the Goodwins are officially....rednecks!

So, Let me take you back to Christmas of 2008. What a wonderful year that was. We were surrounded by the people we love most in the world, watching each other unwrap gifts, enjoying the festivities when my Dad gets up to go get a "surprise present" for my mom. I love surprise presents, because usually I have helped him pick them out for her, but this time I had no idea what it would be. He brings out a rather large, long box and I am trying to think....a new gardening tool? A pretty bridhouse for her sunroom? What could it be? I looked over and saw my brother, Matt, grinning and I was immediately curious because- how could HE know what it is if I dont? I always help Dad with presents (well, at least with the ones Mom doesnt end up buying herself). Then she unwrapped something I would never in a million years have expected my mom to have.....A GUN! What?? My suzie homemaker mom has a gun? AND SHE IS SMILING ABOUT IT? This is no ordinary gun people, this is a certifiable redneck SHOTGUN. What has living in the country done to these people? I immediately got uncomfortable, I do not like guns. I do not like the sight of them, the sound of them, the stories about them. Nothing about them makes me warm and fuzzy. I did not even want to hear the rationalization as to WHY they got this gun (something about her not feeling safe while my dad is out of town and she is all alone in this big house in the woods...blah blah blah). Anyway, as soon as they put it away, I hoped I would never see or think of it again.

That brings me up to last week. Now that Brad and I are "home" for a while, we are enjoying the many amenities the Smith Road B&B has to offer. Movie theatre downstairs, pinball machine, pool table, fabulous sun porch, unlimited groceries at our disposal, etc. I never thought I would get involved in the entertainment of target practice! Matt was helping my mom clean her gun (that sounds oh so classy) and he mentioned that we should go shooting. I did not immediately knock the idea, which quickly reassured me that we are getting too comfortable here. I decided if mom could do it, I could do it. (I need to post a picture of the first time she shot at the target...when Matt and Dad only hit the target once out of ten tries, mom not only got it 3 out of 3 tries, but one was a BULLSEYE!) I wanted to prove that I was an equally strong woman, so I told Matt I would go. Mom, Matt, Brad and I walked down to the target practice area (yes, they have an area solely devoted to this new activity) and Matt got the guns (plural, Matt brought his pistol along just for fun) ready for us. Mom went first- see her photos below. After Matt, it was my turn. I was extremely nervous, understandably so. He got the shotgun loaded and ready, all I had to do was cock it. YIKES. that is scary. I felt like a bad guy, and I did not like the feeling. It took me forever to pull the trigger once, and as soon as I did... I started to cry! I am not a strong, woodsy lady. I am a puny, scaredy cat. I handed the gun over to Brad and let him try. Then I thought for sure that the pistol would be better than the shotgun, so I tried that. Nope, not any better. I cried both times and am glad I know now, I will never pick up a gun again. Now my mom on the other hand....just be sure you don't cross her in a dark alley.