Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

First Full Moon of 2025

Well, this (clickable) photo taken this evening is not technically the actual full moon which occurs sometime tomorrow afternoon, Arizona time, it looks full enough to us to qualify as the January “Wolf Moon.” The naming of the wolf moon supposedly comes from the howling of wolves that occur at this time of the year. All we get here, is the occasional coyote pack serenading the neighborhood.

Since this is the first post of 2025 on this blog, let me wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year. And for those displaced persons in the Carolina/Tennessee hurricane and California fire areas, Godspeed and prayers. We’re supporting those charities which will direct help to those areas despite the efforts of government bureaucracies to hinder their efforts. More power to those organizations and to the volunteers working the problem areas.

The image you see above will probably be one of the last taken by me, using my trusty Canon Rebel EOS SL1 camera, since I ordered a new Canon EOS Rebel SL3 to replace the old one. The new camera has several features which will enhance my ability to take and render photos. A couple of new features (which I cannot describe before using them), including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. I’m sure they will be handy for me with the apps that Canon provides.

The lunar photo specs follow: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 with EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens. Settings: 1/640 sec, F9.0, ISO 800, Focal Length 250mm using the camera’s Normal Program automatic mode. Click on the image to enlarge.

The old camera is likely to wind up being used by my eldest granddaughter, who will be putting it to use in her professional photography endeavors. Our three grandkids (all girls) all live in Northern California. Our youngest granddaughter will be giving birth to her first child, our fifth Great-Grandchild sometime in February.

12 Jan 2025 by Astronomy Notions Photography 0

2025 Concealed Carry Map and
  Winterizing the Small Arms

At some point in 2025, Damsel and I, along with the dogs, will be travelling in the RV, the purpose of which is to visit some of the places where our ancestors lived and died. Since we both wish to be armed wherever we go, it is helpful to know where our permits to carry will be recognized, so we visit USA Carry to consult their interactive concealed carry maps. After clicking on Arizona and Utah (where we have permits), our map looks like this:

There are 39 states (in blue or green) that recognize our Utah or Arizona permits. Fortunately, most places we intend to visit accept our CCWs. There is one small exception in one of the no-carry states on our proposed route. We’re thinking about how to handle that one, but I’m sure it will work out. Perhaps National CCW Reciprocity will happen by our travel date (not holding our breath).

The other arms-related issue here is getting everything winterized. Today, I inspected, dusted off and oiled up several of the inventory. At this point, we’re about halfway done with them. The (clickable) image below shows my semi-auto long arm and the maintenance setup on the patio atop the Spa cover.

The winterization of the rest of the inventory should be done by next week. That effort will include several pistol-caliber carbines which have yet to be taken to the range (by us). Maybe we will take them out and get them dirty before their winterization.

30 Dec 2024 by Arizona CCW Firearms Notions Retirement Wanderlust 2

Christmas 2024

Well, Merry Christmas, everybody! We hope that you all have a blessed Christmas Day and for the year to come, peace and prosperity. In the USA, we expect a much better year to come with the transition to the Trump/MAGA administration.

We are quietly spending Christmas Day here at our desert abode, just the two of us, since closest family is over 300 miles away. We will be talking and/or texting to some of them, however, via the various electronic and social media.

The gaudy animated message above is a product of my digging out some old graphics tools to generate the image. The background is a screenshot from one of those poor You-Tube videos with crappy-sounding Christmas Music, but it looked festive and I used it. The animated part comes from an old application I’ve had for over 20 years.

Notwithstanding the commercial-looking graphic, we still celebrate the Holiday keeping in mind the true meaning of the Nativity of Christ the King.

The Birth of Jesus From Luke 2

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

May the true Christmas spirit be with us today and always. Amen.

25 Dec 2024 by Holidays Religion Technobabble 0

First Day of Winter 2024-2025

Today marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere. It is also the shortest day for us with only nine hours and fifty-six minutes of daylight.

In Wickenburg, we’re enjoying a nice sunny day and expecting a high temperature today in the mid-70s Fahrenheit. It is also The Sabbath, God’s Day of Rest. We will be preparing our feast of “Gumbolaya,” which is a combination of Gumbo and Jambalaya, two very favorite Southern (Cajun) stews. If we add okra to the Jambalaya, it becomes Gumbolaya.

Tomorrow, for Sunday Dinner, we will be having Crockpot Roast Top Round of Beef. Check the Food Blog for photos of the eats.

Clickable Image above: Waning Gibbous Moon over the big Saguaro Cactus in front of the Garage.

21 Dec 2024 by Arizona Environment Food & Dining 0

2024 Cops Who Care
   Classic Car Run

Damsel and I attended the annual “Cops Who Care” Toyz for Totz Car Run and Show today. We were early, and the entire field had not yet shown up, but since we were both a little under the weather, we did not stick around too long. However, Between Damsel’s Camera and my Samsung phone, we managed a few good shots of some of the action.

First, who can remember 55¢ Big Boys and 30¢ shakes from Bob’s Chain in the 60s? Good times.

And how about this good lookin’ 1957 Ford Panel Truck?

And there were many other old classics, most notably this old red and yellow roadster …

… and a seldom seen REO roadster. Click on any image to enlarge.

Before leaving, we deposited a couple of unwrapped toys for the kids that benefit from the Car Run.

08 Dec 2024 by Arizona Charity Classics Nostalgia Photography Something Shiny

Beyond Infamy — 83 Years ago

December 7th is the date we post about when it comes around each year, because we choose not to forget “a date that will live in infamy” and because of the massive historical significance of the surprise attack on the US Fleet in Pearl Harbor. Not only that, but the effect that it has had on the lives of many of us that lived during that era and the memories we have of it. My memories are kind of limited, since I was actually born after 1941, so we can discuss those perhaps on the next December 7th — or the one after it.

The image above (found somewhere on the internet), is another aerial view of the final resting place of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. What I did not know until I did some research for today’s post, was that some of the assets of the Arizona went on to provide support in the ongoing war in the Pacific after the initial bombing.

From the National WWII Museum of New Orleans:

USS Arizona’s Last Salvo

Famously, the battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) was only in combat for minutes before a Japanese armor-piercing bomb struck the ship’s forward magazine, causing an explosion that devastated the “super-dreadnought” and killed 1,177 officers and crewmen. The hulk of the vessel, battered and burned, became a symbol of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

While other warships at Pearl Harbor were recovered and refitted, the Navy quickly abandoned the idea of reviving the Arizona in its entirety. But crews worked on the wreck for months, removing equipment, cutting away mangled metal, searching for bodies, and reclaiming weaponry.

The report goes on to describe the salvage and reassignment of some of Arizona’s armament for use by the Territory of Hawai’i and other US Naval vessels.

On this day, we pause to reflect on the lives lost, the resolve of the American people and to thank the Lord above for the eventual outcome of the conflict. We further pray that in these times of reckless global policies of the US that the incoming administration may stay any further escalation of war or other forms of terror on the American people.

07 Dec 2024 by Arizona Military Nostalgia Notions Patriotism

Happy Thanksgiving 2024!

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we gather around the table today, we are reminded of the countless blessings in our lives—our families, friends, and the love that surrounds us. May we take this time to reflect on God’s grace and the many gifts He has given us.

Let us give thanks for the strength of our bonds, the beauty of shared moments, and the joy that comes from loving one another. May this season of gratitude inspire us to live with compassion, generosity, and faith.

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving filled with love, peace, and happiness!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

— Psalm 100:4-5

28 Nov 2024 by Culture Family Food & Dining Holidays Notions

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