October 18 - Shotguns and Radar Guns

Before today, I'd never shot a gun of any type, save for the junior-sized Daisy bb gun that I so adeptly use to strike targets with uncanny accuracy from my back deck. Those targets will remain anonymous. There is a divine order to things, I'm convinced, that allowed my first gun shots to come after the "trip from hell" drive from Indianapolis to Linton, which was punctuated by a speeding ticket and the odds-defying feat of getting behind EVERY god-awful slow vehicle on the road that morning. Not to mentioin the ridiculously slow and long coal train and jack-knifed semi thate delayed my date with NRA destiny.

The Triple H Gun Club would surely note the phenom in their presence when I show up for the 13th annual IHLA Fun Shoot, which benefits Riley Children's Hospital. Dwayne Feltner, event organizer, had stalled the delay for my arrival and provided me with the 20-gage beauty that had no idea she was about to become part of history. My group of six seemed keenly aware of my being a "first-timer," a veritable virgin of the rifle range. It was a bit offensive at first that they never took their eyes off me, and shouted "SAFETY" in unison every time I loaded, aimed, or hoisted my rifle. I knew, though, that once they saw me shoot, their worries would subside. (Note: the junior Daisy has no such "safety" feature).

Let's make the rest of the story short. Turns out the speeding ticket was the only thing I was awarded that day, and nobody bothered to tell me that the targets would be MOVING! Actually, I thought I had done okay, until the scores were tabulated and out of about 70 shooters, my score bested only that of a 7-year old boy (by one). I was told the boy had an extremely "off" day. I truly sucked at it. Fortunately, I narrowly avoided (again by one) setting the course record low score, and it seemed the record would stay in place for another year. Apparently, that will come as bad news only to it's holder, a guy named Ray Charles....