Going to be a stange trip.

[Pappy]

I need to make a run up home this weekend to see my step father. He fell, cracked his pelvic bone, and is in a rehab hospital. He is doing good and sounds better than he has in a couple of years. My sister said he likes the food and has gained about 10 pounds already!

My sister was there for a week and, since he is going to be in the hospital for a while, it was decided to clear the house of any money or weapons and also shut the house down to reduce the bills. My BIL took his Remiongton 1100 20Ga back to Florida (I already have the mate to it that was my Mother's) and Barney's .38 was left with his neighbor for me to pick up. The gun is over 40 years old and has never been fired!

The strange part is that, for only the 4th time since I graduated in 1967, I will be staying in a motel rather than at the house.

On the positive side, the weather forcast at this point is good and I plan to make the run on the bike.

[crokett]

Just curious, why not stay at the house? Are the utils off already? I would not shut power off. I would leave a few lights on timers or something to at least pretend someone is home.

[cabinetman]

It's a good idea to remove the weapons. Vacant homes can be an easy target. But, on the brighter side, take the bike. I'm not a fair weather rider, but I'll say I don't mind getting caught in the rain, I just don't like leavin' in it.

.

[Ed62]

I hope the rehab doesn't take too long. Hooking up lights to a timer is an excellent idea. My neighbor is gone frequently, and he has lights come on at different times, in different rooms. It's really worth a small investment.

Ed

[Uncle Cracker]

Originally Posted by Ed62

I hope the rehab doesn't take too long. Hooking up lights to a timer is an excellent idea. My neighbor is gone frequently, and he has lights come on at different times, in different rooms. It's really worth a small investment.

Get the timers with a setting to randomize on/off times. They'll vary the events by as much as a half hour from the set times, so anyone watching the house won't be tipped off by the predictability.

[just started]

Also a good idea to hook a radio or stereo to a timer with a couple of on/off cycles during the day.

[Pappy]

Originally Posted by crokett

Just curious, why not stay at the house? Are the utils off already? I would not shut power off. I would leave a few lights on timers or something to at least pretend someone is home.

The electric is still on, for the reason of running some lights on timers but, if I understood my sister right, the water and gas are shut off at the meters. The service is still active, just nothing going to the house.

when he goes home, I will hopefully have enough warning to be there to make sure the pilots are all lit and nothing is wrong with the pipes.

[wardprobst]

Hey Don,

I know you'll probably be all kinds of busy but
give me a shout if you have time and we'll have a cup of coffee...
Dale

[footprintsinconc]

i hope he gets well soon and gets to return home fast. i hope you enjoy the bike ride, the weather here was perfect today for the bike

[Pappy]

Up date. The weather was good both ways except for a little light rain on Sunday morning as I left out. A bit cool but a pleasant ride.

Barney is looking and doing good and has gained about 10 pounds. We are still not sure if he will going back home or into an assisted living situation. My sister is checking on some in town since we don't really want him living alone. The neighbors watch him but Bill is 84, barely gets around, and Norma is 77. Her health is still relatively good but she has bad days and has her hands full with Bill.

I picked up the gun from Bill Monday morning. The box was marked "Falcon". I had to check that brand and found it was a US mfg that is no longer in business. I was suprised to open the box and find this instead of a 38 revolver:

Colt 32 right.jpg

Colt 32 left.jpg

Model 1903 Colt .32 Auto that Barney showed me not too long after they were married. The house had been broken into twice and I thought this gun was long gone. I haven't done a lot of research, but I found out that this model hasn't been made since the 40's. According to one site I found, the serial number shows this one was made in 1917. These guns were bought from Colt and 'other sources' and used by the US govt as personal weapons for flight crews in WW II. I was told at Cabelas that Colt will research the serial number and send me letter with all the mfg and known ownership records for $50. Cabelas did have one in the used gun case for $499.

Still need to find out about the .38 revolver. It could still be in the house somewhere.