Back in the groove

I have been in a piss-poor humor for the past couple of months, which is probably a big part of why I have pretty much quit writing. I am trying to get back into it, but I just can't bring myself to do it. The past four weeks I have been in an even worse humor, because I made the decision to stop a bad habit that I have had for nearly twenty five years. It is not easy. I've just about driven sweetie crazy, but I'm getting better, so maybe I'll make it. I'm thinking if I can go for about three months I'll have it made. We'll see.

There is no way in hell I'd be able to do this if it were not for these stupid nicotine patches. They helped a great deal with the physical part, the mental part is what's driving me nuts now. I have gotten to the point where I can now go to the Stop n' Rob now without having mental arguments with myself about buying a can or two. Hell if nothing else, it helps to tell myself I'm saving over $1500 a year.

Outdoors, working around the barn, driving home from work... always makes me want to reach for a can of Copenhagen or Skoal, but I'm think I'm doing a far job of resisting the urge. I've slipped three times in this past month, but I go right back to staying away from it. It helps that there is only one store in this area that sells my brand (Classic Skoal) and they know I'm trying to quit and won't sell it to me now. I haven't tested 'em on it yet, but the lady that manages the store sent word to me via DR that they won't let me buy any. Knowing that helps more than you'd think.

I look at Dax and count my blessings, Dax has quit smoking, caffiene, his job and went on a 1500 calorie diet all at once. I got to admit, I ain't man enough for that. But I figure if he can do all of that, then surely I can kick a single bad habit?

Anyway, that is enough incoherence for one evening. There will be equipment porn tomorrow night, as I shall be attending Potts Brothers Annual Farm Machinery Auction. TC and I rode over there this evening, there are a few things I'd like to have, but nothing I can't live without. There is an inline square baler I will try to bid on, but who knows what it'll go for.

on a sad note

A true American hero, Desmond Doss has passed away at the age of 87. I've never met the man, but he lived not too terribly far from me. He was a medic with the 77th Infantry Division during the Second World War and was the first conscientious objector in the history of the U.S. Military to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. You can read the citation here.

In keeping

with my record of being Mr. Romance, I bought my honey a riding lawnmower as an early Easter present.


And no, she hasn't threatened me with divorce... yet.

Passerby

Lots of folks have stopped by to visit today thanks to a link from the kind folks at Castle Arrrgh, so I figure the least I can do is put up another shot of the Blakeslee...


I looked through my high(er) res photos of the Boat Anchors Horse Pistols to see if there was another shot I could post, but there wasn't. But on closer inspection of the pictures I have, I am beginning to think that lineup was a bunch of aged repops. At the time I didn't ask, because I wasn't there for guns, I was there for books. I got to thinking this over, if I had a whole mess of original Colts in that kind of condition, I think I'd have 'em in a glass case if for no other reason that to keep grubby paws off of em...

On the other hand, there were several thousand other firearms there, all originals, that were out in the open to be fondled (with permission of course). So, I have idee now whether the damn things were real or not.

Habits

I almost titled this post "Habits old and New" which is an old Hank Jr. Song/Album title.

This has been a very interesting past couple of days. And by interesting I don't mean in a good way. For various reasons which I may or may not go into later, I am trying to break a bad habit that I've cultivated for more than twenty years. So far I'm doing ok, but I am far from being out of the woods. If I am successful, I will probably have a lot to say about how I did it, if nothing else so that it may help someone else, should they ever stumble across this.