Itchy Finger

An ex-coworker contacted me today about going to the range. I think it's been at least 3 months so he caused my trigger finger to start itching. About 2 years ago he was thinking about acquiring a pistol for home defense and target shooting. He's finally gotten serious and wants to try a few in order to narrow the choices a little. I can help him with that.

So Wednesday, most likely, we're going to a local range for a little while. We'll be shooting outside, I'll be sitting more and shooting less than usual, and he'll have to drive. But at least I'll be out enjoying the smell of liberty, burnt gun powder.

Not as Directed

I must admit that doing my therapist assigned home exercises has not happened like it should in the last week. My tendency is to spend as much time as I can on my feet, not doing pre-determined exercises. Today was one of those days where I ran the vacuum sweeper in every room, put things away in my man cave, and cleaned the kitchen after 2 meals.

Yesterday we met my eldest son, his wife and son for a nice leisurely lunch. It was the daughter-in-laws birthday. She claims to be 29 once again. Then we went to a shoe store for a pair of slip-on, non-metallic safety shoes for when I go back to work. After that we were at the adopted grandchildren place to celebrate Halloween.

In general I've been as active as I can tolerate, but at the expense of formal exercising. Despite that, the therapist keeps saying that I'm progressing very well.

Today I didn't take any pain medication, which was a little bit of a stretch because I became more tired than I though is appropriate. I didn't take any pain medication before going to bed either, but that was a mistake. I woke up at 1:00AM in pain and as usual needing to pee. I took a pill and wish it would kick in so I can go back to bed. It's now about 2:15AM. I need the sleep, tomorrow is another physical therapy day.
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By the way I needed the new slip-on shoes because I can't now, nor will I be able to tie my right shoe for some time. In fact the wife puts socks on my right foot for me. My place of employment requires safety shoes in the shop and either booties or dedicated in-shop shoes reducing tracked-in contamination.

More Progress

For the first time since surgery I took a shower without the walker in the shower with me. I also took about 5 little baby steps without any support other than my own legs. I probably looked a bit like a penguin.

The physical therapist told me that I've been leaning on the cane too much. So at therapy, after the usual torture session, I walked about 20 very unsteady feet, trying to walk as normal as possible. I was very uneasy because I really don't trust the one leg as yet. And I developed the habit of leaning on the cane prior to surgery. That was necessary for pain control for 2 or 3 months prior to hip replacement surgery.

A Sad State

Yesterdays local paper reported an allegation that lead to searching a private home. The allegation was that 2 men were going to shoot up the local VA center. So based on a suspicion and accusation that a crime will be committed in the future, somebodies home was searched. So now it's not necessary to actually commit a crime to be guilty. It's getting such that just the thought of committing a crime is criminal. What a sad state we're in.



In one "bad guys" home an "arsenal" was found. According to this paper an arsenal consists of 2 "assault rifles", ammunition and an expended rocket launcher tube. How utterly scary. They best not look in my basement or somebody might die of a heart attack.

There was a science fiction film a few years back where citizens were being arrested for crimes that had yet to be committed. Sometimes I wish science fiction writers weren't so damn accurate.

Fire 'em All

I'm so sick of the political ads that I'm ready to scream. I especially hate the negative ones full of half truths and personal attacks. They do have an effect, but not the intended as far as I'm concerned. The candidate running the attack ad gets only contempt from me.

The little sign on the back of my truck says "fire the Fed Gov't". As far as I'm concerned we should fire all government. When I go to the polls, I'm not sure I'll be voting for any of the incumbents. Let's fire 'em all.

Why a Sig 380 ??

The latest Concealed Carry magazine has a nice review of the little Sig single action 380 pistol. I've handled one of these quality weapons and I like them a lot. I am a single action pistol fan after all.

The problem is that I see no real reason to have one. Unless you're a real recoil wuss, there are weapons of approximately the same size and weight, or less, that chamber the 9mm. So why carry 380?

Alternate Carry

I, like many others, prefer the strong side carry position. The only exception is when hunting with one of my revolvers, then I use a bandoleer style holster. Being built like a tree stump, and with short arms, I find shoulder holsters and typical cross draw carry positions difficult. I have trouble reaching the gun if carried that way.

The problem is that I'm recovered enough to get out and about on occasion with the Boss and I hate going unarmed, especially in my gimpy condition. For now I'm limited to sweat pants with elastic, no belt or cords. I'm not healed enough for typical clothing. Because of this I've started carrying my Kahr PM9 in a small "fanny pack" worn on my weak side away from my surgically repaired hip. I don't really prefer this method of carry because of the very slow presentation, especially walking with a cane, but that's my present best option.

When I get back to wearing something other than sweat pants, I'll still have an issue carrying strong side for a while. The soft tissue won't be tolerant to the weight and pressure of a gun. So yesterday I started an Internet search for cross draw holsters, then gave up. Lo and behold I happen to have 2 holsters that are adjustable enough to convert to cross draw if mounted at or slightly in front of the weak side hip bone. One is a paddle style and the other is an IWB. No sense buying another holster for what I hope is a short term problem.

So Long Walker - Hello Cane

I've progressed to using a cane to hobble around instead of the walker. It seems like an eternity since the surgery 3-1/2 weeks ago. I still can't sit comfortably in a regular chair nor sleep through the night, and the Boss is still helping me to get dressed. Despite that I'm feeling good enough that I'm starting to get antsy with boredom.

Government Thugs

Today I tagged along with the Boss running a couple of errands. At one small shop the owner noticed the "fire the Fed Gov't" sign on the truck and voiced a similar opinion, and told me a little story about his experience.

A couple of years ago he and his wife were victims of a home invasion. They were robbed at gun-point in their own home. After that he got interested in guns and started a small collection, and his wife got her carry license. But that's just the beginning of the story.

This last spring he was once again the victim of a home invasion, this time by IRS agents. They came storming into his home at gunpoint without warning. The reason was a sworn affidavit that he was dealing drugs and had a large amount of cash. They found nothing because he doesn't deal drugs, but they confiscated his firearm collection. After several months of legal costs he's expecting to get them back next week.

More and more we're living in a police state. Rarely have I carried a weapon in my own home, but I think that's going to change. The individual citizen needs to be aware of self-defense not only from the criminal but also from our own government thugs.

Bull-Shit

Juan Williams got fired for expressing the feelings and thoughts of millions of Americans by saying something like - - - When someone dressed as a Muslim gets on an airplane I get nervous. Anyone in their right mind would would be nervous. I'd be watching the Muslim like a hawk. This attitude is entirely necessary for self preservation.

Then a US Muslim group (CAIR) complains and NPR fires Williams. What a bunch of asinine politically correct bull shit. So far we in the US have been extremely tolerant towards our Muslim neighbors post 9/11. This is the kind of shit that can trigger an anti-Muslim uprising.

CAIR has been complaining about the possibility of religious profiling. In my estimation it's time to start doing just that.

Bye-Bye Staples

Today was my first visit to the physical therapist, where the last dozen staples were removed from my butt. The nice young lady offered to get a male therapist to remove them but I told her there was no need. After so many have looked, what's a couple more? You'd think my butt is some special beauty, but the Boss is of a different opinion.

I now have specific exercises that I'm supposed to do 2x a day, and more appointments at the therapist.

I think I'll be carrying the next time. No sign on the door, to my surprise.

Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z

You'd think that with all the time I spend reclined in a chair, I'd be doing more reading a posting. At least that's what I thought. As it turns out, pain medications do not help the process of logical thought. In fact I've been sleeping a lot.

Doc Appt

Had a visit with the Doc that installed my new hip joint today. He claims that I'm doing great, despite what I feel. While there a nurse removed about 20 staples from my right butt. The remaining 10 will be removed Thursday at physical therapy. They wanted to remove all of them today but I couldn't tolerate any more trauma after my morning shower, car ride, and x-rays. I ended up sleeping all afternoon. It's amazing how such a small amount of activity simply kicks my ass.

In case you were wondering, this was my first trip away from home since the surgery, and I was not armed.

Small Victories

It's been about 24 hours since I've had the need to use the pee bottle next to my chair/bed. I'm a little better with the walker and have better bladder control.

Sometimes small victories are of major importance.

Still Alive

Obviously I survived the knife ans saw Tuesday. I got home late Friday, and tried to sleep on a flat bed for the first time. I think I'll be sleeping in a reclined chair for the near future. When the pee alarm goes off there's not enough time to use the urinal, let alone get to the bathroom. So far the right leg is only good to induce a lot of pain, and nothing positive.

I'm swollen from my belt line to my toes. My butt is so swollen that I have curves normally associated with the female of the species.