Should You Display Your Collectible Firearms?

Above, a gun display photo posted by a Winchester group member on Facebook.

In one of the Winchester gun Facebook groups, a member was asking about ideas on how to display his Winchester rifle collection.

Several fellow members posted photos of their displays in response. All of them were quite nice, but they also raised a concern in my mind (and I said so in response). 

It raised a concern that having such displays are invitations to burglars, especially display cases with glass doors or ones out in the open like in the above photo. I didn't even get to the possible legal problems (depending upon what states the displays are in) where it is unlawful for guns to be where children can gain access to them. 

Personally, with the exception of a Manton shotgun that I have displayed on a rack in my living room, my guns are under lock and key in a gun cabinet. Unless the display is in a secure burglar-proof room, I wouldn't display guns out the open. 

The Armory Life posted an article on gun displays and the trouble they can invite.

They begin it with:

There are many kinds of gun owners, but there are two types of firearms collectors. First, there are those who like to maintain secrecy when it comes to their collection. Their firearms tend to be locked away in fireproof safes or otherwise secured. Then there are those who display their antique and collectible firearms.

It would be easy to simply say, “To each their own” and leave it at that, but the truth is firearm laws are changing, and depending on where you live, it might be time to consider whether you can and should display firearms as you once did.

To read more, go here.

What Is The Best Cruise Line For Adults?

Above, the pool deck aboard the Norwegian Sky. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last thing I would want to put up with while on a cruise is brats running amok on board the ship. Many other people feel the same way. These are reasons why cruise ships have adults-only areas.

Fortunately, there are adults-only cruises available and USA Today has posted an article about them.

They begin with: 

With swimming pools galore, entertainment and even child care on board, cruises can be an obvious choice for a family vacation.

But sometimes travelers want a getaway without the kids. That’s where adults-only sailings come in. A range of cruise lines and ships exclusively carry guests over 18, for parents looking for some “me” time to guests who simply prefer a child-free travel experience. 

But not all those operators are the same. Some family-friendly vessels have spaces reserved for grown-ups, allowing passengers to get the best of both kinds of voyages.

Here’s what to know about adults-only offerings at sea.

To read more, go here. 

Family-Friendly Hawaii Resorts

Above, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort was a favorite place to stay for Elvis Presley. According to an article in Travel Weekly, it is also a good place to stay if one has children in tow.

I have never personally stayed there, but I did wander around the resort's outside area and bought some ice cream at their ice cream stand. 

Travel Weekly has posted a list of the best resorts in Hawaii for families.

They begin it with: 

Considering that Hawaii visitors will be spending the majority of time outside of their hotel rooms, it's not always necessary to find a resort that caters to children and teens, or even has amenities they might appreciate. But there are some Hawaii resorts that do, and the kids love them for it.

Here's my short list of hotels where I've personally stayed with kids and that I would recommend for any families traveling to Hawaii. 

To read more, go here. 

New Mexico Sues Zuckerberg's Meta Over Child Predator Activity

Above, Mark Zuckerberg. By Anthony Quintano from Westminster, United States.

The state of New Mexico is suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram for allegedly not shielding children from predators.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez is not one of my favorites in this state, but if the allegations are correct, kudos to him.

The Piñon Post reported:

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has unveiled a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, alleging that Facebook and Instagram are exposing children to explicit content and facilitating the activities of child predators. In a press release, AG Torrez stated, “Our investigation into Meta’s social media platforms demonstrates that they are not safe spaces for children but rather prime locations for predators to trade child pornography and solicit minors for sex.”

Torrez, a career prosecutor specializing in internet crimes against children, emphasized his commitment to using every available tool to halt these disturbing practices and hold companies accountable when prioritizing profits over children’s safety. The attorney general disclosed that an undercover investigation of Meta’s platforms was conducted over several months, involving the creation of decoy accounts for children aged 14 and younger.

The lawsuit outlines troubling findings, accusing Meta of proactively directing sexually explicit content to underage users, enabling adults to contact and pressure minors for explicit imagery, recommending participation in unmoderated Facebook groups facilitating commercial sex, and allowing the sharing and selling of a vast volume of child pornography.

Despite assurances to Congress and the public, Torrez alleges that Meta’s executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, are aware of the harm their products pose to young users and have failed to implement sufficient changes. The complaint asserts that Meta fails to remove Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) across its platforms and facilitates the solicitation of underage users for illicit content and participation in commercial sex.ng of a vast volume of child pornography. 

 To read more, go here.

Mutton Busting

Above, a mutton busting contestant at the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From Modern Farmer:

Mutton busting is simple: children between the age of 4 or 7 clamber aboard a wild, wooly sheep and try to hold on for six seconds.

The Gallup Lions Club Rodeo this last weekend included a mutton busting (or sheep riding) event. Several kids (boys and girls) took part.

Larry Lucier and I remarked that from what we saw, "these kids are tough." None who fell of a sheep got hurt or cried. One contestant was even three years old. He (or she) was as game as the little older sheep riders. After every ride, they just got up, brush themselves off and stride off the field. 

There are some liberal groups in California who want to ban mutton busting. Alameda County in California has already banned it.

Wide Open Pets posted: 

Most parents say this is a confidence-building activity. Yet some parents argue that this is child abuse. Research shows that the sheep don't buck and the children are very close to the ground. 

According to Modern Farmer:

To be a wool rider, a kid has to be between the ages of 4 and 7 and 60 pounds or less. Entry fees are between $10 and $12. Parents sign a waiver to let their children participate and kids wear protective gear, including a vest and helmet with a metal face guard on the front. Just like in the rodeo, sheep are kept in individual chutes. After the kids straddle the sheep and the animals are released into an arena, they get six seconds to try and hang on. Every first place winner in every show is invited to the Wool Riders Only World Championship. Shows go on rain or shine.

To read more, go here.

NEW Spiderman Movie PUSHES TRANS Flag On CHILDREN!

I am generally a "live and let live" and "whatever floats your boat" kind of person. I really don't care what someone does in the privacy of their bedroom. But pushing agendas of deviant behavior on people, especially barrages of it on children, that's where I draw the line.

According to the video below, a new Spider Man movie by Marvel is coming out that displays a trans flag. It is a cartoon and guess who mainly watches cartoons: children!  

Why can't children be left alone and let them be children? Is that too much to ask for these days?

Yellowstone Named Best For Kids

Above, one of Yellowstone 10,000 hydrothermal sites. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before getting into the subject of this blog post, this coming Saturday, all national parks will be waiving entrance fees for all visitors as part of National Park Week.

Now for the topic of this post.

Travel + Leisure posted that The Family Vacation Guide named Yellowstone National Park as the best national park for kids.

They wrote:

America's national parks have long been a favorite for family road trips. So The Family Vacation Guide examined which of the country's 63 national parks is the most kid-friendly, looking at the number of hotels, trails, attractions, and landmarks suitable for young travelers. In its Best National Parks for Kids in the U.S. study, revealed last month, it determined that Yellowstone National Park rises to the top.

Mostly in Wyoming — with sections in Idaho and Montana — the country's first national park is having an especially big year, having celebrated its 150th anniversary in March. Its enduring appeal stems from its geothermal features, with more than 10,000 hydrothermal sites, including about 500 geysers — half of the active ones on the planet. The bubbling waters and sky-high eruptions, like the famed Old Faithful, are a thrill for kids and adults alike, and are among the 37 kid-friendly landmarks within the park that also include other favorites, such as Grand Prismatic Spring and Mammoth Hot Springs.

Yellowstone also caters to its young visitors with five themed virtual adventures, accessible via online portal, that explains each in a kid-friendly manner. Children can choose their own adventure in geology, hydrothermal, wildlife, history, or preservation. Most importantly for parents: the park also cautions children to explore the park while keeping safety top of mind, stressing the importance of staying on the boardwalks and trails to keep away from the boiling waters.

To read the full article, go here. 

Biden Promoting Transhumanism Agenda

You can add sick to the above.

This may seem like an April Fool's Day joke, but it is not.

His Fraudulency Joe Biden is promoting the transhumanism agenda.

The Gateway Pundit reported:

The Biden administration is doubling down on its transhumanism agenda, urging parents to encourage their impressionable children to embrace the potential of being born in the wrong body.

“I want you to know that your President sees you –Joe, Kamala, Doug, our entire administration — sees you for who you are … deserving of dignity, respect, and support. But we know it’s hard when there are those out there who don’t see you, don’t respect you,” the dictator in chief said in a video published on Thursday commemorating his administration’s “Transgender Day of Visibility.”

“We’re committed to advancing transgender equality in the classroom, in the playing field, at work, in our military in our housing and health care systems — everywhere. Simply everywhere.” Biden added.

Encouraging children to select their gender is critical to their well-being, the illegitimate president with a notorious history of inappropriately touching women and children warned.

To read more, go here. 

Is This What "Liberators" Do?

 

3-Year-Old Severely Burned After Falling Into A Thermal Pool

Above, a geothermal pool in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I blame the parents for this.

If people are going to bring their very young children to Yellowstone National Park, they need to keep them under tight control, even as far has having a leash on them. They can't be left running loose around geysers and geothermal pools.

From The News & Observer:

A 3-year-old has second-degree thermal burns after slipping and falling into a scalding thermal pool, Yellowstone National Park said.

The child took off running away from the trail, slipped and fell into the boiling water, the park said Friday in a news release. They have thermal burns on their lower body and back and had to be lifelighted to the burn center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

“The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface,” the park said. “Visitors must always remain on boardwalks and trails and exercise extreme caution around thermal features.”

There have been other severe injuries and fatalities from the thermal pools and geysers at Yellowstone over the recent years (the article recounts some).

To read more, go here.

Communities Staging "Bear Hunts"

Above, stuffed bears, like these at Yellowstone Bear World, are employed in the "bear hunts". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With people isolating themselves during this time of coronavirus, inventive ways to keep themselves and their kids occupied are being employed.

One such activity is staging "bear hunts".

According to Fox News:

Neighborhoods across the globe are coming together amid the outbreak with an almost un-bear-ably cute show of community. 

“Bear hunts” are being set up by neighbors and businesses everywhere in a bid to keep kids – and parents – busy during self-isolation, while also adhering to social distancing. 

The activity, which is based on the award-winning children’s book “Going on a Bear Hunt,” involves placing a stuffed bear in the windows of residences or businesses. As kids are out with parents, either driving or walking (while maintaining six feet of distance from others), they “hunt” for the bears.

To read more, go here. 

Kid-Friendly Grand Canyon National Park

Above, the Grand Canyon is big enough to impress all ages. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're in summer vacation season and families are out and about on the road. If a visit to Grand Canyon National Park is a planned (or even unplanned) stop and, if you have kids with you, there's plenty of things at the park for them to do.

USA Today posted an article on kid-friendly Grand Canyon National Park.

They begin it with:

If you’re traveling with children, visiting Grand Canyon National Park can present unique challenges, what with navigating crowded paths and roads at peak times and keeping little ones far enough away from the ever-present edge of the abyss. 

But you can make it an unforgettable family adventure with a little planning. 

The entrance fee to Grand Canyon National Park is $35 per vehicle and is good for seven days. The park offers a handful of free-admission days each year. The next one is Sunday, Aug. 25. 

Pro tip: Purchase your admission pass online in advance to help cut your wait time in line at the entrance station. Go to yourpassnow.com. Spend even less time in line by using the park-and-ride shuttle service in Tusayan, just outside the park entrance.  

Here are a few suggestions for kid-friendly activities at the South Rim of Grand Canyon.

To read more, go here. 

A Child's Obsession of Dinosaurs Should Be Encouraged

Above, part of the collection of writer, director and dinosaur expert Donald F. Glut. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When people see a kid, or even adults, with collections of dinosaurs or has an intense interest in them, the parents of them should consider themselves blessed.

Kids who have a keen interest in dinosaurs have an enhanced intelligence.

Many of them also are very fond of movies featuring dinosaurs or fictional dinosaur monsters such as Godzilla, the dinosaurs of King Kong, the Rhedosaurus from The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms and others.

Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons has an article that says kids with an obsession for dinosaurs should be encouraged.

They wrote:

If your kiddo has a dinosaur obsession, you should be thrilled. Science calls this an “intense interest” and says it will drive a child’s learning as well as help foster lifelong curiosity. 

In fact, above-average intelligence is not unusual for kids who are enamored with dinosaurs, or any subject that generates a natural strong interest. 

The same thing goes for a focus on cars, trucks, trains, dolls, drawing, etc. If a child shows an incredible fondness in something, it can be a very good thing. 

In this post, I’m going to talk specifically talk about dinos because it’s such a popular interest among kids.

 To read more, go here.

Best Summer Vacations For Families

Above, Skagway, Alaska. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're only a week since New Year's Eve and already travel websites are talking about summer vacations. Well, it'll be here before we know it!

Condé Nast Traveler has an article on 14 places to take a family (meaning: with kids) this summer.

They begin it with:

Let's face it: Before we know it, our kids will be teens or tweens and they won’t want to travel with Mom and Dad anymore. Which is exactly why it’s important to take family trips now, while it’s still fun for them (and you), and with limited eye-rolling. Plus, traveling with your kids is the best way to bond and create memories—you get to experience a new place, and new adventures, together. These 14 trips are guaranteed to make everyone in the family happy.

To see what they are, go here. 

12 Things To Do In Tokyo With Kids

Above, Tokyo Skytree is the largest free-standing broadcasting tower in the world. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many people traveling to Japan often travel with their children. Most will spend a good portion of their visit in Tokyo but wonder what's there to entertain their children.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has posted a list of 12 things to do in Tokyo with kids.

They begin with:

Japan is a safe and family-friendly travel destination. There’s no shortage of activities and attractions to keep kids of all ages entertained. 

Here are 12 things to do in Tokyo with kids on your next visit.

To find out what they are, go here. 

Baby Diaper Changes: Parents Should Ask Babies' Permission First

The Looney Left Report

Each time some leftist loon comes up with something ridiculous, I often think that they couldn't get any loonier.

Then they come up with something even crazier.

Here we are again!

The Blaze reported:

Parents should ask their babies’ permission before changing their diapers — in order to advance a “culture of consent” in the home, a sexuality and relationships expert said. 

Deanne Carson told Australia’s ABC News in an interview that a parent could say something along the lines of, “I’m going to change your nappy [i.e., diaper] now, is that OK?” 

She continued, “Of course a baby is not going to respond, ‘Yes, mum, that’s awesome, I’d love to have my nappy changed.’ But if you leave a space and wait for body language and wait to make eye contact, then you’re letting that child know that their response matters.”

Well, I guess that purple hair color she sports has to tell you something.

To read more, go here. 

Mother Overdoses As Toddler Cries

Here's a sad story. 

This caught my attention as it reminds me of someone who has an addiction to alcohol.

Fox News Insider posted:

Heartbreaking video shows a two-year-old girl crying as her mother lies unconscious in an aisle at a Family Dollar store in Massachusetts. 

WDTN reported that police say the woman apparently overdosed on an oral version of heroin or an opiate-based narcotic like fentanyl. 

The video shows the toddler screaming and tugging at her mother's limp body.

Thank goodness for the security camera.

To read more and see the video, go here. 

Another Casualty

Above, Toy World in Greenbrae. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This afternoon, after relaxing a while at the Marin RV Park, I decided to take a walk down to the local Trader Joe's store to pick up a few things. The store is about a block and a half away.

While heading to Trader Joe's, I spotted a Toy World store. I thought I'd take a look inside. Who knows? Maybe they might have some rare kaiju toys.

It turns out they didn't, but I browsed around the store. One item caught my eye. It reminded me of large scale (about 18 to 24") metal Tonka trucks I had when I was a kid. Only this was a yellow metal tractor. It was about the same size as the trucks I had. It was priced at $29. Reasonable!

Although the packaging said it was most suitable for children 4+, I thought Denise Santos's 2 1/2 year-old son would love it. He loves playing with toy cars.

Then I caught myself.

This made me think a lot while I was shopping in Trader Joe's.

Although we are still friends (to a certain extent), we had broken up following the Hawaii trip last month. The wounds are still fresh. I've read that it takes about three months for every year a couple had been together to get over a breakup. It hasn't been a month yet. We've been together for a little over a year. If that theory holds true, then I have about a couple of months more to weather it all. Since I don't lack any female company, the duration may be less. It is hard to tell at this point. But it certainly does help, I'll admit.

I could have bought the tractor toy for him anyway, but since things are still fresh, it doesn't feel right enough for me to do so. Denise may even disapprove, maybe not. Perhaps later, depending upon how things go.

This reminds me of the succeeding months following my mother's death in 2010. A few months after she passed away, I was working in Malibu and met actress Shirley MacLaine (I've recounted this meeting on this blog). After we met, my first gut reaction was to call my mom and tell her, "Guess who I just met?"

Then I caught myself.

I really hadn't given any thought about how our breakup would affect her son (or anyone else) until now. He made out pretty well by me during his last birthday and Christmas, along with bringing him along on our trips to Lake Havasu, Japan, Hawaii and other places. I don't know if anyone involved would (or could) admit it, but he, too, is a casualty of the breakup. That's something that every man should take into consideration before dating a single mother. Along with the mother, one can also get attached to their child as well. And, the child can also get attached to the man. This depends upon the age, personalities, situation, etc. If one accepts a woman who has children, they are accepting the whole package. What may be the after-effects of a breakup on the children? They may ask, "Where's so-and-so? Why don't we see him anymore?" Older kids may even think they were the cause. And so on.

It is funny how things manifest themselves when least expected. All one can do is just roll with it.

UPDATE (6/29/16): Since this was written, Denise decided that she would no longer bring Aiden along whenever we were to "hang out" together. Although she wanted to go out "as friends", I found this to be another excuse as she would have to find a sitter for her son, which is difficult. Her excuse was that her son is now talking and she didn't want him to blab to her family or to "baby daddy" John Cernas that she was seeing me. This I found to be ridiculous as I told her she has the right to see who she wants and it is nobody's business but ours. I earlier decided that being put into "friends-zone" would not work for me anyway and decided to cut off contact with her on June 21. So, it is just as well I didn't buy the tractor toy. 

Heartless Salomi Indian & Bangladeshi Restaurant of North Hollywood

Above, Salomi Indian & Bangladeshi Restaurant.

Jim Beaver posted the following update:

The restaurant in which my daughter had difficulty the other night has reached out to me. I am content with their response, and while I bear full responsibility for having set off the firestorm of comments, calls, and bad reviews on Yelp and other sites by merely posting my concerns about what happened, I wish to ask each of you who posted something negative about the restaurant on any site, Yelp, Facebook, or other, if you would delete your negative comment. This situation, despite my initial handling, is between me, my daughter, and the restaurant, and as far as I am concerned, it has been resolved to my satisfaction. 

I spoke with my daughter last night about how frightening it was that a small story about bad human behavior had led an enormous number of people into the same kind of reactive emotional action that I tell her everyday to fight against. We are defensive of those we love, and rightly so. But in the world in which I hope to live, we do not spank where we should upbraid, and we do not smash where we should spank. I set this off -- unintentionally, true, but nonetheless for that unintentionality. Now I must hope I can repair it somewhat. Please, if you value my friendship or our fan relationship, if you posted something negative about this restaurant based on anything but their food, please do me the honor and favor of deleting it. Thank you.

In compliance with Jim's request to his friends and fans, I have deleted my original posting. Since he's satisfied, that's all that matters.

Traveling To Japan With A Toddler

Above, Aiden and Denise at Nana-Iro Studio in Asakusa. 

Last October, I invited my girlfriend Denise and her then-nearly-two-year-old son Aiden to go with me to Japan.

Besides being the first time going to Japan with companions (I have gone there solo previously), it was also my first experience in international travel with a toddler.

During the trip, Aiden was generally well-behaved with only a few lapses. Quite often, he provided some "comic relief" for us. But he seemed to enjoy the trip and, even now, talks about it. His vocabulary skills have grown considerably within the past few months. Years from now, if he doesn't remember going to Japan, we have plenty of photographs to show him.

Inside Japan has posted an article on one couple's experience in traveling to Japan with their toddler, age 3 along with some places to visit with a toddler.

It begins with:

Michelle and her husband Oliver had visited Japan with Inside Japan Tours twice before – but this time they decided to head out there with three-and-a-half-year-old Xander in tow. Here, Michelle shares some of their favourite experiences for toddlers in Japan… 

In a nutshell, if you are thinking on visiting Japan, don't let having a toddler dissuade you from going. According to the article, the author feels that having a toddler along only enriched the experience. I have to agree.

To read the article, go here.