Bassoneer

Anybody participate in the Whiskey lottery at Total Wine in Knoxville yesterday? Some friends from work met my wife and me...We all got drawn...I got Elmer T Lee and my wife got Weller 12...lots of good bottles

I had a bad experience today at Toddy’s on Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Stopped in for the first time and found some Weller Special Reserve (green label) for $29. I took it to the cashier (young guy) who was checking us out and I mentioned what a good price it was. Another older employee started going off about the Knoxville Bourbon Club or some such...making his phone ring off the hook and coming in to buy these types of bourbons and selling them at a profit...he would rather sell them to his regular customers. He claimed they forced him to continually lie and tell people he didn’t have the bourbon they wanted. At first I thought he was joking but he got louder and louder. I advised that perhaps he should find something else to do if selling bourbon caused him so much stress. He then yelled “YOU THINK I’M STRESSED”? I had pushed some unseen button. From the looks on the younger employees faces they had seen this behavior before. I won’t go back to Toddy’s. May not even drink that bourbon...ok, yeah I’m going to drink the bourbon, lol. Happy Holidays, go to Bob’s Package Store!

So I’m getting into bourbon and I may have Blanton’s and Angel’s Envy under the tree! In the spring we’re going to drive up to Buffalo Trace Distillery and tour the facilities. Lots of good bourbon comes out of there...Would love to try some Weller or Elmer T Lee, but doubt I’ll find any. What are some other good ones? I’ve tried Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek, Elijah Craig, Woodford Reserve...liked all of them. Thinking about Old Forrestor Prohibition 1920... Thanks, B

Very cool...five rounds?

I probably jumped the gun and got the lowest level NRA carry guard package. Probably will drop and get the USCCA instead. B

Sorry to hear this news. I lost a dog in April, 2016 and know how it hurts. And yes, you made the right decision. B

I saw one at Smoky Mtn Knife/Gun Works. Was on sale for $280 on black Friday. Probably was a special sale price...didn't want to stand in line for the background check because it was crazy busy that day, but I did hold it and they allowed me to dry fire it a few times. Nice trigger...I will pick one up someday when there's not 1000 people squishing in on me, lol.

I've had numerous S&W revolvers and my favorite is a 686-4P with 4" barrel length (4th revision of that model, 7-shot). I also had a 3" barrel GP100 from Ruger and it was super smooth...a little heavy, but a great gun with six shots. I would agree that the Ruger is probably the one you need if you're going to drop it off a 12-story building. However, I would give the overall high score to the 686 Smith & Wesson (preferably without an internal lock). The internals are a little different, but that Ruger had a very smooth trigger, almost as good as the S&W. Someday I would love to have a 686 with a 2.5" or 3" barrel. Best wishes, B

Dobies are awesome...we are on #2 and #4 right now (Holly, 5 and Tiberius, 6 mo). #1 was Ben, and #3 was Axl - some on here may recall all the health issues we had early this year with Axl and we ended up losing him. Tiberius is the newest puppy and is a lot of fun. Just bought him an orange and white collar today getting ready for football season, lol. My youngest son is 20 and my other two sons have already moved out...we treat these dobies like kids also. They sleep in our bed and are part of the family. B

Guns I don't trust, based on my first hand knowledge and negative experiences: 1. EAA Windicator 357 revolver 2. Old Colt 1911 (without lowered and flared ejection port) 3. Springfield Loaded 1911 Guns that I have found 100% reliable: 1. Smith & Wesson revolvers (no lock) 2. Glocks I like the way 1911's look, but carry Glocks because they work. I don't think Glocks are pretty, but they work. Kahrs are fairly reliable but I don't really like them. best wishes, B

Maverick 88 for me. Works great!!

Glock 19

I really like the 43. Have carried inside the waist and mostly pocket carry in Alabama holster. Never a hiccup just like my bigger Glock. Would like to try one of the Shields since they get very good reviews. Also want to get an LCP in .380. Really like these little carry guns!

When our Doberman, Axl passed away a few weeks ago, the vet arranged for the cremation at a place in South Knoxville. I know they came and got the body from the vet in Norris (quite a drive) and I got the ashes back in 3 or 4 days in a nice wooden box with a brass plaque engraved with his name. It cost $160 and I got all sorts of certifications to guarantee it was my dog without any questions - 100%. I wasn't asking for that but it was nice to know. Anyway...I'm not big on cremation myself and I would not want to be cremated...and we weren't sure what to do with this box of ashes. I decided to wait for a nice evening in the back yard, when the grass was cut nice and everything was peaceful and I would spread his ashes out there. We did it last weekend and I put a majority under a big tree where he used to lay. Then some along the fence where he liked to bark at the neighbor dog. Then some over in the corner of the yard where he chased squirrels. He was an "inside" dog who loved to be outside...and now every time we go out back I think of him. We kept the box to put his collar in and when we go through this again I will definitely use the same folks. Sorry for what you're going through, B

We had been planning to go and purchased tickets to hear the candidates like last year - it was awesome last April in Nashville.  But the way things have turned out I don't really want to drive 4 hours to hear what Trump has to say...I'm thinking we won't go.  Of course we will vote for Trump if he is opposing Hillary, but it is a vote against Hillary...not necessarily a vote for Trump.  B

I am the lucky recipient of number one!  Can't wait!

I have one on order right now! Thanks for the review!

OK - dumb question time.  I went to Benton's Smoked Hams and Bacon in Benton, TN on Friday.  Got a bunch of bacon, sausage, country ham...it is sooooo good.  Well, I was reading some review online about the bacon and they were going on about how the drippings from this stuff was like pure gold.  They suggested putting a drop into bourbon.  Hmmm...has anybody ever heard of putting a drop of bacon grease into Bourbon?  I'm intrigued because this bacon is so good and so smoky...I may try int with some Wild Turkey 101 or something...thoughts?  B

Thanks - that was very good.  Cried again, but it was very good...

I'm glad they could relieve that pressure.  I appreciate your kind words more than you'll ever know.  Keep us posted on your Max.  B

We had to let Axl go this morning.  The vets told me that with these liver things they go down very fast but we weren't prepared for this.  We had just started some new meds but this morning he could barely get on the bed...stomach was all pushed out and full of fluid, loss of muscle down his back and even on his head.  He had no energy and just laid down and shook (vets said it was probably ammonia that couldn't get out).  My wife and I just couldn't watch him suffer, knowing the surgeons could not do anything else for him.  They said it was end stage liver disease.  I feel like a hole has been blown through my chest.  I've never cried so hard for a dog.  He was the biggest, strongest most beautiful dog we ever had and he was so young.  I fixed him some eggs early this morning (his favorite thing) and he got them down.  Then we went to the vet and my wife and I held his head and talked to him as he was put to sleep.  We still have his older sister Holly, but our home has a huge void that will never be filled.     I want to thank all you folks who have discussed this with me on this forum.  I have never met most of you but you are family to me.  B

Here's the latest - no surgery.  I spoke with the #2 vet (internal specialist) today...she had been talking to one of the UT vets and they decided that Axl would not be able to handle the anesthesia so no surgery, no more tests.  They said he has end stage liver disease and there's no way to "fix" it.  180 degrees from where they started, but the more vets they talked to the less they wanted to do the big surgery.  They called in three more prescriptions today so we can try to get the fluids out of his abdomen, get him to eat, and make him feel better for a while.  They said he may have weeks or months with the drugs and an appropriate diet.  Axl goes from great to bad and if we can get him great most of the time we'll live that way for a while.  I won't let him suffer, but I want to keep him around as long as we can.  B

642 with Crimson Trace grips and a spare speed strip in my front pocket...depends on where I'm going, but this is the easiest setup I have for carrying. To be honest, I've never carried that knife...I just put it in the photo to make it look cool, lol. I normally carry a smaller Case knife. B

So sorry to hear about Max...sounds like your vet is a very honest person. Thanks for keeping Axl in your prayers. I'll keep you posted.

Well all the tests are in and Axl most likely needs the shunt repair around his liver.  He tested positive for Von WIllibrand's disease, so they will need to do something different during surgery.  The surgeon and the other vets called today and are scheduling his surgery for 4/11.  He has to take antibiotics and some other meds, along with a special diet for 2-3 weeks (had already started those) prior to the surgery.  He doesn't feel good and he hates this new food - he is slowing down and just not right.  Hopfully he can wait until 4/11...B