I was at the range this AM. After failing three times to qualify for the very difficult Vancouver Swiss-Canadian rifle
match at 300m yesterday, I wanted to try some pistol target practice while it was still cool. First group on the big, all black target
used for Swiss pistol. No bull, just black, ~18x36 except for fine scoring rings. The biggest features are the scoring numbers,
just barely visible to me at 25 yds. I believe it is the B-18 target. That is really hard for me these days, contrast in my
eyes is not what it was. Difficult to get a good sight picture due to everything being black.
Here, I found a picture.
I shot a 98, dropped two 9s. THAT was a very good thing, and after all this sad talk, and my steadily decreasing ability
to see to shoot iron sights well, I am happy with this result. Four years ago, I could do that on demand, no real
problem other than the usual "jerk behind the trigger" loss of mental focus stuff. So we all age, and nothing gets
easier, all things get more difficult.
Won't matter to anyone else, nor should it, but I try to push back and enjoy each day, and each accomplishment, no
matter how small and unimportant.
When I was a late teen, I spent a long time in the hospital after an accident . Unpleasant months except that I got over
my 'bullet proof' teenager view, and I realized what Brad said - which is not common thinking for a person of just short of two
decades on earth. I realized - "No matter how bad you think you have it, there is somebody else with a much worse
problem, and mostly they are just getting on with it." Being in the hospital for a long time helps put any problems
you have in perspective. I expect that Brad has learned this in his job as a health care professional, too. I learned
that we can complain a bit, but that whining really doesn't help. That was almost 50 years ago, still try to keep that up,
but aging isn't so wonderful.
Grin and bear it.
Bill