Merry Christmas continued

[Tom Flanigan]

Sorry for a new thread, but I couldn't post pictures on the other thread.

Happy Holidays to all! This will be an extra special Christmas for me. I am back permanently in the family home in Pawling, NY, living with my brother who is disabled and has lived on a 100% monthly disability payment since the Viet Nam war. He was a machine gunner and was seriously wounded by a hand grenade that was thrown to take him and the machine gun out. It wasn’t a direct hit, but he sustained terrible wounds. He is thrilled to have me back to help him as he grows older.

I am now minutes from my grouse coverts and duck hunting areas, just like it used to be when I was a boy. Below is a picture of my working Parkers. I use most of them during the season. Although I have my core favorites, I like using different guns throughout the season. The rifle to the left is my pre 64 model 70 in .270. I’ve taken a ton of different game with that gun. It was stocked by master Spokane stock maker Don Johnson in Turkish walnut back in the ‘70’s.

The dog is my new year-old started setter. Her trainer did a great job with her and she handles and hunts beautifully. Too early to say whether she will become a true grouse dog, but she is as far along as any one year old that I have had. The second picture is of my finished retriever and the little setter. She likes to lay on him. He doesn’t mind and they have become great friends.