Wrapping Up Pride from 2024

 Meet Maggie,

My notes on my brief meeting with Maggie are incomplete and not decipherable.  So, I just present Maggie to you with her lovely smile!

Pride 2024: At seems there is a Place for Religion at Pride.

 I should not be surprised by finding Christian churches present at Pride.  But, I am.  It seems diametrical to their fundamental teachings.  Nevertheless, meet Steven!

Steven was representing the "All God's Children" church in South Minneapolis.  

I had a good conversation with him.  I get his concern, love and compassion.  But it does seem to fly in the face of some church orthodoxy.  

We live in interesting times, it seems.  

Thanks Steven!

Pride 2024 Continues with Two Entrepreneurs.

Meet Alex.  She creates and runs Amy's HeartFelt Art.   Check it out here to see beautiful necklaces, bracelets and earrings.  

And, meet Amy!  Amy creates beautiful pieces of jewelry as well as bookmarks.  Check out her site here to see a wonderful display of her work. 

My sincere thanks to both of you.  It was wonderful meeting you! 

Pride 2024: Twin Cities Fire Charities

 Meet Richard!

He was representing the Twin Cities Fire Charities.  This is an organization that is supported by both the Minneapolis and St. Paul Fire Departments.  They work with disadvantaged children and supply books, school supplies and clothing.

Thank you Richard!

The Guthrie Theater was at Pride

Meet Hunter!   A HUGE correction.  My naming was off and Hunter appeared in the last post showing the Roller Derby women.  My apologies to Hunter.  Hunter was representing the Guthrie Theater.  I suspect I deleted a photo of one of the Roller Derby women because I didn't like it or it didn't come out.  But I didn't take that persons name off the photos I kept.  Again, sorry Hunter!

With Hunter was Amanda!  So, meet Amanda!

Both did a wonderful job representing the Guthrie Theater.  

More from the Minnesota Vixen: 2024

 Following up with the Minnesota Vixen.

Meet Britta!  Love the color!

And meet Megan!

If my notes are right, and that is highly doubtful, both were on the injured reserve list at the time the photos were taken.  

Thank you ladies!

Pride 2024: The Minnesota Vixen!

 Meet Britta!

And meet Megan!

These two were both captains of the Minnesota Vixen.   If you didn't know, the Minnesota Vixen is the longest continuously operated women's tackle football team!  You read that right...TACKLE!  Their mission is to be the gold standard for women's tackle football.

Very impressive!

If you want more information, check them out here.  

Thank you ladies!

Pride 2024 Continued

 Meet Tim!

One of Tim's passions is kickball.  I didn't realize there was a nationwide league of kickball enthusiasts.  Do a quick search on Stonewall Kickball and you will chapters and clubs all over the US.  

Thanks for chatting with me, Tim!

Back to Some Sort of an Order. Back to Pride 2024

And meet Calla!   It was her first time at the Pride festival.   And she was having a lovely time visiting with so many people.    

She even took a few minutes to give me a smile and time for a photo. 

THANKS Calla 

Time for a Change

 Given the horrible news around where I live, Sept 11th, and the murder of Charlie Kirk, I needed a change.  Hopefully this will provide a badly needed smile.

Sept 11th and Charlie Kirk

Today we remember Sept 11th, 2001.  The world continues to face zealots consumed by their religious and/or political beliefs.  I'd like to believe that we should be kind, loving, and compassionate to enable better dialog and understanding.  Charlie tried that approach.  It doesn't work.  

It is time to fight back.  

Pride from 2024. Yes, I know. It is continued. I am so far behind!

 Meet Renee,

I had the great fortune of meeting Renee.  I have a deep appreciation of artists who have skills I can only dream of.  Renee is one of those artists.  She does amazing drawings, nearly like a photograph.  I was in awe.

Lovely meeting with you Renee.  Amazingly talented.   

PRIDE 2024. Perfumes!

Meet Sab!

Sab makes perfume on a full time basis and uses her talent to create olgactory art, as well.

And meet Linden!

As Linden described it, she is the muscle helping Sab!

A pleasure meeting you both!

 

Pride 2024 Continued: SmallKims

 Meet Kim!

She is the full time artist and creator of SmallKims cards.

Check it out here!

Thanks for chatting and spending a few minutes with me!  

PRIDE 2024: Continuing

Meet Amanda!

She was one of the attendees and was kind enough to give me a minute or two to get a photo!  THANK YOU Amanda!

Pride 2024: Figure Artist

Meet Franchesca!

Franchesca was setting up a booth of her figure art.  I found it beautiful and creative.

Thanks Franchesca! 

PRIDE 2024: More from Tryst Trigger!

Meet Lucy!

As Nell said (see the prior post), Lucy is the brains behind Tryst Trigger!  It was delightful chatting with you, Lucy!   Thank you for the time.  I know you were busy setting up!

PRIDE in Minneapolis: 2024

To be honest, my name records for the remaining photos of SHOT SHOW are completely hosed.  So, time to move on and leave about 25 photos for whom I have no good record of who they are!  

Welcome to PRIDE 2024.  

I try to go early in the morning when the weather is cool and people are just setting up their displays/booths.  They are generally more open to chatting and having their photo taken.

So, meet Nell!

Nell represented Tryst Trigger Artworks.  She is a full time painter for the last 5 yrs now (4 when this image was taken).  And she is the artist in residence of the Pride Foundation.

It was lovely chatting with you Nell!  Thank you for taking the time!

SHOT Show continues. Wilde Arms!!

 Meet Amanda!

Amanda was at the SHOT show representing Wilde Arms.  They make a variety of rifles and handguns, and various parts, all based off the AR platform.   

It was lovely chatting with you Amanda!   You had some amazing products on display and were quite knowledgable.  THANK YOU for your time.

Back to the 2024 SHOT SHOW and Two People from Minnesota!

Meet Shane.

And meet Jim.

BoreSmith is a company located in MN that makes cleaning patches for gun barrels.   They are noted for using a 100% flannel fabric in a triangle cut.   It cleans better than square or round patches.   

I will be checking them out!  

Lovely meeting some folks near my corner of the world!

And Extended to the Anniversary of D-Day: 2025

 Today is not about boating and barbecues.   Certainly, that's important.  But today has a deep spiritual meaning foundation.  

NEVER FORGET what brave men and women did, not only for the US...but in many cases, for the entire world.

Meet John Steele:

On the night before D-Day (June 6, 1944), American soldiers of the 82nd Airborne were parachuting into the area west of Sainte-Mère-Église in successive waves. The town had been the target of an aerial attack, during which a stray incendiary bomb had set fire to a house east of the town square. The church bell was rung to alert the town to the emergency, and townspeople turned out in large numbers to form a bucket brigade supervised by members of the German garrison. By 1:00 am, the town square was well lit and filled with German soldiers and villagers when two planeloads of paratroopers from the 1st and 2nd battalion's, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, were dropped in error directly over the village.

The paratroopers were easy targets, and Steele was one of the few not killed. He was wounded in the foot by a burst of flak.^[1] His parachute caught in one of the pinnacles of the church tower, leaving him hanging on the side of the church. Steele hung there limply for two hours, pretending to be dead, before the Germans took him prisoner. He escaped four hours later from the Germans and rejoined his division when US troops of the 505th's 3rd Battalion attacked the village, capturing 30 Germans and killing another 11. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat.

And this is the American Cemetary at Omaha Beach.  It is holy ground.  Every parent should bring their children here and walk quietly.  It will change their lives. 

Moving Along the Wonderful Displays

And, running into interesting people and products.  I ran into this mascot.   

And, I ran into Ashley.  Ashley was more of a conversationalist than the mascot.   In addition, Ashley has a much better smile!

If memory serves me correctly, and I am highly doubtful that it does, they were representing a company that produces specific ammo that is not produced by the major manufacturers.   

Thanks Ashley!

Moving Along the SHOT Show List and Sadly Departing from Master Ken

First, my sincere apologies for having to move past Master Ken. He is hilarious!

Now: Meet Alex!

Alex is from Utah and was promoting econ development opportunities!

Lovely meeting you Alex!  

Meet Master Ken

 Master Ken is hilarious.  He pretends to know what he is doing.  And maybe he does.  But what he proposes as legitimate karate and self-defensive movements is incredibly funny. He was gracious enough to pose for me.

If you want to see him in action, here you go:  

Site Blooms: Even LinkedIn was at the Shot Show

Meet Rate (I think...apologies if I have a fat thumb and got his name wrong on my phone!)

Meet Dave!

And...even Elvis was there!

E-Bikes are also There!

 I was rather delighted to see powered bikes at the SHOT Show.  Meet Tim from Recon Power Bikes.  Awesome bikes!   Advertised as Military Tough and all terrain.  I am quite tempted!    Check them out if you want something built tough and durable for the backwoods trips.

Thanks Tim!

Nice hat, too!

Benelli: A name associated with quality Shotguns

 Meet Chase.   He was representing Benelli. Benelli makes a very wide range of shotguns in the different gauges.  They also make rifles!  And Chase was very familiar, warm and engaging!

I was a bit surprised he was from Illinois.   That state isn't known for being very firearms friendly.

Thanks for your time Chase!

From North American Arms!!

 Meet Jessica!

North American Arms makes small caliber, concealable firearms.  They are very cool.  Check them out!

And, as always, thank you so much for chatting Jessica!

Magnum Research at the SHOT Show!

Meet Scott!

He was there representing Magnum Research.  I had no idea they were operating out of Motley, MN.  It is a small town in the middle of the state!  I've been through there a few times!

Meet the team representing Holosun

Meet Malden!

Meet Anna!

And meet John!

Holosun makes wonderful Red Dot sights for handguns and rifles as well as magnifiers for each. 

It was lovely meeting all of you.   THANKS

Using the Cloud to track Government forms!

 Meet Matthew!

Matthew works for a company that does cloud storage for all form 4473's.  A 4473 is a federal government form that must be completed when a person purchases a firearm from an FFL.  

VERY nice to meet you Matthew!

SHOT Show Continued: Ed Brown

 Meet Dave!

And meet Steve!

They were representing Ed Brown.  They primarily make custom 1911 handguns.  VERY NICE ones too, I might add.

Thank you for your time, gentlemen!

Wandering Locals at the SHOT show

 Meet Taylor and Madison!

They were gracious enough to stop for a minute and let me take their photos. 

THANK YOU Ladies.