Lifestyle, Time, Money, the Southern, and Parker shotguns

[mobirdhunter]

I can’t help but recall the line from a Sparse Grey Hackle story, “The trout don’t rise in Greenwood Cemetery.” I’ve taken that notion to heart throughout my life.

[matt koepnick]

I was 65 and working on our first trip to southern. We had a blast. Met quite a few nice people and venders. Next years trip there I was retired , not by choice due to un announced buy out, and was a little disappointed. We haven't made the trip since for one reason or another despite more free time. Funds are 2/3 less than old life style and try to justify any expenditures including doubles purchases.
On top of all that our local Club of over 20 years membership has tried to close. They are currently working thru all new Board members and looking at options to stay open. Really looking like Clays for me as a sport, is dying a slow lingering death. It was my long term goal and the retirement hobby which I financially planned out for years to be able enjoy it till I was at least 80... Then Life happened. Wife got sick. Job was bought out with a forced retirement. Maybe next year we'll travel back down again to try Southern .
Mattly

[Reggie B]

There are many levels of Parker collecting that fit all budgets. You don’t have to be a high income earner to enjoy them. Just find your sweet spot and enjoy.

[randallro]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

There are many levels of Parker collecting that fit all budgets. You don’t have to be a high income earner to enjoy them. Just find your sweet spot and enjoy.

Thats for sure!

I spent my whole adult life going here and there and meeting great people .....just not about shotguns. If I got interested sooner I’m sure that would have happened also. As it is just joining this site has had a very profound effect on my life. And my aim.

[6pt-Sika]

The first time I visited the Southern I left home drove thirty minutes to a small local airport met two folks and flew down in a six passenger plane took about an hour as there’s a small airport within three miles of Deep River . After landing we borrowed a hospitality car drove over stayed 4-5 hours drove back got in the plane and flew home . That was back before the crud of 2020 I think 2016 or 17 . Went the first time to stay overnight in 2021 . That first time was a bit over whelming to say the least .

[Craig Larter]

Life. has many twists and turns. I was not born into money, I made my own way. I was able to retire at 50 and I'm now 75 and comfortable. I've had my share of hard times, no one escapes. My wife had a life long illness and past away in 2022. I get my strength from my interactions with other like minded people. I have many friends in the dog world, duck hunting friends, gardening friends, decoy and duck call collecting friends etc. But most of all I enjoy vintage sxs gun collecting and shooting and the people in that world. My wife loved attending all the big sxs shoots and helping with the Fox table during the early days. She was a people person. In the evening I would review the day in the guns I had encountered, my wife would tell me about all the girls she met accompanying there spouse. She would know the families full history LOL!

[Researcher]

Once upon a time my father's boss couldn't give him time off for Elk season, so Dad quit and went Elk hunting. That adjusted my mind set. While I never went to The Southern when I lived in Virginia, I did make all but the very first Vintage Cup.

[J.B. Books]

I'll just leave this philosophical meme here for one to ponder.

[GH-16]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

I'll just leave this philosophical meme here for one to ponder.

I'll add to this one.

"I've never seen a Hearst pulling a gun safe"

Enjoy the time you have, the people you love and the things that stir passion in you.

[Andy]

I'm 60 and still working more than I care to. But, now that I have an income to buy most of what I need and want, I find that I really don't want or need it. I have a dozen Parkers, the highest grade being a GH. I have a love affair with 16's. That suits me just fine as they all shoot and I carry them (and hunt most of them hard) with PRIDE. I can't make the Southern this year, missed Mikes event last year, and sometimes it's not about the money at all but more about the time. I'd say if you had a choice between buying another gun or attending an event, a wiser use of funds is attending an event. I know there are folks that share rooms to keep costs down. Good luck and may your barrels be straight and true...