TexasCowboy +Two Memorial Shoot XII Planning Thread

My Brain | 04-11-17 | TheMom

[TheMom]

For the first time in 12 years I am breaking two traditions for the TCMS. Each year the shoot is held at different locations; although some ranges were visited two or more times, it has never happened in consecutive years. But because my life has been a bit wonky lately I just don’t have the energy for the research and recon.

The other broken tradition is the name change. This year we will also honor my co-cat herder, NYTexan, and my beloved husband, Eaker; both of these fine men passed away within days of each other this past March.

Therefore, the shoot will mirror last year’s shoot. I spoke with the folks at Cherokee Village Resort this afternoon and temporarily reserved the entire place for October 19 ~ 22, 2017. Tomorrow I will call and confirm those dates, then post the final date to make your reservations. When calling to make a reservation, mention that you are with the TexasCowboy group. You will have to make a deposit equal to a one night stay.

The shoot will be held at Hicksville Gun Range, in Gatesville, starting at 10:00 a.m. on the 21st. Where once again we can enjoy the range dogs, the owners and lunch provided by our own cook, cpdiii.

humblegunner has volunteered to make some containers in which to place Eaker’s ashes, which will be attached to containers of tannerite so that we can all blow Eaker’s ashes into the wind. It will be an epic send off!

[humblegunner]

I’ll just leave this right here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KnAzpi4avo

[TheMom]

Almost three weeks until the shoot ping!

This past year has been a bit hectic for me which has cause putting the shoot on the back burner of my life. My usual enthusiasm for this event hasn’t been up to par of past years. I have read your comments on this thread and am sad to hear that some of you will not be able to make it due to health or work issues ~ you will be missed.

Here is as far as I have gotten on planning - for those of us arriving Thursday, we will have chicken spaghetti for dinner . . .

Plan to arrive at the range Saturday morning around 10:00. We will blow up Eaker’s ashes starting at 11:00. There are 11 clay pots, so everyone will get a chance to send Eaker to the Heavens.

I am thrilled that this event has become a well oiled machine after so many years because this year it is running on auto pilot.

Looking forward to seeing all of you.

[Lazamataz]

Yes, unfortunately (especially with Tom’s send-off!) I must be a no show. Recent new permanent role, 100% remote, but money is too tight. This is time I will miss the shoot and have the most regret, ever. :(

[Twink]

I miss Tom (Eaker).

Have so much I wish I could share him.

Are you still at the same address?

[TheMom]

I am not, I moved in July.

[Twink]

Are you in NY with your daughter? That’s close to me.

[TheMom]

I’m still in Texas, in the Houston area. FReep Mail sent.

[dirtboy]

Hopefully I can make it Saturday. October is going to be insanely busy for me at work, but I can work from just about anywhere and hopefully can arrange my workload to have long-running jobs going while I am up there.

[Twink]

Got it and Thank you :)

[TheMom]

Hopefully you can make it, it’s always a great day.

[cpdiii]

Mom

I shall bring the Brisket and plates and utensils. Anything else should I bring? I will also bring some chicken from HEB. Chicken is a pain in the ass to cook and HEB does a good job with chicken.

Just got back from Canada on vacation with one of my oil field buddies from Venezuela circa 1972. We do this every couple of years. He and I flew to Vancouver Canada and toured the High Rockies of British Columbia and Alberta. He flew in from England and I of course from the great nation of Texas. We had a great time looking at mountains and rocks and drinking fine malt whiskey from Scotland and blended from Ireland.

He and I are both geologists by former professions. He became a teacher of geology and I went back to school in 1983 when the oilfield went to hell. I became a pharmacist and pilot and he became a teacher of geology.

I value most greatly my friends from the El Roy Texas Cowboy shoot. We are special!

See you soon!

About how many people do we expect?

cpdiii THE COOK

[no-to-illegals]

Hugs and Prayers for All

[humblegunner]

I can't answer about how many people, but I can sure as hell tell you that
your range brisket & que is one of the top attractions to look forward to.

El Roy would be proud. I'm sure he is smiling every time.

[TheMom]

Glad you had a great vacation with your old friend.

I’m so ready for some of your brisket! I don’t have an official head count ~ but going to guess there will be between 20 & 30.

Looking forward to seeing you.

[TheMom]

Right back atcha.

[cpdiii]

El Roy would be proud. I'm sure he is smiling every time.

I am a poor substitute for EL ROY but I try. There will only be one EL ROY.

I conversed with El Roy frequently by freepmail due to our days in the oilfield.

We both worked some of the same places but never at the same time. I only had the privilege of meeting him due to Free Republic. The first shoot I attended was due to an invitation by El Roy I looked around and saw a long lanky Texan. I walked up to him and said, "you look like oilfield trash to me." He smiled and shook my hand and said, "you must be charlie." It was an instant friendship.

ps
If you "aint oilfield trash" do not say that to us oilfield trash as bad things will happen. That is just the way it is.

[SandRat]

What is IT???WHAT IS IT???

Technology, much like history, has a way of repeating itself. History, of course, deals with the day-to-day reality of events (natural and those created by human hands) that affect the Earth and all on it. Technology includes the small stuff that regulates, on the human level, quality of life. Every generation has a different tag to describe older technology. In the last 15 to 20 years, the phrase "old school" has been used to describe older methods and items, most notably from the previous 20 to 70 years. In some cases, this newfound interest has only restated what was previously recorded, in some form, since the advent of the Gutenberg press. Before that date, it was oral tradition which, in part, created the guild system that has continued into modern times.

From Tubal-Cain to the modern-day blacksmith, the art of shaping hot metals has always held a fascination for those who watch the process. As with all technology, as time progresses the methods evolve along with the materials and continue to change to this day. There are no old-school methods in blacksmithing, just the continuing celebration of past experiences at the forge.

This item is called a cherry, a tool used to create a mold, which is then used to create a musket ball for a smooth-bore weapon, be it percussion or flintlock. For something so small, the process is extraordinarily laborious. First, a blank has to be forged to a particular size either freehand or using a mold, then one hand files the cutter pattern into the shape and with a final hardening, we have a tool. Wait, there's more – to make the actual molds, two small blocks are heated and a punch or chisel is used to rough out half of the spherical form on either side. By clamping the two blocks together at a fixed distance, the cherry is used to refine the mold recess. As the cherry takes very light cuts, the spacer blocks are made smaller until the two blocks are tight together and the recess is finished. A sprue or pouring channel is cut, the two blocks are attached to handles and the ball is poured. With the exception of the filing of the cutter, this work is all done hot and at the forge. It should be noted that the tool is meant to be used in a hand brace. This is a simple description of a process that has endured for over 400 years. No CNC machine or 3D printer can ever replace it. As mentioned above, this is a skill set acquired from long and patient study with a master who deigns to pass on information to each new generation.

[luvie]

Sad knowing you can’t be here. :(

[humblegunner]

Next up:
History of the Shot Tower and why it should matter to you.

[TheMom]

I just received a phone call from Scott at Cherokee Village. There are six of the Bates Hotel rooms still open - he is going to take them off hold and offer them up to the general public. So if you waited until the last minute to reserve a room, consider this that minute.

Because we didn’t book the entire place, the pavilion will also be open to the same said public people. That should not be an issue, we will welcome those folks to join us.

Oh yea - TWO WEEKS UNTIL THE SHOOT PING!