Memories of "Plinking"

Last week over at the Brookston Beer Bulletin, Jay Brooks shared a story about the Targeteer Beer Can Launcher. This "toy" from the 1960's used .22 blanks to propel empty beer cans through the air. The post brought back memories of my youth. Many fun times were spent in the woods and gravel pits near my home shooting at cans (and bottles) with .22 caliber rifles and pistols, as well as air rifles and powerful slingshots.

Those were fun times, and reminiscing made me realize that I actually have no access to a place to just plink as an adult. All the ranges I go to forbid anything other than "real" targets — paper, clays,
 steel . Shooting at "trash" (and now steel) is strictly verboten.

I suspect the fun that comes from ringing steel targets is a holdover from those youthful plinking adventures. And perhaps those memories are also what made this "bottle" target so appealing.

More and more craft brewers are taking advantage of modern canning techniques these days, so if I did get out to plink, my target variety would certainly go beyond the rusty cans of my youthful adventures.

The Circle of Time

After I posted the pic of my glass of Sierra Nevada Celebration yesterday, I was looking through old Musings and found an interesting coincidence. Last year on the same date, November 28, I also shared a post about the same beer.

In an another similarity, last night's glass of this seasonal favorite was also the first I enjoyed this season. And perhaps a tradition is born.

Go Hokies!

With a 23 - 20 win over rival Virginia, the Hokies continue the streaks! We're finally relaxing after a long day Charlottesville and this seemed liked fitting libation to cap off the day.

It was a nail-biter of a game and great send off for Coach Beamer.

Black Friday Range Time Too!

After a good range practice session yesterday, I returned this morning to join a couple of friends for some shooting fun. We got an early start to beat the crowds that were sure come later. The time was spent "just shooting" and enjoying friendly conversation. In fact, we probably spent as much time chatting as shooting, but that's the way it should be when you're just out to have fun.

I got to shoot a gun I hadn't shot before, and I also spent some time shooting my usual carry gun. I don't shoot it as often as a I'd like, mostly because it means cleaning it right away before I carry it again. Interestingly, I had last cleaned this gun less than a month ago, yet when I fired the first shot, I watched a clump of lint float away from the back of the slide. Note to self: Keep an eye on that, especially since it's sweater season now.

It was a treat to hit the range two days in a row, spending time with friends doing what we love to do, on another unseasonably warm day. And I'm pretty sure we had more fun than the folks fighting the crowds at the stores.

Thanksgiving Range Time

While enjoying my coffee Thanksgiving morning, relaxing after Mass and a big breakfast, I started thinking about some range time. I've only gotten out to shoot once in about the last six weeks. Looking through old Thanksgiving-related Musings posts, I noted that I had been to the range previously on Thanksgiving day, and had the range to myself. I figured why not try again?

Sure enough, the park was empty except for a lone fisherman. I took my place near one of the wider berms and set up a couple of IDPA targets. The ground was covered in leaves and pine needles, so I also set out a small tarp to catch brass (at least some of it anyway.)

I eventually spread the targets apart further and spent some time working on transitions between the two. Shooting on the move and head-only shots got some practice too. After the requisite visit from the RO, and no admonishments, I snuck in some close in, and fast, multiple shot, point shooting.

It was a beautiful afternoon, and I greatly enjoyed the time shooting, being thankful for the freedom to do so. I was surprised to have the range to myself on a 60° November day, but grateful for that as well. It was a wonderful addition to the holiday celebration.

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my friends and family, I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. As we in the United States set aside a day to give thanks and be grateful for all of our many blessings, please take some time to reflect on the meaning of the day.

Today, as every day, I give thanks for my loving family, my faith and the freedom to practice it, my health, for my friends, and for all the freedoms I enjoy as an American. In these perilous times we should be especially conscious of our freedoms, as we are reminded frequently just how tenuous they are. We should pray that the oppressors of our freedom, those within our borders and enemies abroad, are quickly conquered.

Whatever you do today, however you choose to mark the day, I wish you the best and hope your holiday is filled with joy.

Thanksgiving Humor

Starting off the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend with a little humor.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Tech Specs Make Good Advice

I was looking at kegerators online recently and had to laugh when I saw this in a product description:

Holds either a 1/2 barrel keg or a 1/4 slim keg. The unit converts between a refrigerator and a beverage cooler to suit your needs. Note: Does not hold Coors and Miller brand kegs.

I know, technically, that's because those kegs are larger than standard kegs. Still, if I ever added one of these to my basement, that would be one of the rules of the house.