Gun Smith

If you live in an area that has animal control they will come remove them if you trap them.   We had a house under construction.  The foundation access door was left off.  Skunks found their way in.  A live trap was set and caught the freeloading skunk.   This lady came out from animal control, walked right up to the trap, stood it on end, reached in and pulled the skunk out by its tail.   I was standing there in disbelief, and so was a couple other guys.  She had a pet carrier like for a cat that she lowered the skunk into.   I asked about why the skunk was not spraying her.  She said that the skunk would not spray unless it's feet were on the ground and it could lift it's tail.   Dangedest thing I ever saw on a job.     We had some beautiful ones out here for a while.  Used to like watching them.  The would be out around my shop eating the bugs that the security light would draw.     Also, one good thing about skunks is they will eat out a yellow jackets nest.

Of the few that I have had, I relocated them, in shall we say, more  urban areas.    City folk love seeing the critters.  Even though they are not endangered, they are not over populated either.    Perhaps the coyotes are keeping them thinned out.       And, by the way, when I did relocate them I did not know it was illegal.   Guess that's out now.  

It's not that difficult.   Just set a live trap.   They are tough little boogers.   Once in the trap,  they will dig and chew their darnedest to get out, to the point of their own bodily harm.    I've always found a place to relocate the few that I had to deal with.

Ya don't monkey with the monkey!

Let me clarify.  It's $700 per dumpster and if any one dumpster is kept long than a month it's another $700 for that dumpster. It has cost $1400 for the two that I have gone through.   I have a third one ordered.  It was supposed to have been delivered on Friday by lunch time.  So far it has not shown up.  It's frustrating because I now have junk pilling up and I am have to handle the junk multiple times to keep the job going.  I also had a laborer scheduled (my 19 year old son) who ended up getting the afternoon off.

Using Waste Management 30 yard in Murfreesboro.  $700 a month.    Gone through two in the last two weeks on the job I am on.  

Post it right beside the "We don't swim in your toilet, please don't pee in our pool" sign.

Gotta watch them grannys!   My grandmother grew up in the hills about Grundy County and such.  She helped her daddy run shine.    One of her youngest brothers left the hills when he was 14.   He got involved in organized crime up north.  He suddenly needed a place to hid out for a time.  He came back south and granny hid him out at her place in Nashville.  Once he decided the coast was clear, he went back up north leaving a few items with her... among pictures and other personal items was a set of knuckles (aluminum I think) and a .22 snub nose revolver.   After he returned to the north he was murdered at about age 30.   Granny always kept that .22 close by.       She would tell us kids if you ever need someone to lie for you or hide you out, I will.  She'd give us beer for mowing her yard.   She was a real character.   She would also tell the  grandkids one of these day I ain't gonna be here no longer and I want to no what of mine you want.  I always told her the only thing I wanted was her gun so I could tell people this gun belonged to my pistol packin' granny.   She died at 92 about 10 years ago.    To this day I keep the pistol in my desk, loaded of course.  

So hot I saw a bird pulling a worm out of the ground and the bird had on oven mitts!!!  

I just wonder if I could create my own little hometown police department and get my hands on one of these.   Sure would be fun to show up at some of the off roading trails.    Hmmmm......    :woohoo:

Another tip,  get to pre-training early.   I have a friend who works there now.  He said at his first pre-trainiing they had overbooked because usually there is a lot of  "no shows".   The instructor announced that fact and said that this was the first time ever that everyone who was scheduled actually showed up and that they did not have enough room for everyone.  All who had gotten their early and had already gotten a seat could stay.   All who were standing around the perimeter of the room would have to be rescheduled.

We were having that problem at our church building under the drive thru/carport roof on a brick ledge.  The ledge was just big enough for one nest.   The birds were making a mess.   I finally took a filled water bottle with the label peeled off and sat it on the ledge.   The bottle is almost invisible and stopped the problem.

So thankful I enjoy my rot gut, cowboy coffee.    Like me,  it's cheap and easy.  :D     Nothing better than a timer set to go off about 15 minutes before I get up.   I turn the pot off as soon as I get to the kitchen to keep that fresh taste.

Free admission.   I don't have to pay anywhere else I go to look at items I might purchase.   

Took out 5 or 6 yesterday with the tennis racket.  No sense letting the traps have all the fun.   Here's where I learned to make the traps.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g2TRanAkSA

Three in the trap still kicking, and two taken out with an old tennis racket yesterday afternoon.

 Like most know, the old adage "locks only keep honest people out" is fairly true.   However,  a good door and lock will help slow down a thief or give you time to slow him down.   One morning I went out the back door of my house and as soon as I closed the door I realized that I had left my keys inside.  Not wanting to wake my wife and son,  I decided to see if I could "card" my door.   I slipped to door open so quickly and quietly, it scared the crap out of me.     From that time on I have always locked the dead bolt, which prevents the door from being carded.  Sure, someone could kick the door in with a lot of effort or just go to a glass opening, but they are going to make a lot of noise coming in that way.

So, I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy.  A friend of mine has a one as well, but about a year older than mine.  I gave her a hard time about a  orange bandana she put on hers, telling her that it looked to feminine.    Well, for a April fool joke,  she and another young woman thought they would hang out outside my house this morning and wait for me to let my dog out.   When he went out, they thought they could put a pink bandana on him,  and I would be surprised when he came back in and wonder where in the world this pink bandana came from,  all the while they would sneak away.     Here's what happened.   They had been outside my house since 5 a.m. waiting since they know what time I get up on my work days.   Also,  you should know I live on five acres out in the county beside a big farm and river.    When I was getting ready to leave about 6:15,  I let my pup out.   He took off in normal fashion, announcing to the world he was out and barking at birds.   All of a sudden I heard him yelping.   I stuck my head out the door with my feet in my untied shoes.   He came running back to the house hunkered down and tail between his leg.   I started out the door and then thought "gun".   I grabbed mine out of my brief case type satchel  and took off to investigate.    I was expecting another dog, coyote, or the like.   As I got to the end of my house, looking toward the woods I caught something in my peripheral vision.  I look over and it was a PERSON!  Not being what I expected at all it took a second for my mind to process.     I eased my gun into my pocket.  Then another gal stepped out.   They were surprised because it had not gone as they expected, but the were still tickled by the surprised look on my face.   The one said slowly, " what was that you put in your coat pocket".   With a big smile I revealed my gun.   They have known me for years and did not know I carry.   They were in shock.   Funny thing is, one of them even said when  they told their aunt of their plans,  the aunt warned them to tell my wife of their plans because I might come out with a gun.

I like idea of using a reel mower.  Great exercise and get your lawn mowed all at the same time.     But.... Oh noooo,  "Only in America do we go to Sears and purchase a riding lawn mower and a tread mill".  :D

If we are considering the TV series types like The Rifleman,  then what about Marshall Matt Dillon.   Over his career,  he probably shot more bad guys than most of these combined.   He's not my favorite.  Ole Clint Eastwood is probably my favorite.   But,  I think James Arnes should at least have an honorable mention.  

I've been driving that section of road for 16 years.   More often than not I catch up with the speeders.   Not too hard to remember.   What does happen while they are speeding as I  travel along at a little slower pace?  The whole time they are traveling at the higher rate of speed they risk being ticketed which can also expose them to higher insurance rates.  Also, they have a greater risk of an accident (running into a poke like me, less reaction time, etc.).    And finally,  they consume a greater percentage a fuel per mile.  To me, just my mere opinion, it's just not worth it, especially on a daily commute when I can get from point A to B in about the same time on average.   To the topic at hand,  I do not believe it should be illegal to flash your lights to warn of cop stake out.   However, I cast my vote on the side of I wish people would not do it.    

Speeding is a funny thing.   I live about 12 miles outside Murfreesboro right off a 4 lane, interstate quality highway.   The speed limit into town from here is 65 mph.   I usually run  about 60.  I pull a tool trailer and I just don't feel that rush.  All those guys who blast past me going fast enough to suck the paint of my truck,  well... I usually pull up behind them at the traffic light in town.    In town driving has about the same effect.    

  Now that made me laugh out loud!   :rofl:

For a little fair and balanced reporting: I was over in Brentwood about 6 months ago working on  a remodel.   Went out for lunch with my 2500 HD Chevy loaded to the gills with a bathroom tear-out.  I changed lane at the last minute when I realized I was in the wrong lane to get the desired eatery.   Little did I realize there was one of Brentwood's finest sitting in the turning lane.   He saw my rapid lane change without the use of a signal.   On went his lights as he came after me.  I saw it coming so I immediately pulled over before he ever got to me.   In my mind I'm thinking he thought that I made an evasive move to get away from him, like I had something to hide  (dirty ole construction worker on a mid day drunk,  I don't drink by the way).     He approaches.  Ask for my license very respectfully.   I hand him both my license and carry permit.   He ask if I am carrying, and if so,  it's location.  I say yes and that it's in my brief case.   He says with a smile, "well just make sure it stays there and we'll be good".   He then goes on to inform me the reason he pulled me over was that my brake light was out.    Gave me a warning and off we went.      He was very professional,  kind, and respectful.   Kinda young too,  I'd say late 20's.     I was in the wrong for more than the brake light and all he did was give me a warning.      They are not all  ego jerks.     

Just disgusting!    I bet I have a good idea of his clients.   And, of course I had to send this to my attorney friend in Knoxville,  suggesting he and his wife could do a video like this.   :D