Is it time to shut down this forum?

[Red Badger]

It most definitely IS NOT time, and IMHO it will never be time.  What we are experiencing is another phase just like we went through in the 80's and 90's, the hobby almost disappeared because the country was in a turmoil and people had more important things to worry about such as where the next gallon of gas was going to come from.

The solution is to get out and talk about the hobby, shoot the cannon's an firesticks and get people back interested.  Become a Black powder instructor if you can or find one and offer to help them.  Talk about all the BP websites not just ours and let people know they are out there.  Get on Facebook and let people know we are there as well but point them to this forum, there is no way facebook can hold all the information we have here.  Especially since posting some of it would get you placed in facebook jail.

I know I am not one to talk because RL my job at the Museum is in Jeopardy, I am still struggling with a Board of Trustees than 90 % of them are there for political gain and I hear mumbling that some are trying to make a buck out of too.  Yes I am financially motivated to see it succeed but I have a feeling some of the board members are trying to figure out how they can get money from our grants for their own personal use.  I have had to justify every dime I charge back to the museum, for every thing I buy or every trip I take to raise the museum in the public eye. 

One thing I am working on is a history of the civil war as it occurred in Oklahoma or the Indian Territories I find it fascinating that the tribes which the  white race beat down decided to choose sides in the conflict instead of banding together and wiping out the whites in the territory.   I am trying to put together a display dealing with this issue, as well as a history and evolution of helmets from the 17th thru 21st century.  If anyone finds a Kevlar helmet and wants to donate it let me know...  I can also use foreign helmets if they are authentic.  (you guys know I am cheap... so don't try to get me to buy them - just be assured you will have your name on a tag in the display)  Another topic is food... from the cooks and mess areas from the 1800's to the K rats of WW-1 made by the Cracker Jack company, to C-Rats, LRRP's  and MRE version 1, 2, and now 3. and all the junk food we stuffed in gas mask bags to munch on in the field.  which if you did not know is where the original Chex mix came onto being....

But I digress, I am open to any ideas anyone has for recruitment and I am going to repost this in the open forum area so anyone who joins can see it and comment.  I am here and as Chief Factor, my door is always open figuratively, and my phone is always available for you to bend my ear.  My number is still 918-625-7645.  Don't be a stranger....

Red Badger...

[Hanshi]

Now's the time to get busy!!

[doggoner]

About the first of July or maybe the middle of June, I could not get this site to come up on my computer. It kept saying that the site could not be reached or it would time out. I just happened to try again today and WA-LA. it appeared. I have no idea as to how to get the general public (ages 25 to ) excited about history. History isn't taught as much as it should be and the younger generations have not a clue. Here in Mississippi the majority of re-enactors are civil war orientated. Black powder, yes but not the traditional black powder as this site is mostly about. I don't know how things will turn out. Time will tell all. Most of the audience of this forum is in the gray haired, past their prime group and I have no idea how to get the younger crowd excited about this kind of shooting.

doggoner

[hotfxr]

Here in the glorious wine country north of San Francisco, black powder is difficult. Besides having muzzleloaders banned most of the summer months from the few public ranges, there is the overbearing cult of anti gun nuts making if near impossible to recruit younger shooters. A couple hundred miles north of here it seems to be surviving, but down here, not so much. I do what I can, but I think we need another Jeremiah Johnson movie to spark interest. Not that other waste of time movie that came out a few years ago.

[Hanshi]

Well something is needed to up the interest of BP sports.  I'm stuck at home, alone, with a slowly healing iron knee.  My squeeze?  She took a bad fall and broke her pelvis.  She remains in the hospital and will be there for a length of time yet to be determined.  So for the rest of 2025 and a big chunk of 2026 I'll be at home - hopefully losing this lousy walker - trying to survive and worrying about my main squeeze.

[doggoner]

First, look after your needs then look to Mama's. She has a nursing staff to watch over her. I'll put her on the list from your household with my nightly talk to the main boss up stairs. Stay strong Hanshi.

doggoner

[Hanshi]

Much appreciated, doggoner.  I do get a couple of PT visits each week and a home health visit.  I want to get rid of this #?&@ walker and go to my cane.  I do most of my own stuff.  One thing I learned is that instead of taking 4 minutes to fix a sandwich, it now takes 20-30 minutes.

[doggoner]

20 minutes to prepare a sandwich just gives you more time to savor the coming repast. If you make a masterpiece of a sandwich, it'll be worth the time. Stay positive my friend. Life is worth the effort.

doggoner

[Hanshi]

20 minutes to prepare a sandwich just gives you more time to savor the coming repast. If you make a masterpiece of a sandwich, it'll be worth the time. Stay positive my friend. Life is worth the effort.

doggoner

  That one gave me a good (and badly needed) laugh, doggoner.  One thing it's doing is causing me to lose weight and I don't mind that.  As long as I can keep what's left of my sanity I'm happy.