Some of them may well have thought I was a lesbian (and they would be right) but many women around here (including, but not limited to, lesbians) are into guns, so they may not have made the connection. Also, I don't fit the "butch lesbian" stereotype. But it would be interesting to know what the rednecks were thinking. Maybe one or more of them read me and thought, "I wish I had the guts to do that!" I bet some of the hillbillies in your area crossdress, but they must be scared to death of the possibility that their secret may get out.
That old flintlock you mention sounds neat; I would love to have an antique like that, but I wouldn't dare fire it. Good modern working replicas cost about $200. One of the dealers told me that an antique store in Layton, Utah had an antique matchlock musket last time he was there. I should drive up there; I would love to see that.
Yes, I am a collector. It is an addictive disease - I can't stop. Because of this, I have to rent a 1000-square-foot 2-bedroom apartment, and it is packed full, and I live alone. I even sleep on a hide-a-bed in the living room because the bedrooms are full of stuff. One day, I made the mistake of going to an antique store and I came home with an old rusty anvil. Now that is something I need like a hole in the head! (But now that I have it, I would never want to part with it.) As I am sure you can imagine, I collect clothing as well. I don't have to wear the same outfit twice in two or three months if I don't want to. Guns are nothing compared to some of my other collecting obsessions.
Be careful around those rednecks.
Heather H.
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.