It seems to me that many of us, myself included, have been on edge and more than a little cranky of late.

I don’t know if all the storms, the divide in our great country, or the problems with a certain Asian nation have everyone more than a little tense. Please Don’t turn this into a Political debate.

But I should share this with all my friends here. It’s a beautiful late summer day in NC, and I’m very grateful for all the blessings I have, and I HOPE the rest of you are as well.

Have a good and a safe weekend everyone.


Old bear

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Always Stay Strong!

I'm offended that you think I'm cranky. Why I oughtta...

Of course, I am just kidding. Laughter is good medicine. Stress only detracts from life...and life is too precious to waste on worry, stress, or old-fashioned crankiness. I am feeling fine...but that's probably the meds kicking in.

You have a wonderful weekend too, sir.

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Just pretend this is witty.

Here in the Sunshine state as well we are very blessed. Home paid for . Bills paid , Plenty to eat We bolth have alot of health issuses but we are bolth home. I have alot of daily do list . Put I pick and choose lol. I also noticed that the temp has started to drop maybe a tenth of a degree lol

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Spin The Wheel

One way we are coping with all these unknown stresses is to brew up a batch of beer. It takes 4-7 weeks makes around 5 gallons (2 cases) and has lots of flavor. Watching the air-lock bubble is more interesting than the TV! A friend and I started a Beer of the Month club, we start a new batch every month! Our first batch isn't beer, it is a honey based beverage called Mead. The batch I brewed in 96 took 3 years before it was smooth. My friend's last batch of Mead was from 87 or 88; I helped him move (clean out his barn) last year and he found a bottle. He and his wife drank it on their anniversary, he tells me it was so smooth, I almost cried (because I didn't get any!)

As you can see, a good hobby just won't let me get stressed out, I'm too busy looking up brewing recipes!

Ivan

Guys thanks for the positive responses. Everyone else free to jump in. Come on lets wish everyone a great weekend.

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Always Stay Strong!

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Keep on Chooglin'

I've been less cranky since i deleted all my news channels 3 months ago, I worry alot less. Got enough problems with old age and health . I won't know whats going on unless I see a mushroom cloud in the distance

I always take at least a moment to actually FEEL gratitude. Living in the greatest nation on earth with the greatest people (yes, all of them, although half don't know it at present) It's hard to be cranky all the time. Especially considering we don't need to worry about being executed by AA guns for telling an "off color" joke. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

It's the autumnal equinox. A former girlfriend used to say that all men had a "funny five minutes" in September.

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Release the Kraken

Mushroom cloud? Always maintain that winning smile.

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Just pretend this is witty.

Gratitude is the greatest duty, one man to another. Mid 80s here on The Battery Oaks. The range has never looked better. A steady trickle of shooters and old friends. A new gun in route. PLENTY of ammo on the compound. 3 dogs following me like I am the greatest leader in the world. A beautiful wife for a companion. More than enough to eat.
All is well in my little world. I wish each of you could be here to sit on the porch overlooking the fish ponds in the evening breeze. That would make this day complete. Two more months til my appointed 3 score and 10. Just don't see how it could get better.
Thanks Old Bear for reminding me to take account. Blessed indeed.

I try to stay in a good mood because my wife worries enough for the both of us. She did say I'd been agitated for a few days, but I've been mostly inside after the heart surgery, and I feel I'm entitled to some measure of grumpiness.

She was really mad at herself for messing up the new car by trying to drive through deep water, but I was like, "What the heck? I know that you were worried and upset having to work on storm day and didn't hold it against you at all." She still beat herself up about it though.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Good friends?

Attached Images

IMG_0634.JPG (73.4 KB, 119 views)

How could I not be upbeat?

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

taking a moment to reflect on why your life is not a ball of icky is one of the most important things you can do everyday... here is my list...

1. I just celebrated my one year anniversary of ending chemo and being cancer free. I got to spend the day with my big brother at a race track watching friends on track in Shelby and Boss mustangs...along with a new Ford GT.
2. Son was invited to join the National Honor Society... Wichita State Aerospace Engineering... already on Dean's list.. great kid... very proud...
3. This Sunday September 24th we get to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. I am married to a woman that only rolls her eyes when I "accidentally" bring home a new toy... this included a 1972 DeTomaso Pantera at one point... she is a keeper and she does not have a sister...
4. I have a great job and great work place that has been very supportive thru my previous 2 year battle with colon/rectal cancer... hope to retire from there in 14 years when I get to 65... learned the lesson that life is too short... enjoy life... there are no guarantees...

the sunrises are beautiful... the sunsets spectacular... nights are peaceful and days are filled with friends... not everything is sushi and sunglasses... but still pretty great... and if the world ends tomorrow as "some" have joked about... I rest easy knowing I have had a great life filled with great people... including the ones I have found here...

laugh out loud in public... hug someone who isn't expecting it (but will appreciate it) try a new food with someone special... smile and just say hi to people you don't know... and if you have the resources pick up the tab for a young or old couple at a restaurant at random... it is fun... there are lots of things that you can do to feel good about humanity... you just need to try them... it makes the world a better place and it needs all the help it can get. have a great weekend... I know I will...

Friday morning I had Mohs surgery to remove a squamous cell carcinoma from my left ear. Good news:The surgeon got it all on the first slice. More good news: She gave me instructions to take it easy for the next couple of days, so I'll be vegging out all day Saturday watching college football games on doctor's orders.

Even more good news: Not long after I'd returned home from the surgery, Fedex delivered my EDC M&P 40c. I had returned it to S&W to repair a light strike problem that had developed after nearly 10,000 rounds. S&W replaced the trigger and everything else in the grip, as well as the striker and striker block. For free, of course. Turnaround time was only 24 days.

It's hard to be cranky when the weekend starts out like that!

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What, me worry?

I guess I need to add more fiber to my diet. Things will work out soon and make me a happy camper again.

Well Fred, taking into account that little treat you pulled on me whilst in the dark I'll never figure you for a sore spot. There's something nearly every day that will trip my wire, esp. at work but as quick as it comes it's gone.
All I have to do is just what I do every morning. I'll walk outside, see the first hint of dawn and say out loud "Thank You God!".

Old bear eat some Carolina style BBQ for me with banana pudding for desert ,I grew up cropping NC tobbacco compared to that I must admit my life is good lol .Actually I kinda miss that life or maybe I just miss being young and those girls looping at the barn .Only people who grew up old school eastern NC know what I'm talking about probabaly ,sure wish I had a shrimp burger hub it's time for a road trip back home ,thanks old bear gotta go I need to gas up my truck and pack . See ya in the funny paper.

Thanks for the reminder, Fred, that we are so very, very blessed.

I have to admit, though, that I can't completely shake the feeling of -- what is it, guilt? embarrassment? -- of being blessed when so many thousands of fellow American citizens and international friends have lost so much in the past couple of weeks and continue to try to survive what Nature wrought. It just breaks my heart to see it and think about it, but it seems so wrong to try to ignore it.

Tell you what: I'll try my best to have a good weekend while continuing to keep those folks, especially, in my prayers and in my small but grateful giving to the relief efforts. If the shoe were on the other foot, I know they would do the same for me, and I would encourage them to.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Fred, its everything you said and a bit more. Some people want to try to irritate others by stupid childish pointless remarks on things they did not witness-thus calling in on the integrity of another member here. I get a bit testy on that though I know I shouldn't but--(SORRY TO THE MODS FOR MY PART IN IT) but SOME individuals should be (hoed out) for it.

Rusty and I had a talk about that last week-which (when time permits) has prompted me to try to pull a fast one on you all soon as I can-now that some things are starting to wind down a bit at work. Anyway, ill try to find a Three Stooges type trick to play on you all soon.

BTW, A horse walks into a bar, and the bartender asks "Why the long face?"

This is why I come here daily, so many positive thinking people. Some days when I feel a little down, especially after a darn chemo infusion, I can come here and feel like I am listening to old friends, so many of you I feel like I have know for years. Thanks Fred, you made me stop and count my blessings, and they are many. Need to do that every day!

LIVE, LOVE AND BE HAPPY!!!!!

EVERYDAY ABOVE GROUND IS grrrrr8.......no meeting, schedules or deadlines...just chillen here with my friends @ S&W and listening to my favorites sounds

may i share some with you.....



.

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There's nowt so queer as folk

John Kerry walks in behind the horse...bartender says "Twins?"

Not to highjack the thread, but Mrs. and me will keep you in our prayers.

Good humor and encouragement are far better than doom and gloom.

That's for sure. That's for dang sure. (A line from the movie "Battleground.")

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Just pretend this is witty.

Old Bear,

Yeah, I've been a lit'l more cranky in these days of late.....

Kinda feels like that time back in October of '62.......

Ol Dave

.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (Original Single Version). - YouTube

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Can open, worms everywhere.

NOW I know what LoL stands for-because I just did so.

...I'm a little cranky this morning...33 degrees and a little snow on the ground...what happened to summer?...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

Outstanding! Thanks for taking the time to post those pictures.

I tend to agree.

As a matter of fact, I'm considering wandering over the hill to my cigar club later this afternoon, so I can relax among peers of similar mind to relax.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Have been edgy and grumpy all week.

Today, met my Best Friend since 3rd Grade and 2 other dear friends that I have known for over 50 years to watch FB and drink beer.

Right now, I feel better than I have in months and it ain't from the beer!

Guys the times are changing, the young people are speaking their voices. We've been here before.

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A Country Boy Can Survive

Today I'm gonna light a Sabor Cubana Maduro Grand Torpedo cigar, fire up the grill, open a beer and grill a coupla sirloins.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I don't know if the OP is specifically referencing this Forum or just folks he meets in general. If the latter, I haven't noticed it.

If the former, all I can say is it seems there are some members who are just surly. Not grouchy, not grumpy, they are surly. They seem to like to pick verbal fights and get threads closed. I don't swim in that ... manure ... so all I can do is ignore them. Let the moderators do what they gotta do.

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You're shy a few manners.

One of my favorite 'chill out' songs:

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Things are sort of like back in the late 50's early 60's when people in the back of their mind questioned was the use of bombs coming. It wasn't unheard of that people had bomb shelters in their basements. Today people are buying or building hideout bunkers. Round and round we go it seems.

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A Country Boy Can Survive