Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

The most memorable Labor Day for me was in 1984 when I attended the campaign kick-off for the Reagan-Bush campaign.

It is estimated that 50,000 people attended Ronald Reagan's formal Labor Day campaign kickoff rally at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley. I remember the day being hot and some who were bused in couldn't get in as the venue was filled to capacity. Luckily, Mike Evans (a longtime friend) and I got there early enough to get in. 

Here's one of my photos of President Reagan addressing the crowd. Those I can identify are: Ed Rollins, Pete Wilson, Nancy Reagan, Charlton Heston, George Deukmejian, President Reagan, Maureen Reagan, Johnny Grant and Dennis Revell.

Above, President Reagan's Labor Day campaign kick-off
 in Fountain Valley, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.  

For this week's entry of Classic Rock Music Monday, we have Shelley Fabares, who passed away on August 22 at age 82 with her 1962 hit, "Johnny Angel". While I've always liked Shelley, I definitely am not a fan of her husband Mike Farrell. Oh, well. I never saw her on the Donna Reed Show (I started watching the show after she already left), but I first noticed her in the Elvis Presley movie, Girl Happy (1965).

From Wikipedia:

Michele Ann Marie Fabares (/ˌfæˈbreɪ/; January 19, 1944 – August 22, 2026) was an American actress and singer. She was known for her television roles as Francine Webster on One Day at a Time, as Mary on sitcom The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963), and as Christine Armstrong on sitcom Coach (1989–1997), the last of which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations. Her film roles included playing leading lady to Elvis Presley in Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966), and Clambake (1967). In 1962, her recording of "Johnny Angel" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Anti-Gunners Won't Like The 2026 National Firearms Survey Findings

Over the years, anti-gun advocates have made numerous arguments to support their campaign to ban guns. 

Thankfully, those arguments can be easily debunked and that the Second Amendment has been bolstered by recent Supreme Court decisions. 

Townhall has posted an article that the anti-gunners won't like from the 2026 National Firearms Survey.

They begin with:

The anti-gunner lobby isn’t going to be happy about the findings of the 2026 National Firearms Survey, which destroys some of the most common arguments they make in favor of gun control.

The survey was conducted by Dr. William English of Georgetown University.

Researchers found that gun ownership in the United States has increased significantly over recent years — especially among racial minorities. It also found that defensive gun uses happen far more often than anti-gunner advocates suggest. The study also showed that a large chunk of the U.S. population owns firearms that anti-gunners want the government to ban.

Let’s dive into the numbers.

To read more, go here. 

5 Classic Hunting Rifles Hunters Refuse to Sell

5 Classic Hunting Rifles Hunters Refuse to Sell (Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 and More) video from Gunsmith 360.

Summary:

Every hunter has one rifle they'll never sell, and these five classic hunting rifles explain why. From the pre 64 Winchester Model 70's legendary claw extractor to the Savage 99's forgotten rotary magazine, this video breaks down the real engineering behind the vintage hunting rifles that still outperform their modern replacements in the field.

 

NSSF Member Alert: New Mexico's 7-Day Waiting Period

This morning, I receive an email from the NSSF, the firearm trade association on the status of the 7-day waiting period for gun purchases in New Mexico.

It reads as follows:

New Mexico 7-Day Waiting Period Update

Last year, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled in an NSSF^®-supported challenge Ortega v. Grisham that New Mexico’s seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases infringes on the Second Amendment by preventing the lawful acquisition of firearms by those who had already passed a NICS check. The case was remanded to the district court, which entered a preliminary injunction as to the named plaintiffs. On August 27, the district court determined that it was bound by the Tenth Circuit’s decision that the law is unconstitutional and granted summary judgment for the plaintiffs.

It is NSSF’s position that the Tenth Circuit was clear that the law is unconstitutional as to individuals who receive a “proceed” from NICS. However, the New Mexico Governor’s office has advised lawyers handling the Ortega case that the state fully intends to enforce the statute against FFLs who are not a party to the case. While NSSF strongly disagrees with the state’s threat to enforce this unconstitutional law, we recommend that FFLs for the time being refrain from transferring firearms to customers who have passed a NICS before the seven day waiting period expires. Lawyers handling the Ortega case are exploring all available legal options in response to the state’s position, including filing additional legal challenges. NSSF will provide further updates as matters develop.

This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. You are encouraged to consult with your own attorney before making any decisions.

Cruise Tipping Etiquette

Above, the Celebrity Mercury docked at Juneau, Alaska in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When my family took a cruise to Alaska back in 2001, my mom left a cash tip for the steward for our room.

Since then, I've noticed that gratuities are added to the cost of the cruise before one even steps on board. But, if one still wants to, an extra cash gratuity may be left in the room just before vacating it.

Southern Living posted an article on whether you should tip on a cruise. 

They begin it with:

Stepping aboard a cruise ship often feels like entering a floating city, complete with endless buffets, poolside cocktails, and attentive staff ready to cater to your every possible need. Amid the excitement of planning shore excursions and lounging under the sun, one question remains: should you tip on a cruise?

Unlike dining at a restaurant or ordering an Uber, the etiquette of tipping at sea can be confusing, with varying policies and pre-set service charges. What’s included and what’s not?

To read more, go here. 

What Is WACA?

WACA is short for the Winchester Arms Collectors Association. It is based in Montana and has over 3,000 members. 

They put on the annual WACA Show in Cody, Wyoming. Mitch Geriminsky and I attended the 2025 show. 

Above, the 2025 WACA Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From their website:

The Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation with a worldwide membership of over 3,000 individuals. WACA was organized in July 1977, incorporated February 21, 1978, in the State of Montana and has been NRA affiliated (#G8143) since 1978.

Our members are devoted to the preservation, understanding and collecting of Winchester firearms and related products as well as the role these products had in forging America’s heritage.

The Winchester Collector, a quarterly publication, is dedicated to the collecting of Winchester Firearms and related Memorabilia. It includes Winchester related articles, highlights from our shows and events, as well as calendar updates and classified ads. We encourage our members to contribute to our publications, as we showcase our members’ favorite Winchesters.

We currently produce the WACA Show in Cody, WY, and as an association attend shows in Wellington, OH, and Las Vegas, NV.  Members receive free admission to the Cody Show during public show hours.  Cody Show awards include specially sculpted bronze plaques, winners’ names added to the highly-coveted George Madis Best Educational and Glenn Hockett Best of Show trophies, and cash awards.  We encourage our members to participate in all Winchester shows.

 

Above, yours truly with the official 2025 WACA Show t-shirt. Photo by Mitch Germinsky,

To read more, go here.

36" Winchester Model 1894 Made In 1905

36" Winchester Model 1894 video from The Cinnabar.

Summary:

Join us as we take a first look at a rare and interesting Winchester 1894 with a 36" barrel.

 

Back At Jerry's Cafe

Above, some water with lemon slices for me. 

After a two-week hiatus, "Uncle Bob" Weekes and I made it for dinner at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup last evening.

Bob got there at 2:00 and I arrived fifteen minutes later. He put his name with the cashier and waited... and waited. We ended up getting seated at about 2:30. This had to be the longest wait ever for us. But, thankfully, we were in no hurry. 

Apparently, the locals were also "going through withdrawals" while the restaurant was closed for vacation for two weeks as it was packed. 

We had our usual meals (mine with the No. 3 combination of chile relleno and enchilada). 

It was good to be back.

We'll be in Gallup this morning for our usual Saturday breakfast gathering at Grandpa's Grill.

10 Hunting Rifles That Helped Keep Frontier Families Alive

10 Hunting Rifles That Helped Keep Frontier Families Alive video from Forgotten Frontier Explained.

Summary:

When we picture frontier survival, we usually think about blizzards, outlaws, and long journeys through hostile country. But for most families, survival came down to something much simpler: could the rifle leaning beside the cabin door reliably put meat on the table before winter arrived?

In this video, we rank ten hunting rifles and long guns that helped keep frontier families alive, from worst to best. We break down the versatile but inaccurate fowling piece, the small Stevens “boy’s rifle,” Pennsylvania long rifle, Springfield Trapdoor, Remington Rolling Block, legendary Sharps, Winchester Models 1873 and 1876, the underrated Marlin 1893, and finally the Winchester Model 1894—the rifle that helped define American deer hunting and is still being carried into the woods more than a century later.

Along the way, we explain why accuracy, stopping power, reload speed, ammunition availability, weight, and reliability mattered far more than reputation alone. We also look at the complicated legacy of the Sharps buffalo rifle, why repeating rifles gradually overtook single-shots, and how the .30-30 Winchester became one of the most enduring hunting cartridges in American history.

 

The Morning In Gallup

Above, Jerry's Cafe is back open after a two-week hiatus. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I had some business to take care of in Gallup, including the bank. I also got a badly-needed haircut. 

Following that, I went to Blake's Lotaburger and had a breakfast sausage burrito. They rival the breakfast burritos at Grandpa's Grill in my opinion. 

Above, the sausage burrito at Blake's Lotaburger. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the afternoon, the Blu-ray of EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert arrived, so I watched that during dinner. 

After a two-week hiatus, I'll be meeting up with "Uncle Bob" Weekes at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup this afternoon for dinner. They were closed for two weeks for vacation, etc. It'll be great to be back at Jerry's.

I've noticed that it is getting cooler at night and the sun is setting earlier. Before we know it, it will be autumn. Before long, we'll be shoveling snow here. 

Deb Haaland: Two DWI Convictions

Democrat candidate for New Mexico governor Deb Haaland did not exactly have a stellar life when it came to the law in her early years.

According to KJZZ:

A member of the Laguna Pueblo, Haaland was born in Winslow, Arizona, but describes herself as a 35th generation New Mexican. She spent her youngest years on the move as part of a military family, eventually settling in Albuquerque when she was 14.

Personal and professional difficulties followed. Within the next decade, she became a single mom living on public assistance. A drinking problem resulted in two DWI convictions.

To read more, go here. 

Haaland's Out-of-State Contributions At 58%

According to campaign-finance disclosures filed with the New Mexico Secretary of State, a majority of Democrat Governor-candidate Deb Haaland’s latest campaign contributions came from outside New Mexico—roughly 58% in the most recent reporting period. Earlier reports showed the out-of-state share approaching 80%. - Ant Thornton for NM.

"EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert" Blu-ray

This year is sure flying by. It was only in March that I went to the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup to see Baz Luhrmann's Epic: Elvis Presley In Concert. 

After returning home, I wrote and posted my review. To see it, go here.

The Blu-ray of the movie arrived today and I just got done watching it. This is my second viewing of the movie and it reinforced my review's grade of A+. It garnered a 97% favorable rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

The Blu-ray package contains two discs. One is for 4K Ultra HD players and the other is the Blu-ray. The images on my player looked quite good and the sound quality is excellent (don't be afraid to crank up the sound).

The movie covers Presley's Las Vegas residency at the International Hotel in 1969 and his early arena tours. The film purportedly contains "rumored" lost footage that was found while Luhrmann's was producing Elvis in 2022 

If one is an Elvis fan or just are a fan of rock 'n roll music documentaries, I recommend adding this to your collection.

WINCHESTER MODEL 94 OLD AND NEW RANGE REVIEW

WINCHESTER MODEL 94 OLD AND NEW RANGE REVIEW video from The Walk With Al.

Summary:

A complete Review of the old model 94 Winchester we show some of the differences between the two and how to recognize the difference Between the old model 94 And the newer model 94 and show You how The two different Rifles Perform Out at the range.

 

What Kills More People?

 

When Was Your Winchester Made? Part 2

Above, yours truly at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in
Cody, Wyoming last summer. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

To correctly date one's Winchester rifle can be a daunting task. 

When I checked my Winchester 94's serial number, I went with the Winchester Arms Collector's Association date data site. That site put it at being made in 1962. I referred to it when I was at the gun store about to buy the Winchester 94 using my phone. 

According to some Winchester collectors, data provided by some sites may not be totally accurate. That's why I called dating one's rifle can be a daunting task.

Many Winchester collectors request letters (for a fee) from the Cody Firearms Records Office at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West that states the year of manufacture and configuration data. They have the Winchester records. 

Above, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to their website:

The Cody Firearms Records Office currently provides manufacturing dates and configuration data on Winchester, Marlin, L.C. Smith, Ithaca, Savage, and A.H. Fox firearms using the original factory records held by the Center.

Factory letters are available to all individuals for a fee based on membership status and are typically mailed four to six weeks from payment receipt. Quick serial number searches are a Center Firearms Member benefit and are typically e-mailed within 2 to 5 business days of request.

There is another source for finding the year of manufacture of Winchester 94 rifles. It is the GunSerials website. They can be reached here.

To see Part One, go here.

Scouting America and NRA Gun Safety

Above, Boy Scouts at a shooting range. Photo from NRA Blog.

Now that the Boy Scouts of America has gone woke and became Scouting America, I was wondering if gun safety courses put on by the National Rifle Association are still being offered. 

Back when I was in the Boy Scouts in the 1960s, our troop took the NRA Gun Safety course held at the TRW Inc. (or Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc.) Space Park in Redondo Beach, California. I think we took the course in 1966 or 1967.

It turns out that Scouting America still partners with the NRA to offer firearms safety programs. I am pleased to see this.

From the Scouting America website:

Scouting America and the National Rifle Association (NRA) have worked together for more than 100 years to develop a strong shooting sports program. Many NRA trained men and women in Scouting America local councils are willing and available to work with units and youth. Too often, individual units want to go shooting with whatever guns they have at whatever location they think is safe. However, the Range and Target Activities program is both age-appropriate and structured with specific types of firearms and the appropriate places to shoot. Leaders and chartered organizations need to know and follow the program.

Here's a video on YouTube posted by the Boy Scouts eight years ago:

13 Essential RV Tips For Seniors

Above, yours truly at Mustang Sally's in Deadwood,
 South Dakota last summer. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Now that I am at the ripe old age of 72, I guess that puts me into the senior (some say geezer) category. While that's the case for me, I still enjoy hitting the road in my motorhome. 

Last summer, a friend and I took a long trip to Cody, Wyoming, Little Bighorn Battlefield, Devil's Tower and the Black Hills of South Dakota. I surprised myself that I was able to do all the driving with no problems. 

RV Travel has posted an article and video with 13 essential tips for seniors to make the journeys more comfortable and enjoyable.

They begin it with:

In the video below, Mike and Jennifer Wendland from RV Lifestyle share their most important RV tips for seniors. Spoiler alert: Many of these tips apply to everyone, not just seniors.

Our hosts, seniors themselves, firmly believe that with proper preparation and expectations, seniors can live their best lives ever in an RV!

To read more and see the video, go here. 

Top Used Guns On GunBroker For July

Above, the Winchester 94 named top used lever-action rifle by GunBroker for July. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever wonder what are the top used firearms?  

GunBroker has posted their results for July 2026 and the top used lever-action rifle category was the Winchester 94. The Ruger 10/22 is the top used semi-auto rifle. Neither one is a surprise to me. 

They begin with:

The top used guns on GunBroker in July 2026 sshowed stability across every major firearm category, with the Remington 700 leading used bolt-action rifles and proven names such as the Colt Python, SIG Sauer P320, and Remington 870 Wingmaster topping their own categories. This month’s top 10 spanned rifles, shotguns, and handguns, with established, long-production platforms represented throughout the rankings with long production histories.

The list broke down to four rifles, four shotguns, and two handguns, and Remington accounted for three of the ten category leaders. Every category leader from June held its position, making July a month defined by stability at the top, with the month’s movement concentrated further down each category’s top five. Below are the top 10 used guns for July 2026, followed by the key trends behind the rankings.

To read more, go here. 

Henry, Marlin & Winchester Ranked

Henry, Marlin & Winchester Ranked (Two Aren't the Company You Think) video from Frontier Files.

Summary:

Henry rifle, Marlin 336, Winchester 94: three lever-action rifle names, 160 years, and only one of them ever won anything the record can prove

No bench test here, because none ever happened. We follow the paper trail instead: two U.S. Army ordnance boards, an Ottoman order for 50,000 guns, Imperial Russia's 300,000, and seven million Model 94s. Plus the parts nobody says out loud. Winchester lever guns are built in Japan, and there was no rifle company called Henry for 130 years.

 

Rainy Day Yesterday

Well, we had our longest sustained rain of this monsoon season yesterday. It rained pretty much all day yesterday (which is what we need) and I stayed indoors for much of the day except for a quick trip to the Flying J. I did watch the 1996 flick, Independence Day for entertainment.

Then, around 2:00 this morning, I was awakened by the sound of a downpour. Once I am woken up, I generally can't get back to sleep.  

As of now, my weather phone apps say we're to have a dry day today with a small chance of rain in the afternoon. 

For your entertainment, I've posted Jimi Hendrix's "Rainy Day, Dream Away/Still Raining" medley from his Electic Ladyland album.

The Yen Is Trading At 159.98-159.98

For those reading this who are considering a late-summer/early-autumn vacation trip to Japan, here is the current exchange rate of the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen.

Jiji Press reported:

On the Tokyo foreign exchange market on the 1st, the yen was trading at 159.98-159.98 yen to the dollar as of 5 p.m., a depreciation of 41 sen compared to the previous day (159.57-159.57 yen). 

This, naturally, is the exchange rate for the "high rollers", but provides a good idea on what one could get at the foreign exchange offices in Tokyo.

To read more, go here.

Library of Congress: UFOs and Aliens Among Us

Above, yours truly at the International UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico.

The Library of Congress has hoards of documents (and, I guess, books) on all kinds of topics.

One topic is of UFOs and Aliens Among us. 

I perused a webpage from the Library of Congress on UFOs and Aliens and it is loaded with additional pages on UF0-related subject matter.

The page begins with:

UFOs and Aliens Among Us

In the 1940s and 50s reports of "flying saucers" became an American cultural phenomena. Sightings of strange objects in the sky became the raw materials for Hollywood to present visions of potential threats. Posters for films, like Earth vs. the Flying Saucers from 1956 illustrate these fears.  Connected to ongoing ideas about life on the Moon, the canals on Mars, and ideas about Martian Civilizations, flying saucers have come to represent the hopes and fears of the modern world.

Are these alleged visitors from other worlds peaceful and benevolent or would they attack and destroy humanity? The destructive power of the Atomic bomb called into question the progressive potential of technology. Fear of the possibilities for destruction in the Cold War-era proved fertile ground for terrestrial anxieties to manifest visions of flying saucers and visitors from other worlds who might be hidden among us in plain sight.

For those who want to delve deeper into aliens and UFOs, go here. 

Remember, Keep Watching the Skies!

9 Sneaky Cruise Fees

Above, yours truly having an adult beverage aboard the Norwegian Sky in 2024.

When it comes to taking a cruise, many think that the advertised prices are what one pays. That's actually not the case. The current trend among cruise lines are higher prices.

There are addition add-on costs such as gratuities, excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi and dining. 

AOL posted an article on what travelers should look for when it comes to additional costs.

They begin it with: 

Cruise fares can look surprisingly affordable, but the price advertised is rarely the amount travelers ultimately pay. In 2026, rising gratuities and charges for drinks, WiFi, dining, and activities can quietly add hundreds of dollars to a vacation.

Anyone trying to save money on travel should calculate these expenses before booking, especially since a low base fare may cost more overall than a higher-priced cruise with extras included. Watch for these sneaky cruise fees before setting sail.

To read more, go here. 

Baby Bear In The Hood

Above, a bear cub at Yellowstone Bear World in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday morning, we had a little bit of excitement in the neighborhood.

I had just gotten onto Interstate 40 to go to Gallup when my next-door neighbor called and said a baby bear was in a tree at a neighbor's down the street (about three doors away) from my home. He was concerned that the mother bear might be nearby.

Bears have been coming down from the mountains lately, probably looking for water. One was killed a month ago on I-40 and another was seen in the town of Milan (around 40 miles to the east) a couple of days ago. 

The Department of Fish and Game was called in on the baby bear and they darted her and took her away and is going to a rehabilitation center in Espinola, New Mexico. Apparently, the cub came out of Albuquerque with mom but she abandoned this one and another cub. She was already tagged.

Fish and Game was still at the neighbor's when I got back from Gallup. 

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.  

To start off the week and wrap up the month of August, we have Tears For Fears with their 1985 hit, "Everybody Wants To Rule The World." Note the Cabazon dinosaurs in the music video.

From Wikipedia:

Tears for Fears are an English pop rock band formed in Bath in 1981 by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, Tears for Fears were associated with the synth-pop bands of the 1980s, and attained international chart success as part of the Second British Invasion.

 

Dalai Lama and Mr. Mxyzptlk

When I saw this picture of the Dalai Lama, my immediate thought was that he looked like he was wearing garb from a Superman comic book character: Mr. Mxyzptlk from the 5th Dimension. 

Here's the photo:

Here's Mr. Mzyzptlk by Curt Swan on the cover of Action Comics #273 (From 1961. I have this issue, by the way):