Black Friday

I don't really know why they call this "Black Friday", but to get in the spirit of things, I'll wear my black tactical pants, a black t-shirt, black boots, and a mostly black tiger stripe jacket when I go to the range to road test my black Ciener .22 conversion kit for my .45.

I plan to avoid the malls like I would the Black Death, and thoroughly blacken my hands with powder residue. When I get home, I'll add some more black while cleaning up the turkey fryer.

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Enough darkness, already.

Yesterday was a hectic/wonderful/hectic/wonderful get-together with all of my offspring, assorted wives and husbands, 4 grandchildren, visiting dogs, and 3 unexpected guests. My day started early, and ran late, but I would not trade one second of it for a year of almost anything else.

Marilyn, Sandy, Gretchen, Missy, and Laura all prepared some of the best food I've ever tasted. Even Slade and Jonathan (grape salad and deviled eggs, respectively) got into the food preparation mode. For my part, Bob and I spent about 45 minutes waiting for the turkey fryer to burn down the back yard while we did a 12 pound bird. I'm happy to report that the turkey was good, and everything near the house is still standing, although I never really thought of a dry-chemical fire extinquisher as being necessary food prep equipment.

The food was great, the family was better, and a surprise visit from my nephew, his wife, and daughter was the icing on the cake. I have not seen Paul for 2 years, and it was really good to have them drop by. He's been in the Navy for 18 years, as a hospital corpsman, and has been "green" for most of them. Currently he's with the Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC.

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Addendum to yesterday's post: I'm also extremely thankful for the sacrifices of those who chose to serve in our Military and the efforts they make to ensure we are, and remain the best nation on earth. There would not be a United States of America without their service.

Semper Fi.