BACK AT THE RANGE

It's been quite some time since Ron, Steve, and I took to the range, but this past Saturday we again had the opportunity.

Ron, you know Ron, he's one of the Knights, recently bought himself a new carry.  A Kimber Ultra TLE II, that made Steve and I very jealous!  It's beautiful!

Ron seated...Steve getting ready!

Anyway, he needed occasion to shoot it, so Steve, having the best range, about 18 acres of East Tennessee rolling hills, with lots of trees decided to have the meet.  Steve, probably Terri, truth be known, invited Ron and Neena out to shoot and eat.  Well, Neena tells Judy, so Judy invites us over too!  That's the way the Dragons operate...if one gets something up, then they all have to be there!  
 
This arrangement sometimes makes me uneasy.  I like a firm invitation, and I have to bring something, or I feel like I'm imposing.  They never miss an opportunity to have their fun with me over this insecurity, by not telling me the full truth of the situation!

Ron...looking the part!

It was a great time for several reasons; one being the opportunity to shoot, but the best was seeing Ron out doing what he's always enjoyed doing.  He is battling some health issues right now, least of which is a mending hip and wrist he broke a few months ago.  But, there he was, walking carefully through the woods to the targets, steadying himself on a cane.

What can I say?

We fired his Kimber 1911, then my Springfield 1911, then Steve's Glock .45.  It was good to be back shooting with the other Knights again.  Unfortunately, for both of the other shooters, I had some of the best target patterns!  Oh, well, the shaky old man lucked out on some better trigger pulls...what can I say!


We all agreed that we aren't what we used to be, but the thing to remember, should you think about doing us wrong, is that all the shots hit the center mass...may not have been bulls, but they would do considerable damage in a draw down!


The Dragons later, after all their loud cackling, called us in to eat some fried chicken tenders, potatoes, peppers, and onions, pinto beans, and great cornbread!  It was delicious!

Part of the Knights...Steve, me, and Ron relaxing after eating.

Neena laughing at Steve struggling with cellphone.

Between bites we talked and laughed and mostly poked fun at Steve, as usual!  Yes, we're a happy bunch, and take every opportunity to get together, even when some of the others aren't there.  Gary and Charlotte are in Florida camping at different spots, and Noel and Linda had a previous date in Gatlinburg.  We'll have to have another gathering as soon as everyone gets back home!


It's good to be back on the range with Ron.  Love ya' man!

HAVING DINNER WITH JOHNNY!

The family went out to eat at Carino's Italian Restaurant, in Knoxville, last weekend and had a great time. We all still call it "Johnny Carino's" 'cause that's what it used to be called. Then suddenly it closed and we missed it. Now, it's back, under an assumed name, but the food tastes just like it used too - GREAT!

There's lots to enjoy on their menu too, but whatever you decide on, you've got to get the "Italian Wedge" (a hearty wedge of crisp iceberg lettuce topped with ranch dressing, applewood smoked bacon, candied pecans, gorgonzola cheese, fresh apple slices and roma tomatoes)! It was every bit as good, if not a tiny bit better, as Chesapeake's!

I could only reach my dish (which was the same as Steve's) and Gary's with the camera, so here are our choices.

I had the mouth watering Jalapeño Garlic Tilapia, which is a fillet of tilapia pan-sautéed with fresh spinach, roma tomatoes, jalapeños and garlic in a lemon butter cream sauce over a bed of angel hair pasta. I couldn't believe the portions we were served and I brought half home for lunch the next day. As a matter of fact, Judy and I halved that and had plenty!

Gary decided on the Chicken Parmigiana, which is a Carino's signature "classic Italian" recipe, with special seasonings and layered with tomato sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheese, served with spaghetti and tomato sauce.

Everything would have been perfect had Neena and Ron been there. Neena was a little "under the weather" so they took a rain check. It was a little funny, her not being able to make it, seeing how she was the one that called and got everyone to agree to go some 2 or 3 days earlier.

God willing, there will be many more opportunities to gather, as a family, and enjoy breaking some great bread together.

Next time you're out eating and you're disturbed by a camera flash, it's probably just me!

THANKFUL FOR FAMILY, TURKEY, PIE, GUNS, AND MOONSHINE!

Well, it isn’t all that “cut and dried”, we actually were/are thankful for much more, but the title of this post does generally sum up our Thanksgiving Day together.

Thanksgiving dinner/supper is always at Charlotte and Gary’s. There is lots of room, a big screen, a screened porch for cigars, and a wide vista of East Tennessee fields, ponds, and hills! I think the primary reason for holding the annual event at their house is so the turkey doesn’t have travel! Charlotte rises early to prepare it and by the time we arrive Gary is busy carving it.

Each sister brings her assigned dish, and the guys bring their latest pale ale discovery, and me, well, this year I discovered Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon! I really enjoyed the 80 proof clear elixir and its sweet corn taste. You should try it! We enjoyed our spirits in moderation…this year!

Visiting this year was Terri’s son Joey, his wife Krissy, and his daughter “Juliana-Bug-Bug” from Minnesota. Joey also brought his new little friend, a beautiful little Colt AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine! Although we never fired the weapon all day, we did each grope it lovingly! There was a “shoot fest” at Steve’s on Monday, but we were entertaining Lily and didn’t attend.

Steve’s daughter Becky, and boyfriend Nick, joined us as well. Becky is a recent graduate and his currently teaching art in the Atlanta school system. They are always such a joy and I look forward to seeing Becky’s big smile each year.

Of course there is always the 15 minutes devoted to the annual “sisters group photo” (Linda wasn’t there…she has Thanksgiving with her daughters), but some of us tend to sneak…no…force our way into the sister-only shots! I was determined to get in the family photos this year. I bought a wireless shutter release for my camera, and after strategically placing my camera and tripod, I could fire the camera remotely! However, I made the mistake of shooting from too far away, which reduced the flashes range in some shots. BUT, they were good enough for blog use, and a good lesson learned. Thank God for Photoshop!

The photo session always reminds me of the Beatles’ “Hard Days Night” (or was it “Help”?) movie scene where they get off the plane snapping photos of each other! One of the sister’s will shout out, “Okay, look at Steve…now look at Ron…look at Paul!” It’s a wonder we ever get any decent shots, but even if the faces are looking at different cameras, they usually turn out to be an accurate record of the sisters!

The food was as good as usual, and, as these shots show, the turkey was ravaged to the bone and pies were all consumed!

After eating, Gary took us for a ride down through the fields to where he trains his Labs and hunts ducks during the season. He has flooded the nearby cornfields, providing a great refuge and overnight stop for ducks flying through the area. There were a couple of groups (of 6 or 8) circling the area as we left the area just about dark.

I am so thankful for this extended family. They mean a lot to me and I hate it when I have to miss a gathering of the dragons! I have missed two this year, both with pneumonia from my leaf allergy, and it really saddened me. They all teased me Thursday by asking, “And who are you?”

I responded with, “Paul Mashburn, damned glad to meet you!”

SATURDAY GATHERING

Although these photos are filed under a file named “The Girls Party”, it was all about the Knights Saturday. We hadn’t been together since way before my rib fiasco, so it felt good to sit out on Neena and Ron’s screened porch, occasionally looking at the lake through the still bare trees, listening to the turkey hunter shots in the distance, and watching the bluebirds starting their nest in the houses just feet from the deck.

We pushed the Dragons to the far end of the porch, although the cackling was still ear-splitting at times, and feasted on our friendship, Yazoo Pale Ale beer, and fine cigars. I could barely remember my last beer, but I couldn’t remember when I had my last cigar. It all felt and tasted great!

Outside, we enjoyed quietness, as Ron, Gary, and I lit the charcoal grill. Yeah, it took three of us, especially since the wind came up ahead of the afternoon stores, and kept blowing out the fire. It took one to hold the lighter, and two to shield it from the wind!

Ron started the cooking, but somehow ended up with the flipper and the blame for the medium rare burgers! However, it was lost on everyone but me that Ron, through a Yazoo haze, kept putting the cheese on unfinished burgers and finally thought they were done! I personally liked the burgers the way they came off, but the Dragons don’t eat rare or even pinkish meat!

Judy took the Knight’s group shot, and managed to get a decent shot of us through the smoke from the burgers on the grill!

Oh yeah, it was all topped off by eating chocolate cake and “cherry yum-yum” to the sound of nearby thunder. Ah, spring is in the air!

I’ve been very busy with my support of the Princess Theater, but I’ll visit you here on occasion. See ya!

THAT CRAZY CHRISTMAS SEASON

The holiday of Christmas actually last from the time I either accompany my son (Corey) or my granddaughter (Kaitlyn) on their separate shopping adventures. Both experiences are always unique, as you saw from the earlier post on this year’s trip with Corey or from my last adventure with Katie Bug!

The Christmas holiday plays out after New Year’s Eve for me, but between now and then I have a couple of more opportunities to enjoy family, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Knoxville with four of my brother-in-laws and Steve’s son Matt.

The actual celebration begins with our traditional Christmas Eve breakfast with our daughter Tracy’s family. That order of business is always negotiated with a decision between pancakes, breakfast pizza, or something new everyone wants to try. This year it was pancakes again. Eddie had to work that morning, so it was just Tracy and Katie, and Judy and me. Everyone looked very sleepy that morning, so I’ll spare them the usual embarrassment by not posting any shots!

Then there’s the annual Christmas Eve party at Neena and Ron’s. There is between 15 and 20 people, including kids (this year it was Jason (Neena’s son (holding brew) from Michigan), Joey (Terri’s son) and Krissy from Minnesota, Tracy (Judy’s daughter) and Katie, and Denise (Linda’s daughter) and Mark from Maryville, TN) and sometimes friends! Everyone brings their favorite finger food, dessert, and libation! Of course, over the years everyone been has tagged with a group favorite that they are obligated to bring. For me, it’s fried pork tenderloin with rolls, Charlotte must bring the “bacon wrapped Smokies”, and someone has to bring “Cherry Yum Yum”, another coconut cake dripping in Eagle Brand Milk (actually I didn’t get any of that this year and I feel cheated), and so on, and so on!

After working your way through all the hot cheesy dips and chips, besides all the regular things, you must try some “apple juice and cinnamon” infused moonshine! It doesn’t matter that you’ve already had 3 to 5 beers; you must try it and still have clear enough vision and concentration to answer the “Dragon Call” to get your camera ready to take the obligatory “sister” photos by the tree or fireplace. Without these photos, there has been no Christmas, there’s no peace for the Knights!

We have matured over the years - sort of. There was a time when we almost watched the sun come up on Christmas, and then paid the price by having to kneel before the “porcelain god” the next day! These days, the crowd begins thinning out by 8, and usually are all gone by 9:30 or 10. Yes, the core of the family unit is getting older, but the younger generation will never out do the things we have done in the past! We are ‘60s kind of people after all!

Gone are the days where someone different was obliged to throw up each year! Gone are the stories of vehicles ruined by the party food coming back up! Gone are the stories of partiers who ate one of end of the tequila worm! Gone are the days of skinny dipping in my pool! Today, we toast a few good memories, burn a couple of cigars, fight a nap while others reminisce, rub out stomachs a time or two, and then start gathering up leftovers to leave.

Maybe for me and Judy it’s because we know we want to be up early on Christmas Day and visit with the grandkids. Of course, we have to split up. Judy goes to watch Katie open gifts, while I’m off to enjoy Lily’s morning.

Judy actually had to wake Tracy, Katie, and Eddie up Thursday morning, while I found Corey in the backyard roasting two turkeys on his charcoal grill. Corey, like me, has to do some cooking on Christmas Day.

Corey cooks the turkey and makes wonderful dumplings, and I either grill steaks or hamburgers! That’s another negotiated meal, but it always involves me cooking something that’s non-traditional! Lucky for Corey and me both, Christmas mornings have been quite warm the last few years.

Lily was already up and running through the house, playing with her Granny and Papaw just in from Africa, where they serve as missionaries! She had opened all the “Santa” presents, leaving the grandparent gifts under the tree to be opened as each one arrived. My turn had arrived and she tore into the packages I brought and immediately began flicking the flashlight around; first into her Papaw Dwight’s mouth, then straight into mine, and up my nose! She loved it!

Unfortunately, the “Bounce Back Racer” I bought back in November didn’t work! We did find the sales receipt, so it’s to Walley World on Monday! There was also a little money for her college fund, which I slipped to Tia before Corey could spend it!

Christmas afternoon came and my mom arrived just before Tracy, Eddie, Katie, and her boyfriend Zach. The traditional Christmas day dinner was underway!

Judy baked both sweet and “Irish” potatoes, made a great salad, and Tracy brought Vanilla Pudding! We again stuffed ourselves and moved from the dinning room to the living room to relax. It wasn’t long before Katie broke out the game she brought, and before I knew it my team was losing at Taboo!

We had such a great time playing this game with the family. Although mom didn’t play, she seemed to have a ball laughing at us!

Makes you feel good when you granddaughter and her boyfriend would rather spend time with the “old folks” rather than be out running the roads.

So, it’s not over yet, tomorrow (Saturday) morning the Knights hit the Knoxville road to another post-Christmas adventure, and I can’t wait!

Oh...the photo at the top...that's what I have to contend with...a happy family who isn't afraid to be themselves! I lov'em!

THANKSGIVING – THE MAIN EVENT

Judy and I began our Thanksgiving morning by stopping by to visit Tracy, Katie, and Eddie. Katieinsisted I play Guitar Hero, but of course I was no good at it! I’d have to have that program alone in my computer room for a few weeks before I’d ever be comfortable playing it in front of anyone, let alone her!

Of course she has it down and plays it on the “hard” setting! I just stood proudly by, watched her, and listen to the great old rock tunes coming out of the speakers.

Then it was off to Charlotte and Gary’s for the main event…beer, cigars, and food!

Steve and Ron introduced me to at least three new brews; Winter Hook – Winter Ale, Sierra Nevada – Anniversary Ale, Boulevard Brewing Co.’s Pale Ale! They were all very tasty, but I suppose I like the Winter Ale the best with my Macanudos!

However, I stuck with Yuengling for the rest of the afternoon. It has just achieved the best relationship with my taste buds!

The fellowship began with all the Knights taking turns sitting in Ron’s new Highlander! We all spent several minutes each inhaling the “new car smell” before indulging! That’s such a nice smell.

Then it was time to take the obligatory shots of the Dragon Sisters! The main purpose of this photo was to document the conclusion of Steve’s efforts to make them all “hiking sticks”, customized for each Dragon. They also wore their Dragon necklaces to complete the dragon ensemble!

Then of course, Terri had to show off her new bosoms! Finally, after recuperating from her reduction surgery for several weeks, she was ready to display them! Steve says he still hasn’t seen them!

Finally, if was the Knight’s turn to get into the holiday action…this photo was the last time we were able to stand until it was time to go home! Naturally, Steve “passed out”; he had rather have people think he passed out than that he was taking a nap, which was the real case!

I snapped this shot as Ron leaned toward him pretending to kiss him while he was aslee…ah, passed out! We thought about sticking something in his ear, but it was too cold!

The food the Dragons killed and prepared was delicious…I’m still stuffed and uncomfortable as I write this, and going out with the Knights for our traditional “Black Friday” manly-man shopping spree and beer tasting didn’t help much!

Steve got himself a nice Mossberg .410 pump at Gander Mountain today!

Here he is just beginning the one hour wait for his background check! Ron and Gary abandoned him and went to the car, while I waited around, smiling and pretending I was having a great time. Actually, I was having a good time…it’s been a while since one of us bought a gun while the others were around! Further, I had left him alone at Best Buy and I needed to make it up to him!

Anyway, back to the food…look at it! It was wonderful and I didn’t include it all, or the desserts!

There was considerably less cackling and conversation once the tryptophan and sugar hit our veins! However, there was plenty to go around prior to and during the feast!

Yes, we took the time to be thankful too, remember that back in the early summer Ron won his battle with lung cancer. We are so thankful that we still have everyone, and pray we have many more holidays ahead of us.

I sure hope your last two or three days were as good as ours. Just think…Christmas is just around the corner! At least two more opportunities to gorge myself before starting on some lame diet for New Years!

See ya!