Role Model of the Week: XVI

My deepest apologies about not posting this on Friday. I was deeply embroiled in a three day weekend. I'm sure you understand.

Last Thursday, Fox news reported a story about a mother that saved her daughter from a mountain lion attack.

The girl and her mother Maureen Lee were walking on a wooded trail with their dog when the cougar pounced.

"All of a sudden it just flew on her, rolled her a couple of times and grabbed her," Lee told CBC.

"She was on her back and (the cougar) had his paws on her head, and I just knew I had to react quick.

"So I just jumped in there and wedged myself between the cougar and her on the ground."

Then "I just got up and threw it off my back and grabbed" Maya and ran, she went on

Your children our your greatest responsibility. No matter what. I am glad to pass on this story. A story not about a cougar out looking for a little snack. But about a mother who was willing to risk it all, defending her charge against a kitty that just didn't want to play nice.

Fathers Day

I have been blessed with many powerful father figures in this life. I cannot imagine life without mine. I cannot imagine my children without theirs. One thing has stuck with me this year. A very simple concept. My responsibility is in raising my children. To teach them right from wrong. To make the correct decision and live honorably.

This is what a father does. No matter what.

Thank you.

Parental Gun Control

Todays popular blog content is toy guns and children. Do they mix? Do real firearms and toy guns mix? Marko started this, Jay G followed, and now I am jumping on the bandwagon. Marko wants to know whether toy guns are acceptable for children.

I left this comment:
I was raised without any toy guns in the house. My fathers logic was that I can have a toy gun when I was old enough to know the difference. When I was old enough, I had real guns, so what did I need a toy gun for?
I was always allowed to ‘make’ toy guns, that was over looked. I even made my own rubber band guns around ten. Amazingly, I was allowed to have rubber band wars as long as I used the proper safety equipment.
I am a grown man now, with children of my own, my son just turned six, and is not allowed to have toy guns, imaginary guns and squirt guns are overlooked. Both my children know the four rules, and know not to touch a firearm without supervision. They shoulder rifles, dry fire pistols, and practice getting a proper sight picture.
Lately I have been considering changing the rules to allow toy guns under the presumption that they are just toys, I also don’t know how far to take it.

The wife and I have discussed this before and I have been pondering it lately. My current feelings on the subject is this:
1. Boys have an ingrained desire to defend home and hearth. This desire is expressed in the games that they play, fighting monsters and saving princesses.
2. Boys will make toy guns out of anything and everything. I encourage my children to use their imagination while playing, would a toy gun help that?
3. If toy guns are allowed, should the safety rules be used like a real firearm?
4. If toy guns are allowed, how do squirt guns, airsoft and paintball fit into the mix?
5. Speaking of airsoft, I occasionally practice my self defense tactics with airsoft guns, and shoot other people. Does this make me a hypocrite for playing with fake guns and shooting people? Or am I exempt because I am supposed to know the difference?

Marko wrote this far more eloquently than I. I encourage you to go visit, remember to check his comments. They contain many valid thoughts and opinions.

Sunday, Puppy Sunday.

The poor handicapped puppy has firmly ingrained himself into the life of his new family. It has been over eight weeks now, he torments the children and loves Mrs. Sigboy more than anything else in his small world. He rushes over to the door when she comes home, tail wagging and jumping ecstatically.

As one of my three loyal readers know, Commander Rex was born completely deaf and with a almost useless left eye. All I know is that he is a typical puppy, he just happens to be a puppy that cant hear you when you yell at him.

Role Model of the Week: XV

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. There is no rhyme or reason, they just, well....happen. Sometimes a person will give their life to save another. To me, whether willingly or unwillingly this is a noble trait. Not the most noble way to die but fairly close, easily enough to get you into Valhalla, provided that you went with some pizazz.

Search and rescue provides a way for people to help others. Some are paid for this, others are volunteers. Unfortunately, sometimes the SAR team member will lose his life in the pursuit of saving one. Sgt. Andy Tingwall gave his life when the chopper he was piloting crashed into the side of a mountain. Sgt Tingwall had just rescued Megumi Yamamoto, a physics student from UNM, when he lost control of his airship.

Next time you hear of someone lost in the wilderness, think of the kind people out
there trying to make a difference in our world, one lost person at a time.

More details at Fox News.

Wasted Braincells?

I have alot of skill sets that don't get used anymore. I no longer am required to get a dragon missile into action in less than thirty seconds. I no longer have to perform a field sobriety test, much less at night with flashing lights all around me. I will probably never set off another claymore mine. I don't even have to remember what the pinky thumb thing is all about. Or even to double lock handcuffs(yes, there is two locks on them). I remember exactly what to do if I ever became a 'hung jumper'. All of this knowledge is all but useless to me, and yet I still know it.


I pulled out my Army Field manual the other day and started thumbing thru it. I still remembered exactly how these tasks were to be performed. I am positive that I am still proficient at them all. Not an expert, able to do it blindfolded, but definitely acceptable. I could put a claymore mine into action without blowing myself up, always a useful skill set.

My point is this: When you train to the point that your subconscious and muscle memory take over, you will be able to perform those actions for the rest of your life. I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to put a drunken neighbor into a rear wrist lock, I did it with out thinking, I haven't even practiced one in years. I personally have many well rounded and yet useless skill sets using perfectly good neural pathways in my brain. Would I get rid of them if I could? Probably not. Good quality training is priceless, even if you are not currently using it. After all, the zombies may come, or, I may have a need to protect myself from a nuclear blast or a chemical weapons attack.

Is Green Politically Correct?

This weekend found me at Palo Duro Canyon, great fun was had by all. I hiked a few trails, I put alot of miles under my belt. I also came to the conclusion that I am no longer 25, or even 30. If I hike the hard trail up the cliff face, I will pay for it the next day.


It was a comfortable escape from the rigors of real life. The weather was beautiful, slight breeze, temps in the high eighties. I took the kids on a few short trails to wear them out, and even demonstrated a kid friendly water crossing technique.