Batman says:
Here’s a short pictorial view of Peach’s and My trip to Estes Park in Colorado to visit our youngest son. Just a fantastic day and hike through our makers AWESOME painting of earths wonders, enjoy…
Times have changed since then, youngest moved back closer to home, work makes long trips less possible but someday we will return to revisit and maybe stay longer, and enjoy more of Gods artwork.
“Yes Peach I do know the way back to the truck from here..”
Batman Says:
Click and “poof” whatever you want is delivered to your home, you don’t ever have to leave again. Some call it convenient, I call it the slow death of “Stores”.
Remember going to the store? It was a trip, a journey where you met people, said hello and actually conversed. It was a time away from the house, sometimes it wasn’t convenient to have to go, others it was just fun. I remember during the summers when I was young (again, none ya business when that was) we would sometimes ride our bicycles the 5 miles down our barren county road to the wooden country store in the middle of the ‘tater’ fields just to get a NeHi soda and sometimes even candy. We sometimes played the worn out pinball machine, sat in the shade and talked to the “old guys” that hung around and we just had fun. Then we rode back home down that lonesome road.
As we got older the trips were made in trucks and we somehow didn’t have time to sit around and talk. And the trips to the “store” became less important. We found more “important” things to do I suppose. Shame, I kinda miss it now that I’m “growed up” supposedly.
I think somewhere along the way from childhood to adulthood we lose a special part of ourselves that if we kept, we would never not want to always see, hear, and visit places and things, and “stores”. Now with modern tech, it’s all too simple to become a hermit and just have anything you wish, dropped outside your front door. I, for one think it’s sad, I’m not saying I don’t use these options here and there, I’m saying we should never stop totally, taking the trip to the store. Giving up the chance to see an old friend, or make a new one, is not worth missing just for convenience.
Take it from Batman, you’re never too old to make new friends and renew old friendships, chances are better for both if you’re out and about as opposed to being a hermit.
“No Peach this does not mean I go to town every time you do”
Batman Says:
Today, today was a good day, with many things accomplished, some partially, others put off till another day. Today started with a perfect breakfast of Bacon and eggs cooked to perfection by Peach. I used the French press to make a batch of Black Rifle “Coffee or Die” coffee (yes, that’s a thing here). Showers, load the truck (watch Peach go back inside because she forgot her phone), head to the range for a class with one of our long time clients and she is bringing her daughter for the first time.
Great range session, I think some new skills were learned and I believe all had a good time. Peach and I try and be attentive to clients needs and wants at the range and tailor training specific for them, this one is a photographer, often off on her own. She is a super shot (trust me on this, she’s really good) so we worked on scenarios where she was photographing and had to drop the camera, draw and shoot, all which after a few slow repetitions, she did with moderate speed, and excellent skill. Her daughter who also is a great shot and safe gun handler, shoots a rifle with skill that would make some tough guys stand up and take notice (I did, as this was the first time meeting her), both mom and daughter made the morning very fun.
Backtracking a bit, I have been teaching people to shoot for a long (very very in case you must know) time, I am a NRA pistol instructor, a Police firearms instructor, a Class K (can give armed security guard firearms classes) instructor, and give Concealed Carry classes ( CCW classes to Law Enforcement and Military families are always free thru Peach and my Company). All this is done as a side to mine and Peach’s full time jobs, we do it because we feel people need good, safe and friendly training and the two of us together, do our best to give it.
So back to today..
Peach took the time today to do a little shooting with her Glock, and I did my best to help her do it right. She is already a good shot, and more important, she is SAFE WITH FIREARMS any time she handles them. Peach has a “block” issue, I’ve come to recognize this when she shoots. She is such a perfectionist that when a bullet does not go EXACTLY where she thought she was aiming at the point of trigger break, she gets frustrated and unconsciously blocks out any instruction.
At this point I’m going to point out an old saying I heard someplace “a husband should not try to teach his wife to shoot”, why? Because it can, and often does, lead to hurt feelings or worse. My personal belief is that if your relationship is a strong one, and you (that means you husbands, or boyfriends) can show superhuman patience and kindness, all the while smiling and being gracious, then by all means then teach them to shoot (yep, your prolly right, hire someone else). Ok back to the “block”….
Patience and repetitive skill sets will get you past the “block”, as stated earlier, Peach is a good shot and has the right mindset for self defense and for sport shooting. She wants to improve and wants to shoot more than we do. So today started what I hope to be a recurring theme of getting us out there shooting more together.
Today’s only issue with shooting for Peach was rounds impacting lower than she thought she was aiming. I could see the muzzle dipping at the point of trigger break (some would call this recoil anticipation but that was not why she was doing it). Peach’s issue wasn’t recoil anticipation it was lack of trigger time with this new gun, which has a firmer trigger pull. I had her dry fire (first time without her knowledge) and she immediately saw the muzzle dip. We worked a few times with dry fire and letting her use a bit more finger (leverage works no matter how small the lever) and after less than 5 minutes, the dip was gone. Live fire and she was back on the money, now after each reload she was still sending a few rounds low, but she recognized it and concentrated on the trigger break and front site and it all came together. She wanted to stop after one particular round of shooting, but me being somewhat obtuse ( think I used it right this time Peach) I had her shoot one more magazine, and I just stayed back and out of the way. Six rounds in the 2″ circle was the result, Peach was happy and I was happy for her (always try to end any skill contest on a good note).
None of this will mean much to a lot of people, it will offend some, and some will get it. Today was a “good day” for Peach and I and I hope it was a “good day” for you all as well.
I’m going to end this post with a hopeful request..
Say a prayer for their safety and give thanks for their sacrifices, and if you see a Soldier or a Police Officer tell them you appreciate all they do.
“No peach you cannot shoot an apple off my head no matter how good a shot you are”
Batman says:
I have been thinking a lot lately on what makes me truly happy (besides you Peach..and snacks). We are all different in this great big mixed up messed up world we live in, and each person I’m sure has their own answer to the ‘what truly makes you happy’ question. Couple days ago I found out, what it was for me, and it’s really so simple that I’m surprised it was so hard to find.
Peach and I love being outdoors, walking, biking, fishing, hunting, trapping, photographing oh well you get the idea I hope. I grew up much like most country folk, playing outdoors, wandering the woods observing and learning from God’s creatures in the wild, funny thing, Peach did much the same thing. Playing out in nature until we were either called or whistled home by mom or dad. All through my youth I was lucky to live where I could go into the woods and reset some internal clock, and set off on another adventure. Early adulthood, the same thanks to the U.S. Army and the National Guard. Later in life I still wandered the woods only this time it was with the Love of my life my beautiful bride “Peach” who together with, I have fished, hunted, trapped and traipsed through all kinds of country, be it mountains, swamps, oak hammocks or whatever. While doing this, Peach and I, we grew closer to each other and also we were in the place I found “peace”. I didn’t really know this, all I knew was I always enjoyed being out in God’s creation, away from city noise, human influence, anything but the quiet of nature. I didn’t know this until Sunday afternoon when Peach and I were in the hunting club. Not hunting, just walking the fence line and checking trail (game) cameras. I’m not sure how we got on the subject, but I had us stop and just close our eyes and ‘listen to the silence’ of nature. No phones, no cars no airplanes, just nature. Now there is no real “silence” in nature, there are always natural sounds, wind, trees, acorns falling you get the idea, but for those few fleeting seconds, I realized I found my “peace”. It was right where I’ve always known, but forgotten to look, the place that since I was old enough to walk I’ve been drawn to, God’s wonderful creation, the natural world. I realized at that moment in time, I have never been more at peace at any moment, than I was when I was out in nature, away from the noise and rat race of society. Funny thing is, took being there with Peach, to remind me.
I don’t know the scriptures, or the fancy words, I know each of us has our own place to go to be truly at peace, for me, it’s away from mans footprint, on a jaunt thru the woods, no words necessary, holding hands with the Love of my Life that God blesses me with…mine forever…my Peach
Batman says:
When was the last time you took a stroll through the woods? For Peach and I it was just today, walking through the woods checking game cameras for activity (470 pictures of cows the last time I counted). It’s always a fun adventure watching Peach freak out over a banana spider that’s 10′ over her head (hehe sorry peach but it is funny), but she is a trooper always wants to come with me and is great company, there is no one I would rather wander around with than Peach, we have such adventures.
Wandering around in the woods looking at all gods creations and just being outside in nature makes you feel alive and grateful you have the opportunity. The day was perfect, blue clear skies, a breeze, the green of the leaves really showing off their colors. Just being surrounded by all the colors and sounds and sensations is worth a pot of gold to me, and having Peach along makes it all better.
Anyways, that’s enough musing along about my woods walk, y’all get out and look and listen to God’s creations in the woods, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Batman says:
Outside, the place not inside, not in your house, car, office, tent, bus, camper…you get the idea (if not, leave now, you’ll be bored). God created us outside, we have always been apart of the outside world, and most people, if they are honest, will admit they are happier when outside enjoying Gods creations.
When I was young (go on, make the jokes, but I was actually young, of course that was before cell phones and more than 3 channels on the tele) I spent every waking moment outdoors, traipsing through the woods, running barefoot everywhere, doing fun stuff. I actually had working trap-line before the hunters with dogs whined and got steel leg hold traps outlawed (if u can’t kill a deer without chasing it with dogs till it’s exhausted, then shoot it, maybe you need to rethink your hunting prowess).We kids ran all day, outside and pitched a fit when it was dark and Mom called us home to get a bath and go to bed. Never in our wildest dreams could we imagine sitting in front of a television screen and ‘playing’ games all day (we had Clue, Sorry, Monopoly board games and others for rainy days). Video games, even had they been around back then, I’m willing to bet would not have done as well with us as this last couple generations. The problem is the parents, they allow the television to be a fix all baby sitter. Parents do not take responsibility for their kids (I’ll give you the few rare ones that do, but in my job I see it daily) actions, they don’t set firm limits and when their kids act out they blame everyone else but themselves. Read a quote from an actor, don’t remember who but it goes “Respect is taught at home,If a child is disrespectful, it’s your fault, It’s not societies fault or a video games fault, it’s Yours”We were taught respect or we got a belt period. Think we grew up ok getting a spanking that we deserved. Anyways I got off on another post for later, this was headed in the right direction then a squirrel ran by and I was distracted.Outside, anyways back to that, I cannot imagine a more harsh punishment to a child of my time than to be told he or she could not go outside and play. It was as if the world turned upside down. Today, and today’s parents, their punishment consists of repeatedly telling their kids over and over not to do the same thing they keep doing. When the punishment is much simpler. Make them go outside and play, not to a friends to play videos, but outside in your yard or park and actually spend time outside in God’s masterpiece creation. I’m willing to bet that if you do this enough, video games will become second fiddle to being outside and physically having fun with their friends. As for the adults, don’t care what you say or do, you to need to get outdoors as much as possible, to rejuvenate your soul. God made this planet not only to live on, he made it for us to enjoy being out on. I am a firm believer that every time I go outside, even for a short period, that it takes worry and stress off my mind and body. If this were Peach’s post she could find a scripture instantly to match this ramble, sorry if have to look for one it will take a week.I will leave you all with this thought, think back, when you were young, on a trip or walk with your parents. Then think where you were when you had the most exciting and interesting fun together, I’m betting you were outside someplace. Folks, God made it for us, don’t waste it by staying inside looking out, go Outside and experience it.
Batman says:
Here I am, 00:14 hours (12:14 at nite for u non 24hr peeps) and wide awake again. Insomnia?nope just a victim of shift-work for over 23 years, currently I’m keyed on working nights. End of a 56 day rotation and Monday I’m back to day-shift. It’s a wonder people with this kind of schedule ever get good sleep and therefore good rest.
Exercise is supposed to help, but so far I’ve proved that to be hit and miss, spent 3+ hours with peach cutting grass today, was exhausted, hot and sweaty, had a good supper, watched a very small amount of television, and was in bed by 22:30. Tossed and turned and flopped like a fish out of water until I figured I would write about my misfortune at not being sleepy. Reading helps at times but I have read every book in the house at least twice, and did my bible reading for the evening when we hit the sack (Ester 9-10 if you must know).
So here I lay, awake and trying to be still so I don’t wake Peach who is finally resting (sleeping) peacefully after wrestling whatever one wrestles in ones dreams. Thoughts bombarding my brain like so many rain drops in a summer storm, ‘should I get the new pool liner?’, ‘it would be cool to get the antenna mast pretty soon’, ‘gotta get back to studying for that test’ and so on.
Then I take a breath and think how lucky I am, I’m home, I have a loving wife and great kids and grandkids. I have a roof over my head, a pretty good job and friends I can count on in a pinch, and I finally start to relax. I remember these are my days off, I should have a clear mind and enjoy what Gods given me. I lay here quietly typing out these words randomly as the thoughts appear in my head, no order, no chaos, just relaxed thoughts.
No, none of this has helped me get sleep, but it has reminded me that I am lucky and I’m being watched over by God, who in the long run, will assure I get the sleep I need and the peace I hope for.
Sometimes like the saying goes “sleep is overrated” in the great scheme of things.
Night all, rest peacefully knowing there are guardians out there every night seeking the evil most people pretend doesn’t exist. And like my fellow guardians, with gods help, that evil will not find you and yours on our watch.
Now you know why Peach named the blog “Adventures and Musings….
Cause sometimes Batman rambles aimlessly
Batman says:
Today was range day with two clients, both who are new to shooting. Lively personalities these ladies are and great to have as students. Neither is over confident nor are they to meek, both are curious to learn and willing to try new things.
As an NRA Instructor, amongst other shooting instruction certifications, it is always a pleasure to teach students like these two and there are benefits not related to shooting.
We are outdoors in God’s world enjoying all the interesting things he created. We are moving, therefore we are getting the benefit of exercise. I dont teach standing still and shooting once the student has the basics down. I teach to be as hard to hit as you can, this means movement while your shooting.
These two ladies are just beginning their training and already are pretty skilled at target shooting, so the rest won’t be hard for them to pick up.
I teach the shooting skills because it’s becoming a lost art, and it gets Peach and I outdoors, and we get exercise and meet the new people we want to help.
Anyways, go shooting it’s fun and it’s exercise and it’s fun… did I mention it’s fun?
Batman says:
At the end of last mowing season (actually 2/3rds through) our riding mower had a malfunction. That’s putting it mildly, the mower deck basically fell apart. Now this is the second riding mower that this has happened to, the first being a used mower my brother gave me when he bought one of this new fangled ‘zero-turn’ mowers. So, here I was towards the end of the mowing season and no lawn mower, no problem says I, we will just buy a new mower deck and all will be well. I did some quick checking and found that a new deck was close to $700, welp, that’s a show stopper, I have to many things planned this year to spend that kind of money on something I am only probably use one more time this year….
Fast forward, it’s June 2018 and I still haven’t cut my grass! Started worrying I was going to lose my truck in the jungle out there and every time I let the dogs out it was like hide and seek. I started to wonder what else was lurking out there (don’t tell Peach that I had seen two snakes in the past month, she dislikes them and I’m sure somehow it would be my fault), so I decided I was going to do something about the grass.
Oh! That’s right, no mower deck, remember? “We will get it over the winter, no worries” were the words I distinctly remember myself saying. Crud! Hmmm now what? Then I start remembering when I was a tad (means same as a bit) younger, the only lawn mower was a walk behind push mower (sometimes self propelled). As I started remembering cutting grass with one of these I also had memories of how much better shape I was in. But then the lazy kicks back in and I tell Peach that we are just gonna have to break down and buy the deck so we can cut grass. As we are having this discussion I am in my recliner looking at self propelled mowers half heartedly and mentioning them to Peach and relaying the story of when I was younger and better shape blah blah..to my astonishment Peach says ‘I’ve been thinking about one of those at least until we can get the other fixed’. Well then that’s a fine kettle of fish I’ve flopped into now, so I start looking at prices hoping that it wouldn’t be worth it, it was, new deck almost $700, walk behind, less than $300, and with the walk behind there are so many health benefits, 1 your walking, 2 your using arms to steer and steady, 3 stopping and moving things requires bending and lifting…. (one other benefit will be mentioned later) I think you can see where I’m going by now.
Off to Lowe’s we go (10% discount for veterans) get the new mower, and back home in less than an hour. Assemble the mower (unfold handle and put two screws in it to hold it) put the supplied oil in it, gas’er up and 5 pulls later (would have been one if I had read the directions completely and known to hold the handle down) she’s a running and ready to cut grass. Give it a few test laps and such and in about an hour the worst part was cut, and Peach wanted a turn. So show her the basics and she cranks it up and off she goes cutting the bigger but more open front yard. Hour later she’s done, yards done.
We got the yard mowed mostly, we were more active for those two hours than we would normally, walking, twisting, bending,pushing and pulling. All the exercises we try to do in our routines plus more cardio. The mower was less than half what we would have spent to fix the other and provided so many more benefits.
Oh yeah, the other benefit? Getting to watch my Pretty Girl Peach cut grass in shorts 🙂
Anyone wanna buy a riding mower…needs a lil work
Batman says:
Peach and I have always been in reasonably decent shape, but we decided to exercise a little.
We have the routine we try (notice the try) to do 3 times a week. Nothing crazy and no gyms, just little things we can do around the house. It’s always a chore to get started, even more of a chore to keep going and not stop in the middle. Sometimes we fail and do stop, but we do finish more than we don’t. Our routine would be laughed at as a joke by fitness over achievers, but it works for us. We also bike ride when we can and are pretty active around the house.
The reason for the post is, if you want to be around a long time to annoy Peach, and if you want to be around to annoy your best friend in life, ya mite wanna make exercise, no matter how ridiculous the routine you come up with is, a part of your week. Exercise is important, you don’t have to go overboard, just move around.
In the long run you will be surprised at the way you feel and heck you might even like it and exercise more…if you annoy your best friend to much, don’t blame me…exercise can help u outrun them to…just sayin..
The Adventures and Musings of Peach and Batman 