Yes! Contacted the folks at Middlesex Village Trading to start the order process for the Ranger Bess. :) I shall place a deposit for the order, then go there physically to pick it up and pay the balance. I shall likely acquire a bayonet and sling while there, just for the sake of being complete. Flinters tools I have, but more are never a bad thing.
After that, about a month or so from now, we shall make a day of it and drop down to Boston so my lass and son can visit Dorchester Heights, the Old North Church, the Freedom Trail and so on. After that, we'll drop by Lexington and Concord for a little. I will attempt to drop by the Trading Post in Pepperell to pick up real black powder and more flints.
Then we'll return home, exhausted and for me at least, thoroughly happy. ;)
Later this year I am after taking the family to Fort Ticonderoga. If practicable, Forts Edward and William Henry as well. Family history is wound around that area, no mistake. Yet another trip to Freeman's Farm, the battle of Saratoga area. Even later, a trip down to Valley Forge; I have never been there and would definitely like to do so before I pass from this life.
In between all of that will be a great deal of Longhunting and Rangering, mostly with the firelock but occasionally in medieval style. Hunting season will see me using the new piece....I can load it with shot or ball. I wish to become quite proficient and familiar with her, my Ranger Bess. I have no idea what I will name her yet; that will come after I have her in hand.
Here in my later years my love for our Colonial history has deepened and taken on the rich luster of well cared for wood. It is a little easier to Ranger with a firelock than with a bow or sword...not that I leave my tomahawk behind, or leave Tolkien and Medieval Rangering behind, but I find the Colonial style tends to match my personality as it is now to a greater degree. I know how to make my own gunpowder at need, know how to find and knap flint.
Change is the only constant. As I look around at my country, think of the service I have done, listen to the hatred and invective that pours daily from people who should most assuredly know better, I am left with a deep melancholy. I love my country as defined by its Constitution...but I detest my government...for it is no longer what it was meant to be and serves itself and not its people. It cannot continue in this way indefinitely; something will have to give somewhere. When it does, things will change, and there will be no going back. Passion governs, and she never governs wisely. We see it again, as Mr. Franklin saw it then. Remember, Change is the only constant. They gave us a republic...we have all but destroyed it. Let us hope we find a way out. It has to be said though, that history is against us on this point.
For what it is worth.
Siani Anne
