| Although I had grown up with firearms, my new | | | | has made a wonderful life for herself.The |
| wife had no such interest. The thought of | | | | next daughter in line was a natural when it |
| keeping firearms inside the house annoyed | | | | came to target shooting. She did not have to |
| her. As the children came along I began to | | | | take a back seat to anyone when it came down |
| show an interest in teaching the kids how to | | | | to hitting the target. She accompanied me |
| shoot. My wife trusted me and went along with | | | | several times to our deer lease. As time |
| my plans to interest the kids in guns and | | | | marched on she began to show interest in the |
| hunting. I had originated from a family where | | | | drill squad at school and the baton. She has |
| guns were the norm and they were meant to be | | | | a natural steadiness with the gun that |
| treated with respect. I kept all of the guns | | | | translates into torn targets.The next two |
| locked up and away from prying eyes at the | | | | boys showed a great interest in learning the |
| house. I had earned a respect from my father | | | | art of the gun and hunting practices. The |
| who on excursions out of the house on the | | | | older boy went with me rabbit hunting. We |
| farm always seemed to have his winchester 97 | | | | walked the woods and marveled at it's sights |
| in tow. I marveled as a youngster at the | | | | on every out door occasion. The shotgun was |
| sight of his collection. The thought of his | | | | his first choice. We shot birds and enjoyed |
| grand father's pistol being handed down to me | | | | every aspect of our time together. This |
| instilled a sense of inspiration into my | | | | November he has a date with buffalo,deer and |
| being.With several kids to practice with and | | | | hogs.The youngest boy was shooting pistols |
| instill a sense of safety into their | | | | and rifles effectively at an early age. He |
| education, we began our voyage. The oldest | | | | had his opportunities at deer and made the |
| boy enjoyed fishing and target practice at my | | | | most of them. Last year he shot a beautiful |
| father's stock pond. While in the boat one | | | | 8 point white tail, a 3/4 curl ram and a nice |
| wintry day his sense of comedy began to take | | | | hog. This year both of the boys will be |
| form. Half asleep ,I was awakened by shouts | | | | going down to our acreage to sit in their |
| from his end of the boat that a snake was | | | | stands and watch for deer coming to the corn |
| approaching. The pistol came out and shots | | | | thrown out of our feeders.My wife finally |
| were fired. The 22 caliber bullets did | | | | caught the bug. She asked for a pistol |
| nothing for the exterior of my lure which I | | | | several years ago. On Christmas morning a |
| had left floating on top of the water almost | | | | bright and shining new 9 millimeter Glock |
| an hour earlier. I thought that he was going | | | | hand gun was under the tree for her. At the |
| to fall out of the boat from excessive | | | | practice range she is gaining her mastery |
| laughter.The daughter next in line did not | | | | over the gun that she got for Christmas under |
| fancy the shooting arts to any degree. I did | | | | a shining green tree.The grand kids are next |
| not push my appreciation of the sport on her. | | | | if I still have the strength to walk the |
| Her pleasure came from backing the car into | | | | hills and dales and creeks of our county. |
| the lake when I asked her to get in the car | | | | The education by experienced people can lead |
| and pull the boat and trailer out of the | | | | to a valued respect for fire arms. Safety can |
| water. I guess that she was getting back at | | | | be taught that in later years can be very |
| me for pulling a prank on her after a viewing | | | | useful. A real life scenario is a much |
| of The Boggy Creek Monster. A film about the | | | | better teacher than the act of watching |
| exploits of big foot not that far from our | | | | television and trying to imitate every thing |
| front door. The shenanigans he exacted on | | | | that you see portrayed by actors. Those same |
| the local rural population was terrifying. | | | | actors, no matter how many times that they |
| At that point the only thought she probably | | | | are shot on t.v., will still get up the next |
| had in her head was using the gun against me | | | | morning suffering no ill effects from the gun |
| and all of the safety laws that I had taught | | | | shot wounds inflicted by their |
| her went out the window. She was and still is | | | | adversaries.Stephen Graham-Writes information |
| one of the finest daughters a man could ever | | | | about his life experiences and his hobbies, |
| ask for. She is a pleasure to be around and | | | | hunting and fishing. |