Wednesday, January 04, 2006

BULLSEYE !

Beware the "pistol-packin' mama"! **


This is the official target with which I won a sharpshooter medal from the National Junior Rifle Association, in 1950, when I was ten. I blocked out the name and address, but the age is there, along with the name of the man who was the riflery coach at my summer camp. My score was 38 (although I don't remember what the top score could have been), and I shot 5 bullets through the bullseye in rapid succession. The gun was a 22 gauge rifle, and I shot in the prone position (flat on my belly). I have the patch I won at the time, but I don't know where it is.

My dad was a hunter, and when I was small, guns were part of my life from the get go. Now, however, I don't want one in my house. I have been heard to say on more than one occasion, that if I had a gun, mr. kenju would no longer be with us.....LOL!

When I was about three years old, my mom taught me the words to a popular song of the day, called "Pistol Packin' Mama":

**Singer Al Dexter wrote and sang the original version of this song to the top of the charts in the summer of '43.

"Lay that pistol down, Babe
Lay that pistol down.
Pistol packin' mama
Lay that pistol down.

Oh, drinkin' beer in a cabaret,
Was I havin' fun!
Until one night she caught me right
And now I'm on the run.

Oh, lay that pistol down, Babe
Lay that pistol down.
Pistol packin' mama
Lay that pistol down."

23 comments:

srp said...

OK, I bet Mr. Kenju is glad you won't have guns in the house.;) With your accuracy and my knowledge of anatomy a home intruder wouldn't stand a chance. My ex had guns as well. He had a 357 Magnum that I shot on the range one time. While my target was not so impressive at yours, I did get all six shots on the target (in various places) at 50 yards. He had a 44 Magnum too and I only shot that once. The fire shot out of the barrel about six inches and it knocked me down. Never again.

Greg Finnegan said...

I appreciate your accomplishment, Kenju. I was on the high school rifle team (junior ROTC), and I alwys enjoyed it. All except shooting inside a concrete "tunnel" - really hurt the ears.

WendyWings said...

LOL I am sure Mr Kenju is glad you don't have a gun around then !
I have fired rifles but I am so off in my aim I would never do it again for fear of hurting someone LOL

Anonymous said...

I have always enjoyed using guns for target practice and non life taking activities. I no longer have a gun, but am tempted to get one for target practice. I do not condone hunting at all in this day and time, but I do feel having a gun at home for protection is not a bad idea. If I ever had to use a gun for protection I would hope I could disable the tormenter until the police arrived.
I also remember "Pistol Packing Mama". Thanks for putting its lyrics in your blog.
Congratulations on your shooting skills at such a young age.

Peter said...

That's some shootin' pardner!!

OldHorsetailSnake said...

I did the shoot-'em-up at a Junior Rifle Club once -- but not nearly as well as you.

And, of course, I remember the song, it having been published back in my prime-time.

Star said...

You are full of surprises Kenju. Michele sent me this was this time,

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I remember that song, too! I never "packed a gun" Judy, but I too have said, it's a good thing I don't own a gun because there would be a lot of DEAD people!! (lol)
A sharp shooter at 10 years old! Good for you!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Forgot to say Michele sent me this early A.M.

Traci Dolan said...

I love a girl who can shoot!!

Anonymous said...

Guns scare me- no hands on experience but enough bad news in my office as a result of them. But still, I think it's very cool that you were such a fine sharp shooter, Judy. I knew there was a rason to be extra special nice to you...

Anonymous said...

*rofl*

Poor Mr. Kenju!

Arethusa said...

I don't know the song (I think) but I love the story, and the fact that you still have the target! My grandfather was a big hunger and all my aunts know how to use rifles but my mother never passed that particular skill down to me, and I can't say I'm sorry.

Raehan said...

Gosh, and my mom wouldn't even let us use fingers as guns! LOL

Congrats on the awards. You were clearly talented.

Jamie Dawn said...

Stand Back, Everyone!!!! Judy's packin' and she looks mighty mad!

TLP said...

WOW. *impressed*

I've never shot a gun in my life.

Lisa said...

that is so cool! I see you in a whole new light! :-)

Anonymous said...

I think i'm going to have to move away from your blog very slowly, with my hands in the air... just in case you really DO have a gun hidden somewheres...

j/k!!
I might need it for my own hub someday..
(no j/k... really!) LOL

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, I wonder if you would have been allowed to blog from jail??

Unknown said...

Hi Judy--Wow, you went to a camp where they taught little kids how to fire a rifle?? Who was your counselor, Charleton Heston?? LOL!

I think it's really cool that you still have the bullseye thingy. Very cool.

Anonymous said...

Thats definitly a cool little peice of memerobilia. A woman who can shoot, Mr. Kenju should count his lucky stars that there is a gun ban in the house. I don't think I'd marry a woman sharp shooter, I'd like to know that if I had to make a run for it she'd have a hard time hitting me once I cleared the property. Michele sent me today.

Cheers

P.

Joy said...

This is funny! My father used to sing that song to me when he'd rock me to sleep, and I remember it.

carmilevy said...

I learned to shoot when I was 15. Trained on an Uzi rifle, a Galil assault rifle (Israel's improved version of the M16) and the Uzi. Emptying a clip from the Uzi on full-auto was the most frightening thing I've ever done.

I learned to respect the power of these weapons, and the immense responsibility that comes with carrying them.

I was a good shot, but clearly not as good as you!