   |
| |
| HOME NEWSLETTERS HUNTER EDUCATION OLD MISSOURI HILLBILLY SITE |
VOLUMES 235 & 236 -------- JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
SHOOTIN', HUNTIN', AND RELOADIN' WITH THE OL' MISSOURI HILLBILLY |
| Uploaded: March 5, 2022 Time for an update on the eye and vision situation. I continue to be delighted with the results of my cataract surgery. I am just hoping for continued results like I've had so far, with extremely clear vision at all distances without the encumbrance of eye wear! I've talked with a number of friends who have had cataracts removed and most of them have either opted for the monofocal lenses or the procedure was done before multifocals were widely available. Almost to a person, they report the necessity for reading glasses for up-close vision, and even occasionally another set of glasses to view things like computer screens at intermediate distance. In the event I ultimately end up needing reading glasses, I can only imagine how many pairs I would lose or misplace in a year. My klutzy habits would be a budget buster from buying replacements! For anyone needing eye surgery, I highly recommend Dr. Gary Fillmore at Eye Consultants in Spokane. (eyeconsultantsnw.com) A big event in February for Ann and I was the celebration of our 60th wedding anniversary. On Friday February 4th Rick and Sara made arrangements for a little soirée at the Elks Lodge. The party was open to all Elks Members and invited guests. Running through the photos of the event and counting faces, shows attendance of around 50 people who came to enjoy the evening with us. 
The cake was enjoyed by all.
Photo area enjoyed by many taking cell phone pictures.
Props for the photo booth.
Ann and Me at 60 years married.
Rick and Sara. Thanks again for the party!
 Tuesday Golf Foursome.
Ann, Eleanore, Nancy, and Karen Rick engaged the Song Byrd's band for our listening and dancing pleasure. Dennis Hurd, the band's drummer, is an Elk who, along with me and a couple of other guys played in our little pickup band on Taco Tuesdays at the Elks in the past.  Song Byrd's Band
Frank, Dennis, Beth Ann, and Ron  Ron, Beth Ann, Dennis, and Frank
Almost coinciding with our anniversary, there was a call for 'Love Stories' by our local newspaper. The Spokesman Review requested that readers submit their personal love stories about their romances. The deal was that the newspaper would select and print a few of the stories in their Valentine's Day edition.  Ann's Valentine's Day Roses
Early in the morning on February 14th our cell phones started lighting up with text messages commenting on our Love Story. At that point, we had not seen the paper as it is delivered to a box along the County road about a quarter mile from the house. Nor, had I yet logged in to the online edition as I do at breakfast each morning. A quick launch of the online newspaper on my iPad revealed that our story was one of six that were chosen for publication! I had submitted the story a few days before our anniversary and told Ann about it after the fact, never dreaming that it might be published. Rather than repeat the story here, I'll just link to it via the Spokesman Review's website. HERE Hopefully the link will continue to work when you read this. When you get to the site, just scroll down the page. Our story is the fifth one down. Another interesting tidbit: As you can see, the newspaper sent reporters out to photograph the other 5 couples, but they used the photo I sent in with our story. Wonder why? I've heard it said that Mother Nature and other phenomena can be more artistic than the best human artists. Here are a couple of examples.  I called this 'The Penguin'. It was carved by the sun from a pile of dirty snow.
 Freehand random engraving on stainless steel by yours truly.
Okay now, are you ready for it?  Well, technically I did do the work! I shook the popcorn around in the butter in the bottom of the bowl!
Sorry, if you thought you would be spared from a bit of Soapbox this edition! WRONG! Our Washington State Legislature is on the verge of passing more 'feel good' gun legislation that I predict will have zero effect on criminal behavior or gun violence. Limiting magazine capacity to 10 rounds and banning Modern Sporting Rifles (erroneously labeled 'assault rifles') are just two more pieces of 'lawyerspeak' on paper that affect criminals not at all. The really sad thing about this whole matter is that many of the legislators who support and vote for this nonsense know it will not make a difference! But, it looks good on their resume for the populous west side 'progressives' who elected them. We all know what reduces crime: Put repeat criminals in jail or prison and keep them there!!! Aren't you sick of the skyrocketing crime rates in the wake of the de-fund the police movements and putting criminals back on the street faster than they can be arrested? Believe me, residents of Washington State, including right here in Spokane County, are feeling the pain! I've looked at a chart of violent crimes in the U.S. from 1990 through 2020, as reported by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program and compiled by Statista. From a high of 1.93 million in 1992, violent crimes decreased to a low of 1.15 million in 2014, or nearly 40%. From 2014 to 2020 the count went from 1.15 to 1.31 million, for an increase of about 14%. While statistics are not yet available for 2021, credible reports of increases in shootings, car jackings, assaults, killings, and other violent crimes all across the country, would indicate that the numbers have certainly not gone down. So, why the sudden jump of 14% +, over just a 7 year span? Could it possibly be caused by things like not prosecuting criminals, not requiring bail for offenders, de-funding law enforcement, or hamstringing them so they can’t do their jobs? Are there inequities within our Justice System? Of course there are, and most of us support criminal justice reforms that truly address those inequities. However, addressing inequities should not, and must not be, “Just turn ‘em loose.” There is a place for perpetrators of violent crime. Might want to listen to Sheriff Ozzie about needing a new Spokane County Jail with more capacity. The odds of you or me being carjacked, assaulted, shot, raped, or robbed by a current resident of a jail cell, are extremely remote! This month's hillbilly wisdom comes from a quote from Jody Hedlund's book "A Cowboy for Keeps." "The more you pile on the manure, the harder it'll be to come clean." Well, it's time to shut down here, so. . . . . 'Til next time, Keep 'em shootin' straight, shoot 'em often, and above all, BE SAFE!!! THE OL' HILLBILLY Copyright 2022 - All Rights Reserved |