4:25. That’s what time I woke up. I know, because I rolled over and looked at the clock. According to the much-dimmed white numbers, I was up at 4:25. No reason, I just take spells of not being able to rest. And of course, I was pretty wound up from all the aggravation from the previous day. So when you wake up at 4:25, and you see what time it is, and your brain starts processing how long till your alarm goes off, and if you have to teetee, and what that dream was about, and what caused you to dream such craziness…and then real life comes raging at you and that’s when there’s no turning back. And you’re on a loop of trying to fall asleep and worrying about whatever. It’s a vicious cycle that gets you nothing besides bone tired at 7 of the evening when you’re standing at the stove trying not to burn salmon patties.

I’ve noticed on social media, when people have nothing else to say, they’ll post about whatever everybody else is posting about, be it news, sports, celebrities, or politics. Celebrity deaths are especially popular topics. I think the last time I said anything about a celebrity dying was when Michael Jackson left us. Y’all know I’m a big fan of the sitcom Friends but I didn’t know Matthew Perry personally. I didn’t have much to contribute. Would I miss him? Well, no, not really. I’m not a TV watcher, and I wouldn’t say I’m a big movie goer, apart from the summer of 2022 when I watched Top Gun eleventy million times. So I just don’t feel the need to remark on every celebrity passing. We all know they’re gone. I like country music just fine, but what good does it do me to tell y’all one of the more popular musicians is gone? You’ll see it for yourself elsewhere.

What I’m getting at is more people seem more distraught about Toby Keith passing away from a long illness with cancer than they are with an officer being killed in the line of duty in a neighboring county last night. Seven point four miles from me, to be exact. I’m not distraught, I’m livid. This thug should have been locked up eons ago. But there’s no room, the officials will say. You know what? The problem would work itself out if you would quit dosing the addicts with Narcan every time you turn around. What does that stuff cost, by the way? More importantly, who’s paying for it?!?

Good thing this is an election year. We all talk about cleaning house. I think it’s time to. See where people stand. You’ll have to do some digging, but it’s best to make an educated decision. And then you can back it up with reason. I talked with a lady today who’s been heavily involved with local politics for decades. She asked me if I had committed to a candidate for school board yet. I told her no, not exactly, but I knew who I wanted to vote for unless convinced otherwise. I gave her my reasoning. I was glad to have reasons, and a fairly strong conviction about it. I was doubly glad to hear she was working on behalf of my choice, too.

More on that next week, after early voting kicks off.

It’s absolutely terrible about Officer McCowan and his partner. The double felon shooter POS thug trash is still at large. I’m hoping that the last judges who turned him loose are feeling the weight of their decision on their shoulders. This is a man who should still be in jail. Who should have no rights. A repeat offender has no place in society.

If a criminal has no problem taking out two officers and fleeing the scene, they’ll have no problem not letting you stand in the way of what they want. Desperation is an ugly beast. Y’all be aware. And get your guns out. I’m glad I have Chester. I’m thankful for my firearms and my ability to use them with accuracy. And I’m always appreciative of the knowledge I was taught in how to defend and protect, not cower and plead.

Lock up tight, y’all. Due to the cost of brass and powder, warning shots will not be fired.

It was a dark and stormy night….and I had been up since 4:25.

Love from Appalachia armed and potentially dangerous,

~Amy