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The second amendment of the U. S. Constitution reads: “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The Puritans fled persecution in Great Britain by coming to America. Once here they set in place laws requiring every family to own a gun, to carry it in public places, and to train their children in how to use their firearms. The colony of Virginia in 1619, had statutes requiring everyone to bear arms. And, Connecticut law in 1650 required every man above the age of 16 to possess, “a good musket or other gun, fit for service.” |
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I was sitting around the ol’ “civilized campfire” (a big candle on the coffee table with 3 wicks in it) late last night with all the lights turned off. The wine was dry, the couch comfy, the hors d’oeuvres tasty and the atmosphere so peaceful that my wife was dozing off in her recliner as bars of Brahms quietly flitted about in the background. My mind harkened back to so many, many nights out in the wilds, sitting around a crackling campfire by myself or with friends after a long arduous day of climbing, canoeing, hunting, fishing, or just hiking. The friendly fires flames would jump and flicker brightly as the wood popped and crackled, and the cool evening breezes shifted the delicate aroma of burning oak, cherry or pine until it would invade our nostrils marking all that remained of a once strong and mighty tree. |
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Christmas decorations and I don’t necessarily get along, so there is absolutely no nostalgic value protecting them as I disassemble and put away (or discard) the, “Made in China,” trappings again this year. My favorite expression during this task is, “OOP’S!!” One decoration having a shelf life longer than the current year is a card basket (made by a niece – not Chinese). My precious wife opens all the cards we receive each year, registers them on her Excel spreadsheet and puts them all into this basket after being certain she has already sent them a card, or will do so now that they sent us one. With some regularity throughout the season she will remind me of their existence and suggest that I might want to read one or some of them. A quick glance at the received column of my wife’s current card spread sheet told me which family units are still kicking, and the scratch outs and changes told me who died, who got divorced or who got hitched, eliminating the need to undertake the arduous task of reading all those cards and letters. |
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Hind sight. The great, “if I’d only known!” As December rolls around each year, we mark the end of another year, the last of our annual harvests, the final days of our hunting seasons, and the last time, so we always say, that we will wait until the first big snowfall to tune up the snow blower. |
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Each Thanksgiving looks a little different for me yet always remains my favorite holiday. Sometimes it’s at our house and sometimes not. Sometimes we share it with family, sometimes with friends and sometimes with family and friends. This year tables will be set for my loved ones over 2000 miles to the North West, 600 miles to the South East, 250 miles to the East, 250 miles to the South West and everywhere in between. One constant, no matter where or who we’re with, each will be in, “… one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.” |
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