Skeet League

Posted on August 4, 2016 by kathousekelli70

I got my firearms license in 2006 intending to do clay target shooting after watching it in the Olympics. High hopes back then I guess, and Cowboy Action fell into my lap before I even tried it anyway!

So here we are today, having shot once with Flat Top and Missouri Mae when we first stayed with them in 2013. Come join the Skeet League they said, it will be fun….or words to that effect.

We never did get around to doing it with them last year and the question was asked again this year. Well, why the hell not, I'll give it a crack. How hard can it be? When we do clay toss from an activated shotgun target I can smoke them.

Haa, Haa, Haa not as easy as that let me assure you. Jack says, no way he is doing it, not much success getting them in cowboy but is happy for me to give it a go.

Soooooo, first night up for it I get 7 (out of 25 shots per round) in each of the two rounds. Not bad but a little disappointing. Etiquette is different to cowboy and there are some really good shooters including my fellow cowboys and cowgirl that make up our team. I can't swear/cuss or get over excited which is funny and a little weird.

Last week, second night I only get 3 in each round, now this is a little deflating! 6 out of 52 shots you have to be kidding me! Lucky I'm good at cowboy.

Anyway our friends say, let's go practice after cowboy (this is yesterday). Yep righto. 3 rounds, 78 shells later, I had some success! But that was yesterday….

So tonight was league again. You think I might have got somewhere with practice yesterday! Slightly ecstatic about hitting 12 in the first round and 13 in the second round! Yippee! I might be getting the hang of this gig. 😉 not changing from cowboy anytime soon though.

Here's to the orange 'birds' today!

Kat xo

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Good End To A Great Day

Posted on July 9, 2016 by kathousekelli70

This morning we set out to the Territorial Marshal's club match, 3 posses, 45 cowboy's and cowgirls in total with a few onlookers/newbies including an Aussie and her husband would you believe!?!

We had a ball, 6 stages, trying out a new shotgun and using Jacks pistols all went well. Finished 3rd overall, Jack 5th.

My pistols have been handed over to Roy's Creek Dan for a total rebuild. They were second hand to start with, had an absolute flogging over the past 10 years (in particular the last 3-5years), looking forward to the next 10 with them!

This afternoon it was rest time, do a bit of computer work, cool down and then this evening we headed down to Bricktown, OK City and went to Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill. A celebration in between both our birthdays as we often do. (Me on the 4th and Jack on the 18th)

We sat at the bar area, had big mugs of beer, chips and salsa and then an excellent ribs and chicken with coleslaw and fried okra – yes, we decided we would share – a damn good decision as they are big meals, all the while watching NASCAR in Kentucky. Yee haa!

Good day, great night, now for a cuppa and Cinge Tequila!

Night peeps!

Kat xo

http://tobykeithsbar.com/menu/

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Red Dirt Wild Bunch

Posted on June 12, 2016 by kathousekelli70

Oklahoma State Wild Bunch Championships are done and dusted for another year. It was a hot, hot day Saturday and a little kinder today.

The Red Dirt Company of Rough Riders got together for a pic today (all those dressed in their Rough Riders outfits) but there were a couple of others yesterday that I wish had have been in today's picture.

Ten stages in all, a Fastest Pistol side match – that was a hoot, man on man shootout, and a BAM Match (Bolt Action Military).

Thanks to Hondo Tweed as Match Director and all the Territorial Marshals that helped set up, paint and tear down. John Elder and his wife for the fantastic food both days.

Stages were great and reasonable on rounds. Was a great primer for End Of Trail and Colorado State Champions coming up.

Men's Modern and 1st overall went to Shell Stuffer from (southern) Illinois, Ladies Modern and 1st overall was Missouri Mae, who along with Capt Sam Evans won the shootout.

Jackaroo placed 2nd in Modern Mens Senior! I placed 1st in Ladies Traditional, won the Ladies Fastest Pistol and Ladies BAM match.

A whole bunch of fun with a great bunch of people. Will see some at End of Trail or next on the range in Arcadia. Congratulations to all other winners, I remember some but without the scores cannot submit here correctly.

Happy shooting!

Kat xo

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Lincoln County Cowboys

Posted on June 5, 2016 by kathousekelli70

In the morning light a posse of 16 cowboys and cowgirls rolled into the Crossroads Gun Range of Cushing, Oklahoma.

The sun beat down from a bright blue sky, later giving way to an Oklahoman breeze. With a tip of the hat and the pledge of allegiance, a six stage shoot out got under way.

They listened for how the shootout would take place, gathered their guns and ammo to take down the targets as the stage was set.

There was laughter, disappointment, cussing and messing with some.

At the end of the day, the cowboys and cowgirls came together for dinner and regaled each other with their tales – all the while with smiles on their faces and looking forward to the next time they came together at the next corral.

I'll be your huckleberry.

Kat xo

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Guthrie, OK

Posted on May 29, 2016 by kathousekelli70

Walk down the main streets of Guthrie, Oklahoma and you are met by some of the most beautiful architecture at every turn.

Guthrie started out with the Land Run on April 22, 1889 where it became an immediate town of some 10,000 people and was the first capital of Oklahoma. Well for a few years it was, until a special election in 1910 named Oklahoma City as the state capital and it was from 1913 as it is today.

It's still a little early for shops and some Museums, so we headed for the one we knew was open – The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library.

I had to ask the lady at the Museum, because I've thought about it for some time, what the difference is between Sooners and Boomers? Now I know, she and the Museum explained it well and no it is not just related to the University cheer song.

During and leading up to the Land Run – the 'Sooners' as they became known were the cheeky ones getting to the unassigned lands first. Checking out the ideal plots of land and then hiding out until the whistle blew for the race for the land grab. They would then pop up out of hiding and stake their claim.

The 'Boomers' had spent many years through government and legislation trying to get access to the land and often came in setting up towns only have to the army move in and shift them back to where they came from and burn the towns down.

The Museum was really good, fantastic information AND I found a new and interesting character to portray in dress. Loved perusing the Montgomery Ward & Co catalogue!

Hee hee hee, would love to get my hands on a copy of this Lady's Etiquette book as well! Might have to research this one. If the drafting books language is anything to go by, this should be hilarious!

In 1907 Oklahoma became the 46th state of the United States of America and so another star was added to the flag.

The original state flag commemorated Oklahoma as the 46th state, it was later changed because with its mostly red nature it fell out of favour where the colour red was associated with certain war conflicts around the world. 1925 saw the current design take over.

The library is stunning, beautiful timber work, high ceilings, and fireplaces.

A well worth trip to this Museum if you are ever in Guthrie.

Back up the road we walked – Saloons are few and far between these days. Back in the day there were 22 saloons in the main block!! What's an Aussie to do when they can't find a beer at high noon? One girl did offer for us to come in and she'd pour one for us while she was changing light bulbs (officially opening times for the few bars/restaurants is 5pm) we thanked her and declined.

We stepped inside the (once) Blue Bell Saloon and was glad to see the bullet hole ceilings and the gorgeous bar were still intact. However, was only patroned by a few having hamburgers (a cafe restaurant now) and not one beer tap to be seen, no bottles of liquor on shelves no nothing!

The famous western movie star Tom Mix used to bartend here.

Anyways, it's time to take the Historic Trolley tour of Guthrie then we will find somewhere for lunch.

Suffice to say there are some 2,000 historically listed buildings and homes in Guthrie. Some designed by architect Joseph Foucart.

There are a few parking lots that used to have what I can only imagine to be the most beautiful sand stone hotels, including the Mineral Wells Bath House with its indoor pool – said to have every kind of healing bath imaginable.

There are many examples of Greek revival, Georgian and Craftsman style homes to name but a few. (I can see a few 'Fixer Uppers' here too! I've been watching that show too much lol!)

So much information that I didn't get down in time as I was busy gazing at the buildings and homes but this one did make me giggle. This little red and grey home was ordered in a complete package form from Sears and Roebuck catalogue – sorta like your very first IKEA kit you might say!

Guthrie used to be wealthy for its cotton producing. A gentleman by the name of Adler was the first to be licensed for wholesale liquor manufacturing (funny how I remembered that bit 🙂 ). The very first services, gas, electric, water and more, all came out of Guthrie. The most famous lawmen for the area, known as 'The Guardsmen', were Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman and Chris Madsen.

Last but not least Guthrie was originally a train stop and was known as Deer Creek in 1887, all 4 major train services came through this stop including Souhern Kansas Railway (later taken over by Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway). As some of you may know the ATSF was also associated with the Harvey House era and Guthrie's second depot was indeed a Harvey House stop (restaurant style stop for travellers, full service) and the Harvey girls lived in dormitories on the second floor level of the stop.

Trolley tour finished we had lunch, went to the Extra Special Fabric Store that I have been told had some awesome prints suitable for Cowboys and Cowgirls. It didn't disappoint, walked out with some new fabric for Jack and myself. Will be back there again.

Then we headed to the Drug Store Museum and wow! If you've got anything wrong with you, you would definitely have found all sorts of known and obscure cures for any type ailment. Was very interesting.

We wandered in and out of antique shops before hitting the road back to Edmond. A worthy little day trip only a half hours drive away.

It is Memorial Day weekend here (like ANZAC Day in Aus) Lest We Forget.

Kat xo

For more info, check out some of these sites.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guthrie,_Oklahoma

http://www.okterritorialmuseum.org

http://www.drugmuseum.org

http://www.extraspecialfabric.com

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Back in Oklahoma

Posted on May 22, 2016 by kathousekelli70

It's been a whirlwind 4 days as we got back into Oklahoma.

A few days shopping, rejoining the gym, hitting Cabelas for reloading gear, Hancocks for fabric (still can't believe it's closing down! One of my resources at times) and today…..we got to shoot again with the Territorial Marshal's.

Forty three shooters turned up on a glorious day to shoot 6 cowboy stages and for a few keen beans a short 3 stage Wild Bunch Pistol match. Good to be using the 45 again and with the new “$2” front sight we will just have to see how it goes!

Not that it looks much now, it's been cut, ground etc but yes my new front sight (for now, hopefully it will stay, it has lifted slightly) is made from an Aussie $2 coin.

Oklahoma State Wild Bunch Champs are on in a few weeks and we have a few midweek practices as well before we head out to End Of Trail.

Catch ya

Kat xo

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Diary of Desire Pt 5 – Putting It All Together

Posted on May 18, 2016 by kathousekelli70

Yes, it appears the 'inner 15 year old child' managed to work it out as per the books instructions. Although one instruction wasn't adhered to and had to correct the error of my ways, thankfully still at the lining stage.

Everything seems to be sitting just perfectly except for one slight alteration needed at the back neck and shoulders. Got to be happy with that!

Here in lies the mishap! See how the front seems high?

Well, refer back to said instructions and previous shown photo of drafting and as I was told to – “add 7″ to the front skirt following dart allowances etc”. As you can see I felt in my, somewhat older than 15 years, that this seemed a little ridiculous (despite having drawn it up as instructed) when the rest of the bodice was only 5″ from waist to edge and so cut it off 2″shorter. The result? A bodice that's too high in the front and doesn't look right.

Right, stitch that bit back on and thankfully almost nothing of the join is to be seen once sides are trimmed to suit and once facings are in place all is concealed. Shhhhh!

Then it was onto the sleeves. Now in one mind I was tempted to use a Truly Victorian sleeve pattern but I had decided this gown was to be done using the drafting machine and this would surely be cheating. The book specifically details how to draft sleeves from measurements using the square rule.

So yes! I did draft the sleeve using the detailed square. Much to my surprise and sheer delight it worked! All I really needed to see was that it looked like I knew it should be!! Bit hard to see in the pink pen.

Next step was to pull apart the lining and cut each piece from the fashion fabric and reconstruct. With this now comes the customising – making it look like the photograph of the original gown.

You will note now the front is a sensible length? Lol! Sides to be trimmed.

Next step. Let's have a look back at the original bodice. Oh yes, tabs across front gold ruched section. Hooks and eyes all down one side for the bodice to be closed, so a small gold panel is put in place.