening one arm to hug her man as he got to her. Tom grabbed her, bent her over and gave her a mind blowing very hard kiss. By the time the kiss was over the ohhs and ahhs from the rest of the group had stopped. Ruth’s face was read as a ripe apple and Tom had an impish grin on his face. He knew that Ruth had not noticed he had a chew of tobacco in when he kissed her. When she finally noticed this fact, she went directly from embarrassed to furious without passing go or collecting two-hundred dollars. Ahe was so mad that she punched Tom hard right in the solar plexus, causing him to double over and spit out his chew as he tried to get his breath. After catching his breath, he stood up and said, “That hurt!” Then grinned at his wife who thought she had really hurt her big lug and was holding her breath.
Ruth asked, “You, okay?” Really concerned that she may have hurt him physically and emotionally. The punch was more of a reflex and she really did not mean to knock the breath out of him. The punch was supposed to be more for show than anything else.
Tom said, “All good baby…. Nat, get those targets and some of those thumb tacks along with those stakes and go put up three of those targets down at twenty-five meters. So, we can get the scope set for Ruth.”
Nat picked up the targets and stakes along with the tacks and paced off twenty-five steps and then took one more and placed the stakes in the ground and thumb- tacked the targets to the stakes. Returning to the others at the table at a jog. As Nat was making his way back from setting the targets, Ruth looked at tom and said, “Thank you very much for this great rifle, I love it. Don’t you think we could have used the money to buy other things that we needed more than this?”
Tom answered, “Well, I guess we could have, but we have always said that we needed to do more things together and shooting is something we both love. My rifles are always too heavy and have too much recoil for your taste and you do not enjoy shooting them I thought this one would be one that we could enjoy at the same time.”
Ruth gave him a big smile and said, “You win my heart again! How do you always say and do the right thing just when I am about to be right or mad at you? Is it chambered in twenty-two long-rifle? It will be cheap to shoot.”
Tom grinned and said, “Even better it is 22WMR just like your Kel-Tec PMR-30 and your Ruger LCRx. They will all shoot the same ammo. That and the almost zero recoil is why I bought it for you and one more thing.” He reached back into the case and picked up the SilencerCo Banish 22K-V2 suppressor. Took the rifle from Ruth and removed the thread protector and attached the suppressor to the Magnum Research rifle and handed it back to Ruth and said, “This will help with the noise when you shoot also. It came with the rifle and just so you know I got a great deal on both rifles, the other Kel-Tec in the case is yours too. We will get to it in a bit. I think you will like it too.”
When Nat got back to the group with Jerry in tow, as he had decided to go and take Nat a hammer to help put the stakes in the ground. Jerry looked at his brother and asked, “Nat, what’s with Tom, has he gotten a big raise at the plant or won the lottery or something?”
Nat shrugged his shoulders and replied, “I do not know, he has not said anything to me about getting a raise and I am sure he or Ruth has not won the lottery. They would have told us if they had and you can tell she was not expecting anything. Besides, I am still waiting for my present from him….” A big smile on his face when he spoke about getting a present. “I guess he just decided it was time for a great vacation for him and Ruth and to spend some of all that money he saves not eating out and drinking water at restaurants when he does. I ask him one time why he always drank water and he explained that the highest markup on anything at a restaurant was the drink and it did not matter where you were eating, they all did it. besides it helped him with his kidney stone problem. You know how practical and logically he thinks.”
Jerry replied, “Well he has not said anything to me either. I know that on my mechanics salary I sure cannot give these great gifts like Ruth and he gave me for my birthday. This Ruger is a great present for sure.”
Christen was getting her some water and Candace had already drunk almost all the water from Jerry’s canteen and had started on the GORP. Tom was finishing his discussion with Ruth about the magnum Research rifle and assuring her that it had not come from their family budget, just his gun fund as he described the money. Finally, he explained that the scope was set for dead on at seventy-five meters. Ruth had asked why it was set for seventy-five meters. Tom had explained that the weapon and round were good out to about two hundred meters and the seventy-five was a good zero point. They were going to check the scope zero for her and then zero set the scope and she would be ready to fling some bullets down range with her new toy. Candace after finishing off about half of the bag of GORP was just standing around being bored and wondering when they were heading back to camp and if they were going to eat before heading to see the country store that she had no interest in seeing.
After Ruth with Tom’s help had gotten the Magnum Research 22WMR rifle scope set to her point of aim, it only took about a half-dozen rounds to get it zeroed to her aim. Tom locked the scope at the zero setting. Tom then told Jerry and Nat to get behind him and he took the Magnum Research rifle from Ruth placed a new full magazine charged the rifle and pulled it up to his shoulder. Tom fired nine quick rounds in succession emptying the magazine down range at the first target on the left and requested, “Christen, will you take the binoculars and check the group size one the target on the left-hand side down the range. I guarantee it is less than three inches probably better. Not bragging it is the rifle not me.”
Christen pulled the binoculars up to her eyes from hanging on her neck. Christen made sure they were focused and then checked the target. Looking at the target for a moment she took the binoculars from around her neck and handed them to Nat. then she said, “The group might not even be two-inches in size except for one flyer that might make it over two-inches probably not.:
Nat looked through the binoculars and admired the shooting that Tom had just completed. Then handed the binoculars back to his wife almost dropping them as a loud boom shattered the silence in the meadow. Everyone turned and looked to the source of the noise and saw Jerry who was holding his GP100 and smiling from ear to ear. Jerry said, “I just could not wait any longer and I know Tom I should have warned everyone before I shot. My bad, but this thing is cool.”
Tom asked, “Well, Jerry which target were you shooting at down range”
Jerry answered, “Christen, can you check the target on the right-hand side. Hopefully there is a bullet hole somewhere near center mass on the target.” Tom hearing the answer pulled the Magnum Research up and looked through the scope and replied, “Good shooting brother-in-law it is dead center just a little out of the x-ring but in the ten-ring.”
Nat asked, “How did it feel Jerry?”
Jerry replied, “It seems to have more recoil than Tom’s and your Ruger GP100s or at least it feels that way on the first shot I fired.”
Tom replied, “Our GP100 Competition Revolvers have five and a half inch barrels and your GP100 Match Champion only has a four-point- two-inch barrel that would give it a little more muzzle flip and felt recoil. That was a good observation and shooting. Good job, dude.”
Ruth said, “Hand me my rifle, hun. You boys have had all the fun so far it is time for all of us to have some fun.? Tom just smiled at his wife and did what his lady had told him to do like a good husband and said, “Yes, dear. Before we start doing anymore shooting, I brought some of the throw away ear plugs from the plant. A lot of the employees at work have to wear them so they buy them by the case. I know we are out in the open, the noise level from a lot of shooting is enough to hurt you hearing. Hearing is something that goes away a little at a time and we have no way of regeneration, so protection is the best policy. I got a handful in each size the yellow ones are smalls, the orange ones are larges, and the blue ones are the mediums, I guess. They are the good ones with strings attached and the little case to put them in when you finish. The strings are so they are easier to keep up with if you are not wearing them just tie a half not and wear them around your neck.
As Tom was handing out the hearing protection, Candace said, “Thanks a lot for nothing.” Spoken in a very sarcastic voice.
Jerry asked, “What is your problem? Everything does not have to be a negative. Get rid of your rectal-cranial inversion and have a good time for once. Okay?”
Candace replied, “To begin with I am hungry and bored to death. Secondly and thirdly, I am thirsty and hungry.”
Christen answered, “Candace you just ate a half bag of GORP that was made for all six of us to have a snack and you have drunk all you water and all but like two swallows from jerry’s canteen and have gotten two big swallows of my water. Just how much water can one person drink and not feel you are going to float away?”
Tom walked over beside his sister passing her rifle to Ruth on his way. Getting to Candace, he spat a long string of tobacco juice down beside where she was standing and said, “Here sis, I have a whole extra twenty-four-ounce bottle of water I brought just for you. There is no more and we are going to finish shooting before we go back. You are however, welcome to start back anytime you wish and no Jerry or none of the rest of us are going back with you. Remember this before you drink the bottle of water. My dear sister, it is the same distance back to camp that it was to come here. The difference is it was all down hill coming and all up hill going back. Think on that before you drink the bottle of water.”
Ruth took her new Magnum Research MLR22WMH-GT, dumped the empty magazine from the rifle and inserted a new magazine and charged the weapon. Ruth mounted the rifle to her right shoulder. Then she pulled the weapon snug, pushed the ambidextrous safety to the fire position put her eye to the Leopold scope and aimed at the head of the silhouette that Tom had chosen for his target. Relaxing as Tom had taught her, she drew in a big breath let out half from her lungs steadied her aim and squeezed the trigger very slowly, making sure not to jerk the trigger. The suppressed 22WMR let out a subdued burp, nothing like the booming sound of Jerry’s Ruger three-fifty-seven had made moments earlier. She held her scope on the silhouette targets head and said, “I hit it. I hit it right where I aimed!”
Tom asked, “Ruth what did you hit? Grinning already knowing where she had hit even with just his regular vision.
Ruth exclaimed, “I hit it right between the eyes or where the eyes would be on the same target you shot before.”
Christen looking through the binoculars, said, “She sure did. It might be a little high of between the eyes but directly in the middle of the targets head.”
Tom commented, “That is some fine shooting sweetheart. Now try and put four more right along side or in the same hole, slow fire. After that shoot the last four in the pelvis area of the target rapid fire.”
Ruth dropped down to one knee fired the four slow aimed fire rounds at a pace of about one shot every three to five seconds. The five shots in the head were about an inch and half without any flyers. The next four shots came off in quick succession probably all four in two seconds or less. They were all grouped together in the pelvis area of the target in about a three-inch group with three of the rounds under two inches in sized group. Christen was admiring both groups with the binoculars and said, “Ruth that is sure some fine shooting….” After another few moments Christen asked Ruth if she could shoot her new rifle and try her hand with this new light recoiling rifle. The truth was she did not like the recoil of Nat’s big 300 Winchester Magnum any more than Ruth she just would not say much about it to anyone, it was just the way she had been raised from her childhood.
Ruth handed the Magnum Research rifle to Christen and took back the binoculars from her and said, “I know you have shot Nat’s 300 Win Mag before and it kicked you like a mule like Tom’s rifle does me even with the high dollar muzzle breaks he has installed on them. You are going to love shooting this 22WMR rifle as it has almost no felt recoil. I am serious. Do not give me that look like you think I am setting you up. It will not kick you one bit and if you do your part the rifle will put the bullets where you aim it. I am probably going to take the Limbsaver butt pad off and make the length of pull a little shorter. I really think it will fit me better and mount faster for snap shooting. The controls are just like on any rifle the safety is located forward of the trigger guard. I just inserted a new full magazine and it holds nine-rounds. I have not charged the rifle and loaded the first round. The charging handled is on the right side of the rifle. Any questions?”
As Ruth was busy talking and explaining to Christen about her new toy and the operating system, Tom walked back over to the table and removed the Kel-Tec R50 5.7x28mm rifle from the black case. Picked up one of the loaded fifty-round magazines and inserted it into the rifle. Then he unfolded the stock and locked it in place. Picked up a second magazine and shoved it into his right front pocket and walked back over towards his wife. Handing the Kel-Tec to Ruth and receiving the binoculars from her in return he said, “Another toy for my joy….” Grinned like a horse eating an apple or a carrot and continued, “Take a look at this one and get a feel for the way it shoulders, it is much different than the Magnum Research or our Bergara’s or my Remington 870 or the Ruger Red Label. I think those are the only long guns you have ever shot. Is that right?”
Ruth replied, “No, I have shot a Ruger 10/22 and a Bushmaster AR-15 back with my dad when he was still alive.”
Tom thought for a moment and replied, “Maybe the AR will mount like it a little but it is more like an AK-47 especially one of the Polish military wire-side-folding stocked AKs. That is the only thing that I know that is even remotely close to the same type stock as the Kel-Tec. I think maybe that one of the MAC-10 variants might have had something like it or maybe it was the VZ-61 Skorpion sub guns. One of those had a side folding stock that it may have been copied or at least took the basic design. Anyway, take a minute and let Christen shoot the Magnum Research and then we need to let brother-in-law shoot a little before he has another problem with self-control.” Laughing at the looks he got from Ruth, Jerry, and Christen.
Ruth replied, “Yeah, I think I have seen on TV a Communist bloc sub machine gun used by the nebulously depicted terrorist. Will you spot for Christen while I check it out?”
Tom grinned and said, “No…, but I will get her beloved husband to do so. Nat how about helping your wife with the rifle and spot for her. I am going to talk with Jerry for a moment about his new toy.”
Nat just shrugged, nodded his head affirmatively and walked over to help Christen with Ruth’s rifle. Nat got Christen sat down at the shooting table after removing the back case that the rifles had came in and sat it down beside the table out of the way. As Nat was getting Christen ready to shoot Tom walked over to where Jerry and Candace were standing and having a quiet conversation. They had stopped talking before Tom got close enough to hear the conversation. It was evident to a blind person that Candace had been giving Jerry a hard time and probably about the fact that she was not getting her way and wanting him to take her back to the camp site. Tom fired the first shot, saying, “Candace, I told you not to give Jerry any crap and here you are already starting. If you want to go back to the camp site cut out. If not just sit here on your hands and pretend like you are having the time of your life. If you cannot say anything without coming off as being a spoiled brat, then just keep your opinions to yourself. If you want to join the merriment then you can shoot any of the weapons that Ruth and I own and I am sure the new toy of your husband. I cannot speak for his brother but probably Nat’s weapons also. Be a good sport and at least let the rest of us enjoy our vacation. Can you do that for your big brother? I promise to give you and extra cookie when we get back to camp.”
The look that Tom received was one that if looks could kill he would already be dead. It was not virgin territory for him with his sister. She had been for enough behind him that his parents had spoiled her terribly and she could never go wrong. Tom had started working at the peach shed when he was ten in the summer time and cutting grass for any spending money. His sister never had a job at all till her last semester in college when she had and intern position, that even the guy she worked for had told her if they had to pay her even minimum wage she would have been fired. They did give her a pass on the pass/fail part of the course. Candace finally responded saying, “Jerry, I am sorry for the way I spoke to you. This is clearly not your fault; it is all the fault of my stupid brother and I should have taken my hostilities out on him not you. Tom, now I am only going to say this once. I am ready to go back to camp and then Jerry and I will be leaving to go back home. Do you understand what I am saying? If not, I will try to say it in one syllable words for your dumb ass.” She was screaming at the top of her lungs by the time she finished. Tom could not help himself he busted out laughing, laughing so hard he was about to cry and lost his breath and had to bend over. Ruth came up and said, “Tom, are you alright? Can you breathe? Are you choked?” getting a nod that he was alright from Tom she turned to Candace and said, “Candace I will deal with you in just a minute. I need to make sure Tom can get his breath.”
Tom said, “I am all good baby. Now, Candace to address who is stupid in our relationship and situation. First there are two vehicles at the camp site. Both belong to me and Ruth, neither of which you have access to at this time and I am sure I do not have to check with Ruth on this but if you would like to ask her, knock yourself. I might add that my wife is very protective of her husband and a couple of times before when you showed your true self, I had to calm her down after you talked to me like you just did. I am not going to call off my protector this time. I have never hit you because you are my sister and I love you. I cannot say that Ruth will not knock a knot on your head. Tread lightly as you ask her about the vehicles and just and FYI, she really hated it when you call me or anyone else stupid. If I were you, I would choose my words carefully.”
Ruth started, “Candace, no you will not be able to take one of our vehicles to go back down the mountain. I told my husband that we should have made you bring your own car and he said it would not be a problem. He was wrong, not stupid just wrong. On another note, you do know that we lost cell phone service about twenty miles back. The closes phone that you might could use is at the small store we are going to after we get back to camp. There you may be able to call someone to come and get you but remember you are close to four hours form home if you know the way to this place. Do you know the way and there is not an address to give anyone, that would be coming to your rescue. Now who is the stupid one? As far as I am concerned, we can set up the third tent and you and Jerry can stay in it for the next nine days and you do not have to be any part of what we are doing. Remember this I am not your made or your cook if you decide to go that route you will fix your on meals and clean up your own mess. Now, what is your choice and you have two. Play nice with everyone or play by yourself.” As she finished as if to put a point of emphasis, Christen fired her first suppressed round from Ruth’s rifle and squealed in delight, “I hit the bulls-eye, I hit it on the first shot. I do not believe how great this thing shoots and it has no recoil, none.”
Tom looked through his binoculars and commented, “Christen, can you do it again? That is the real sign of good shooting is repeatability. A blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while.”
Christen laughed and asked, “Tom are you calling me a fatty…? Yes, I believe I can put two together, maybe even more like Ruth did.”
Tom replied, “No Christen, but if the shoe fits?” This was said to lighten the mood, it was not successful. It did get Ruth’s mad re-aimed at him from his sister and she turned and bopped him in the arm with a hard right hook.
Candace finally seeing that she was not only not going home, she was out numbered five to one. She was not used to not getting her way, especially from her husband and her brother. The news that Ruth had times before been close to hanging a beating on her was very intimidating. It was something that she had never considered a possibility. That and she was having a real hard time coping with the fact that her loving brother was not giving in to her whims. Since she was knee high, she had been able to get him to do what she wanted either by fussing, crying, or threatening to tell Mom and Dad. Their parents had died within weeks of each other from COVID back in 2020. That was no longer an option and she felt that whining, crying, or fussing were no goes anymore either. Candace said, “This just is not any fun. I am hot, thirsty, hungry, and bored. Adding insult to misery, I am about to pee in my pants from drinking all that water. Not making any excuses for my behavior as I have been a stone-cold Bitch, so I am sorry and can we go back to camp so I can use the little portable john.” This brought a laugh from everybody that heard her, even Jerry saying, “Have you been paying any attention, the portable is for number two, no number one. If peeing is your only real problem, we have a million trees that need watering. Pick one and have at it, no one will be looking.” Still grinning and kinda enjoying the fact that his wife had been read the riot act by her brother and his wife. It was one of those small moments in life when all was good and you hoped the moment lased forever. His reverie was jolted by another round being fired by Christen and it was followed closely by three more form the rifle and more squeals from a jubilant Christen.
About thirty minutes later and many rounds down range from all the group even a few fired by Candace. Getting the firing line shut down Tom looked at his watch, then to Nat and gave him, then said, “Fire in the hole!” Took two quick steps to his left, drew his GP100 Competition Revolver and double actioned eight quick rounds into the three targets down range. He was joined by Nat doing the same firing sequence of three rounds center mass of the two outside targets and two in the head of the middle target. As Tom and Nat were dumping the cylinders of spent shells out of their revolvers onto the ground and reloading their weapons, Christen was looking through the binoculars admiring their work. She exclaimed, “The two outside targets each have six new holes center mass of the pelvic area and the center target has four new holes in the head area”
Ruth asked, “Where did the you two rascals learn that trick?” With her hands on her hips trying to look mad, but failing miserably.
Nat replied, “Tom and I have been doing some hard practicing for the county annual shoot-off on their moving targets course or combat range as they call it. The two-guy team who won last year we can outshoot them on still targets twice a day and all day on Sunday.”
Tom added, “First prize is ten thousand dollars and that will buy a lot of hamburgers and hotdogs for our weekly barbeque nights. We are planning on competing in this year’s event and my work is even going to sponsor our team. They are paying the entrance fee, buying us shirts and they are paying for our practice rounds at the range. I am thinking this is a win, win as they say. What do you think?”
Ruth said, “I think, it would have been nice for you to have told Christen and me about this first is what I think, buster.” Getting away with her fake mad this time.
Tom said, “Baby, do not be mad the match is not till the second week in November we just started a couple of weeks ago. I guess really three weeks ago, now. That was when they approved our team sponsorship at work. They are even going to pay me for work on the Friday that it starts. It never occurred to me that you would not approve of us doing this. My bad.”
Ruth could not hold it in anymore and she said, “Oh quit it with the puppy dawg eyes. You know I don’t care what you do as long as you come home every night and don’t drive when you have had beers on the way home.”
Nat get us a couple of new targets and put them on those pine trees down there about seventy-five yards from here. Nat put the targets on the two pines and came back to the group. Tom looked to Jerry and said, “Jerry, we will now see what you can do a little farther than what you have shot so far today. Trigger control and sight picture are the key at distance. You ready for the challenge, brother-in-law?”
Jerry loaded his revolver took a good shooting stance, indexed his sights, cocked the revolver for a single action trigger pull and fired the first round at the target on the left at the ten-ring. The round hit right at the top of the ten-ring about where the heart would be on an assailant. Christen told him where he had hit the target and he fired the other five rounds and they were all in and around the ten-ring except one that flew into the neck area of the target that was a called flyer by Jerry. Tom took the binoculars from Christen and looked at the groups and told Jerry what a good-looking group it was and handed the binoculars to Nat to get a look. As Nat was checking out the group fired by jerry, tom walked over to his backpack and pulled out a red plastic box of handloaded three-fifty-seven cartridges. When he opened it only held twenty cartridges even though the case was designed to hold twenty rounds. He withdrew one of the rounds and handed it to Jerry, he picked out a second round and said, “Nat come over here I have one for you to shoot also. These are a new special round that I have been working on for our revolvers.” After handing the round to Nat he spoke saying, “Both of you load just the one round. It is a heavy load and I want to be safe.”
They both loaded their GP100 revolvers and Tom said, “These are heavy loads shoot at the pine tree above the target. I want to see how much they will do too a tree. I am hoping for a complete through and through on those what six-inch diameter trees. The two of you fire on my count. Shooters ready, three…, two…, one, fire.” The fired rounds echoed through the North Carolina mountains. On impact the bullet exploded with an explosion that boomed through the valley. The two fired rounds each hit the pine trees about six-inches above the target tacked to the tree. The explosions of the rounds cut the trees in half splintering the trees above the targets and toppling the nearly twenty-five-foot trees.
Jerry hollered, “Tom dang, what kind of bullet was that?”
Tom grinned and replied, “That my friend was an explosive round that I prepared at work. Us chemist are and industrious bunch, aren’t we?”
Jerry still shaking a little said, “You could have killed us those things are dangerous. What if it had of exploded when I pulled the trigger?’
Tom replied, “No, not really, they do not work that way. They must have over two-thousand-foot pounds of energy applied to the nose to make them explode. The rounds do not arm until after the percussion cap explodes sending them down range.”
Nat grinning like he had just found gold, asked, “Tom can I have another one of those to shoot sometime, now that I know what they do, I would like to shoot one at something other than a tree. You know what I mean?”
Tom replied, “Yeah, no problem. We will find something good to shoot them at. I would like to shoot a fifty-five-gallon drum full of water or something like that myself. Let’s wrap this up now and get back up the hill before my little sister famishes away from starvation and dehydration. The girls maybe can get in a little swimming or work on their tans while we clean our weapons and then we will go and get some food.”
Candace said, “Now you are talking my language big brother.”
Ruth said, “Candace, calm down and do not push your luck. As they say you are not out of the woods yet.” Giving her a F&(% around and find out, look that sent a chill down Candace’s back and got a big laugh from Christen at the look on Candace’s face.
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Post by gipsy on Dec 29, 2023 9:34:53 GMT -6
Thanks for a fine and long update. Happy New Year
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Post by feralferret on Dec 29, 2023 11:02:48 GMT -6
223shootersc, great chapter. Thanks!
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Post by sniper69 on Dec 30, 2023 21:58:54 GMT -6
223shootersc - thank you for the chapters. This story is coming along nicely. Now to see if Candace will see the light (my apologies for a Blues brothers reference. ).
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Post by 223shootersc on Dec 31, 2023 18:00:06 GMT -6
223shootersc - thank you for the chapters. This story is coming along nicely. Now to see if Candace will see the light (my apologies for a Blues brothers reference. ). Yeah, We might have to get the lighter fixed! Thanks,
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Post by kiwibutterfly on Dec 31, 2023 23:12:30 GMT -6
Many thanks for the chapter, keep them coming in 2024 please.....HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
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Post by 223shootersc on Jan 25, 2024 23:18:29 GMT -6
A little more of 'The Horse' hope you enjoy and comments are appreciated by the author!
Chapter 4
A couple of hours later the camping group had driven down the mountain in the Expedition and were pulling into the small lot in front of the old-time country store. The old country store looked like one you would find at least one of in almost any county in the south. The old building looked like one of Jim Harrison’s paintings complete with the fifty-year-old faded Coca-Cola sign on the side and a swinging Pure Oil sign out by the one gasoline pump that no longer worked. The only difference was that Smitty’s place was even older and the clapboard siding had needed painting for at least twenty years and maybe forty. The screen door was also still attached to the front door and had some almost new screen in the door. The new screen was probably from the 21st century anyway and was probably the only part of the store that could make that claim. The only thing in the place that was older than the building was Smitty. The family business in this part of North Carolina had been the country store where you could purchase anything from bailing or barbed wire, to fresh country sausage. If you knew the Smith family and asked the correct question their Peach Brandy, Apple Pie and Corn squeezin’s varieties of Moonshine were for sale by the pint, quart or the gallon and was the real moneymaker that kept the store and the Smith family afloat. The Smith’s white lightning had fed the family for almost a hundred and twenty years. The original store had been burned by a lightning strike in 1949. Smitty and his dad had rebuilt on the same sight and reopened in 1950. The store building looked just like it did in 1950 the meat market was on the left side as you came in the front door with the drink box right by the cash register in the middle about five good steps from the front door. The Wrangler jeans and shirts and farm supplies were on the right side. Along the back wall past the cash register you would find a milk, cheese, and eggs cooler along with a few can goods. Rice, Flour, Dried beans, Crisco, and Wesson Oil was there also. The fresh vegetables were on a table out front of the store under the front owning of the store. The store looked pretty much just like it did on opening day in 1950 except for the addition of an indoor bathroom in the back of the store.
Seeing the dilapidated building, Candace asked, “What is this place? I sure hope you are not telling me this is where we are going to get food. All anyone could get from this dump is some kind of disease and death.” Looking for all who saw her as if she was going to be visibly sick at any moment.
Tom patiently answered with as straight a face as he could muster, “Candace, the truth is you do not have to eat anything from Smitty’s store. We brought MRE’s and some freeze-dried foods just for such emergencies. I think everyone will agree that if you will not eat the food from Smitty’s that it would be an emergency and agree for you to prepare and eat the MREs for all your meals…, while we are camping.”
Waiting for a moment for effect he continued, “Is everybody good with Candace preparing and eating the MRE’s while we eat fresh pork loin, hamburgers, chicken, and steaks from Smitty’s. That and of course farm fresh brown eggs, whole hog sausage and fresh ground grits form Smitty’s. I think I am even going to get one or two of those delicious looking home grown watermelons I see on the produce table out front. What do y’all say?”
Ruth was first to answer, “Yeah, I think it is only fair. Candace cannot go hungry and since there is nowhere else to get any food, I say positively yes, she should be able to do just that. She can have all she wants and I think there are more than enough for even six people for two weeks and we will be gone and back at home in less than two-thirds of that.” Looking at Candace for her reaction and then at Jerry with a quick wink, to assure him she was not serious.
Christen followed, “Yeah, I am sure that Tom or Nat will even show you how to do the self-heating thing with the MRE’s. Nat showed it to me and it was cool, as I remember. I am not sure if I could get it to work the first time but I know I could figure it out if I was hungry.”
Candace looked like she was either going to cry or kill someone, Jerry could not for the life of him decide which and he lived with her every day. Tom knew the look from years of dealing with his sister and he knew she was about to explode. Tom said, “Candace, I was just teasing you, kinda. I really do not know what else to tell you though. This is the only place to get food that is not two hours away. You need to give it a chance, is all I know. The food here is more organic than the food you buy at the Fresh Market in Greenville. It come right from the local mountain farmers. Heck even the big fifty-pound bags of flour in the back are ground here local just up the river. Right now, though I am going in to see Smitty and have either some Peach or Apple Pie. If you are going to act up just stay in the car and I will bring you back an RC Cola and a Moon Pie. Do you want a chocolate or a banana. I know they have some other flavors but not here and no they do not have any other kind of cakes or candy pars, before you ask.”
Candace said, “I thought you were going to get a piece of Peach or Apple Pie. I want a piece of Apple Pie.”
Tom laughed so hard he almost cried. Finally getting to where he could respond, he replied, “I will get you and Apple Pie. I did not think you wanted anything from this store. I will assure you the Apple Pie is made right here on the premises. You sure?”
Candace made a face and replied, “I am sure, bring me two pieces.”
Tom grinned and said, “Probably just as cheap to get a whole pie. Is that what you want. A whole pie?”
Candace replied, “Yeah, just get me a whole pie, for gosh sakes. I will just stay in the car with the AC running, till you all get through with your shopping at this extravagant store.” Tom threw open the door and said, “Okay, guys and gals let’s go have some fun and get some groceries. I will tell you now, there is no negotiation. Smitty will apply the discount he thinks you deserve on the amount you buy. We will buy it all together and I will pay since he knows me. That good with everybody?” Walking at full speed towards the front of the store and not waiting on an answer.
The spry, very large, and country strong eighty-three-year-old owner who still put in an almost eighty-hour week every week met the group of five at the door as they entered. Wrapping Tom in a huge hug, the big man’s arms squeezing the breath almost out of the young man he had known almost all his life. Smitty said, “How you doing young’en? You are a sight for sore eyes. I thought I might go on to see the Lord before I saw you again. Is that your beautiful bride right there behind you. Be careful Thomas, I will steal her, right away and you know it.” The store owner smiling from ear-to-ear as he spoke to Tom still holding his embrace through the conversation until Ruth spoke. Ruth said, “You old silver-tongued scandal you know you don’t have to steal me away all you have to do is say the word and I will leave Thomas in a New York minute for a real man.” It was a good thing that Candace had stayed in the Expedition as both Christen, Nat, and Jerry would have all said that the banter between Ruth and Smitty was real. Especially the part of Smitty making a big flourish of turning his head just as Ruth started to kiss him on the cheek and getting a kiss right on the lips, that Ruth did not turn from just danced to the old man’s and friends tune.
Tom seeing the look on his friends’ eyes said, “It is all good. Put your eyes back in your head. This is all for show. I would trust Smitty with the Sexton family fortune if there was one to trust him with or Ruth and never loose one minutes sleep over his handling of either or both.”
Jerry was the first to reply, “Tom. I am sure glad Candace did not hear or see this display she would have lost it, of that, I am sure.” Looking for all practical appearances as if the thoughts of Candace’s reaction were enough to make him sick on his stomach. Candace already bored from being in the car came through the door saying, “Jerry what are you glad that I did not see or hear. Has Tom been talking about me again?” Seeing the old man hugging Ruth like a long-lost lover, she added two and two together and got eight hundred. Coming to the conclusion that Jerry had been talking about Ruth’s flagrant display of affection for the old man.
Tom quickly tried to avoid a confrontation with his baby sister replied, “Smitty, this is my sister Candace. I don’t think you have ever had the occasion to meet her before. She is wanting a whole Apple Pie. She is not the one-piece kind of person. Can you help her out and I want a large piece of Apple myself. I think Ruth will take a piece of Peach all for here. We will probably be looking for some to take with us when we leave. Christen, Nat, and Jerry what is your pleasure?”
Christen wanted the Peach and Nat and Jerry each wanted a large swallow of the Corn, hearing that Jerry and Nat wanted corn, Candace asked, “What kinda pie is Corn pie? Is it good, I like Corn but I never had it as a pie.” As she was talking Smitty was pulling out the mason jars from under the counter and the Red Solo cups along with the jars. Setting them on the counter and beginning to open the mason jars and pour up the Smith family heirloom recipes.
Jerry could not contain himself and he laughed and replied, “Candace, it is not pie like you eat. It is Moonshine that taste like Apple Pie, Peach Brandy and Corn squeezin’ drinking liquor. You just do not say that out loud, you know.” Jerry took the offered cup from Smitty who pointed at Candace and handed the five fingers of Apple Pie to Candace. Tom took a solo cup from Smitty and handed it to Jerry and Nat of the Corn. Smitty handed the two cups of Peach to Ruth and Christen and introduced himself to Christen. Ruth begged his pardon and introduced Smitty to Christen, Nat, and Jerry. Candace almost choked on her first sip of the Apple Pie shine. Exclaiming, “This is like drinking grain alcohol!” She smacked her lips and took another swallow saying, “It does taste like Apple Pie though. This is good, I am afraid a whole pie might put me in a coma though.” Laughing and smiling for the first time on the trip and tipping her cup to Smitty and Jerry.
Nat and Jerry had both finished their drinks and asked Smitty for another round. Tom wanted another also but he was switching to the Corn after the sweet nectar of Apple Pie. Saying, he was looking for that good sipping Corn while they shopped. Tom asked, “What meats you got that are on sale or fresh slaughtered?”
Smitty smiled, and replied, “Got fresh Pork loin as usual. I know that is your favorite. I also got ribs, pork, and beef. That and I have real Porterhouse steaks with the Filet Mignon still attached. I also have a slab of bacon and fresh sausage that is just right on the pepper and seasoning by the farm down the road. You ask we probably got it, may not have enough for more than one meal for six though.”
Ruth said, “We want the Porterhouse steaks all you got if that is okay, Smitty?”
Smitty smiled, and replied, “For you my queen you can have them all and you didn’t have to ask.”
Ruth batted her eye lashed at Smitty and replied, “Well, wrap them up, sweetheart.”
The rest of the grocery shopping trip was a blur. Both from the fun everyone seemed to be having with Smitty and looking at things you did not normally see at the Publix or the Whole Foods grocery store. Tom bought three triple X Wrangler snap front two-pocket denim shirts and Ruth picked up a couple of pairs of Wrangler Women’s Pro Rodeo Cowboy Cut jeans in black that she normally had to order to get the black jeans locally. Even, Candace bought a quilt from the local ladies WMU that was on consignment for the church building fund. The quilt was made from heavy blue jean material and had a Palmetto and Cresent on one-side of the quilt like the South Carolina flag. The other side had a Tarheel. Candace was in such a good mood that she allowed Jerry to buy a box of PMC Bronze 357 Magnum158 grain JSP ammunition. The price on the box was about ten years old like the box of bullets. Smitty let him have them for the price plus ten dollars which was still a great price that could not even be beaten doing reloads according to Tom and Nat. It was the only box of three-fifty-seven caliber ammunition in the whole store. The group had gotten the steaks for their supper and the sausage and slab of bacon for their breakfast the rest of the week. They bought fresh new potatoes, local leaf lettuce and Big Boy tomatoes from the local tomato farm picked that day. Tom picked up a box of Redman and a roll of Kodiak to keep him in chew and dip, just in case. The group also bought eight quarts of Corn and two quarts each of the Peach brandy and Apple Pie moonshine with Smitty throwing in two quarts of a new mash mix of watermelon shine.
As the campers made their way back to their camp site the group were all talking about Smitty’s and the consensus was it was just as cool as Tom had always said. The ladies informed the men that they were going for a late afternoon swim when they got back and the Boys could rustle up the steaks, potatoes, and salads. Candace laughed and said, “And I am definitely having another large piece of Apple Pie with my swim when we get back.”
Tom said, “Well folks, I may have created a monster. Little sis has always liked a stiff drink and Apple Pie. That she can now have both at one time, we may have a real problem on our hands.” Candace threw a water bottle at the back of Tom’s head and said, “Maybe…! Maybe not! Either way I am having another piece of Pie at the river when we get back. Deal with it. I already put in an order for a half gallon of Apple Pie and one of the Corn for Jerry that we are picking up on our way home.”
Supper and the Corn had ruled the evening and the conversation sitting around the fire that night. Early the next morning was another beautiful gift from God. The birds were chirping and the roar of the rushing water was something to behold thought Tom. Tom had already finished his morning run and was sitting along the river bank on a large protruding piece of granite, watching a red and white bobber toss and turn in the moving water. Deciding to wet a hook and do a little fishing as the others slept. The decision had been a pretty good one so far as he already landed two small but keeper rainbow trout and a pretty good size probably two-pound brown trout and threw back a couple of Brook trout that did not quite make the size limit.
The fishing was good, but his mind drifted as he watched the bobber. Tom mind was thinking about his work. It was something that he had promised himself and Ruth that he would not do. He just could not shake the feeling that there was something a little and maybe a lot odd about his last email from the Puzzle Palace he had received the week before he left for vacation and he just could not figure it out, why it was bothering him. The request was like many of the projects that his group had built and supplied throughout his time at the facility.
Tom’s job was not as it appeared on the surface. Since his honorable discharge from the service Tom had been working for the CIA covertly since his forced early retirement. His present job as a Program Manager with specialty chemical firm was just a cover for his real profession. With Tom’s training in weapon smithing and his B.S. degree in Chemistry it made him the perfect person to run the little small arms manufacture, weapons quality control, modification and development shop that was in the subbasement at the chemical plant. Tom enjoyed the work he did immensely, but not even Ruth of the group knew that he was anything other than the plant Operations Program Manager and Chief Chemist for the specialty chemical production facility.
The email in question was a request form Covert Operations requesting the production and delivery of ten specially modified PSL 7.62X54R Sniper rifles with updated scopes and free-floated heavy match grade barrels to eliminate the stringing of the original factory barrels. The rifles were to be delivered to the Turkish Embassy by way of diplomatic carrier. The rifles had been the last order they had shipped before he left for vacation. He had received confirmation of delivery of the rifles and the match grade ammunition that had been requested with the rifle order through his regular channels with the CIA, along with a Thank you from his superiors for his team for the quick work on the rush project. The order in of itself was not that unusual, it was what part of what his groups general and regular orders. The order anomaly was the urgency with which the order had to be fulfilled. Tom dismissed his thought pattern as quickly as it had appeared when he noticed the red and white orb at the end of his line had disappeared into the crystal-clear water. Tom began to crank furiously on his favorite Daiwa reel with the rod bending almost double. He thought to himself that he should have been paying more attention to the present task instead of chasing ghost. His lack of attention to his fishing had almost caused him to miss the fish because of the slack in the line. Luck was not on his side as the fish had run away from him and took up most of the slack and had snapped the six-pound test line.
As Tom was reeling the line where the two pound plus Brook Trout had been attached just moments before, Nat came walking up behind him and announced his presence by asking, “How you doing, my friend? Looks like you are losing from your reaction and the broken line I just saw as I walked up.” As he glided up and sat down on a rock near the river’s edge, near where Tom had been sitting and doing way too much thinking and not enough fishing just before Nat walked up and spoke.
“Well, Said Tom. You win some, you lose some and some get rained out. The last one just before you walked up was one of those losses. There have been a few wins before that one and so far, have not been rained out but the day is still young.” Tom finished reeling in his line and handed the Daiwa to Nat. Then pulled his stringer with the three trout up out of a small pool alongside the river showing Nat his small mess of fish.
Nat grunted and threw a thumbs up sign and said, “Nice stringer. We having fish for breakfast?”
Tom asked, “Probably not for breakfast. I am going to clean these and put them in the cooler on ice and maybe we can catch a few more this afternoon and we have them for supper. Is everyone still asleep back at the camp?”
Nat replied, “For sure and I am guessing they will be there for a while after yesterday afternoon, last night and their moonshine intake. Too much sweet stuff for the girls and our dear friend Jerry may never be the same. I have never seen him drink more than a couple of beers at any one time. Jerry, he must have had six shots of that Corn and another couple of beers just last night by the fire. I think he had maybe three while we were at Smitty’s shopping.”
Nat continued, “You mind if I try my luck with your reel? I did not even think about bringing mind down. I figured you were still on your morning run. I was coming down to enjoy the early morning view and get a bath while the ladies were still asleep.”
Tom replied, “Go ahead and give her a spin. I will go ahead and clean the three fish while you fish and maybe we will have a mess before we quit, yet.” Starting to pull the first fish off the stringer as Nat made his first cast. Just a moment later, almost simultaneously with the bobber leveling out Nat got a hard strike, pulling the red and white orb under the moving water. Cleaning the first fish as he noticed Nat setting the hook, Tom smiled at Nat’s good fortune and hoped he was able to catch his first fish of the vacation.
Nat looked to his left side and behind him to see Tom, he smiled and said, “This is the life, mi amigo. We need to do this more often.” As he landed a keeper rainbow that was probably close to a pound and three quarters.
Tom’s only reply was a grin and, “I know.” After about another forty-five minutes of Nat fishing and Tom watching after completing the cleaning of the now four fish the two headed back up the path towards the camp and their wives and friends. When the pair arrived back at the campsite it was still all quiet and Nat went to start a fire in the fire pit as Tom placed the fish in one-gallon baggies and put them on ice. After getting the fire going Nat said, “I got to go see a man about a horse. Can you get us something to drink? I would love some of that un-sweet ice tea that Ruth made yesterday for you, if that is, okay?” Grinning as he headed into the forest to find himself a tree that looked like it needed water and Nitrogen. Watching his friend head off in a hurry, Tom thought to himself a big glass of cold ice tea would hit the spot, good call Nat. Looking in the mini refrigerator he pulled out the gallon jug and got two solo cups filled them with ice and poured them full with tea. Tom thought that sure hits the spot as he drank almost half a cup full on his first swallow. Re-filling up his cup, as Nat returned from the woods, wiping his hands with pine needles. Tom handed the other solo cup to Nat and asked, “Hey, you think we ought to go ahead and start breakfast or late our sleepy heads continue to sleep?”
A pleasant voice from behind the pair replied, “Breakfast in bed would have been nice. But, now would be a good time for the two of you to start cooking. I am starving.” Turning Tom looked at his beautiful wife coming out of the tent in one of his t-shirts and a pair of compression shorts.
Tom replied, “Anything for you, my queen. I do think a little lip incentive may be needed to get me in the right mood. What you think?” Ruth walked over and gave him a peck on the cheek and took the solo cup of tea from his hand drinking it down before handing the empty cup back to her husband and placing her hand over her mouth as she burped.
Tom laughed and said, “At least you did not do that while kissing me.”
Ruth replied, “Ewwwww…, that’s gross.”
Tom reached over and patted her on her bottom and replied, “That was the point, my dear. Now go get dressed or whatever and breakfast will be ready in about thirty or so.” She turned after sticking her tongue out like a little kid and sauntered away back to their tent.
Nat walked over and said, “Since you got us volunteered for breakfast duty. What else do we have on the docket for today?” Opening the ice chest and pulling out the slab of bacon and some of the sausage that they had purchased from Smitty’s and laying them on the preparation table.
Tom thought for a second and replied, “I thought we would let the ladies decide today, since we kinda did yesterday. You think?”
Nat replied, “Sounds good. You thinking they might want to go over to Cherokee to the village and all those craft shops and stuff, maybe even going to Harrah’s. What is that like twenty-five miles or so?”
Tom shook his head positively saying, “I think Candace will want to go there for a breath of civilization at a minimum. Ruth would probably like to go to the silver shop where we got that silver and Lapis Lazuli bracelet the last time we were here. She gets about a hundred compliments every time she wears it to a party or event. Even church. I think she wants a matching necklace or broach, one.”
Christen would probably be agreeable to going over there and I hear the black Jack tables at Harrah’s calling my name. That and I want to go to that place that makes those boots and the big hat shop they have over there.”
Tom replied, “I had forgotten about the hat shop. I need a new hat myself. Ruth tells me all the time that my Fedora’s all look like something a Hobo would wear. I tell her they are just getting broke in like I want them to look.” Laughing at his comments about his hats.
Nat replied, “I agree about Christen but I am not sure about Ruth. I think she had as much fun shooting as we did. She was acting like a kid on Christmas mourn looking for their new toys to play with and then just settling in and enjoying one then the other.”
Tom replied, “Ruth loves the crafty stuff and all the little shops. Heck, she could stay in each one hours. She just has to touch each and every little whatnot or doodad and ohhh and ahhhh.”
The two continued to shoot the bull and cook for the next twenty-five minutes or so when Jerry came stumbling out of his tent and headed directly for the woods. Jerry did not speak to either of them, until a few minutes later when he came walking back to the fire pit and picked up the big coffee pot that Nat had set on the fire pit to perk. Jerry poured himself a big Yeti mug full and drank two large swallows and finally spoke. Jerry asked, “Can a man get some sugar?”
Tom looked to Nat and answered, “You going to have to talk to Nat or your wife about that…, I surely cannot help you there my friend.”
Nat laughing replied, “Me either. You are definitely not my type or sexual persuasion and even if you were you are dawg butt ugly my friend….”
Jerry bemoaned, “Y’all are stupid. I meant sugar for my coffee. You know the white stuff…, Dixie Crystal ring a bell? Hello!”
Nat and Tom busted out laughing at their friend who had thought they really thought he wanted a kiss. Ruth who had just came out of her tent said, “Jerry, my friend I have to admit, when I heard your first question it did sound like something other than Dixie Crystal was what you were wanting. Maybe Candace can help you when she gets up.”
Jerry pouted and said, “With friends like the three of you knuckleheads…, who needs enemies.”
Tom walked over to Ruth carrying a piece of bacon; kissed her on the forehead and handed her the piece of thick and crisp Applewood smoked bacon. Ruth looked at him still a little sleepily and said, “I love you and this bacon is exquisite. The real question is what time is it. I cannot seem to find my watch this morning.”
Tom looked at his watch and said, “Almost eleven o’clock, my dear. Some of us have been up long enough to go for a run, catch a small mess of fish, clean them, and put the fish on ice. I have also with my friend Nat cooked a full breakfast with bacon, sausage, eggs, and skillet biscuits. This all done while you and the rest have been sleeping.”
Ruth replied, “Well, thank you and are we ready to eat or not. Because if you are waiting on me, you are backing up. I am ready to eat and then go for a swim and a quick bath.”
Nat turned towards his tent and said over his shoulder, “I am going to get up Christen and I guess Candace also.”
Jerry quickly said, “I would not do that Nat. She will be in a bad mood if you wake her. I would bet the farm on it.”
Candace coming out of the tent, “Jerry, I am up my darling and I feel like a million dollars. No bad mood for me today. I learned a very big lesson at Smitty’s yesterday. Be thankful for the small stuff and it is all small stuff. Can I get an Amen.”
Nat walked into his tent and said, “Get up lazy bones. Breakfast is ready and it is almost lunch time. The day is wasting.”
Christen reached up from her sleeping blanket and said, “Hey handsome. Where have you been all my life.” Grabbing him by the shirt he pulled him down on top of her and quietly said into his ear, “My husband dearest, we need some alone time if you get my drift.” She then kissed him and wrapped her legs around his waist for just a second.
After a hearty breakfast / brunch and the ladies deciding to go shopping at the mall and shops in Cherokee for the afternoon; Tom said, “Ruth and I are going to the river for a quick bath and swim. Give us fifteen to twenty minutes and you all can be figuring out who goes second and third.” The two having already gotten their new clothes and towels took off at a slow jog towards the river. Coming to the river Ruth stopped and slid out of her shorts, shoes and t-shirt and pranced into the water looking back over her shoulder and waving her hand for Tom to get his tush in gear. To threw her the soap and started frantically removing his clothes. As he removed his clothes, he was admiring his beautiful wife just like the first time he had ever seen her in her birthday suit years before. Ruth was almost a perfect specimen of womanly beauty her only mar if there was one was a small almost heart shaped birthmark on her right hip. After removing his clothes, he just stood on the side of the river and just watched and enjoyed his water nymph relaxing and washing in the river. Finally, she said, “You coming or just going to stand and stare like the perv you are Thomas.” Brought out of his trance he took a quick half a dozen steps and swooped her into his arms with her squealing in delight as he kissed her amazingly.
Besides a quick bath in the river, they chose a little alone time of their own, frolicking in the river. Almost twenty-five minutes to the second Tom and Ruth walked hand in hand back into the camp both wearing big adult smiles. Tom said, “Who is next? Day light is burning and we have a bunch of shopping to do.”
Christen and Nat took off at a run towards the river. Jerry and Candace looked at each other and Jerry said, “That ain’t fair, we were supposed to be next.”
Ruth said, ‘You snooze you lose. They had towels and their clothes in their hands and were ready to go. It does not look like you all have even thought about being prepared. I say you need to get ready; they will be back quickly. Probably….”
Candace said, “We were cleaning up and getting the food all put back in the coolers and in the truck bed.”
Ruth replied, “We are back now and all the refreshed, we can finish up the food cleanup. You all go ahead and get ready to go to the river. I am ready to go shopping and see the craft stuff, it is so cool and there is so much that you never see anywhere else but Cherokee. The native stuff and all their leather and bead work.
Candace grabbed Jerry by the hand and took off towards the tent, saying, “Thanks Ruth. Come on Jerry. We have stuff to do to get ready for the river.” As Jerry and Candace were heading away form the eating area, Ruth looked at Tom and said, “Thanks, Tom.”
Tom looked back and said, “I could have done better if we had more time.” She bopped him in the arm and said, “That was good. I was not talking about that though. I was talking about the best vacation we have ever had. The time that we have together, I fell that I have all of you baby. Sometimes when we are together at home…, I feel you are a million miles away. Before you say anything, I do not think you are thinking about another woman or are that you are cheating on me with anyone but your work. Just now down at the river you were all mine, no distractions.”
Tom grinned and said, “Well you may not have been distracted but I sure was by your body. It is amazing, have I ever told you that. I was completely lost in amazement of your perfection.”
Ruth smiled and replied, “You were not completely lost. You seemed to find the right buttons to push.”
“Hush woman or we will have to go fins a place in the woods to continued act number two,” pleaded Tom urgently with a silly grin on his face.
Jerry said from behind them, “Hey, you two do know we can hear you, don’t you.”
“Shut up, Jerry,” came from inside the tent.
Tom laughed and replied, “Thanks little sister.” Reaching and grabbing Ruth and laying a big kiss on her that she felt from her lips to her toes and back to the top of her head. The kiss making her gasp in pleasure when it was over.
As Ruth was finishing up the cleanup of their eating area and talking with Candace and Jerry, Tom’s mind had taken him away from Ruth and the rest of the world and back to his work. Immediately taking him back to the email and the weapon order. Tom thought for a moment and decided to call his second in command Charlie first thing in the morning while everyone at the campsite was still sleeping. Then Tom remembered tomorrow would be Labor Day and the whole plant and the covert operations was going to be on holiday. Tom just could not figure out what was bothering him so much about the assignment. Tom guessed he had been doing this covert type work for so long now that everything had to be a puzzle piece that fit somewhere. Tom finally snapped out of the zombie zone after the third time Ruth asked him to give her some helps with the cooler and getting it into the truck. After getting the big Yeti cooler knock off into the 1966 International Harvester Travelette and closing the camper cover, Nat and Christen came walking into the camp with much the same grins that Tom and Ruth had came back from the river wearing just twenty minutes before. Tom said, “Candace and Jerry I think it is time for the two of you to head to the river. There must be something in the water, sure are a lot of smiles on the faces of those who have visited the water today.”
Jerry said, “You do not have to give me any special invitations. Come on Candace, the water does sound like an awfully good answer today.”
About forty-five minutes later the campers were loading into the Excursion for their planned shopping trip to the home of the Cherokee Indian Nation and their shops and Casinos designed to get back all that had been stolen. As one Chief had exclaimed one quarter at a time in the slots. Even with the Chiefs quote in mind everyone had decided it was the thing to do. The group were all excited to be on the road especially Candace. Once they started moving Tom’s mind went straight to the email and his orders. Finally, after getting fussed at by Ruth for almost running off the side of the mountain, he got his mind back on his driving and the beautiful mountain countryside. Tom’s thoughts went right to his beautiful wife and how he was a lucky man and she was a keeper. In the back of the Excursion Nat and Jerry were comparing notes on their two twins but not identical twin GP 100 revolvers. The two each extolling the virtues of their GP 100 and why it was better. The two finally agreeing that either revolver was a true shooter, just the two were designed for different specialties. Each were good at all things and the two revolvers each excelled for what its purpose and specialty design. Candace and Christen were talking in excited tones about the craft stores and the possibilities of purchasing and seeing trinkets and whatnots unknown and exquisite. Ruth was telling Tom about the festive sense of the group. All while Tom was trying his best to keep the big Excursion on the narrow mountain roads and his mind off his work. Tom had passed Smitty’s on his way and his thoughts had momentarily gone to his father and their trips to the family land when he was young. Tom never spoke of when he was small, always spoke of being young as he had weighed over eleven pounds and was twenty-four inches long when he was born. He told many people that he had never been small just young and would laugh at their facial expressions. The memories were bittersweet as they reminded him that his mother or father would never step foot on the land again. The Chinese biological weapon known as COVID-19 taking both parents within ten days of each other in 2020, even after both had taken the government sponsored jab.
The trip and his thoughts reminding him how many times over the years he had wanted to come to the land and do some, shooting, fishing, and camping with his father, mother and Ruth. Tom’s work for the CIA over the last five or six years had kept him so busy he had not had time or maybe he thought he just had not taken the time for a vacation. He vowed as he drove to not let that happen again. At the same time his thoughts were of his job and the fact that the world seemed to be in constant turmoil and war since he had started his position at the R&D weapons laboratory. Some instrument of war was always needed yesterday if you ask his superiors in Washington. His job was truly one that his backlog book was always full and more was added every day.
Pulling into a plaza street parking place near Harrah’s, the drive had really refreshed him and given him time to reflect and leave the job behind if only for a moment. With his mind now clear his mood turned festive to match the others. Tom was glad to be an American patriot on vacation with his wife Ruth and friends and ready to give some of his money to the Cherokee Nation but probably not a quarter at a time. Blackjack was his vice of choice and he was a true plus player of this game of chance. Putting the Excursion in park he paraphrased, “Ladies and gentlemen, you don’t have to go browsing but you cannot stay in the car. It is time to have some fun, everybody out and I mean now.”
Candace slung her door open and bailed out of the back driver’s side door and hollered, “Civilization! Where are we going first?”
Jerry said, “Candace you see that sign that says, ‘Indian Joe’s Leather Goods’ in large letters with boots, gloves, holsters, pocketbooks, and clothes in a smaller sized font. That is where I am heading and it is going to be my first stop. I want a cross-draw holster for my GP 100 and if the prices are right, I am going to get a custom-made shoulder holster for my revolver also. You can come or I will catch up with you in a bit.” Turning and heading towards the sign and the open door about three shops down the street. Jerry not waiting for Candace to approve, disapprove or agreeing to join him in his quest for custom leather goods.
About three hours of hectic crafting, shopping, gambling, and weak side shoulder holster fittings for Jerry the group met back at the Excursion as they had agreed. Jerry being the last to get back to the large SUV and the group with the largest grin of the group and a big heavy duty what appeared to be a burlap sack with Indian Joe’s Leather Goods on the bag. The group was all talking back and forth about their conquest in shopping. Tom was explaining to Ruth that he did not care that she had spent a over four hundred dollars on a handmade and beaded buckskin long coat. Ruth looked at him and with a large mad about to surface from the depths of her soul she asked, “How much did you lose, Buster? Do not even try to lying to me, you know you cannot get away with it. You are just not any good at it.” Nat hearing the conversation between Ruth and Tom busted out laughing.
Then Nat answered for Tom, “Wrong question Miss Ruth. The right question would be how many thousands did you win at the Blackjack table and how many complementary tickets did you get for the buffet and the Kiefer Sutherland concert tonight….”
Continuing after a pause just because he was having so much fun with Ruth and knowing he was taking some of the pressure off his friend Tom. “Miss Ruth the answer would be four full buffets and a front row table that seats six for the concert at either the eight o’clock or the ten o’clock show tonight and Tom picked the eight o’clock show. Ruth, Tom will have to tell you about the money. I will just say this, I saw him win two hundred dollars on a hand and let it ride and hit Blackjack on the let it ride hand. If my math is right that is seven hundred dollars on just two hands of Blackjack.”
Candace said, “Did you say we had tickets to the Kiefer Sutherland show tonight? I saw that all three shows were sold out on the billboard at the casino. I have always wanted to see him in person. I love his music.”
“No Candace, I did not say that we had tickets to the concert. If you had of been listening you would have heard me, say that Tom has six tickets for the show tonight. Not us,” replied Nat about to bust out laughing at the look on Candace’s face. Christen and Jerry were hanging onto every word and trying not to laugh at the desperate look on Candace’s face.
Ruth was looking at Tom and finally asked the loaded question, “Well, how much did you win?” Tom leaned over to her ear and quietly said, “A lot. Well, not really a lot if you are the Tesla guy or Bezos.” Ruth put her hands on her hips and said, “Thomas, tell me right now how much you won.”
Tom smiled at her and answered, “A little over six.”
Ruth leered at him and said, “Nat told me you won seven hundred on two hands. Did you lose the rest.”
Grinning he replied, “Thousand.”
Ruth incredulous asked, “You won over six thousand dollars in less than a couple of hours? Really, are you kidding me/’
Tom took her in his arms and said, “No baby. I was up over eight at one time and the table changed. A couple of first-time players sat down at my table and ruined the run, making bad choices. They were holding when they should have been taking and taking when they should have been holding. I lost almost two thousand before I quit. I should have quit after the first couple of hands, my bad.”
Ruth said, “No baby, that is great. Can we go to the concert” I know you do not really like to drive on these roads at night if we do not need to do so.”
Tom replied, “Yeah, that is why I picked the eight o’clock show. We also need to go to the buffet before the show and not after. We only have four free buffets. I guess the six of us can split the cost of the two we need to pay for so we all can eat.”
Candace hearing her brother say they were all going to the show replied, “It would not be fair for you to have to pay Tom and Ruth since you won the tickets and the buffets. Jerry and I will pay for the two buffets. We were planning on getting something to eat anyway.”
Christen added, “Nat and I will get the tip for the table at the buffet and the show. That should equal things out. What do you all think?”
Nat replied, “Cool with me but the drinks are free at the show. I heard the lady that gave the pit boss lady tell Tom when she was giving him the complementary tickets and buffets. We will get the tip at the buffet though and if we need to split the buffet tickets that is cool with us too.”
Candace squealed, “I cannot go to a Kiefer Sutherland concert dressed like this. I need an evening dress and some heels, not jeans and tennis sandals.”
The next five hours were a big blur of great food, an even better concert and a few too many cocktails and bourbons. As the happy group were heading through the casino on their way towards their chariot and ride back to the campsite, Candace said, “I need to go to the little girl’s room before we ride an hour back on those curvy roads.” Everybody decided that it was probably a good thing for all to stop by the restrooms before the trip back.
Ruth and Tom were the first out of the restrooms and were standing near the entrance back into the gaming hall when Ruth asked, “Did you catch that on the TV Tom?” After no answer she asked again, “Did you hear what the announcer said on the news on the TV right over our heads?”
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Post by feralferret on Jan 26, 2024 1:00:43 GMT -6
"Ruth asked, “Did you catch that on the TV Tom?” After no answer she asked again, “Did you hear what the announcer said on the news on the TV right over our heads?”"
I didn't hear it either. What did the announcer say?
223shootersc, thank you.
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