Illuminati

When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat. - Ronald Reagan

Old wounds

This isn't the oldest gun in my collection, although the stock on it may very well have smashed in some gooks face in the 50s or 60s.

The M1a is a semi-auto, mag fed rifle in 7.62 NATO (aka 308 winchester). Its based on the M14, which is based on the M1 Garand. The select fire M14 was the standard issue rifle for the US armed forces untill the M16's adoption in 1970. Varios versions are still in use today, usually in a Designated Marksman role. Sniper teams have moved away from the M21 and M25 variant to the newer AR based M110/Mk11 rifle. But thats a different show.

This one has been over there in the hands of a contractor, at the time it was in a bit of a different stock. I replaced it with this one for some weight savings. The other stock is also a story for a different show....

This one has an 18" barrel and a few aftermarket parts inside and out. With a capable shooter and ammo, the rifle is good out beyond 800 yards, even with the iron sights.

This one is not mine...

But isn't sexy?

Knights Armament SR-16E3. Extras include the HK M320 grenade launcher, KAC grenade sight, Insight PEQ15, Aimpoint T-1 and the KAC suppressor.

The sad thing is, I could buy most of that. Except the price tag is about that of a small Chevy truck (Pre-Obama)

I do have that same rear back up sight and that same sling on a few guns. I guess 2 out of a dozen aint bad. Although it gives me a good idea for a future build...

Spices

Spices make me happy. Fresh spices make me really happy. Fresh spices that I thought were unavailable in my area make me forget all thats wrong with the world.

Thanks to Penzey's in Memphis, I now have to redo more than a dozen recipies due to the availability of these spices.

And I bought a bread book.

Its been a good day.

Distance

"Distance, it is a test of love, many will fail, but for those who can withstand it have the answer..."

Ahh... 0-800 meter coverage, in 2 small and handy packages. On the left, my own version of the military's Mk12 Mod 1 rifle. On the right, my own version of SOCOM's Recce Rifle. Funny thing is, neither of those still look like that now. The pic is almost a year old. I'll take new ones one of these days. They change often.

But thats the great thing about AR15s. If you dont like something, changing it is as easy as popping a few pins or spending 10 minutes with some tools and some love.

I should really post more details about the rifles, but I'll wait and see if I have any questions or comments.

Primary colors...for cooking

I know, I know. More cooking stuff. I'll do gun stuff this weekend and change gears a little bit.

Cast iron is my all time favorite cooking implement. Real stuff or this colorful enamel coated stuff I'm showing off today. Its big, thick and heavy. It holds heat well. It transfers heat well. And it basically lasts forever. You could find a rust covered, banged up, 40 year old pan in a junk yard, give it some TLC and a cook a few pounds of bacon in it and it would last another 40 years. And 40 more after that.

These units are are great for anything. The blue and green were early anniversary gifts from my wife. I haven't even tried them out yet. The red one is my standard for pan roasting anything. The yellow does all my stews, soups and occasionally my red beans and rice from the other post. The blue one will be for deep fat frying and more soups and stews. The green one is kind of a do -all, catch-all. If you can cook it in a skillet, you can cook it better in that one. I'm looking forward to a big batch of chicken and 40 cloves or cheesy noodley stuff out of it. Details on that last one later.

And the best thing is, they're easy to clean. The baked on enamel is nonstick, doesn't have to be seasoned and can be run through the dishwasher, if your rack can hold up something that heavy.

Why so serious

Its like 'Good Eats' but with weapons

My wife decided to start doing a day by day picture blog. It seems like an interesting concept, so I decided to try it out. But what to post? Well, I usually only get asked about 3 things. Taxes, food and guns. Taxes are no fun, so that leaves the other 2.

So, with that in mind.... I plan to post a picture, a tidbit about the picture and anything else I feel like I need to get out in the open. It could be a meal, prepared by myself. It could be a gun, usually one of my own, and usually custom built or customized by me. Sometimes both. Sometimes it will be someone else's work. Those posts will always be noted as such. The general plan is to post something from those 2 categories everyday. Or almost every day. Once a week maybe.


We'll start today with the gourmet side. I try my best to avoid eating fast food, especially for dinner. And with the lack of eating establishments in the area that only means one thing. Cooking! Thats now how my love of cooking came about though. It really came from my college years. Have you ever taken an accounting class? Well, I have. About 20 of them actually. 60 credit hours, give or take. Some of it was grad level. Thousands upon thousands of real class room hours. Trust me, you have to do something to get the numbers and formulas and Tax Code and GAAP and everything else out of your head. Cooking does that. Its an escape from reality for me, much like reading or cutting hay. But thats a different blog. You have to focus on what you're doing. Pay attention. Work some mojo in, you're own personal 'thing'

My first meal story is a simple one, maybe the most simple meal since Mac and Cheese. And thus far, my absolute favorite dish I've ever made.

I give you.... red beans and rice!

I know what you're thinking. "Red beans and rice? whats special about that?" Well, everything! Is there anything more simple? All the protein and nurishment you need to live, in one little bowl. The rice and beans get together and form a perfect protein, containing everything you need in this world. And its delicious on top of that.

Fresh veggies making up the perfect trinity of creole cooking. Select herbs and spices. Pickled pork. Yes, I said pickled pork. Its like bacon. But better. Pour it all over rice and enjoy. Its like edible art. Add cornbread if you really must. And I, usually, really must. I take pride in my cooking. I try to share it with friends as often as possible, wether they like it or not. This one has always been a big hit.