The Gun Line MkIII

It’s been a while since I walked the perimeter of The Gun Line.  Truth be told, there really hasn’t been a lot going on around here worth mentioning up until now – at least, not anything anyone else really needs to know about.

Things are picking up, however, in a good way…

Let me bring you up to speed:

As of last month, I qualified for the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation program – I finally decided what I wanted to be when I grew up: A High School English teacher.  I’m a full-time student at Spokane Falls Community College, pursuing an AA in English.  I’ll continue on at Eastern University for the teaching credentials, and then on to filling young minds with the wonders of the English Language.  Currently, I taking Introduction to Psychology (those people are crazy!), Geography (Where and Why), and Figure Drawing 101 (two hours drawing picture of beautiful women au natural – turns out I’m a pretty good artist!)  And it’s going well!

I am currently under the instruction of Pipe Major William Clark.  After a series of stops and starts, I am finally on my way towards learning the bagpipes in earnest , and the learning process proceeds swimmingly!

Having acquired the 1941 Ford GTB (“Burma Jeep”), I now have two “technicals” – as John would say, the M-37 destined for the frame-up restoration, and the Ford which is far enough gone that modifying it a bit won’t break my heart.  We’ve got a pretty old VFW post, and some of those guys have definitely earned the right to ride in a parade instead of marching, and so I’ll be knocking together some sort of back deck for the Burma Jeep to facilitate this (and who can’t use a 1 1/2 ton utility truck for when the weather goes sideways?

I seem to have gotten “furry” as of late!  My hairstyle is still within Marine Corps regulations – circa 1775, that is.  Most folks who know me remember me when I was in the Guard, sporting a “high/reg” cut.  Well, that ain’t the case how, what with the beard and long hair.  I decided that it was time to explore other options,  stop thinking like a soldier all the time (the whole “If your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail” argument.)  So I’m furry, but woe betide anyone who thinks I’m in some sort of rebellion mode “against the man” or some such nonsense.  I am proud of my service, proud of my accomplishments, proud of my comrades, proud of my Country, and there still lurks in my soul the crusty old Sergeant of infantry.  The Fur that I see every morning simply reminds me that I don’t have to think like a soldier all of the time, and I have given myself leave to consider other lines of thought of a less martial nature.

So, that’s the haps.  Have a great day!

Addendum:  Here are the vehicles: