Two orphaned sisters separated decades ago in South Korea have been reunited after being hired at the same hospital in Florida. The women, now both in their 40s, were stunned to learn that they were related, having not seen each other since the early 1970s.

Earlier this year, O’Brien was hired at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida, working as a nursing assistant on the fourth floor. Three months later, Hughes was hired to work on the same floor.

The two women worked the same 7am-7.30pm shift and struck up a friendship quickly.

The coincidences began stacking up. Both had “abandonment” listed on their orphanage paperwork and both had been adopted by American families. 

O’Brien told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: “I was like, this is too good to be true. I said we’ve got to do the DNA test, it’s the only way we’ll get the truth out of the whole thing.” 

She ordered DNA kits from Canada and the women did mouth swabs, which were sent back to Canada in early August. 

The match was positive.

“I’m like, this can’t be,” O’Brien told the paper. “I was trembling, I was so excited. I was ecstatic.” 

Her half sister was just as surprised: “When I heard from Holly, my first reaction was like, ‘Oh my god.’ I was in shock, I was numb. I have a sister,” Hughes said.

How far all human signals have travelled into space.

Space is big

This kid started singing Matisyahu's "One day" and didn't know that Matisyahu was right in front of him

Matisyahu looks like someone named "Matisyahu" should look.

Giant Blue Whale passes under boat

Hood ornament winner.

One that got away

I had a chance to pick up one of these a couple decades ago at a pawn shop in Redding.

No box and not in near this good of condition,  but it came with a story.  Apparently it was formerly owned by a well known local sheriff, who thought it was plenty of gun to back up his authority, and who would throw it in the glove compartment of his cruiser when he was out on patrol.  

Didn't get it, because of the wait and I didn't think I'd be back in Redding for a while.  Fool.  The provenance alone would have been worth the drive.  Could'a given me years of fun plinking at pine cones and the like.  Live and learn.

Very nice indeed

Black gold

I've been using one of these espresso makers every morning for years - decades even.

Gives me that caffeine kick that regular coffee doesn't .  Yep.

Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker w/Replacement Gasket and Filter for 6 Cup

Old salts

And an appropriate sea stead for them.

Cabin Porn

A useful thing

I was using this exact same knife yesterday up in the mountains with the hombres.  As long as you aren't skinning a deer or fighting off a bear, it's a very useful size for most tasks.  Good walk and talk. Disappears in the pocket as well.  I'm glad I spent the coin for mine.

Case Cutlery 57617 Winterbottom Jig Half Whittler Pocketknife with Stainless Steel Blade, Black Cherry Bone

Air Drop

Mondays, they're like that

Find the cat

Took some young men shooting today

These guys come home from college for the summer, and they want me to take them to the mountains, let them shoot my guns, using my ammo and ride in my truck to get there.  Of course I will!  Load up, hombres!

First image: rolling through Company Meadows just off of Monitor Pass.  Not another person or cow in sight.  We were the only ones out there, surprisingly.  I guess not that many folk are willing to go off the paved road.

The kid brought his drone - this summer's super toy - and flew it.

The hombres watching the drone video in real time.  The sun was too bright for the iPad screen, so they crowded into the truck to watch.  Great fun, and a video everyone will enjoy will be up in a day or two.

Some local summer color.

The hombres and their choice of handguns.  Trying to look tough.

The Kahr is always popular in 9mm Lugar.  Now that it's had more than 200 rounds through it, it is quite reliable, at least with the ball ammo I was feeding it.

An empty hull in mid flight.

The Seecamp reclining on a Mule Ear ( which were plentiful and very aromatic).

The Encore chambered in 204 Ruger.

The speedy bullet does a number on a tin can.

Lever actions in 45 Colt are always popular.

Afterwards, we drove in to Gardnerville, Nevada, and ate up a feast.  Then, over Carson Pass and back to our corner of the civilized world, a little lighter on ammo, but with big smiles all around.