I began the afternoon with a brief firearms shooting session, just because I can. I don’t want to be one of those guys who never shoots even though he lives in the country and can shoot anytime he wants. I wants, so I shoots.

Abby’s Walther P22 was loaded, so I thought I’d see if it would behave. We’ve had some problems with it, but when it runs, it’s a pleasure. I started the session by drenching it in Rem Oil, a spray that acts as both cleaner and lubricant. I may be onto something, because I shot 80 rounds and it never gave even one hiccup.

The day continued to get warmer, so I decided to prune the fruit trees. While I was doing it, I imagined I would blog about how it’s time to prune, and anyone I know needs to be reminded, but honestly, I don’t know anyone who reads this blog who grows fruit trees.

By the end of the session, my forearms were aching, since lopping isn’t something I do every day. I stretched them a bit, trying to loosen them up, but I had a time gripping my camera to photograph my handiwork.

Just about that time, I saw a Byng Fire Department brush truck race by, and the scanner told me it was a wildfire just four blocks away. I grabbed a camera and my press pass and walked down to the area, through a gate, and down into a pasture and some woods. I made a few pictures. Back at the house, I emailed a couple to my newspaper.

Between lopping and chasing fires, I was feeling fairly dehydrated, so I opened the fridge to find some grey sports drink. Grey? I guess it’s supposed to taste like a glacier or something, but to me it proves that corporate America is completely free of creative ideas.