Author Archives: Jerry Johnson

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About Jerry Johnson

Retired journalist and college public relations director. Former teacher, coach, mentor. Novelist and short story writer.

Two triggers

“BECAUSE there are two barrels.” Several years ago, I had the pleasure of shooting a course of sporting clays in Texas with the sales representative of an Italian gunmaking company. As I remember, he broke 94 targets out of 100. … Continue reading

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Groundhog Day

Groundhog day has long passed, more than a week ago, but canny old Punxsutawney Phil was spot on with his prediction of six more weeks of winter. A Polar Vortex escaped its whirl around the Arctic and dropped down across … Continue reading

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Project Gun Syndrome

HELLO. My name is Jerry, and I have PGS. Project Gun Syndrome. Each winter, for as many winters as I can remember, I have devoted my shut-in time to tinkering with a project gun. Some of these projects have been … Continue reading

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Lessons learned (from building a PVC frame ground blind)

Building a low-budget ground blind for deer hunting provided an escape from the monotony of winter’s pandemic isolation, occupied my mind and hands with productive and interesting work, kept me out of the house and in the workshop for four … Continue reading

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How to build a ground blind

The owner’s manual warned that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light would cause fading and deterioration of the Ameristep ground blind’s fabric covering, so I expected to get only two or three years of service from this blind. Way too optimistic. … Continue reading

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The Orange insurrection

Stunned and unsettled by the insurrection against the United States government January 6 by right-wing extremists, I have been wordless, unable to write and post a blog essay while I try to comprehend this horrendous, treasonous act of mob violence … Continue reading

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Hoarfrost – One of the hundred reasons I love the North Country in winter

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Auld Lang Syne

By Robert Burns (1759-1796) Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind?Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my jo,for auld lang syne,we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,for auld lang syne. And surely … Continue reading

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Winter’s first (serious) snowstorm

The first snowstorm of the winter of 2020-21 will arrive in the North Country sometime in the course of this day, ending the mild weather that has graced our fall and early winter. The first serious snowstorm, I should say, … Continue reading

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Huntin’ dhem vild chicken rooster birds

Vell Ron I know you most like to choot dem little doodle birds, but I tink you vould maybe vant to hear about vhat happened dhis morning vhen Yohn and me Ole vent to hunt dhem birds dhat ve mostly … Continue reading

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