Texas Spring/Summer Thread

[bindian]

I saw a beautiful bluebonnet patch:dance1: today while taking my CDL driving test.:thumbsup: A whole family was there taking photos.
hugs, Brandi

 

[jinman]

I saw a beautiful bluebonnet patch:dance1: today while taking my CDL driving test.:thumbsup: A whole family was there taking photos.
hugs, Brandi

What's a nice patch of bluebonnets without a bunch of butt-prints in them? :laughing:

 

[txdon]

What's a nice patch of bluebonnets without a bunch of butt-prints in them? :laughing:

It's called a rattlesnake nest.
Why you shouldn't pick bluebonnets in Texas - snopes.com

 

[Bird]

I went to the police range to re-qualify Tuesday; same range with a high hill behind the targets that was being used more than 50 years ago. So the ground behind the targets stays torn up, but then above what looks almost like plowed dirt is a real nice patch of bluebonnets. Quite a lot of bluebonnets around Mountain Creek Lake and Spur 408.

 

[txdon]

Bird, can a retired Texas Peace Officer re-qualify at any police range?

 

[Bird]

Bird, can a retired Texas Peace Officer re-qualify at any police range?

No, Don, we have to go to the department from which we retired. And as with most things today, there are enough rules and laws to be confusing. I'm not sure how others do it, but I have to call and ask when they will be having qualifying rounds and each time give them, name, DOB, badge number, social security number, and what gun I'll be using. That's so they can run a new criminal history check each time to make sure I'm still eligible. As for which gun I'll be using . . . if you qualify with a revolver, you can only carry revolvers, but if you qualify with a semi-auto, you can carry either. And Dallas only permits certain models and calibers on the range. Then when I go out there, I have to sign and initial a form with a long list of things saying that I'm not under indictment, not been convicted of a felony, not under a peace bond, etc., etc., etc. They notarize the form and keep it, along with the score sheet. And I get a new "Certificate of Proficiency" that expires one year from the month I qualified.

 

[WM75Guy]

Bird, can a retired Texas Peace Officer re-qualify at any police range?

If the department allows it you can, but they have to adopt a policy, you have to do a bunch of paperwork like Bird said, and then get a card. Texas states the qualification is valid for 2 years, but the federal law states the qualification is valid for one year. If you don't carry out of Texas you only have to go every other year.

Sec. 1701.357. WEAPONS PROFICIENCY FOR CERTAIN RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

OCCUPATIONS CODE**CHAPTER 1701. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

 

[txdon]

Thanks, Repowell for the link. Did you know about the free TEXAS flag for peace officers from the State.

Sec. 1701.161. PROVISION OF STATE FLAG TO NEXT OF KIN OF DECEASED PEACE OFFICER. (a) If the next of kin of a deceased peace officer requests a state flag, the commission shall:
(1) provide a state flag, at no cost to the next of kin, if the peace officer was:
(A) a current peace officer at the time of the officer's death; or
(B) an honorably retired peace officer who voluntarily terminated employment with a law enforcement agency of this state or a political subdivision of this state; and
(2) notify the office of the governor of the death of the peace officer.

 

[jinman]

Yesterday, I tilled up two flowerbeds under my raised deck with my little Bolens tiller. We planted 13 shade loving perennials. One flowerbed we didn't plant because we are going to put bedding annual plants in it. I have one more 20' flowerbed to till up and plant as well as the front flowerbeds where we have roses. Those will get little annual flowers to fill in between and around the rose bushes. When we get done, we'll have to then fight with the armadillos and deer to keep them out of the flower beds. The deer like to 'prune' our rose bushes for us.

I went to a local feed and seed store last week. I was pleasantly surprised to find they had extremely healthy looking tomato and pepper plants in 4" pots for only $1.29 each. I bought four more super-fantastic tomatoes and two pepper plants plus some spaghetti squash, straight neck yellow squash, and some more okra seed because my okra has not come up. I think I planted it too early and probably won't get good germination. Anyhow, we planted the tomatoes and peppers and put in 3 hills of spaghetti squash and 3 hills of yellow squash. That makes 12 hills of yellow squash including crook-necks and straight necks. The garden now stretches from fence-to-fence. The only place to plant more is in the walkways.

I took a ph reading with a probe yesterday, and my soil is 6 to 6.5, so all I'm adding is fertilizer.

 

[WM75Guy]

I saw that. I will put it on the list for when that day comes.

 

[Western]

I tilled my garden spot for the 1st time yesterday, will plant most today. Checked the garden this morning and I could see where most of the rabbits in Wise county had done a "test drive" in the soft dirt, have 2-150' rolls of 24" x1" chicken wire ordered, should stop those shenanigans.

Got the Peaches and Japanes Maples in, now I want to get a couple that are Red all summer too (maples).

Jim, I always planted Okra last, usually around mid April, I know it has the highest demand for warm earth to germinate. All the Okra sets I saw at the 3 places we went to didn't survive the last two "cold snaps"

 

[two_bit_score]

Looks like this "storm" event has moved on? I received .27" of rain:confused3: All the whooping and hollerin the weathermen did and that's IT!! They even got the temps wrong I bet, I'm think'n frost in the a.m.

I get most of my best weather reports right here on TBN in the Texas threads!

Well, that and from the app on my phone. Hardly any time to watch TV any more.

 

[bindian]

Checked the garden this morning and I could see where most of the rabbits in Wise county had done a "test drive" in the soft dirt, have 2-150' rolls of 24" x1" chicken wire ordered, should stop those shenanigans.

Dennis,
You sure 24 inches is enough? How deep are you gonna stick it in the ground? You know they can hop some? A jack would clear it for sure.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Bird]

Checked the garden this morning and I could see where most of the rabbits in Wise county had done a "test drive" in the soft dirt, have 2-150' rolls of 24" x1" chicken wire ordered, should stop those shenanigans.

Dennis, one year, down in Navarro County, I had a problem with the cottontails eating my garden. Someone told me to spread blood meal around the perimeter of the garden and they wouldn't cross it. So I gave it a try and apparently it really did work, and of course the blood meal sure made the Bermuda around the garden perimeter grow. Naturally, you may have to re-apply it after a rain.

 

[txdon]

Repowell and Bird did you know that the Feds requirements to carry for retired peace officers is less than the state's. 10 years Fed as opposed to 15 years state.

Here is a application from HPD.
http://www.hpdretired.com/html/FINALHandgunApplication&Affidavit.pdf

federal law, 18USCA section 926(c), as defined by the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 and the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2010,

Am I looking at this right and is there any disadvantage by qualifying for FED only?

 

[Bird]

Don, laws change so much and so often, I don't even try to keep up with all of them.:laughing: But the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (H.R.218) said officers with 15 years of service. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2010 changed that to 10 years and added some people, specifically "a law enforcement officer of the Amtrak Police Department, a law enforcement officer of the Federal Reserve, or a law enforcement or police officer of the executive branch of the Federal Government qualifies as an employee of a governmental agency who is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and has statutory powers of arrest." So, yes, under Federal law, it's 10 years.

But under State law, Texas Penal Code, Section 46.15 (5), it's still 15 years.

And under the Texas Occupation Code, Section 1701.357, qualification is good for 2 years in Texas. But under Federal law, I need to qualify annually if I carry a concealed gun out of the state.

But now, I'm going to have to ask someone why the last two lines on the back of my "Certificate of Proficiency" last year showed:
"H.R.218 - expires 1 year from date of qualification
Texas State Law - expires 2 years from date of qualification"

But my new "Certificate of Proficiency" simply says:
"The card expires on the last day of month - 1 year from date of qualification listed on front."

As for that HPD application . . . well, each department has to establish written rules and procedures. When I retired, my ID card simply had my name, rank, and that I was retired. When the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 went into effect, I had to go to the Personnel Division where they made a photo and a new ID card that says "Honorably Retired after 24 years." So in the case of Dallas officers, the ID card that shows "honorably retired" and the number of complete years, along with the "Certificate of Proficiency" card serve the purpose of a CHL. Perhaps Houston puts all the information on one form????

But I really don't understand why an officer, retired or active, would want to go through the procedure and cost (even with a discount) to get a CHL when it's not needed to legally carry a concealed weapon. The only thing I can think of is that the actual shooting course is much easier for a CHL than the police course, the minimum passing score for the CHL is 70 instead of 80 for the police course, and the Texas CHL only has to be renewed every 4 years instead of one. Maybe if a retiree lived a long ways from his old department . .????

 

[Western]

Dennis,
You sure 24 inches is enough? How deep are you gonna stick it in the ground? You know they can hop some? A jack would clear it for sure.
hugs, Brandi

Not going in the ground any, I will bend it out a couple of inches. Evey time I've buried chicken wire it rust within 3 years. I dont have jack rabbits, wish I did, they dont seem to multiply as much as the cottontails. I have Field fence backing the chicken wire, if they want to jump 24", then miss the field fence, they deserve a "snack":laughing: Coons will likely be a bigger problem, but I have "ideas" for them if that happens:thumbsup: I like having the rabbits around, part of the reason we have no cats, but I do have a 12 gauge.........

Dennis, one year, down in Navarro County, I had a problem with the cottontails eating my garden. Someone told me to spread blood meal around the perimeter of the garden and they wouldn't cross it. So I gave it a try and apparently it really did work, and of course the blood meal sure made the Bermuda around the garden perimeter grow. Naturally, you may have to re-apply it after a rain.

Bird I have heard that about blood meal too my grandfather seemed to use it for every thing in the garden except for lube on the tiller:laughing: He used it on every tree and bush he planted too.

 

[Western]

Oh, I need you guy's imput. I am thinking about using either coastal, wheat hay for mulch this year, leaning towards wheat. I dont want careless weeds so may end up with the coastal to be safe. I have never "mulched " a garden, so wondering if any of you have used "hay" in instead of "straw". Not much "straw" production around these parts!!

I'm thinking the "pros" would be cheap mulch, does the job, will cut down on weeding maintenance and can till it in at the end of the growing season. Negative would be I get a weed such as Careless weeds or sand burs.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Oh, I need you guy's imput. I am thinking about using either coastal, wheat hay for mulch this year, leaning towards wheat. I dont want careless weeds so may end up with the coastal to be safe. I have never "mulched " a garden, so wondering if any of you have used "hay" in instead of "straw". Not much "straw" production around these parts!!

I'm thinking the "pros" would be cheap mulch, does the job, will cut down on weeding maintenance and can till it in at the end of the growing season. Negative would be I get a weed such as Careless weeds or sand burs.

Got any pine trees close?

 

[txdon]

Oh, I need you guy's imput. I am thinking about using either coastal, wheat hay for mulch this year, leaning towards wheat. I dont want careless weeds so may end up with the coastal to be safe. I have never "mulched " a garden, so wondering if any of you have used "hay" in instead of "straw". Not much "straw" production around these parts!!

I'm thinking the "pros" would be cheap mulch, does the job, will cut down on weeding maintenance and can till it in at the end of the growing season. Negative would be I get a weed such as Careless weeds or sand burs.

I use alfalfa hay. The local feed stores always seem to have some for horses. I don't have a mega garden to feed the county like Jim so a square bale does it for me.