Category Archives: Lifes a Dance

Lifes a Dance

Battle of Plum Creek Day 1

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Battle of Plum Creek Bullets and Rails 2018 kicked off today with clear cool skies after the much rain Texas has had over the past month and a half.

Thankfully the grounds are not too boggy and suitable for carts today.

The resident Longhorns mayyyyy want to move their butts though before we start shooting!

 

This is a great range and would recommend it for anyone trying to get to a shoot in Texas. Comanche Country Ranch, Lockhart has brilliant buildings for you to shoot out of. I can't really call them facades because they are so much more than that.

 

Although Jack and I didn't shoot Wild Bunch we hung out with them for the 3 stages, picked brass, pulled targets etc.

Good fun had with Alamo Andy, Badlands Buddy, Dragon Hill Dave, Big Iron Patnode, I Reckon, You Bet, Shotgun Jim, Skinny, Skyhawk Hans, Wymore Wrangler, Yuma Jack. Artie Fly, Taos O, Joe Darter and Cowboy Small. Oh and Belle Kaye doing the scoring!

 

After Wild Bunch and some lunch it was time for side match speed events. We helped out some with Speed Pistol, shot it, speed rifle, shotgun and 'call your time'. Everything is running fine and ready for tomorrow.

We packed up and headed out to meet up with Artie Fly, Sadie and son Matt at the Caracara Brewing Company in Lockhart. Artie being a beer aficionado – a man after our own hearts! – suggested we try it with them. Great idea!

When we parked at the Caldwell County Courthouse the Day Of The Dead celebrations were about to get underway and I asked if I could take a photo. After the lady said I could, I got one and headed out of the way.

 

Off to Caracara and we had a beer flight to try out their four brews made in house right there. Lockertoberfest, Le Peche French Saison, On The Square IPA, and Plum Creek Porter. Very good indeed, oh and we tried 'Dingleberry' which was a mix of another local St Michael's Blackberry Mead with the Plum Creek Porter. Yum!

We had barbecue from Blacks Barbecue. The oldest major barbecue restaurant in Texas continuously owned by the same family. Oh my gosh, the brisket just fell apart and melted in your mouth. The sausage links were awesome and the beans, green beans and sauce were amazing.

 

Thank you Artie and Sadie (and Matt) for coming back from Austin to take in this experience with us. Good times!

 

Caracara also sell growlers unlike the glass one we bought in Amarillo it's a 32oz can, they fill it and seal it right there. Jack did a video of it and wanted to know if he could adapt his press! Lol! Brilliant!

Anyway, an early night as its Main Match tomorrow. Six stages ahead then banquet tomorrow evening. Followed by 4 more stages and awards on Sunday.

Have a great weekend no matter where you may be, shooting or not, just live!

Kat xo

 

Texas

Posted on by kathousekelli70

A different kind of red, white and blue, we are headed for the great state of Texas today and will end up in Lockhart mid to late afternoon.

We left with drizzly skies, car accidents and wet roads from Oklahoma this morning but the weather soon cleared to sunshine and blue skies and great flowing freeways.

 

We stopped in Waco for lunch and a jaunt to the Harley shop – Adam Smith’s Harley Davidson of Waco. Not as catchy as say, Toad Suck Park or Fort Thunder but an impressive store just the same.

Oh, and Cabelas, Cavenders and Joann’s! Yeah, ripper! Picked up Joanna Gaines (Fixer Upper) new book, Home Body. That will come in handy later 😉 plus fabric at a ridiculous price for couch revamp.

Got a call in with Belle Vaquera and life is good. 🙂

On to Lockhart where we will spend the next few nights for Battle of Plum Creek at Comanche Valley Ranch, previously known as Agarita Ranch. Looking forward to many catch-ups and a great match.

‘Lockhart was the site of a victory of the Texans over the Comanche, at the Battle of Plum Creek in 1840. It was originally named “Plum Creek” but was later changed to Lockhart.’

‘It gained another claim to fame in 1999. The Texas Legislature proclaimed Lockhart the “Barbecue Capital of Texas” and has four major barbecue restaurants’

We visited one last time we were here and it was really good! Lockhart has also been used in various films and the Dr. Eugene Clark Library is one of the oldest operating public library’s in Texas.

Have a great weekend y’all , wherever you may be!! Giddy Up!

Kat xo

 

Wild Bunch and Cowboy

Posted on by kathousekelli70

This weekend was spent in gorgeous sunshine, blue skies and critter sightings as we headed to the range both days.

Seeing an actual armadillo – instead of roadkill – was a highlight. The small stag yesterday bounding. Along the roadside and seeing his shocked 'oh crap!' Look on his face when he almost darted out in front of us was kinda funny. The hawks sitting on fences and in flight are just gorgeous.

Yesterday was Wild Bunch day and we had a blast! Jack shot Wild Bunch but I shot cowboy as I didn't know know how my hand would take it with the .45 and stitches and best not to mess that up.

With Hondo Tweed, Elwood James, John Elder, Jodi Coyote, Gordy Hattrick, San Jacinto Joe, DJ, Slade, Jack and I, we ran through 4 stages.

Hondo, not wanting to see us leave OKC as a base, had made up lines referring to Jack and I. It was fun and humbling and we thank you for your kind words yesterday. We will miss everyone much.

 

The Mine – he had remembered when Posse'd with us one time and Jack was having a few issues that I had said “Suck it up princess!” and so that was the start line for that stage. I gave Gordy style points for saying it almost wih an Aussie accent but then when he 'princesse'd' his rifle vertically into the rack, I had to recall the style point. Lol! Good fun.

We moved on to the Mercantile and in recognition of my artwork there (Jacks handy timber work also) the line became “Welcome to Kathouse Kelli's place”

Into the Saloon and Hondo likes an adult beverage as much as we do and so the line became “A toast to Jack and Kat” (I heard you use that one again today too Hondo ;))

 

The final stage at The Depot and not wanting to say goodbye..and really what cowboy ever does…the line became “Happy Trails to you” ….until…we meet…again.

 

A great day followed with Cowboy Chicken and said adult beverages with the odd Ziegen Bock. Thanks guys for an excellent day! We thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Today was Cowboy match with 23 turning up that weren't at other shoots. Two posses ran the 6 stages. Jack had a pretty uneventful day and shot his first clean club match all year. Good work man. A blonde moment had me leave one shotgun target up but extremely happy with pistol and rifle. Hand is working fine and not pulling on the stitches.

 

Thanks Stoney Cahill, Hurricane Deck, Badly Bent, Trent, Prairie Drifter, Elwood James, Stonewall, Travellin' Travis, Gun A Do It, Hondo Tweed. We had a blast! Another sensational day with great cowboys and cowgirls finished with Mexican at Habanero's.

Thank you Territorial Marshal's.

Kat xo

Hee hee hee, new sayings I learned today – anymore inbred and he'd be a sandwich! – and – his family tree is like a wreath! Lol! Redneck lives matter, just sayin' 🙂

 

What’s In A Week

Posted on by kathousekelli70

That really depends on how much you can fit in now doesn't it?!

It's been full on as we prepare for selling and shipping but you can always find time for dining with friends, sewing, playing pool, shooting and much more.

Last Friday we were at Bricktown Brewery with Missouri Mae, Flat Top and Roy's Creek Dan, picking up gear, lunching and trying the local brews. Neon Sunshine, a Witbeir style beer from Stonecloud Brewing and Anthem Arjuna, a Belgian style wheat ale from Anthem Brewing Company – both Oklahoma brewed, proud and strong.

Absolutely love the atmosphere of this place and the decor – good ideas for our brew place later on! 😉

 

Saturday morning rolls around and Jack is trying to fix the kitchen tap, I come up with a brilliant idea to help get the thing apart (it's calcified from the water and isn't budging). Taking one exercise band – yes with eyes rolling, was not the smartest idea after the fact but you can see where this is going – wrap around said tap and pull as Jack taps with the hammer. Now at this point a tiny voice in my head is saying 'ease off with the strength sunshine' but before the conscious mind kicks in, off comes the tap, whacks me in the hand and so we have a hole requiring a couple of stitches. Enough said.

 

Sewing takes place, culling and a couple house showings in between we arrive at Wednesday.

Jack and I head to the range for some practice, things are pretty interesting with a hand taped up but we had a good morning.

 

Another house showing that evening so we head up to the pool hall, it's quite, the beer is cheap, the pizza good and 7 games later I'm up 4-3. A good night and back for a tot of moonshine and talk to my Rori boy.

 

Finish the sewing but can't show you this one yet. A drive by the dog at the vet's – he gets dressed up in all sorts of gear depending on the holiday or season and this time he is a spider! Fall is rolling in with the gorgeous changing of the leaves.

 

That's how we roll in a full week. Should have been at Branson this weekend but the weather here is glorious and I'm hearing it hasn't been that kind for the shooters there! All the best to those who attended.

Hope you're having a great weekend wherever you may be!

Kat xo

P.S. We did get the tap fixed! Lol!

 

Wednesday Work Shirkers

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It’s Wednesday in Oklahoma and that means range time.

We had a good group with RCD, Flat Top, Missouri Mae, Roadrunner, Lady Roadrunner, Gunkiller, Della, Smoky Mike, Broncho Red, Rockslide, Cal Cogburn, Cooncan, Bertie Winchester, Wildcat Cliff from Colorado and his daughter and son in law, Jack and myself.

Six stages busted out with plenty of laughs, guidance and shooting.

Great shooting with them again!

Kat xo

Rusty’s TV and Movie Cars

Posted on by kathousekelli70

A museum found along Hollywood Drive in Jackson, TN, Rusty's is worth a quick stop and if he acquires another building he will have a further 30 cars on display in addition to the 20 displayed in his current building.

Rusty Robinson has been collecting cars since he was 14 years old. He has been buying tv and movie cars with many being the originals. He also has replica's he has built himself and his attention to detail is outstanding.

Rusty will give you a quick tour then leave you to take photo's and check them out.

First we have the original firesuit and hood of Ricky Bobby's – Talladega Nights AND his underwear from the fire scene, lol!

 

Pee Wee's big adventure, original bike.

 

Next the original Fast & Furious Nissan GT-R that Paul Walker drove in the fourth movie and the neon green Eclipse from The Fast & The Furious.

 

Original Herbie Fully Loaded.

 

A replica Teenage Mutant Ninja wagon that Rusty built with the actual toy sitting on top.

 

A replica built full size Ghostbusters vehicle.

 

The DeLorean from Back to the Future and original futuristic red heavily altered Ford Probe from Back to the Future Part II.

 

Starsky and Hutch's Ford Gran Torino. A variety of Gran Torino's were provided for the filming of the series from 1974-1976 models. They all came painted in code 2B “Bright Red”.

 

Wayne's World original 1976 AMC Pacer with gorgeous baby blue paint and blue and white upholstery. Some other mods were made to the vehicle for the filming and additional restoration was carried after so it could be roadworthy again.

 

The actual batmobile from Batman movie with Michael Keaton and Adam West's bike from the TV series of Batman.

 

The 'Death Race' car Jason Stathom drove is the actual one that was built for the film, using a 2006 Ford Roush Mustang as the base.

 

The General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard is a replica in fine condition.

 

Also replicas of Scooby Doo Mystery Machine and of course Lightning McQueen from Cars.

 

Quentin Tarantino's 2007 film Death Proof featured Kurt Russell. This is the actual Nova used in the film and the jacket Kurt Russell wore.

 

He's got Munsters, Beverly Hillbillies and Blues Brothers replicas. The Blues Brothers film is said to have crashed the most cars during filming ever.

 

Then there is the actual sparkly purple vehicle used by Eddie Murphy in Norbit including his shirt.

 

This bike ridden by Damon Wayans in Blankman, is in full working order with its obscure parts. The main part of the bike was the one Arnold Schwarzenegger road and crashed in Terminator 2!

 

Knight Rider, remember Kit? Well that's there too.

 

The gorgeous red coyote from Hardcastle and McCormick.

 

Last but not least the bike used by Nicholas Cage in Ghost Rider.

 

I can't remember which cars but Rusty did mention that a couple of them only have 200-500 miles on them. An amazing collection and there are all sorts of other memorabilia as you walk in the door that I didn't get a pic of.

Would definitely visit again when he gets the rest on display.

Kat xo

Click on the link to find out more Rusty's TV and Movie Car Museum

 

Casey Jones

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Casey Jones, climbed in the cabin,

Casey Jones, orders in his hand

Casey Jones, leanin' out the window

Takin' a trip to the Promised Land

Now you've got that stuck in your head, haven't you?! I did the whole way through the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum.

 

Mind you that is the chorus from Johnny Cash's version of 'Casey Jones'. The original 'Ballad of Casey Jones' was written by Wallace Saunders, a friend of Casey Jones.

Come, all you rounders, if you want to hear

The story told of a brave engineer;

Casey Jones was the rounder's name

A high right-wheeler of mighty fame.

It is long and tells of brave Casey Jones riding the trains and saving his passengers on his last fateful ride.

 

He was born John Luther Jones in Southeast Missouri on March 14, 1863, the eldest of 5 children. He and his siblings grew up in Cayce, Kentucky. He fell in love with all things railroad. During his railroad work when asked where he was from, with Cayce being the answer he was soon known and referred to as 'Casey Jones'.

Casey started work with the Mobile & Ohio Railroad as a telegrapher at age 15. While boarding with a family in Jackson, TN he met and fell in love with the proprietors daughter, Janie Brady. He and Janie were married in 1886 and had 3 children of their own. He was a devoted father and husband.

 

Having become a proficient telegrapher, Casey then moved up to the position of fireman. Eventually earning his ultimate role as an engineer, Casey was one of the best.

 

During his employ with Illinois Central Railroad, Casey was making a run from Memphis, TN to Canton, MS on April 30, 1900. At 3.52am he was killed in a train wreck.

The mainline was supposed to be clear for the mail and passenger run but Casey didn't know that ahead, a train had stalled on a siding due to a broken air hose, leaving 3 of its carriages still sticking out on the main line.

 

Casey had almost no warning but managed to slow his engine from 70mph to 35mph, telling his fireman Sim Webb to 'jump!' just moments before the impact. With one hand on the whistle and the other on the brake, Casey's engine collided with the other train and he was killed in the crash. He had managed to slow the train enough that all his passenger cars stayed on the track and all passengers survived. He was just 37 years old.

 

If my memory serves me correctly from the short introductory video, compensation payouts totalled around $29, with the highest being $5 for bruising to the fireman.

Through personal appearances by Sim Webb at events honouring Casey Jones, the ballad written by Wallace Saunders and his wife, Casey became famous around the world.

The museum houses many railroad artefacts, a model display of Casey's crash, news articles, photos, and much more. Through the museum and out on the platform is Engine 382 where you can ring the bell of the engine.

 

After hearing the railway sounds on the platform you can walk around to go through and view his original 1870's home that was relocated to the current site in 1980. It was originally located at 211 West Chester Street in downtown Jackson.

 

Also located here is a number of small shops in the Casey Jones Village. The Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store, is a step back in time! From the moment you enter there are the original post boxes, counters filled with old antiques, exquisitely ornate timber shelving, the antique original soda fountain and 1890's ice cream parlor.

 

The Old Country Store offers buffet style meals, three times a day or you can get take out or eat in the Dixie Cafe on the other side within the store.

The food choices were many and everything was very fresh. There is also another area with some old homes, chapel, bakery, mini golf and farm that we didn't visit.

If you ever get into Jackson, TN this is all worth a visit!!

Kat xo

Click on the link below for more info.

Casey Jones Village

 

Parker’s Crossroads

Posted on by kathousekelli70

We left Tullahoma, TN this morning and it has been raining overnight. Not long into the trip and it's raining on and off.

Not far from Jackson and not our intended tourist stop for the day, we pulled into Parker's Crossroads for a quick look. Part of the Tennessee Civil War Trails, this where Union Troops led by Col. Cyrus L. Dunham fought Confederate Gen. Nathan B. Forrest's cavalry on December 31, 1862. This is where Forrest gave his famous order to

“Charge them both ways!”


 

Forrest had been dispatched with his 1800 men to sever U.S. Grant's rail communications in West Tennessee. After a successful two-week mission across the region, Forrest then headed east toward the Tennessee River.

 

Five miles northwest of Parker's Crossroads they stopped for a couple of days. Union Gen. Jeremiah C. Sullivan saw a chance to capture Forrest. He sent two brigades to trap the Confederates.

The morning of the 31st, after learning that Forrest's troops were at Flake's Store, Col. Dunham's brigade of 1500 men left Clarksburg and marched South toward Parker's Crossroads.

Dunham's men got to the crossroads first and formed a line of battle at Hick's Field, a mile northwest. Forrest's artillery and dismounted cavalry went into action on the northwest perimeter of Hick's Field, causing Dunham to retreat back towards John Parker's house at the crossroads, where they reformed a line, paralleling the Lexington-Huntingdon Road.

When Forrest flanked this position, Dunham changed his front northward,M suffering severe casualties from Forrest's artillery. Pushed south by the constant bombardment, the Union line took refuge behind a split-rail fence.

While unrelenting artillery fire held Dunham in place, Forrest ordered an attack on the Union rear. Dunham about-faced most of his brigade and charged southward but his forces were surrounded. With the battle seemingly over, Forrest parlayed with Dunham for surrender. Suddenly, Col. Fuller's entire Ohio Brigade arrived from the north behind the Parker house, where it captured 300 Confederate horse-holders.

Forrest was now caught between the two Union brigades. He thundered, “Charge them both ways!”, gathering 75 men and charging into the left flank of the Ohio Brigade. The swift counterattack disrupted the Union attack and Forrest escaped, heading to the Tennessee River Ferry crossing at Clifton.

(The above has been written from the Parker's Crossroads brochure)

All in all, here were 3000 Union soldiers (237 casualties) 1800 Confederate soldiers (500 casualties).

Forrest led a number of brigades through several battles during a a four year period from1861-1865. He later became a member of the Ku Klux Klan in 1867, just two years after it was formed and was elected its first Grand Wizard.

He remains today as a highly controversial individual. Ya think!?! A very interesting story behind this Civil War General indeed.

So there's a little piece of history in brief for today's trip.

Kat xo

Parker's Crossroads

Gen. Nathan B. Forrest

Civil War Battlefields

 

The Regulators Reckoning

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The 2018 TN State Championship, hosted by the Wartrace Regulators went off with a bang!

We were blessed with perfect sunshine Friday first day of main match and an overcast pleasant Saturday for the second.

Ten stages with a good mix of movement, choice and action. We commend them again, on another great match!

The range of course was perfectly decorated with its potted 'Mum's', window treatments and little extras on the stage props. I could tell Dodge City Dixie had her hand in this with her sewing and embroidery skills making an appearance here and there.

We had a great posse, with our Posse Marshal's Reno Mustang and Dodge City Dixie, we filled it out with Bama Cowboy, Suttie, Pickpocket Kate, Buford Tanner, Marshal Rico, Scrub Oak Willie, Garnet Gal, Dirty Nerdy, Brada Tat Tat, Boben Weev, Miss Weev, Lacy V. Wildfire, Yellowstone, Dancin' Duelist, Potshot Parker, Jackaroo and myself.

Was a good time had by all, plenty of laughs, cheering, and jobs on the line were hard to find. That's when you know you have a great working posse. Great shooting with y'all! 🙂

The Bell Buckle Banquet Hall is a spectacular little hidden away gem – why we have not gone into Bell Buckle before is beyond me and now we have not had the opportunity to check out their famous cafe and little shops in a cowboy town sort of setting.

The Banquet hall was decked out with covered chairs, tables with cowboy decoration, lanterns with mini fairy lights, chandeliers, blue enamel plates and cups, has a stage for presentations and separate area for the dinner service. I was suitably impressed.

 

Three new Jedi Gunfighters were inducted – Waimea, Brada Tat Tat and Appalucy. Congratulations gunfighter shooting legends!

I won Best Dressed Cowgirl alongside Best Dressed Cowboy, Count Sandor.

 

There were 41 clean shooters for the match from 204 shooters.

 

Jack faired well, shooting the best match he has shot in a long time and he was clean!! He had some stiff competition at this match but his performance certainly proved him 1st place in Elderstatesman!! Congratulations Purly 2nd, Snake Oil George 3rd, Three Deuce Cowhand 4th and Max Payne 5th. C W Knight was the TN State Champion.

 

I placed 1st in Lady Wrangler with Pickpocket Kate 2nd. Congratulations Kate was nice to shoot with you on our posse.

 

This year's TN State overall champions are Blackfish Kid and Dodge City Dixie.

 

A huge congratulations to Mens Overall – Prestidgitator and Ladies Overall – Dodge City Dixie. Well played, great match this weekend Dixie, great to watch you shoot again, you deserved it!

 

Thank you Wartrace Regulators, we had a great weekend catching up with so many cowgirls and cowboys again.

Kat xo

Click on the link above to check scores and the club itself.

 

“The Regulators Reckoning”

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Is this year's 2018 Tennessee State Championship, sponsored by The Outpost Armory, hosted by the Wartrace Regulators.

This morning started off with Jack shooting black powder. As we caught up with other cowboys and cowgirls we hadn't seen for a while, we did some side matches and a 4 stage warm up rounded out the afternoon.

 

The weather had been a little on the cool side in the morning but by the end of the day was clear skies, sunshine and the occasional warm patch.

Tomorrow some 200 odd shooters will be set for main match first 6 stages. The stages look interesting, straight forward and somewhat close up.

 

Bring it!

Although Jack forgot to pass on the memo regarding pink, it was great to see so many people wearing pink for a great cause – yes cowboys are 'tuff enough to wear pink'!! The ultimate pink wearers, Randy Saint Eagle, Missouri Lefty and Blue Eyed Drifter (not pictured). Outstanding people, outstanding!!

 

Hope you are having a great weekend about to start.

Kat xo