Now It's Dirt Diving

Above, Russ and I last week at Jerry's Cafe.

If it isn't one thing in life, it's another.

My Jamestown friend Russell took a spill in his yard last night and got pretty banged up. Well, not exactly pretty.

Fortunately, he'll heal up.

Last week, one of his dogs got bit on the tongue by a rattlesnake. He's healing up and is back home. This week, it was his master's turn. 

At least Russ didn't land on a rattlesnake, which is good thing.

Last Evening At Jerry's Cafe

Above, Russ and I at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup.

Last evening, one of my Jamestown friends, Russ Azbill, and I went to dinner at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup. He had never eaten there before.

I had earlier called him to ask him if he had a .38 Special/.357 Magnum pistol as I had some snake shot rounds in those calibers to give him. A few days ago, his dog Derek got bit on the tongue by a rattlesnake. Russ only had .22 caliber snake shot. The dog is at the vet's in Milan and should be coming home Monday (if they're open). He seems to be improving.

As we were talking, I mentioned I was going to Jerry's Cafe that evening and asked if he'd like to come along and I would give him the rounds then. He did and we went.

He liked Jerry's. I told him that Genaro's and Jerry's are my two favorite restaurants in Gallup.

UPDATE:

The vet called Russ this morning and Derek is being released today.

Thunderstorms Passed Us

Above, Nandoh's guest yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The scattered showers and thunderstorms passed us. It was dark and stormy-looking to the east, but we just has some clouds.

The next few days will be on the warm side in the 80s. No precipitation is forecast. This will probably make the snakes around here more active. One neighbor killed one rattlesnake the other day and I saw a dead one on Birch Road while riding the mini bike. I don't mind bull snakes, it's the rattlers that we have to be on the lookout for.

The forecast by the National Weather Service:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the morning.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south after midnight.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 79.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 80.

New Boots For Rattlesnake Season

Above, the new Ariat boots. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we are now in snake season here in New Mexico, it was time for me to finally "bite the bullet" and get a pair of boots.

I headed into Gallup to Zimmerman's Western Wear and bought a pair of Ariat boots. The price was reasonable and they boots fit great.

Above, detail on the boots. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They will be necessary to wear during the summer, especially when I have to go into the second acre after the RV garage is built. We have bull snakes (those are non-poisonous) and rattlesnakes here. The boots will be protective if I happen to come close to a rattler. I have already seen one bull snake here.

Bull snakes allegedly kill rattlesnakes. The locals are happy when a bull snake takes up residence on their property.

Whew! It Was Only A Bull Snake!

Above, a bull snake. Photo by Brittanica.com.

Welcome to country living!

This morning, I was just putting food and water for a couple of stray cats in the front yard and I heard a noise nearby. I looked and saw a large snake moving away. I jumped back. I looked and it had no rattles. It was a bull snake. He disappeared into (apparently) a burrow.

I have been told that bull snakes kill rattlesnakes along with rodents.

Above, special pest control ammo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Had he been a rattlesnake, I would have grabbed my .38 revolver and blown it to kingdom come. I have a special varmint (buckshot-like) load for my gun that I bought a few months ago at Warrior Women Gun Shop a few doors away from me.

"Snakes! Why does it have to be snakes?" - Indiana Jones.

Rattlesnakes Beware!

"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?" - Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Above, the box of "Shotshell" anti-snake rounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As we are now in springtime and getting nearer to April, I had been advised to beware of rattlesnakes. I was told that they generally come out of hibernation in April. In fact, a former resident of my home had lost a dog to a rattlesnake.

When I visited Warrior Women Gun Supply last week, I was shown some special .38 SPL/.357 Magnum "Shotshell" ammo. I was told that this ammo is very effective against rattlesnakes. These rounds can blow their heads clean off!

Today, I went down to the Flying J to pick up my mail and to have lunch at Denny's (it was a cheeseburger, in case you were wondering). On the way home, I stopped at Warrior Women Gun Supply to pick up some rounds of "Shotshell" ammo. I figured that I should get it now before the other locals buy up the supply.

It's a good thing I never got rid of my two .38 SPL/.357 Magnum revolvers. They may just come in handy this coming snake season.

You gotta ask yourself a question, "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, snake?

Warrior Women Gun Supply

It was finally time to pay a visit to one of my neighbors, The Browns.

I met Jerry Brown several weeks ago as he was out walking his dog near my home.

They live two doors away and up the hill from me. They also have a little gun shop at their residence, Warrior Women Gun Supply.

When I saw their store, I was immediately impressed! They have reloading equipment along with ammo and new and used handguns and rifles for sale.

Jonni Brown, who runs the store, is a licensed gun dealer and she said that if they don't have what someone wants, they'll get it (usually in around three days).

Above, the Brown residence and gun store at the top of the hill in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally, they are open when their gates are open, but usually it is by appointment.

I must have spent about an hour shooting the breeze with the Browns and some customers. Jonni asked me if I have a .38 cal. gun. I said yes. She then showed me some special cartridges that consist of clear plastic for .38 cal. weapons. Inside, are tiny balls (like buckshot). She said that the rattlesnakes will be out in about a month and I would probably want this ammo to blast them away. She said this ammo is highly effective.

It is a good thing I haven't sold my two .38 cal. guns.

I'll definitely pick up some of that ammo!

For more information, go here.