Good Morning Miles,
Thank you for replying.
I believe I read elsewhere here that you are in Colorado and that you spent much of you life in Wyoming.? And if I'm reading right, we must be the same age.? Sounds like we're both married, as well.? My wife and I will have been married 10 years come September and though we've been doing our best, we haven't been blessed with children.? We had three spinger spaniels and in January I had to put down the two we still had after our first was left sleeping on the vet's table December 04.? All three are under an old acorn-producing white oak out in the woods.
I've been self-employed since 1989, starting out in Iowa on my own and moving back to the U.P. of Michigan in April 92.? Dad was in poor health and after coming up here from North Liberty when he'd gotten sick several times during the colder months, I saw other construction crews working.? Dad was a carpenter, as well, but winters with lots of snow make making a living hard.?
Since 97 I've had to fight unelected state bureaucrats for the privilege of walking out my front door to make a living.? Dad's office was a small notebook in his front shirt pocket and his contract was his word and integrity.? That no longer suffices and I experienced a new concept in forced-schooling, as well as personal experience with double and triple jeopardy.? In two months time, I expect to learn if jeopardy will be extended another time, or if the sun has set, and I can go about my business.
I believe we also share an interest in gardening.? A window into an addition I put on the house last year has a table by it with 46 tomato plants, transplanted from larger boxes when each plant reached four leaves of growth.? Four or five varieties, cherry and larger, early and late pick.? A closet in the same addition has a bunch of pickles and salsa, as well as jars of plum jam from trees on the border w/our neighbor, and jars of wild rasberry, wild black berry, and farm-picked strawberry.
I'm a third-generation American, from Finnish roots, of which I am proud.? The Soumalainen's history has within it a grain of the saying, "it is easier to conquer than rule".? Several uncles on Dad's side of the family went back to "the old country" to fight when Russia invaded.? There's an old Russian rifle in the family used by my step-grandma's father, a Suominen, that fought on the Soviet side.? There is a large population of Finns here in this part of the country.? Any there in Wyoming or Colorado?? Any Kauppi, Ojala, Wanahapiha, Kangas, or Hyrkas names in the phone book?? Huumo, Hautaaho, Kauppinen and Haarakangas are some of the names in my tree, although my grandfather on Dad's side never new his father, who was killed in a mine.? His mother remarried and the name was changed.? My wife has French and Irish roots, but she's still the best thing that ever happened to me.
I'm a vet, navy, Carter years, nothing to brag about.? Decommissioned the McCain, carried the national ensign during the ceremony, color guard, picked from ship's crew.? I guess John was in attendance, though I didn't know him or talk to him.? My other ship is now razor blades, as well.? I feel old.
College grad, BA, English, Florida (UF) 1987.? Two weeks before graduation, got a call from Mom.? Cancer.? Melanomma.? Mestasized.? Didn't look that word up, finished up, packed up, went hom to the UP to watch her die, Oct 87.? Dad left election day, 2000.? Both Democrats, both held local township office.? So my registration says I'm Democrat.? Voted the lesser of two evils the last two presidential elections.? Stupak, our rep, had my vote first couple elections, lost it, this last election. He said yes to BCFR.
NRA life member. Wife $35 a year member.? Both have carry permits.
No, haven't become a member yet of GOA or any other.? I knew about NRA, only recently, last five years or so have I heard about other groups and only recently became aware of some folks' opinion of the NRA.? They've been around a long time and they do good.? Wife won a knife of the year at an NRA Friends banquet three weeks ago--has a buffalo carving, along with the knife.? Perhaps that says something?
Buddy of mine, last I heard, went to Wyoming.? We were in boot camp together, from same area. Haven't heard from him in years.? Others from this area go there to hunt.? I'm interested, what with banging my head w/unelected bureaucrats and all.? Almost made it there in 84.? Had headed south from the UP to the LP looking for work, headed west on 80 w/Wymoning as a possible goal, stopped in Des Moines for a burger, looked in the paper, saw some work listed, made a call, looked for place, stayed there, never made it to Wyoming.
How likely is it that one would find work in the NW or Hot Springs county?? Wife works in a bank, has been doing so for...15 years or so?? I said I'm a carpenter.? Would rather work for myself.? Any carpenters head to South Dakota from NW Wyoming to work?? Sounds like that Crook County only has 6,000 some people.? Pretty hard to pound nails for anyone if there isn't anyone that wants work done.?
Well, enough of that.? Let's see what happens now.