OT: Having Fond Memories Today

[Blaine]

I was thinking about all the fishing gear out in the shed that I don't use anymore. And the 25 or so guns I never have time to shoot. The bow that's in the garage that hasn't seen daylight in years. Oh, I get out a few times a month and give some of it a workout, but I guess my point is this. I remember when, as a child, all I had was a pump up BB gun, access to a single shot shotgun and a couple cane poles. Poor as church mice, I treasured those things as much as life itself. I'm not sure of the point of all this, but I'm sure it's to do with quality vs. quanity. I sure enjoy having the wherewithal to have a few extra toys, but I wonder if I value it as much as I did that pump up BB gun and a couple cane poles? I still have that old Crossman 760. It still shoots just fine. Oh, well....just a little maudlin St Paddy's Day drinkin' and thinkin'.....Peace, Brothers.

[gamekeeper]

They say that "you can have too much of a good thing" and I think that can be true if a lot of acquired possesions are not needed or used.

Trouble is, as soon as you let something go, you find a use for it!!

[Ysabel Kid]

Trouble is, as soon as you let something go, you find a use for it!!

That's why my collection travels in one direction - in towards my house!

Ah yes, simpler times. I think the best year of my life was when I was 5. I got my first BB gun (a Red Ryder levergun); no school (I started in 1st grade); no job; no girls. Life was playing in the mud and shooting tin cans. Hoping that is what retirement is going to be!!!

[brucew44guns]

I think it would be nice, in this enlightened age of miracle toys, if we could go to town and buy a nice long Cane Pole still!!! Been looking in front of stores a long time to see some standing up in a barrel, nice skinny flexible tips that bounces good when a big perch gets on the hook. A couple of those poles to go with that brand new Daisy Red Ryder I got awhile back, and my wife and I will go terroize some ponds here in Kansas this summer. Just need some worms and a bobber.

[Sixgun]

Blaine,
I'm with 'ya brother. Back in 1968, my most prized posessions were my Winchester Model 250 .22, a Winchester Model 1200 12 ga. and a Winchester Canadian Centennial 30-30. I was 14 and the world revolved around those guns and my paper route which fed the guns. In my mind, nobody was happier or had more guns than me.

Well, fast forward to today. I'm still a very happy dude but that "high excitement" thing has worn off a bit when acquiring a new/old gun. I have been known to walk in the house with a 90% 1886 or a first gen Colt, and quiently walk downstairs to the dungeon, record the serial numbers, put 'em away, and forget about 'em for a month or two.

Every few months, I take stock of my life and make "simplification changes." Things like attending weddings, birthday parties, painting the living room, etc. go out the back door and new moulds, shoots, rifles, and accessories for the Jeep come in the front door. I paid my dues---these last twenty years are mine to do as I please.

A few years ago I was talking to this old timer about (?, can't remember) and I says to him, "Boy, I bet that gets you excited". He says to me, "Sonny, No it don't, I'm 83 years old and it takes a lot to get me excited!"


I guess that is what we have to look forward to-shortly -----Sixgun

[J Miller]

Today, we have too much quantity, but not ENOUGH quality.

We've lost track of the basics.

Joe

[rjohns94]

this is exactly what I felt like before going to Ethiopia and was confirmed when I was there. I have spent about a year getting rid of items that I don't use, and either saving the precious to me or upgrading the few items left. In that time I have bought/sold perhaps 50 or 60 guns that I had not being used, sold a boat, a dingy, I have a motor cycle up for sale, given away everything else that is either duplicated or redundant or that someone else could use better. In this time, alot of cash has become available to me to help others, to pay for future mission trips, to either upgrade or pay down other expenses. I have dropped magazine subscriptions, stopped buying books and magazines at borders, watched less tv, read more of what I have. I have a deeper appreciation of "less is more" and I continue to process my excess out and take better stock of what is important. I very well could do with so much less and as I move towards finding the balance in my life, I understand more the blessings that God has bestowed in family and friends and in HIS son. I love the outdoors and hunt, shoot, fish, do archery, sailing and boating. I ride bikes and run. I ride motorcycles. I have many interest but I am finding that finishing strong in God's eyes are more important than anything else. I am rambling here so I will close, just wanted to chime in saying I know what you are saying and that LESS IS MORE.

blessings.