The Wandering Minstrel

I finally resumed reading Effective Handgun Defense after it has been on the shelf since January of 2008. I got about halfway through the book today and I can say that it is illustrated, informative, entertaining and sprinkled with history and humor.

It’s about time I resumed reading this book. I have an excuse, though, we were distracted by retiring, building a house, moving, etc. Funny with most of that now behind us, we just seem to have a little more time on our hands to get caught up on our reading.

During the passage where the exploits of the James brothers (Frank and Jesse) are discussed, the Author, Frank W. James, makes the humorous point that he is no relation to his infamous namesake. It made me chuckle.

As of Friday, July 01, 2011, the Silver State will allow Arizona and Kentucky CCW permits to their somewhat limited list of recognized permits. This is good news for Arizona (and Kentucky) CCW permit holders that want to attend the September Gun Blogger Rendezvous to be held in Reno, Nevada on September 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th.

According to the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Arizona and Kentucky will become reciprocal on Friday:

Out of State Carry Concealed Weapon Permit Recognition

*Effective July 1, 2011

In accordance with NRS 202.3689 (effective October 1, 2007) the State of Nevada will recognize the following States CCW permit holders:

Alaska
Arizona*
Arkansas
Kansas
Kentucky*
Louisiana
Michigan
Missouri
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Tennessee
Rhode Island
West Virginia

This law allows holders of valid permits from these states to carry a concealed weapon while in the State of Nevada. The permit must be in the possession of the issue at all times while carrying a firearm.

CCW Prohibited Locations defined by NRS 202.3673

Our local gun dealer has this interesting cartoon on the door to the shop. The sign on the door says “NO SMOKING - GUNPOWDER.” The better half got this photo of the door and the cartoon today. The door is usually open and today it was closed. This is the first reasonable image she was able to get of the cartoon depicting an individual riding atop an explosion. Clickable image.

Cartoonist Ramirez rendered this humorous view of our super-incompetent attorney general . . .

It’s not quite finished yet, but the contractor made a lot of progress while we were in California last week. It appears that all is mostly complete, with the exception of the bay at the far end, which we directed be left open pending the delivery and installation of the new spa.

Clickable Image - Screened Patio Enclosure

We sat out on the patio this afternoon (it only got up to 110°) and drank iced tea and read. After I put the dinner entrée on the grill, we switched to wine (TBH*) and beer (me). Supper was great and it was a very pleasant afternoon!

* The Better Half

The Better Half took this photo from the bridge on I-10 as we crossed into Arizona this afternoon. If I were to have been carrying Fat Man, my Glock 30 (and I’m not saying whether I was carrying or not), at this instant I would have gone from being guilty of a misdemeanor under California’s ignorant gun laws to being a free citizen of the state of Arizona under their Constitutional Carry law. Thank God that we’re back home safe and sound once again. Clickable image courtesy of The Better Half.

Almost exactly one year after we first met at the same site, The Better Half and I drove up to Fort MacArthur where DrJim of Every Blade of Grass was setting up for the ARRL Field Day event. We had an enjoyable, albeit brief, visit where we discussed work, retirement, the dogs and several other topics. DrJim and I share the same political leanings as well as many of the same interests.

Clickable image: Cap’n Bob/Minstrel (left) and DrJim (courtesy The Better Half)

We finished most of our California business and will be heading home tomorrow. We have a couple of milestones to make on the new house this coming week; our spa will soon be delivered (we hope) and after it’s on the patio, the rest of the screened enclosure can be completed. That will be just about it until we get our last planned improvement; a custom entertainment center installed in the great room.

The Better Half took this photo of a WWII era Cadillac that we saw while we were going into the botanic gardens for some business. There was a large film production crew there and we suspect this beautiful car is one of the props. Clickable image.