Post-Thanksgiving Family Time

Neither my husband nor I grew up with guns in the house.  My husband's previous profession required him to be ready to use a handgun at a moment's notice.  He also had to be familiar with rifles. 

I've taken a women's handgun safety course promoted by the local sheriff's department.  ( I have a certificate and everything!)  Alas, still no gun.

My husband was given my father-in-law's .22 rifle, that no one knew he had, when his mom passed away this summer. 

We share a common problem with our eldest son and his family--groundhogs.  We lent the gun to him to use to try and clean up some of his problems.  It is with great pride that I can report that my daughter-in-law actually hit a groundhog twice (she doesn't think she killed it right away).  The funny part of this story is that she called her dad and my son in tears that she didn't kill it.  Her father said that it was so sad that she didn't kill it right away and the poor thing would suffer and he understood her soft heart towards animals.  My son told her she was wonderful and that it was a groundhog--and she needed to call me.  When I heard her news, I told her that she was amazing and that I had never shot a critter and that I was so very proud of her.  I also told her that it was a groundhog--they will eat your children--and have destroyed everything you have ever planted.  She did OK.  I bought her more ammo.  She has also become a legend among the men at church.

The day after Thanksgiving, our son invited us and our younger son to come out to enjoy some shooting.  My husband brought his "professional" weapon for us all to shoot as well.  Our target:  A very large pumpkin!

It was a great bonding time for the boys and their dad.  He was able to give some great tips and make sure we were doing everything safely.  And, realized that I was using my left eye.  It was no wonder I couldn't hit anything!

My youngest son admiring his shot.



My husband shooting and my eldest son watching.



Our target...and yes, I actually surprised myself and hit the bulls eye!  It is amazing how much better I did when I used my right eye!!!

My youngest son put and apple on top, but it was my husband that blew it away!  As you can see, some of us need a bit of practice yet.

We had a great time and hope to enjoy this family fun more often.

Gun Class

It occurred to me that I never reported on my Women's Handgun Safety course I took this summer.

The Sheriff's Department in my county puts in on with help from the NRA.  They only accept 50 women each year.  The room was full, to say the least!  What a wide variety of women, too.  One delightful lady sat with me and shared that she already carries a .22 with a laser.  She works in Pittsburgh.  Several women were hunters, but knew little or nothing about handguns.  Most of the women were there to learn about gun safety and were interested in their personal protection.

There was significant time spent on safety issues and handling long before we were ever taken to the range. 
We were given a nice lunch (the cookies were wonderful) and then taken in small groups to the range.  The deputies were there to help us and make sure we were all being safe.  I was given a Lady Smith & Wesson .38.  My only complaint is that I only got to fire five rounds.  Hardly enough to even get acquainted with the gun.  I was able to hit the target, which is saying something--I was shaking to badly!!  Some of it was from nerves, I'm sure, but some from MS, too.

All in all, it was a very fun morning and I learned a great deal.

Since then, a more experienced friend has taken me out with a .22 semi automatic (ohhh yeahhh).  It was nice to be more relaxed and have lots of time.  I hit the center several times!!  Several weeks after the two of us went out, we took our kids (young adults...who am I kidding).  Oh my!  My son gets his target skills from his father!  It was as if he was born with a gun in his hand!  Her daughter did amazing, too!  It was fun to be out with my son, even though he made me look pretty pathetic.

I need lots more practice, but perhaps that will come.  It is a great sport and I would recommend it to anyone!  My husband is even considering selling his service gun (very heavy, and the ammo is super expensive) and getting a .22....I want a laser, if he does!

Deer, Birds, Rabbits: Getting a Grip on Sovereignty

This year the garden has been a source of stress. Not only was the garden late in getting tilled, it seemed that every time I was able to get out to plant, it rained. The plants were bought in plenty of time, but finding a time when the soil was not overly damp was becoming a problem.



Fast forward to June. Things are planted and growing well! (The weeds seem to be doing well, also.) One morning, I noticed that some of the leaves were gone from the broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Nothing major, but it made me wonder. Two days later, most of the leaves were eaten. Ok, now we have a problem. There was still time to go to the greenhouse, but they might come back. I decided to give it a few days. After a week, there were no signs of recovery, so off to the greenhouse. Thankfully they still had some plants...a bit on the "sad" side, but I was willing to nurse them along. I dug up the worst of the poor things thinking that there might still be hope for a couple of the plants. After the new ones had been planted, the one or two plants that I thought might recover from the havoc that had been wreaked upon them, were eaten to the ground. The new ones were left in tact. Just the other day, I noticed that these new ones have been chewed on as well. Although, not badly...yet.



There are foil pie pans hanging for noise and I have used other "sure fire" methods, but nothing seems to be keeping the critters away. Our garden has never experienced much animal damage. A bunny here or there and ALWAYS the Japanese beetles, but this year we have had deer eating the apple trees and edemame (this is only the second time we have even seen deer since we moved here six years ago), I flushed out a groundhog from the asparagus while I was mowing one day, and birds were pulling the baby corn out of the ground (at least that is what I think).



While I can only do so much to keep them away (we may need to consider fencing, but it is a big garden...can you say $$$), I am coming to grips with the fact that I am not in control of this. Yes, I am responsible if I want any produce from my garden, but there are limits to my control and efforts. Ultimately, God is in control of what does and does not grow in my garden.



Yeah, I know, there is a life lesson here. I am broken. Not only spiritually, but physically, as well. Seeing my physical brokenness is helping me grasp my spiritual brokenness. The physical brokenness is not easy to see, but it is becoming more apparent. My spiritual brokenness is often easier to hide...from people. Not from God. God sees my state of "messiness" and still loves me. Physical and spiritual issues are all known and seen by him. He has them under his control. I am in the process of learning that He does have control all the time in my life and in my garden. This is one of those things that, yeah, I've heard a thousand times on Sunday, but when you see it played out in real life, it seems to make more sense. Or, maybe, now that I'm older, I'm paying closer attention. Or, maybe I'm in a better place to learn.



Side note: I'm taking a women's gun class this month!



Selections from Psalm 25:



To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.

Show me you ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

A Christmas Postscript

Remember my Christmas wish list? Well, no, I didn't get a gun or a rototiller. I did get a new blender and a bigger food processor. These items will be a big help at canning time. Hubby and I also have come to love hummus and our tiny food processor just was having a difficult time of it.

It has been said that one should never buy a woman a gift with a plug on the end. Well, I used to think that was a good guide, but not any more. My kitchen is my "workshop" and what I use in it are my "tools". If a better tool will help me in my work by making the homemade soup or tomato sauce process go smoother, then I'll take the "tool". I don't need fancy earrings or jewelry.

So, perhaps the rototiller will come another time? Spring, perhaps. We want to keep looking. I also need to do more research on what type of gun I should have. Some have said that I need to handle one to find which suits best. My knowledge of guns is limited to the work-related one my husband carries. My dad didn't own a gun so I have much to learn. Hubby is not so sure I need one anyway. I think I make him nervous.

It would have been hard to wrap a rototiller anyway (smile).