March 2026

March… I try not to be superstitious and take a more stoic approach in life. Easier said than done, but I strive to accept what happens and focus on what I can control. Popularized by Theodore Roosevelt, one of my favorite quotes is…

“Do what you can,
with what you have,
where you are.”
Theodore Roosevelt

Still, March is often a month when negative things seem to happen more often — or more likely, I just think they do. Julius Caesar certainly didn’t have a fabulous March. Though I have no genealogical connection with the fallen dictator that I know of, my name is the feminine form of Julius. Then there’s the old saying that bad luck comes in threes. When something bad occurs during the month of Mars, I can’t help but wonder what else is around the corner.

And this month? A slip on the range resulted in a knee injury that’s on the mend after elevation, compression, support, and rest. Unfortunately, my plans to prepare for the US Steel Nationals became much more limited. Still, I managed to squeeze in two local matches and some range time between storms and frigid weather.

Also this month, one of the people I treasure most visited the emergency room, and after a few days in the hospital, is doing better now. Thank you, Lord. I’m relieved, but such things are hard on the heart.

As for the third, our dear Webley, beloved adopted kitty from the wilds of northeastern Montana, is no longer with us. Living in the country and dealing with small rodents around the house, I wanted a house cat. We found two options to adopt. My husband liked the sleek black kitty. One look at how it leapt onto the counters and the tippy-tops of the cabinets, and I made the case for the relaxed, fluffy grey furball. We compromised. I got my pick, but he got to name her. Yes, Webley after the top-break.

We don’t know exactly when Webley was born, but she lived to be around 17 years old. She’s been a constant in our daughter’s lives as a spunky, vocal, and gentle feline with a ferocious purr. She was a fierce hunter, whether it be mouse, snake, or even pheasant. Where some cats are aloof, she welcomed everyone into our home and spent many hours on laps. Most of all, she was loved.

US Steel Nationals

All things considered, I’m super pleased with my Steel Nationals performance. I opted to shoot Springfield’s newest Echelon, the 4.0FC. The full-size grip is ideal for competition, and I chose the 4-inch over the 4.5F for the potential edge of being just a bit faster out of my kydex holster and in how the gun drives so well from target to target. After all, Steel Challenge is all about the draw and transitions. I added a Trijicon SRO and chose to use the same pistol with Federal’s 150 gr. Syntech Action Pistol in the Carry Optics and Limited Optics divisions.

As I mentioned in my last update, I decided to shoot this Nationals for the pressure. Any good finish would be a bonus. The last time I was serious about Steel Challenge was 2010. I had to look it up, but in the last 16 years (and before this year), I’ve shot these courses of fire just four other times. With just two local matches, one in February and one in March, 5 of the stages set up on my home range, and the knee thing, I can’t say I was super prepared. The Outer Limits (the movement stage) was a slow one for me, again thanks to the knee. Still, I managed to come within .8 seconds of Jessie Harrison’s Carry Optics time. Jessie is a great shooter, particularly impressive in Steel Challenge, where she has multiple records. She has also competed in this sport for 20 years and has been winning nonstop. So… yeah, I’m very happy.

Another highlight of the match was shooting with my husband, who did very well, and members of Hillsdale’s Action Shooting Team. For the first year, thanks to Match Director Doug Koenig’s efforts to grow the shooting sports, the match honored Collegiate Individual and Team Events for centerfire. The team did so well! I know they didn’t feel like it, and wanted to do better, but for their first Steel Challenge Nationals, after coming from frigid Michigan with limited training time and experience, they should be proud. Hats off to all the other collegiate students and coaches for their performances, too!

With so much going on, I haven’t had a chance to go through videos from the match. It’s on the to-do list whenever I catch a free moment.

What’s next…

April and May will be a marathon. They always are.

I’m very excited to be heading to the NRA Annual Meetings in Houston. It will be the first time with Springfield Armory. I’ve heard about the company’s booth party, and I’m very excited to be a part of it. If you’re planning to attend the NRA Show, mark your calendars for Saturday at 3 pm. I’d love to see you there.

After that, it’s Action Pistol time. I’m doing some filming with Guns & Ammo TV, and then it’s warm-up matches leading up to the CMP Bianchi Cup. Bianchi is even more of a pressure cooker this year, as the final selection match for the World Championships in Australia.

I’ve also been working on videos for some new launches. To keep up with the latest and greatest from Springfield, head on over to thearmorylife.com and scroll until you see “The Debrief.” Enter your email address for updates and automatically be entered for monthly giveaways. You can also visit the giveaway page directly.

What else…

My oldest has kindly started tomato seeds for me, and they are happily growing. For the fellow tomatophiles out there, we’ve started: White Beauty, Blue Beauty, Paul Robeson, Granny Cantrell, California Tulip, Apricot Zebra, Your Majesty, Palemeno, Marina’s Praise, Pink Jazz, Hungarian Heart, Golden King of Siberia.

For Lent, I gave up sweets, alcohol, and entertainment fiction. It meant getting a chance to read a book on my TBR list. Last year, I discovered this Substack, which prompted me to buy The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness by Andrew Klavan (Amazon Affiliate Link). It was a different read for me, and I’m glad I did.

I also hit another milestone for my next book, a guide to concealed carry. Passing the 60K word count is such a good feeling, especially with the editing and rearranging that goes on along the way. I’m getting to the point where I’m considering graphics, photos, and cover art. I’m also thinking about formatting and would love your feedback on what kind of books you prefer.

Before I close, don’t forget there’s the Outdoor Stewards Auction that ends on Sunday.

Until the next one, wishing you the joy of hope and love this Easter!

Yours,
Julie