[North Coast Conservative]

about 10 years ago I was very fortunate to sit with an old farmer who's place had once been the site of a Confederate battery during the Battle of Sharpsburg/Antietam.

He handed me a shell and cautioned, "Don't drop this".

Over the years he had pulled boxes and boxes of ordnance out of the ground in addition to musket balls, belt buckles, and buttons as well as knives, plates and other gear. He had a very healthy respect for the stuff which hadn't exploded 145 years before.

[Pontiac]

He handed me a shell and cautioned, "Don't drop this".

As much as I would love to handle an ancient artillery shell I think I would reply.

Thank you sir but I would happy just to look and not touch as my mother taught me.

Discretion is the better part of valor.