Monthly Archives: July 2018

 

We find ourselves in a country severely divided.  I’m not going ot take sides but will offer a solution, a “key” if you will, on how to unlock peace and a united front.  Now if you are person of faith this will work for you, if you’re not, sorry, I can’t tell you what to do!  Without God’s promises, we are all hopeless!

 

It’s simple, God is in control, and even when it appears the situation has even escaped Him, that’s not true.  Nothing happens without His permission, so we can be sure that whatever we are facing, He will bring some good from it!  God never said our lives would be a bed of roses, but He did promise He would sustain us through any situation.

 

I could not face another day if I did not believe, with all my heart, that as long as I’m focused on Him, it will all be o.k.  The most important thing to know is that you are standing by Him and with Him, and trusting Him!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

John Wayne said it best, “A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by.”  ….and that’s what this is about.  I grew up in the late 40’s the 50s and 60’s and my father was a man’s man, my brother Homer is a man’s man, and I sure hope I am too.  My father was a John Wayne type character, in my mind and heart.  He and the Duke taught me much of what I built my Foundational Self on.  So as the Duke said, “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.” 

 

He also said,  “Talk low, talk slow, and don’t say too much.”  guess I’m going to fail on that one!!!  😉   So, here are some select quotes from my father and the Duke that have helped me decide who I wanted to be, or at least who I’ve tried like hell to be.

 

 

“I’ve always followed my father’s advice: he told me, first to always keep my word and second, to never insult anybody unintentionally. If I insult you, you can be damn sure I intend to. And, third, he told me not to go around looking for trouble.”  JW

 

Authenticity is one of my most valued traits in others.  People who know who they are, what they believe in and are not afraid to live by that.

 

“Words are what men live by…words they say and mean.”  John Wayne

 

My father, William Pelle Fortney,  taught me to:

 

Believe and trust in God.

 

To consider the Ten Commandments as a code to live by.

 

To always treat others in the same way I would like to be treated by them.

 

To never ask others to anything I was not willing to do myself.

 

To love my family and stay close to them.

 

 

Let’s admit it, the world we live in, is in a stupid state today!  So many people are lost, confused, desperate and afraid.  Satan is having his way with us.  Politics has become a contact sport, and it is not what God wants for us. Sherelene constantly has to remind me that we are not wrestlsing with men but against principalities of evil.  It is the hardest thing a Chrisitan has to do, pray for those that persecute you.  Watching the news I saw where a female Senator in a previous grilling of one of the people beign considered for the opening on the Supreme Court, said she had a problem with her DOGMA; (dogma | ˈdôɡmə | noun a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true: the rejection of political dogma | the Christian dogma of the Trinity.)  She is a devout Catholic and holds to the principles of her faith and this Senator saw that as a serious problem, God help us all!

 

“When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it.”  JW

 

 

 

 

If you really want to know how you are doing, look at your calendar, it will reveal what you consider most important in your life.  “Spend time with your kids, they grow usp so fast.”  William Pelle Fortney

 

“A man oughta do what he thinks is right.”  John Wayne

 

 

What do I think is right?  We better find out before we start to put our wheels or mouth in motion.  I have a few;

 

I believe in God and I know He loves me.

 

My greatest desire is to share His love with others.

 

I love my country, stand for the National Anthem, salute the flag and support my President.

 

I deeply appreciate our military, police and first responders, and support them in word and deed.

 

I’ve become sadly disappointed in top people in both the FBI and DOJ.

 

I’m Pro Life, Anti Socialism, Pro Capitalism.

 

I believe in, will stand for and will defend the 2nd Amendment.

 

I miss the Democratic Party of John F. Kennedy.

 

Sorry but, “Well, there are some things a man just can’t run away from.” JW

 

“Words are what men live by…words they say and mean.”  JW

 

“When the road looks rough ahead, remember the ‘Man Upstairs’ and the word H-O-P-E. Hang onto both and ‘tough it out.”  JW

 

“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”  JW

 

“Stand for something, a real man doesn’t doubt his convictions!”  William Pelle Fortney

 

….and finally, “It looks like it’s going to be another fine day.”  John Wayne

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

My father, William Pelle Fortney, I miss him everyday….

 

 

 

Well it’s summer and that means I’m home with my family until the end of September!!!  It also means I’m deep into working on my other love, shooting.  I’m a serious target shooter and I really enjoy guns, even cleaning them.  Since we are only a couple of days away from our Independance Day Celebration!  Since our forefathers were able to gain our freedom because they could defend themselves from the Red Coats, it’s even more prescient that we keep our Second Amendment rights!  O.K so these are my present 9mm handguns and why I own them.

 

TOP – The CZ P-07   This mid-size CZ semi-automatic pistol is my bedside gun,  Equipped with a Olight Valkerie light with a whopping 120o Lumens would both light up and blind any intruder.  A scenario I pray I never have to face, but one I’m ready for, if it ever happened! The CZ P-07 can hold 15 cartridges.  It’s a seriously good gun!

 

 

ABOVE – Baretta M9A3  I’m a sucker for Baretta’s and their precise smooth action!  The M9A3 is Barettas’ latest offering.  It was entered in the military trials for the U.S. Army’s new battle handgun.  The panel not only did not choose it, but they didn’t even consider it!  Knowing what I know about our government, it’s probably a badge of courage!  The Sig Sauer P320 is fine gun, but in my opinion it can’t hold a candle to the M9A3, and that’s why I traded it for the M9A3!

 

 

ABOVE – Sig Sauer P-226 Tac Ops    Speaking of Sigs, this is the one the Navy Seals, Coast Guard, NCIS, and many top Operators choose and still choose, even when they have to buy their own!  This Tac Ops model has the Short Reset Trigger and comes with 4 – 20 round magazines.  Its a real “go to war” gun, proven for many years of field use.  Extremely reliable and as accurate as you’re capable of shooting it!

 

 

ABOVE – Citadel 1911 – 9mm   Not so expensive guns turn a lot of people off, not me.  I own two that have turned out to be exceptional inspite of not being highly regarded brands or costing a fortune. The Citadel is a classic 1911 made of real steel, heavy and it really absorbs the 9mm recoil.  Outfitted with after-market Hogue grips, which I love and have them on a number of my pistols.  This gun is accurate and has a sweet three pound trigger.

 

BELOW –  the Canik TPSA   Another bargain priced gun that is worth far more than you pay is the Canik.  Made in Turkey by a major arms manufacturer.  It is one of best made of all my handguns, It is my only Striker Fired pistol and has a great trigger, and is very accurate. This is a real fine gun!

 

 

BELOW – Baretta M9A1 Compact (INOX)   I wanted a slightly smaller Baretta and the INOX (Stainless) was just the gun.  The same great atributes of all 92F versions, it is smooth as silk and very acurate aand more concealable.

 

 

BELOW – CZ – SP-01  Shadow 2   I love CZ pistols, I have three and gave my teasuerd CZ-75 B to my son Wes, because I treasue him more and wanted him to have a real quality 9mm!  This Shadow 2 is a real competition pistol with a 4.89 barrel and 17+1 mags.  This gun has a 3 pound ultra smooth single action trigger. It i gthe best handgun I’ve ever fired.

 

 

BELOW – CZ 75B  SP-01   My latest addition is the CZ 75 B SP-01.  I just sent to to Cajun GunWorks for a complete Pro Package trigger and internal tuning job.  I’m really looking forward  to wringing it out, after all, it’s a CZ!

 

 

BELOW – S&W Shield  This fairly small 9mm is my car gun and concealed carry in cooler weather when it can be hidden. It is well made and serves it’s purpose.  I replaced the factory sights with Tru-Glo for work in low light.

 

 

BELOW – Kimber Micro .380  This is a beautifuly made and smooth operating very small concealed gun.  When Sherelene is not carrying it I use if for deep concealment.

 

 

Well, for you guys and gals that are enjoying the shooting sport, hope this was enjoyable for you, now I’ve got to get to the range and punch some targets!

 

Oh, in case you were wondering, why no Glocks?  I think Glocks are good guns, I even had a Glock 23 early on, but it just was not my thing, so, no Glocks!

 

Blessings,

 

the “armed” pilgrim

 

7 yards – 9 shots in 4 seconds, combat style shooting.  Some day I would like ot be considered a good “shooter” in two ways!

CZ-75 B Shaldow 2

 

 

All images:   FUJIFILM X-T2 – XF 50mm f 2 @ f 8

 

IMPORTANT VIEWPOINT:  I’m one of millions of Americans that enjoy owning and practicing shooting guns.  I have no desire to ever shoot another human being or any animals for that matter.   I want to always be prepared to protect my family, but would be thrilled if the only thing I ever shot was targets and steel!