Several years ago, I was parked in front of my gunstore a good hour before opening. I was heading for a archaeological survey in the desert, waiting to pick up my .30-30 with newly installed tangsite. I had coffee and a few donuts with the sparkly things. The radio was playing a full performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Yoeman of the Guard by the D'oyly Cart Company. Life was good. This guy pulls up and walks over. " Isn't the Pony Express open yet? Nope, opens at 10:00. Oh, I'm here to pick up my AR-15. I did 2 tours in 'Nam." I'm thinking , wow, you and a million other people. "Yea, I homeschool my kids, vote PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. and am born again." By now I'm missing my favourite chorus and my coffee is getting cold. " Yea, none of them Gays are gonna bother my family." I couldn't take anymore. " I'm GAY!" He retreated to his truck and rolled up the windows. The shop opened a 10 minutes later. I walked in first with my new friend behind, avoiding my very shadow. The cashier was a ex marine, nowhere near pretty, but what people would call good genetic stock. She could also outshoot me. I walked behind the register and planted a long kiss on her. She half fainted when I let go,asking what that was all about. "Oh, I don't want anybody believing any more rumours about me." Theres a time and place for everything ; light opera, half stale donuts, even firearm posts @ equipped <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So, how did the new sights work out?

I never got to try them. One of the new crewmembers was this 5'10 greek goddess named Nikki who disliked firearms. Everybody else was walking around like Bogart inTreasure of the Sierra Madre' armed to the teeth with bowie knives, revolvers and ( our native monitor,) a compound bow. My carbine remained under the back seat, replaced with visions of Ouzo wine and stuffed grape leafs at the oasis of 29 Palms. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Remind me not to stand too close to you if you're trying to chase off an annoying heterosexual woman! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Chris, I've neen to 29 Palms, you NEED a 5'10 goddess AND the Ouzo.

Exactly, besides, out there the only things worth shooting are coyotes ( against my religon) and flying saucers.

1) just so there is no mistake : I'm NOT gay ...
2) even if the contents of this forum were not as interesting as they are, I would still come here, just to read Chris's stories ! Chris, I love you ..... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
You are my favorite writer, right after Tony Hillerman ...
P.S. : I love Garfield too .... <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Alain,

<<...right after Tony Hillerman ...>>

Good stuff! It is great fun to wander around with a copy of "The Tony Hillerman Companion", a map of Indian Country, and some good topos... plus all the folks I've talked to have been kind and tolerant of an anglo wandering around... if you enjoy Hillerman's books, plan to make a self-guided tourist trip through the 4 corners region someday - you will recognize many things as soon as you see them, just from Hillerman's descriptions.

Regards,

Tom

You earthlings are all alike.

Chris,
You really are great <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />