My extended absence from the list

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy to the camp,

I thought I owed all an explanation of my long absence.

The transition cross country became absolutely mind numbing. Moving the family to the midwest this summer was the smartest thing we have ever done, but the logistics were overwhelming.   My wife and I moved, her aunt and sister (both disabled so we did it), our two daughters and there husbands (and out grandson) and my sister also disabled retired).  Then add everyones horses (6 total,
dozens of dogs for my wife's and my sisters kennels.  There were seven trips  cross country, and most resembled a cross between the Cherokee "Trail of Tears" and  Chevy Chase "Vacation" movie. The destination states involved were: Missouri, Mississippi, and Illinois.  All came from California. The odyssey started in March (though I had to stay in CA and work until mid-June) and just ended several days ago.
 
Add in trying to sell a property in California were values have dropped an average of 30-35% and the market is flooded with upside down and foreclosed properties, then add my job search here in Illinois, helping my youngest daughter open her Sports Bar, and re-establishing my wife's kennel.  There were times I thought I would melt down,  sit on the ground, and drool on myself! 

Now that we are here, however, I have never been happier.  I will still not be very active for awhile, as I started a new teaching job Friday, the first complete day I was back!

Tuolumne Lawman

[Harve Curry]

Howdy Tuolumne Lawman,
Sorry to hear of the price drops in the Golden State, I didn't know it is so severe.
Glad you like where your at. Will you be teaching history?
I'd be buying your Spencer but I have dumped a large portion of my annual income into attorney fees in fighting a suit against me. I'm trying to avoid selling some originals of my own. I seem to have disturbed my neighbor by inviting reenactor friends, cavalry, Spencers and more, and such folks to shoot on my 117 acres which borders National Forest . He don't want anyone traversing the easement road that isn't a owner, which is unfounded. Never the less, you have to defend yourself, and dueling is against the law. I have a theory it cut out the lawyers, so they made a law against it.
So now I'm doing it pro se, as they say.

yours,
Harve Curry

[PvtGreg]

Hi Harve,

Got a neighbor just like yours.  He screamed at me when an over night guest parked too close to his property line yet insisted that his mangy, neglected dog can pee and poop in my shrubs and yard at will (replaced in the first place for being pee and pooped on by said dog) and attack my wife when she gets home from work (he's just being friendly...).

Finally three months ago I had animal control staked out across the street and when my wife came home - bingo here comes sparky a running and they catch him in my yard (videoed it too).  A court hearing and a civil case later the dog is deemed too stupid and too aggressive to live.  Unfortunately the same couldn't be said of my neighbor, who is also too stupid to live.  We in the US have an exaggerated sense of a idiot's value.  Anyway it cost him a tidy $6000 - $2000 for the fees and $4000 for my yard repairs, of which $1200 went to the lawyer.

Even with the drought it was a sweet summer.  Hope it works out for you.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy to the camp,

Thank you for all the kind words, folks!

I am REALLY glad to be here!  I am too busy looking forward to look back, though.  Now that the last load is out and the house is sold, it is all about getting settled in on the great adventure of the new era of our lives.

I have shot one CAS match with the Macoupin County Regulators and one re-enactment with the 12th Illinois Cavalry this summer, but probably won't be doing much else until spring. A lot of settling in to do!