#8 GRIP

The word of the day for the Dictionary Project is -

grip
noun -
1. the act of grasping; a seizing and holding fast; firm grasp.
2. the power of gripping: He has a grip on the pistol.
3. a grasp, hold, or control.
4. something that seizes and holds.
5. a handle or hilt: That pistol has a wooden grip.

verb -
1. to grasp or seize firmly; hold fast.
2. to attach by a grip.
3. to take firm hold; hold fast.


This Smith & Wesson 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol has an interesting story behind it, if you have a spare minute?
It belonged to my mother's boyfriend Tom, she meet him four years after my dad passed away. And they were together for twenty-two years, well into their nineties. Tom was a very interesting and likable guy. He was a Flying Tiger pilot who flew for China against Japan, then when WWII started he flew P-38 fighters for the US Air Force. After the war he joined the Los Angeles Fire Department and rose to the rank of captain. During the infamous Watts Riots, in the early sixties, he and his fellow firefighters were shot at many times and some were hit. When the riots were over the Fire Commander ordered these pistols and gave them to all the firemen to carry on duty. When the Chief of Police heard about this it is reported that he screamed "I don't want a bunch of numb-nut water jockeys carrying guns around, they'll end up shooting each other, and maybe a few of us, too!" And that was that! But, they were allowed to keep the pistols, but not for work. Tom's gun never was fired. When Tom knew he was going to pass he gave me this fine weapon. I have treasured it ever since the day I took possession of it, in 1998, and have put many happy rounds through it.
Thanks Tom!



**The Dictionary Project lasts for 2 weeks, where each day
a word is randomly selected out of the dictionary by you,
using the finger pointing method, with no fudging!
Then by some manner of imagination, that word
is transformed into a photograph associated with
or depicting your interpretation of that word.
If your interested in participating in this Project
check out the Blipfoto Chat Forum/Dictionary Project
and let us know if you are interested in getting on the list.

Thanks for spending the time looking and reading ;o)


Sorry I haven't been commenting much lately. Life has been very hectic of late, but in a good way! Just not much time for some stuff. Since I started the Dictionary Project I've quite a few requests for information about my photographs. When the project is over for me, this time next week, I'll get back to all of you via comments.
Thanks my friends!