Thoughts On Christmas, And Other 2014 Events.

I'm laying on my bed, propped up on pillows as I type this on my iPad. This "cold" I have is now on its sixteenth day of making my life less than pleasurable. Whatever "strain" this thing morphed into, it is kicking my butt. I don't get sick. Well...there are usually very long time lapses between my illnesses. In fact, I can't remember the last time something forced me to lay in bed for a day. This malady did just that about 10 days ago. Anyway, I'm on the mends, but the cough is very persistent.

Christmas is five days away, and I was thinking about how quickly this year has past and how many changes have taken place since last Yule time. Some happy, some sad, some joyus, others, not so much so.

Here are some events, stream of thought; I have added some really nice pieces to my firearm collection. I retired last May after thirty-five years in manufacturing. My oldest son had a baby boy in June. My wife had her knee replaced. One of our hunting crew members was diagnosed with a very bad case of cancer (He is an ex-military, Vietnam helicopter gunner, and sprayer of "Agent Orange"). My Apple stock split seven ways (Nice! Bought the original shares in 1989). My youngest son and his daughter had a miscarriage (Very sad), but they are "trying" again. Samuel Colt's factory, here in the Hartford area, and his surrounding property, has just been designated a National Historical Park. There were more, but that is enough to ruminate about for now.

I hope to be part of that National Park in some way. I am going to try to volunteer on the project, and help in any way I can. It will be years in the making and rebuilding, but it is woefully overdue, and will help the area immensely. Mr. Browning spend many, many days in and around Hartford as he engineered, built, modified and tested his designs in the famous "Blue Onion Domed" Colt factory.

I hope to be a big part of my grandson's life's as well. I hope to be a bigger part of my hunting brother's life, who is battling that bastard disease. I hope I never need a knee replaced. I was truly amazed how well my wife went through that. She endured what must have been a great deal of pain, and made it seem almost pain free to me. Amazing. That's why the dear Lord gave women the task of birthing. The fairer sex's ability to withstand pain is mind blowing.

Well, the cough medicine is kicking in now (narcotic), so I think it best to draw this missive to a close. Merry Christmas to one and all. I sincerely hope everyone fares well in 2015, and I further wish your dreams and fondest desires are realized.

Shoot straight, and do the right thing.

Gaff