July 4 Independence day

[Rye Miles #13621]

This is a big Independence Day coming up. What are your plans? I’ve got two choices, my neighbors are having a little get together, barbecue etc. and there’s also a cowboy shoot that I go to almost every month. Hmmmm…….I may do both! The party is right across the street. Not sure yet! What are you doing?

Happy Independence Day early 🇺🇸🤠

[Subdeacon Joe]

Staying off the roads and watching the goings on on television. 

 

Praying that idjits don't set the hills on fire. 

[Cypress Sun]

4 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

Staying off the roads and watching the goings on on television. 

 

Praying that idjits don't set the hills on fire. 

 

About the same here. Steaks on the grill, some tv probably, make sure the drunk morons with the fireworks on the next street over don't set everything on fire as it has been very dry here for several months. I'll put the flag out at sunrise and take it in at sunset. Probably have to call the cops on whatever ***holes rent the AirBnB across the street.

 

My days of attending large parties on holidays is long gone.  

[Rye Miles #13621]

 

29 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

Staying off the roads and watching the goings on on television. 

 

Praying that idjits don't set the hills on fire. 

 

12 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

About the same here. Steaks on the grill, some tv probably, make sure the drunk morons with the fireworks on the next street over don't set everything on fire as it has been very dry here for several months. I'll put the flag out at sunrise and take it in at sunset. Probably have to call the cops on whatever ***holes rent the AirBnB across the street.

 

My days of attending large parties on holidays is long gone.  

Yea sounds like a plan. I’m not crazy about driving home after the shoot an hour and a half with crazy drivers! Walking across the street for a barbecue with my neighbors sounds better. 

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

I will be in Cheyenne WY shooting "Hell on Wheels" the Wyoming State Championship.  This will be state number 42 for me on my way to 50. 

[Brock]

Just be cool

[WD Farren]

Staying home and weezing off the neighbors gig.

 

Major fireworks for a few hours, rented port-a-potty and wading pool for the kiddies.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Saturday is the monthly shoot at TUSCO.  A - It's going to be some hot with perhaps a thunder Storm - Ick.  B - I don't fancy a three and a half Hour drive home with crazy's out on the road, especially thru Pittsburgh.  Gonna do some Steaks and listen to the neighborhood crazys' with their illegal fireworks.  Much prefer to stay safe you betcha.

 

PLUS ONE fer Rye Miles.  Gonna skip Tusco this month. 

[MizPete]

Watching fireworks in Rochester NY with daughter & SIL from their longboat.

 

Well, durn.  Daughter called & said don't come - they're miserable in the heat wave & coming home.

Edited July 1 by MizPete
change of plans

[Redleg Reilly, SASS #46372]

The Shortgrass Rangers are shooting!!

[Subdeacon Joe]

On 6/29/2026 at 1:11 PM, Redleg Reilly, SASS #46372 said:

The Shortgrass Rangers are shooting!!

 

So is about half of Los Angeles and Oakland. 

Edited July 3 by Subdeacon Joe

[Caprock Kid]

We’re shooting at South Texas Pistolaros in San Antonio!  What better way to start the day!

[PowderRiverCowboy]

Picked up my new 100% beaver hat last week, will be back up there this weekend 
Thursday Horseback ride in Black Hills

Friday test range  new SBR with the FRS trigger and suppressor
Sat well Parade , Black Hills Round Up , then back home for ranch Prime tenderloins and my twice baked potatoes with Drinks and Lonestar beer and watch Fire works

[watab kid]

im pulling a float in a parade that day then i think ill grill a steak ........drink some beer , enjoy the fact we are still a free democratic republic so far and not think n the socialists trying to make us communists'

i want to enjoy our freedom this year and i want to reflect back on when my father was alive at our 200th , i worked my butt off that weekend but he was true to his word there was endless beer for all that helped me that year , it was a great time and we were young enough to enjoy it as well as work hard to make it happen  

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

 Thursday morning going to throw three racks of pork back ribs in a brining bag with Italian dressing.  Saturday morning 4:00 going in the smoker over apple and cherry wood.  Thinking a pan of green chili cornbread will go well with some seasoned black beans and ears of corn.

Plenty of cold beers and whatever else I can come up with.

Going to watch the show from the Capitol in the AC.

We all are truly blessed to live in this amazing country.  None other like it, not even close.

Be ever vigilant my friends

Regards,

Chas B 

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

 Side note.  Left over cornbread covered with sausage gravy makes a great Sunday breakfast.  

Throw a good shot or two of Worcestershire sauce in the gravy mix.

[Subdeacon Joe]

15 minutes ago, Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104 said:

 Side note.  Left over cornbread covered with sausage gravy makes a great Sunday breakfast.  

Throw a good shot or two of Worcestershire sauce in the gravy mix.

 

Intellectually I understand why people like it. I've tried it maybe half a dozen times and it's a combination that doesn't work from me, and I'm not sure why.

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

1 minute ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

Intellectually I understand why people like it. I've tried it maybe half a dozen times and it's a combination that doesn't work from me, and I'm not sure why.

 Well brother you like what you like.

For me, the sight of ham or beets is enough to make me leave the room.

 

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 minute ago, Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104 said:

 Well brother you like what you like.

For me, the sight of ham or beets is enough to make me leave the room.

 

 

Yep.  As I said, intellectually I get why people like it, and don't understand why it doesn't work for me.  Might be because in my mind cornbread is supposed to just be slathered in butter and maybe a little honey or molasses  for dessert. (shrug)

 

There are few foods that I've encountered that I won't eat... Balute,  asparagus,  century eggs, brains, and some Oriental dishes. Chinese candied crabs...lordy, those things are nasty!

 

 

[Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme]

Here in  the VA Shenn Valley, we're expecting extreme high temps, with a high heat index, in an area currently 10" below normal in rainfall. Add in crowds, alcohol and fireworks.......... what could possibly go wrong???????????   This area could wind up torched and scorched worse than when Phil Sheridan left. 

[Yul Lose]

Most years we go down the hill to Escondido have a BBQ and watch the fireworks from my wife’s sisters hilltop home, not this year. Had my second hip replaced on Monday so I’ll be spending it in bed and in the recliner watching it on TV.

 

 

[Cypress Sun]

10 hours ago, Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104 said:

 Well brother you like what you like.

For me, the sight of ham or beets is enough to make me leave the room.

 

 

I sight of beets isn't enough to make me leave the room, but the smell of beets is more than enough. I like ham and Sausage gravy over biscuits or cornbread is an excellent choice. The ribs sound REAL good too. Might have to change from steak on the grill to ribs in the smoker.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Couple T Shirts for the weekend 

 

 

[DeaconKC]

[Subdeacon Joe]

Nice harmony 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaTGU4eobRT/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[Calamity Kris]

I'm still working many many hours so I'm a little too wiped out to do the whole smoked ribs thing.  Instead, I'm going to cook up a couple of steaks , baked potatoes, bacon wrapped asparagus, maybe a salad and a nice dessert.  We too are reluctant to go out in public because of the drunks and crazies out there.  We also have a 90% chance of rain tomorrow so that solidified the deal.  We'll watch the proceedings on TV. 

[Stump Water]

On 7/1/2026 at 7:54 PM, Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme said:

Here in  the VA Shenn Valley, we're expecting extreme high temps, with a high heat index, in an area currently 10" below normal in rainfall. Add in crowds, alcohol and fireworks.......... what could possibly go wrong???????????   This area could wind up torched and scorched worse than when Phil Sheridan left. 

 

Ditto here on all points.

[John Kloehr]

Tonight for the observed day, making a pizza but using a soft Pita from a local producer, beef from a local cow, cheeses from local producers (except the fresh mozzarella, that is from Wisconsin), the sauce is also local, as is the onion and bell pepper. The Pecorino, though, is probably from Italy.

 

Tomorrow night, not sure about food. Have choices. Did dig out my box of various boom-booms out of the ammo cabinet today, my property is too small for the Tannerite. Will likely set off some other things. Also have a 1911 I have cleaned but not shot yet, so maybe run a few mags. My neighbors are all good with this. They probably will outdo me.

 

Sunday, not sure yet.Mainly avoiding the tourist places for the next few days. When you live in a place tourists love, you enjoy why they come on the days they are not here.

 

Happy 4th and happy 250th!

 

 

[Eyesa Horg]

That's just plane cool 😎.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

6 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

Nice harmony 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaTGU4eobRT/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

What a wonderful presentation.  

 

Great harmony. No offensive screeching or crappy background music (which entirely too often takes over and drowns out everything else).  Sung in a way that allows everyone to hear the words without individual "solos" worked into the mix.

 

The kind of music I can listen to for hours on end.

 

Thanks, Joe.

[Utah Bob #35998]

Parade in the morning then a festival in town. I’ll do the parade and then come home and monitor the fire’s progress. Hoping I don’t have to evacuate ☹️

[Dapper Dave]

I am doing something that many people have told me is crazy. See, I have to work, of course, but several weeks ago I had a wild hair and asked my wife about doing something for the staff who have to work that night. Not just my unit - the whole complex.

So, I bought hot dogs. Not the Bar-S cheapies, not even Hebrew National, no, I went nuts. Costco Dinner Franks, the same giant all beef dogs they serve in their food place. 

So, between me and my wife, (a retired officer), we bought;

120 Costco Dinner Franks

120 fancy long buns

120 clamshells

120 sets of condiments, mustard, mayo, ketchup and relish

120 bags of Ruffles chips, assorted

120 bags of cookies

120 bottled water

And I bought an 8 quart crockpot to boil the dogs in, so they have the same Costco feel. I draw the line on steaming the buns, since I have to pack all this in and do it in the Complex break room. The crockpot is WAY too big for me to use for anything else, so after this is over it's going to my Sgt who has 6 kids to feed everyday. I will have him run the show, and after 2200 when things have calmed down, I will boil the dogs, put everything in clamshells and deliver to the 5 prison units here, since we are very likely to be short staffed and they won't be able to come pick them up. 

Why? Two reasons - I can and nobody else will. Admin treats Graveyard shift like we don't exist, and the Legislature gave us nothing this year, two years in a row, so I am calling this a Independence Day staff morale event. Admin is contributing nothing, zero, nada, nothing. You know, like usual. 
I don't even know how much we dropped on this, probably enough to buy a new Winchester rifle...but these kids are worth it. And if we run out, well, I have a microwave meal in the staff freezer I can have for dinner. Staff ALWAYS eat first in any potluck event I do, always, supervisors are after staff, and shift commanders, me, are dead last. I like to tell my kids, you guys do all the work - I'm just the hairy legged cheerleader. 

This sign follows me to every unit I work, and I hang it where it cannot be missed from that desk, so everyone knows my philosophy. 

Edit to add the box pile I am going to throw in my car in just a few minutes. Not pictured; water. Dogs are in the fridge until the last minute. 
 

 

Yeah, no beer, no booze, no fireworks, (I hope), and hopefully they like it. 

Edited July 4 by Dapper Dave

[Jonny Vero]

Going out to the Shasta Regulators monthly shoot! First event with a new to me new Vaquero to match my other one. Been shooting a blued 6 1/2" blackhawk and a stainless NMV 4 5/8" for a couple years. It will be nice to have the set

[Eyesa Horg]

6 hours ago, Dapper Dave said:

I am doing something that many people have told me is crazy. See, I have to work, of course, but several weeks ago I had a wild hair and asked my wife about doing something for the staff who have to work that night. Not just my unit - the whole complex.

So, I bought hot dogs. Not the Bar-S cheapies, not even Hebrew National, no, I went nuts. Costco Dinner Franks, the same giant all beef dogs they serve in their food place. 

So, between me and my wife, (a retired officer), we bought;

120 Costco Dinner Franks

120 fancy long buns

120 clamshells

120 sets of condiments, mustard, mayo, ketchup and relish

120 bags of Ruffles chips, assorted

120 bags of cookies

120 bottled water

And I bought an 8 quart crockpot to boil the dogs in, so they have the same Costco feel. I draw the line on steaming the buns, since I have to pack all this in and do it in the Complex break room. The crockpot is WAY too big for me to use for anything else, so after this is over it's going to my Sgt who has 6 kids to feed everyday. I will have him run the show, and after 2200 when things have calmed down, I will boil the dogs, put everything in clamshells and deliver to the 5 prison units here, since we are very likely to be short staffed and they won't be able to come pick them up. 

Why? Two reasons - I can and nobody else will. Admin treats Graveyard shift like we don't exist, and the Legislature gave us nothing this year, two years in a row, so I am calling this a Independence Day staff morale event. Admin is contributing nothing, zero, nada, nothing. You know, like usual. 
I don't even know how much we dropped on this, probably enough to buy a new Winchester rifle...but these kids are worth it. And if we run out, well, I have a microwave meal in the staff freezer I can have for dinner. Staff ALWAYS eat first in any potluck event I do, always, supervisors are after staff, and shift commanders, me, are dead last. I like to tell my kids, you guys do all the work - I'm just the hairy legged cheerleader. 

This sign follows me to every unit I work, and I hang it where it cannot be missed from that desk, so everyone knows my philosophy. 
 

 

Yeah, no beer, no booze, no fireworks, (I hope), and hopefully they like it. 

You're a special man Dapper Dave.

👍👍 To you and your wonderful bride. Happy Independence Day Sir 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[Dawg Hair, SASS #29557]

Today it is bittersweet for me and it always will be.  My better half passed on this date exactly seven years ago.  So I don't celebrate, I am just ever so thankful for what my great country has given me all my life and the 53 years my sweetheart gave me.