More Snow

It did continue to snow last night. I guess we ended up with 4-5 inches on the raised surfaces. I took some pictures of my dogs, and our cat who kinda thinks he's a dog sometimes, on our walk this morning.

Top photo is Juno. She's the oldest. Next is Kate, who was having a ball pitching pine cones to herself in the snow. Then, when we got down by the county road (about 1/4 mile), I turned around, and there was Kitmo, the cat. Now Kitmo usually walks with us, but I didn't really expect him to this morning in the snow.

It's supposed to be about 40 for a high today and upper 40s tomorrow. The snow won't last long.

Bill Scurlock

First Snow of the Season

Yep, it's the first good snow we've had in a couple of years. The top picture was taken right after lunch. The lower picture was at about 4:20. The temperature is right at freezing. The weather folks are saying maybe 3 to 5 inches tonight. It's kind of neat, but I'll be glad that it will be gone in a couple of days. It's a wet, slushy snow that will make a mess.

Bill Scurlock

Susanne Bicio Update

Lanny said that Susanne was home this weekend, but is still having a lot of trouble with dizziness and depth perception because of the different "input" she is getting from each eye. She's spending most of her time with her face down to aid in the healing of the new retina attachment. Her gunmaking schools are being rescheduled for March. The doctor says she should be better anytime, and advised patience.

So, any of you who are awaiting an order or some communication from Susanne will also have to be patient while she heals up and gets back on her feet.

Bill Scurlock

Susanne Bicio Eye Surgery

We have received a phone call each of the last two days from customers who have ordered books from Susanne Bicio and haven't received them and haven't been able to raise anyone on the telephone. The reason for this is that Susanne has had at least two emergency eye surgeries in the last couple of weeks to try to save her left eye. She has not been able to work, and if she can't work, there's no one to run her business. Her husband, Lanny, has his own job, unconnected with Susanne's business, and he's working 14-hour days.

So, if you have business pending with Susanne Bicio, please be patient. She has been a good customer and advertiser for a number of years. I'm confident that she will take care of your orders just as soon as she possibly can. I also know that Susanne and Lanny covet your prayers on her behalf. She is a fine rifle builder and, by all accounts, a good teacher of the art.

Bill Scurlock

This Week

Cold and rainy here today. It's about 38 degrees right now. No chance of the white stuff, just rain.

I'd like to be saying that I'm heading to one of the two shows this weekend, the Lake Cumberland Mini CLA show in Kentucky or the Artisans' Show in Pennsylvania, but I'm staying here to work. If you want to find out more about them, go the the CLA website and find the links. They are both going to be excellent shows.

Bill Scurlock

Working on March/April

I'm back to working hard on the March/April issue, trying to finish up this week.

I talked to a friend from back in the 70s and 80s a couple of days ago. Bill Bagwell was one of the original members of the Piney Woods Muzzleloaders club (here in Texarkana) back in about 1970. He was also one of the first men in modern times to recreate hand-forged damascus knife blades (also back in the 70s or very early 80s). Bill said he's still making knives and generally doing well.

Back to work,
Bill Scurlock

Antique Blowing Horn

This blowing horn was brought to me by a guy at church. It came to him through the family. His family name is Merrill and there is a "Merrill" engraved on the horn. The names on the horn are: W.R. MERRILL, R.K. SNAKE, H. POPE and OW. There are also initials N and MA next to the guy with the pipe. Near the base is ALA/C.CO/OCT24/AD 1857

By all appearances, the style looks consistent with the date on the horn. I have shown it to others who know old horns, and one of the theories for all of the names and initials on the horn is that it was a hunting-club horn. The mouthpiece is wooden. It appears to be a replacement with a repair of the neck covered in what I think is groundhog skin.

Bill Scurlock