War Is An Ugly Thing

"War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than hisown personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

- John Stuart Mill

The Penguin

The Jeep arrived yesterday, none the worse for wear. My daughter has now named it "The Penguin." She seems particularly proud of that name. She picked out a few graphics online to have me make up and adhere to the XJ, but I had to veto 99% of them. The name is gay enough for my personal vehicle without putting a pink cartoon penguin on it as well.

I need to get the emissions test performed on her before I can obtain a tag and registration. I might do that today. I need to get a couple of extra light bulbs for an on-the-road kit. I have a couple of canvas bags of different sizes, to organize a bit, as well as wrench and tool rolls, just to keep things organized. I will be doing a video on setting up an expedition type vehicle in due time.

Onwards and upwards.

VA - Psych

I had my appointment yesterday for an initial psychological eval, which was with a social worker.

She has concerns. She has scheduled me right past the psychologist, to the psychiatrist. She was talking about depression and medication. I cannot say that I am depressed. I am angry, though. Anyone who took an oath to protect Constitution, and is not angry, is suspect. I love my country and detest those that are trying to make us weak.

The first thing she asked when I came in was, "do you own a firearm?"

Me: "Yes, I do."

Her: "More than one?"

Me: "Um, Yes."

Her: "Where do you keep them?"

Me: "In my house or on my person."

Her: "On your person?"

Me: "Yes. I have a conceal carry permit."

Her: "OK, where are they kept. In your bedroom, living room...?"

Me: "None of your business."

Her: "Do you have them locked up?"

Me: "No. Is there a legal requirement I am unaware of that compels me to do so?"

No: "No. Have you had safety classes on handling firearms?"

Me: "You mean besides the 8 years in military? You do realize you are a veterans' organization, asking a veteran if they have ever had safety training, right?"

Her: "Yes. We have to ask this now," she says as she rolls her eyes. "It came down a few months ago."

Me to myself: I wonder what administration provided this guidance.

Then, she gave me a pamphlet on firearm dangers in the household, written by the Brady Campaign and some George Soros organization no doubt, using fake figures to demonize veterans. I have not read it yet.

She assured me that anything I saw to her or a psychiatrist is held in the strictest confidence, as mandated by HIPPA Laws. I need to check those out. Otherwise, I am canceling the psychiatric appointment. If anyone knows about that, can you shoot me an email? I specifically asked her if their opinion of me gets reported to my state for revocation of my 2nd Amendment rights. That is when she informed me of HIPPA. I would understand and expect to be reported if I made a threat or anything similar. I just don't want some bed-wetting liberal to make an arbitrary decision just to exercise their perceived power. I did bring it up to her when she asked if I ever wanted to kill myself or anyone else, that I have had a concealed carry permit for most of the last 20 years and have not even threatened a citizen. I had to explain the difference between intimidation and preparation. I am probably filed under "survivlist" or "militia" now. As we used to say back in the day: Fuck em in the neck.

I find it interesting that we jumped into the weapon issue before she asks me anything about how I am feeling, do my shoes fit too tight, and are the voices very loud today. I get defensive at these types of things, especially in light of what the anti-gun folks want to do, and the lies they can spread with impunity.

In case anyone would like to shoot a private message, you can do it through faolbushcraft (a) gmail.

Peace, love and chicken grease!

The Honky

My new (to me) Jeep XJ was supposed to be picked up at the seller's location in Missouri on Friday. It wasn't, and there was no word from anyone about it. The broker already debited my credit card on Tuesday, the 24th. I tried to call the two numbers I had for him and there was no answer. I left somewhat civil, but irritated, voicemails and have received no return calls.

I better get a phone call in the morning or I am calling the feds to press charges for interstate wire fraud. I hate people that do not keep their word, and never provide a reason why...and then take my money on top of that.

I seem to be irritated today for some reason.

Thanksgiving

I thought I had already made a post for Thanksgiving, but I see that I was incorrect.

I had Thanksgiving dinner with my paternal family. It was palatable. It has been many years since I have done so, and I felt just as out of place this time.

I asked my aunt, who was hosting the maternal side Thanksgiving festivities, if she would save me some Cornbread Dressing. That is my favorite food. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It may have something to do with my birthday always falling around, if not on, Thanksgiving Day. Anyway, she saved me about 10 lbs of dressing....YIPEE!!

Unfortunately, my daughter ate a couple of servings of it too, so it didn't go as far. So much for unselfish children. Yes, about dressing I am selfish. It is my only request for my birthday, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. You would think someone who gives and provides all year round (me), would have the only single luxury they desire (dressing) without someone else (daughter) trying to horn in on it.

I may be a bit bitter. I quit smoking, I do not do drugs, rarely consume alcohol (and never in front of her), I have never abused her, and have been a damn fine single parent, if I do say so myself, with no assistance from her useless mother. I did not call her an "abomination" like her mother did, when she announced that she was gay. I was very supportive of her. I wasted LOTS of money by buying her different horses and all the requisite supplies that little endeavor entails, paid for riding lessons, carted her around to events, and sold my own horse to pay for surgery for her this past spring, with nary a word. It was something that needed to be done.

LEAVE MY DAMN CORNBREAD DRESSING ALONE!!!!

VA - Podiatry

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. That is one of the things that the podiatrist thinks I have. It explains many of the symptoms, and it sounds as though I am lucky I don't have all of those symptoms. I will be having the electrical impulse tests sometime in the near future. The VA does not handle those types of tests and I will be referred to a civilian doctor. I understand that the electrical impulse testing will be a little "uncomfortable." That sounds lovely.

I wonder sometimes if I will ever be pain free again. I am not sure I even remember what that is like. I have been in pain for almost half of my life now, since I was 21. I turned 41 yesterday.

I would do it all over again. I loved serving. I loved putting on that uniform every day. I was a damn fine soldier. I knew it, as did those around me. Others depended on me and I relished the responsibility. Cocky? Perhaps. But that did not negate my responsibility, nor the trust that others placed in me.

For more information on Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, click here.

Drive on!

My daughter is still deciding on a name for the Great White Honky. She doesn't like that name, but that is all I have come up with. I told her to come up with one, so we will see what that yields.

It was going to cost me $500, plus travel expenses and a motel room to fly up and pick up the Jeep. Or, I can have it delivered in a few days for $495, total. I have decided to go with the delivery option. You only pay $150 for the broker fee, and you pay the final amount to the driver when he unloads your vehicle. That is the way to go. Besides, I would rather not be on the road during the holidays.

I am looking forward to getting the Jeep and heading out to do a bit of camping. It should be fun.