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Friday, August 29, 2008

Fast Draw

Lady di tn said she wished I would talk more about my competition days so here it goes:)

My husband was already a top notch competitor in Fast Draw when we married but I just didn't know how much he loved it...............so after several years of whining and complaining about spending every holiday at some competition, I decided if you can't beat them you may as well join them.

I entered my first contest in 1970 and to my great surprise, placed third. We had been trying have a baby prior to my entering competition and I was just thinking maybe I would postpone it a while when puff.............baby on the way. I continued to compete until my holster wouldn't fit me any longer and took it back up when our daughter was about 1 year old. I continued to shoot until about 3 years ago so that would be a grand total of around 35 years. Now to explain Fast Draw...........

It is a world competition that is governed by the World Fast Draw Association. It is shot with a single action pistol (mostly 357 Ruger bored out to a 45 or a Colt 45) and it is reminisce of the shoot out at the OK corral except you do not face an opponent but rather a target with a light in it or on it. After you have readied yourself, you take a command and from 2 to 5 seconds the light will come on which is your command to draw and fire and hopefully hit the target. There are several different types of draws used: Thumbing which means that it is all done with one hand (my husband is the World Champion for this) and many different forms of Fanning, in which you draw with one hand and the other hand cocks the gun (this is my preferred way of competing). I have always held the belief that a picture is worth far more than words.
These are a couple of ladies I shot with and this particular event is called "step back wax". The target is a metal FBI silhouette and the light is in the middle. You shoot a synthetic wax bullet that is propelled by a 22 blank and it must hit the target in order to stop the clock and record your time. The time is calibrated in 1000's of a second. Here is a little helper....it takes about 15 thousands of a second to blink your eye and these gals are probably shooting around a .3900 here.

My greatest claim to fame was winning the International Championships in 1978, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I continue to hold two World records......Standing Blanks at 10' in 1995 and Walking Wax at 15' in 1997. I won my share of contests like Arizona State, Tombstone, A Canadian competition and etc. but what I was the most proud of, is that I was considered a tough competitor and most always placed in the top 5. I met people from all over the World and traveled to many places most people have never heard of. It was a fun time and people ask me why I have hung it up........ Well, the truth is that World Fast Draw as I knew it, is a dying sport and has been overtaken with other competitions like Single Action Shooting and Cowboy Fast Draw which is similar but yet different and I have decided this old dog isn't interested in learning new tricks. It is a very physical competition and in order to do well you need to be practicing all the time. With only a handful of contests a year in Fast Draw, it just wasn't worth the time for me.

My hubby and I also use to perform Gun Shows around the valley for conventions in some of the big hotels. Here is a picture of him firing at a balloon that I dropped out of my hand............ Yes, this is a VERY old picture (I almost don't recognize myself I am so skinny) taken in 1992 but it was hard to find pictures of us in action instead of with fellow shooters. Blanks are a 45 shell filled with black powder and it is the unburnt powder that breaks the balloon. It creates a spread like a shot gun would. It is the fastest kind of shooting and is popular for the twist fanner's which shoot elimination type competitions and their times are in the 20's.

This is me shooting at the balloon target used in competitions and as you can see....I broke the balloon.


This was the last Championship I won in 2003 at Big Timber, Montana
I sold my custom made gun at the competition last week-end so folks....I won't be coming back but thanks for the memories.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

A Trek

Hubby and I often go on "week-end jaunts" but when it adds up to 993 miles, think I best call it a trek:) and so was our trip to Durango, Colo. for a shooting competition this past weekend (I just went along for the ride as I quit competing about 3 years ago).

We left by 5:00 am and made it to the Cliff Castle Casino in time for breakfast, and my always lucky hubby added $300.00 to our pocketbook:)....not to worry he lost it on the way back haha. This is such a pretty casino and their dinning room looks just like the Grand Canyon...truly amazing.
The highlight in Durango for me was staying at the Historic Strater Hotel. It is on main street and a easy walk to all the festivities and of course it is beautiful. The ceilings were just so pretty......

as seen in our room and of course there was

antique furniture everywhere. Their dinning room was just the best with great food so how could you go wrong. We had come here back in 1985 and did all the other fun things like the train ride to Silverton and rafting down the river so just a quiet restful time to be had by me.

While there we wandered into a gun shop and found the most amazing display of stuffed animals I think I have ever seen............here are a few pictures I couldn't resists to take







Was such a treat to get out of the hot summer heat but as always........ miss my bed and my animals.



Thursday, August 21, 2008

Careful

A picture is worth a thousand words

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Did you know


The humps on a camel's back do not hold water but are actually heaps of fat and flesh and can weigh as much as 80 pounds!
This is why camels can go for as long as two weeks without water.
Here are a few more interesting camel facts:
Camels can produce up to 600 liters of milk a year.
Camels can't close their nostrils.
If a camel is really hungry it will eat anything including people's tents, sandal's and blankets.
Camels can run as fast as a horse, if not faster.
In some countries camels are a source of entertainment......camel fighting attracts audiences of all ages in several countries around the world.
Have you ever rode a camel?

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Motivation

I don't know if you are like me but many times I need to find something to motivate me to get things done.......like for example


New wire organizers for some kitchen drawers...................My kitchen drawers desperately needed a going through!
















A new revolving spice rack (some of my spices were so old I was afraid to use them) haha


We also did a little updating by removing the carpet in the family room and putting in some tile and we had the grout for the rest of our tile re-colored.

It is amazing how refreshing just a few new changes can be!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Just the two of us

Tuna Meltaways
1 3 oz. package tuna
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
1 tbl. Miracle whip
3 English muffins split
Heat broiler. In medium bowl combine all the above ingredients except the muffins and mix well.
Spread it equally on the muffin halves and place in broiler pan, broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until lightly browned and bubbly.
Serve with sliced tomato's and chips

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Gifts

Several years ago I made it a habit to give handmade gifts, especially for baby showers, but over the years I have let it dwindle away. Recently I came up with an idea that is sort of handmade but without all the work.........................................


I go to my local used clothing store and find a cute basket and fill it with baby items. This one has disposable diapers lined around the inside, a rattle, a small baby bottle (from the dollar store) and a little cotton summer outfit that happened to be in the same color scheme of pink and purple. Makes for something a little different and saves money not buying one of those gift bags.
Do you have a favorite way to give gifts?

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Summer Olympics

Don't know if you are fan of the olympics or not but think about all that is involved than what we see. The years of training and sacrifice that has been required and the times of winning and losing to establish whether or not you can qualify to go. Doing everything in your power to stay healthy and stong to be able compete and the injuries along the way.

One Cowgirl brought to my attention some information about the equestrian team that is competing there this year.

and I was amazed to discover that the horses have to have passports!!!


and here I thought I was a big deal for getting my passport....................................................

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Just a little bump

I had this little bump on my nose that just didn't seem right so off to the dermatologist I went. After a biopsy I was informed my little bump was a basal cell carcinoma. The next step was to have a procedure called Mohs surgery to remove it. Monday was the day to do so and although I am quite sore and have a black eye, I am so thrilled to have it over with. I am a big baby with needles and etc. and was told that the numbing would be VERY painful....well, you can call it a miracle due to people praying for me but the first numbing was not bad at all...what a shock! The second numbing that was required was a bit more uncomfortable but fortunately it is over pretty quick. Not sure how many stitches there are.........................................


Now, for the really good news....with this Mohs procedure you come out with a 99% cure rate. It is a long procedure because the layers are tested each time before they do the constructive surgery ( I came out clean on the first layer) but the procedure took 6 1/2 hours so it was a long day. Stitches come out next Monday and I should be good as new.

This is going to be my lotion of choice from now on.......or one that has sun protection in it..........

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Knick Knacks


Knick Knacks...you never know how much of it you have until you have to move all of it!! I am having my carpet re-stretched today and all of it has to be removed so they can move the furniture and the same in closets...the floors have to be cleared.
Now just take a peak around your place and see if you don't gasp!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Bet you didn't know

There really is a Chef Boyardee but his name is spelled Hector Boiardi. He was an Italian Immigrant that came to the US in 1914 when he was 17 years old.
Upon his arrival, he immediately got a job as a chef at New York's Plaza Hotel, where his brother worked as a waiter. After moving to Cleveland in 1929, he perfected his spaghetti and meatball recipe. His customers kept asking for bottles of his pasta sauce so they could have it at home and he obliged. He then added cheeses and pasta to the sauce.
The result were so popular that he started to sell the products in the area stores, and later in stores outside the area. Boiardi remained an advisor in the canned pasta business until his death at age 87 in 1985. And yes, that is Hector's picture on the label.
Just a little trivia to brighten your day...................................