sm
member
Friend of mine had bought a used Winchester 94 in 30-30. Fellow that owned it had taken care of it, mechanically sound, just the wood showed character from use as some bluing from a gun rack. He had left with a mutual friend to refinish the stock in oil finish , give it a once over and generally check it out. I said since I was out that way more often than he, I’d pick it up and deliver it.
He, the wife and dogs were going to hunt in TX, so the deal was I would run by the house and leave with his Mom.
His Mom was a character. She had been “in her ‘70’s “ever since I’d known her. Folks had money, and the almost six thousand square foot house was the one down home, on the farm. Guest house was around two thousand square feet, and down the way were two “small†twelve hundred square foot “apartmentsâ€.
“I ever get grandkids, I don’t mind if they spill juice on my white carpet, I’ll be damned if I put up with video games and that racket in my house. That’s why I built them apartments out backâ€.
She was serious.
She , they, well it was decided that since this big old house had enough room, a separate kitchen and all , she would live in the smaller section and her son and daughter in-law would live in the bigger portion. She had outlived two doctors, so no matter what the folks thought, it was not her health, just these three got along so well. Oh the dogs lived in the house too.
The guest house was for guest. I mean friends came in to hunt, visit, whatever, so the guests had all the comforts of home, from laundry, stocked bar, stocked fridge and freezer. Not that folks worried about such, but gun safes were part of the amenities as well.
Now this lady can shoot, back in the day before her husband died they were out all the time hunting and shooting together. Later, she slowed down, taking care of the business, the cold got to her quicker. I do remember the day out on a cold snowy day this woman in waxed cotton, shooting a model 12 taking 3 ducks – a triple. “Mom - Let the guests take some ducks!â€. She replied , grinning, well I waited , not my fault they can’t shoot worth a darnâ€. She was serious.
Oh she had used a nanny with the boy, always had some “helpâ€. Not the idea some folks conjure up and have negative thoughts about, these were “familyâ€. Farm hands to house maids , all family, made no never mind about color either. On a rainy day and all caught up they might be all gathered around playing Bridge or Hearts. Company coming in the Farm hands might be BBQ-ing outside while the maids were doing the inside cooking. These folks were welcome to sit at the table with the guests. Mom would get up and pour coffee from the Silver Coffee pot herself.
Had to present a idea of what type of situation I was dealing with and the Mom.
It is dark when I pull up and she is outside, looking puzzled, and grinning. I get a hug and I mind the sling and the bandage on the weak side, she had bummed her wrist, and none to happy about the minor surgery.
“I’m glad you showed up, I have a “slight†problem I’ve never been faced with before.â€
I asked about the farm help, the maids- they had all gone to town to attend a movie, eat pizza. I forgot she had a tendency to run everyone off, pick up the tab and let the kids of hired help celebrate Birthdays all together. Get enough “Birthdays Bratsâ€, let the kids choose what they wanted to do, hand over an envelope of money and run them off.
I asked what the matter was. She didn’t seem upset; then again I could not ever recall her being rattled about anything.
I start for the door, she stops me. So there I am with real curiosity standing outside in the dark, with a 30-30 in a rifle case and my CCW. I figure she is too. The weather had warmed up a bit during this late November day and the maid had opened the house up to air out. Mom had been in her spot of the house minding her own business. Maid closed up the house later before heading to town.
“You have ammo for the 30-30?†She asked. Now I am really curious. I replied I have some rounds handy in the Koplin butt cuff, another full box in the case as well.
“Okay, we can go in now, mind your step.â€
Folks we have raccoons running up and down both stairwells, and doves flying about. I kid you not. She is laughing, I am just standing there with dropped jaw and …and there goes another raccoon.
“What do you think?†She asked.
“I think that stairwell is similar to low 5 with the doves flying upstairs if I stand right about hereâ€. I quipped.
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Of course I saw you drop low 5 at that shoot –off, raised your head, maybe shoot the stairwell shot behind us first- stand over there and it would be shooting High 4 when they come out of the Living room and head up, High 4 you don't miss".
She was right.
I made smart remark about using a 30-30 like a shotgun indoors. Something about the walls and décor even if I did manage to hit a flying critter. She said I could borrow her Model 12 or would I rather use the 28 gauge Webley&Scott. I was not going to win the battle of wits here. She said it was only money and maybe time to re-paint and change things up anyway. She walks off to make coffee, left me to figure this situation out.
So there I am thinking or trying to. I figure Rod Serling or Marlin Hawkins is gonna appear any moment …actually the though crossed my mind to see if Candid Camera was around.
I open the desk drawer in the study, get a phone number, make a call. “ I’ll be back in a moment…I gotta planâ€. She replied, I knew you would think of something, what is it?†“ you really don’t want to know†I replied. “ I kinda figured you’d say thatâ€.
I run down the way , which in the farm country is about 4 miles. I show up and the hubby is gone but the wife hears me out. Best could, she is cracking up. “I have to stay here, got a sick kid, or I ‘d bring the video camera…sure you can…yes I will be up for a bitâ€.
I get what I need from the cabinet, and the crystal bowl. I grab one other item and head back - Cindy.
Now Cindy is a Cocker Spaniel, has a pedigree a mile long. Smart as can be, and Cindy and I get along great. Cindy gets along with the Black Labs she resides with. When hubby and the Labs are hunting ducks , Cindy keeps the wife company or the kid and babysitter…mom gets out to hunt as well. Cindy had that breeding and well , reminds me of one I would have in a later time in my life.
I “explain†to Cindy what I need for her to do. Well first I have to give her a peppermint, but hey, I have this deal about dogs. I get along great with dogs, so I spoil them…or is it they spoil me?
I show up with Cindy, Mom is giving a look that words cannot describe and I notice the Model 12 in 20 ga is sitting out with breech open, box of shells on the table. “Just in case your plan A and B don’t work†Mom says.
Upstairs , turn on lights and open windows, every light in the house is now on. Did you know if it is dark inside a house a dove will roost? Makes sense, never really thought about it, then again how often does one have doves in the house?
Between Cindy going on point, me chasing, then Cindy chasing we manage to get all the doves from upstairs. Windows and doors are closed as we clear a room. Racoons see the dog and head downstairs.
We head downstairs, Mom is sitting there “We gonna get to shoot something or not?â€
“You ain’t helping†I kid her. “Hey I just live here, so we gonna shoot or not before the night is over?†I try not spill my coffee due to laughter, Cindy is enjoying a treat, sipping water from a teak-wood salad bowl –hey it was handy.
Cindy and I repeat the previous Upstairs "hunt" Downstairs...well I'll be darned, it worked again.
Now raccoons stay hid in daylight, they come out at night right? So I decide to turn out every light in the house. I grab a flashlight and Cindy I proceed to finish the hunt. Mom decided a oil lamp won’t hurt much , besides she can better see the comedy…err hunt.
Well the critters seem to have all hunkered down in either the study or the trophy room. Study was easy, now the Trophy room - Cindy I both freaked at the Boars Head mount, damn them things ugly under flashlight…especially when you run into it first and then light up the tusks. I yelped , Cindy yelped , and I don’t know what you call it when a raccoon makes “that noiseâ€â€¦didn’t help matters.
So with the only back door open, we manage to chase off all the raccoons. Well there was one a bit defiant. Standing on hind legs and giving Momma all kinds of noises. Momma grabs a wooden apple from the decorative fruit bowl, throws it, hits the raccoon, and out he went. Door closed and lights on.
A successful indoor hunt.
Momma retrieves a steak bone from the freezer (I’m not the only one that spoils dogs) and this for Cindy. I return Cindy; relate the story and Cindy is outside with the bone, happy as can be.
Momma said the kids called the next day to check on her, and she managed to keep a straight voice when she said “all was quiet, nothing exciting going onâ€.
The maid was really trying to figure out the fur and feathers the next day…
Momma went by to say hello the neighbor, take a treat to the sick 3 year old and give Cindy another steak bone.
I’m not sure if the treat or the story made the 3 year old feel better. I did hear the 3 year olds mom literally laughed to hard she fell off the edge of the daughter’s bed.
Mom’s kids to this day do not know what happened. Neighbors are well neighbors. A three year old can keep a secret (especially when a really nice treat [bribe] is given by the Momma.) Hired help…well one does not speak ill of good employers. Me, well I was reminded how well Momma can still shoot, friends with the Sheriff and Game Warden…and some political folks.
I don't figure this will ever present itself again, then again...
One learns many things that get put in the toolbox...I bet you didn't have this "tool" in your toolbox...
He, the wife and dogs were going to hunt in TX, so the deal was I would run by the house and leave with his Mom.
His Mom was a character. She had been “in her ‘70’s “ever since I’d known her. Folks had money, and the almost six thousand square foot house was the one down home, on the farm. Guest house was around two thousand square feet, and down the way were two “small†twelve hundred square foot “apartmentsâ€.
“I ever get grandkids, I don’t mind if they spill juice on my white carpet, I’ll be damned if I put up with video games and that racket in my house. That’s why I built them apartments out backâ€.
She was serious.
She , they, well it was decided that since this big old house had enough room, a separate kitchen and all , she would live in the smaller section and her son and daughter in-law would live in the bigger portion. She had outlived two doctors, so no matter what the folks thought, it was not her health, just these three got along so well. Oh the dogs lived in the house too.
The guest house was for guest. I mean friends came in to hunt, visit, whatever, so the guests had all the comforts of home, from laundry, stocked bar, stocked fridge and freezer. Not that folks worried about such, but gun safes were part of the amenities as well.
Now this lady can shoot, back in the day before her husband died they were out all the time hunting and shooting together. Later, she slowed down, taking care of the business, the cold got to her quicker. I do remember the day out on a cold snowy day this woman in waxed cotton, shooting a model 12 taking 3 ducks – a triple. “Mom - Let the guests take some ducks!â€. She replied , grinning, well I waited , not my fault they can’t shoot worth a darnâ€. She was serious.
Oh she had used a nanny with the boy, always had some “helpâ€. Not the idea some folks conjure up and have negative thoughts about, these were “familyâ€. Farm hands to house maids , all family, made no never mind about color either. On a rainy day and all caught up they might be all gathered around playing Bridge or Hearts. Company coming in the Farm hands might be BBQ-ing outside while the maids were doing the inside cooking. These folks were welcome to sit at the table with the guests. Mom would get up and pour coffee from the Silver Coffee pot herself.
Had to present a idea of what type of situation I was dealing with and the Mom.
It is dark when I pull up and she is outside, looking puzzled, and grinning. I get a hug and I mind the sling and the bandage on the weak side, she had bummed her wrist, and none to happy about the minor surgery.
“I’m glad you showed up, I have a “slight†problem I’ve never been faced with before.â€
I asked about the farm help, the maids- they had all gone to town to attend a movie, eat pizza. I forgot she had a tendency to run everyone off, pick up the tab and let the kids of hired help celebrate Birthdays all together. Get enough “Birthdays Bratsâ€, let the kids choose what they wanted to do, hand over an envelope of money and run them off.
I asked what the matter was. She didn’t seem upset; then again I could not ever recall her being rattled about anything.
I start for the door, she stops me. So there I am with real curiosity standing outside in the dark, with a 30-30 in a rifle case and my CCW. I figure she is too. The weather had warmed up a bit during this late November day and the maid had opened the house up to air out. Mom had been in her spot of the house minding her own business. Maid closed up the house later before heading to town.
“You have ammo for the 30-30?†She asked. Now I am really curious. I replied I have some rounds handy in the Koplin butt cuff, another full box in the case as well.
“Okay, we can go in now, mind your step.â€
Folks we have raccoons running up and down both stairwells, and doves flying about. I kid you not. She is laughing, I am just standing there with dropped jaw and …and there goes another raccoon.
“What do you think?†She asked.
“I think that stairwell is similar to low 5 with the doves flying upstairs if I stand right about hereâ€. I quipped.
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Of course I saw you drop low 5 at that shoot –off, raised your head, maybe shoot the stairwell shot behind us first- stand over there and it would be shooting High 4 when they come out of the Living room and head up, High 4 you don't miss".
She was right.
I made smart remark about using a 30-30 like a shotgun indoors. Something about the walls and décor even if I did manage to hit a flying critter. She said I could borrow her Model 12 or would I rather use the 28 gauge Webley&Scott. I was not going to win the battle of wits here. She said it was only money and maybe time to re-paint and change things up anyway. She walks off to make coffee, left me to figure this situation out.
So there I am thinking or trying to. I figure Rod Serling or Marlin Hawkins is gonna appear any moment …actually the though crossed my mind to see if Candid Camera was around.
I open the desk drawer in the study, get a phone number, make a call. “ I’ll be back in a moment…I gotta planâ€. She replied, I knew you would think of something, what is it?†“ you really don’t want to know†I replied. “ I kinda figured you’d say thatâ€.
I run down the way , which in the farm country is about 4 miles. I show up and the hubby is gone but the wife hears me out. Best could, she is cracking up. “I have to stay here, got a sick kid, or I ‘d bring the video camera…sure you can…yes I will be up for a bitâ€.
I get what I need from the cabinet, and the crystal bowl. I grab one other item and head back - Cindy.
Now Cindy is a Cocker Spaniel, has a pedigree a mile long. Smart as can be, and Cindy and I get along great. Cindy gets along with the Black Labs she resides with. When hubby and the Labs are hunting ducks , Cindy keeps the wife company or the kid and babysitter…mom gets out to hunt as well. Cindy had that breeding and well , reminds me of one I would have in a later time in my life.
I “explain†to Cindy what I need for her to do. Well first I have to give her a peppermint, but hey, I have this deal about dogs. I get along great with dogs, so I spoil them…or is it they spoil me?
I show up with Cindy, Mom is giving a look that words cannot describe and I notice the Model 12 in 20 ga is sitting out with breech open, box of shells on the table. “Just in case your plan A and B don’t work†Mom says.
Upstairs , turn on lights and open windows, every light in the house is now on. Did you know if it is dark inside a house a dove will roost? Makes sense, never really thought about it, then again how often does one have doves in the house?
Between Cindy going on point, me chasing, then Cindy chasing we manage to get all the doves from upstairs. Windows and doors are closed as we clear a room. Racoons see the dog and head downstairs.
We head downstairs, Mom is sitting there “We gonna get to shoot something or not?â€
“You ain’t helping†I kid her. “Hey I just live here, so we gonna shoot or not before the night is over?†I try not spill my coffee due to laughter, Cindy is enjoying a treat, sipping water from a teak-wood salad bowl –hey it was handy.
Cindy and I repeat the previous Upstairs "hunt" Downstairs...well I'll be darned, it worked again.
Now raccoons stay hid in daylight, they come out at night right? So I decide to turn out every light in the house. I grab a flashlight and Cindy I proceed to finish the hunt. Mom decided a oil lamp won’t hurt much , besides she can better see the comedy…err hunt.
Well the critters seem to have all hunkered down in either the study or the trophy room. Study was easy, now the Trophy room - Cindy I both freaked at the Boars Head mount, damn them things ugly under flashlight…especially when you run into it first and then light up the tusks. I yelped , Cindy yelped , and I don’t know what you call it when a raccoon makes “that noiseâ€â€¦didn’t help matters.
So with the only back door open, we manage to chase off all the raccoons. Well there was one a bit defiant. Standing on hind legs and giving Momma all kinds of noises. Momma grabs a wooden apple from the decorative fruit bowl, throws it, hits the raccoon, and out he went. Door closed and lights on.
A successful indoor hunt.
Momma retrieves a steak bone from the freezer (I’m not the only one that spoils dogs) and this for Cindy. I return Cindy; relate the story and Cindy is outside with the bone, happy as can be.
Momma said the kids called the next day to check on her, and she managed to keep a straight voice when she said “all was quiet, nothing exciting going onâ€.
The maid was really trying to figure out the fur and feathers the next day…
Momma went by to say hello the neighbor, take a treat to the sick 3 year old and give Cindy another steak bone.
I’m not sure if the treat or the story made the 3 year old feel better. I did hear the 3 year olds mom literally laughed to hard she fell off the edge of the daughter’s bed.
Mom’s kids to this day do not know what happened. Neighbors are well neighbors. A three year old can keep a secret (especially when a really nice treat [bribe] is given by the Momma.) Hired help…well one does not speak ill of good employers. Me, well I was reminded how well Momma can still shoot, friends with the Sheriff and Game Warden…and some political folks.
I don't figure this will ever present itself again, then again...
One learns many things that get put in the toolbox...I bet you didn't have this "tool" in your toolbox...
