Works For Chicken Feed!

Back To The Old Grind!

 

Weekend Steam II: A Cute Little Loco!

 Merle is sending all of us to Hungary today to enjoy a pretty little engine and railroad. It looks to be about a two foot gauge, so I bet there is some oscillation in the cars.  Don't try to read while you ride!  Thanks, Merle!

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Weekend Steam: Spark Show at Rough and Tumble, Kinzers, PA

 Pretty Neat, Merle!  Thank You!

The Spring show is coming up in May, and the Summer show in mid-August.   Rough and Tumble Website

The Annual Show Is On!

One of life's big thrills is seeing the start of a season full of flowers. Our daffodils never disappoint.

We have several varieties, so we do a lot of looking and admiring. 

Ranger is thinking...."Should I?"

 

Dropping A Tree; A Review Of The Steps

I recycled a couple of videos from last year, trimming them down and focusing on the process.  An after action review is at the end, to reinforce the lesson.

 

Wednesday Windage: How Many Groundhogs Can You Eat?

 Holy Cow! I went up to the north barn today to get the utility vehicle and walked up on a groundhog who exited stage left under the east end of the barn. I retrieved a camera that I had in the barn, and there is another groundhog living in the west end, and a possum, too. There has been much to much digging going on in the old barn, so I must spend some time and deal with these little vandals. I note that the little earth movers like to come out in mid-afternoon as well as the morning. I have scouted a couple of good spots where I can break up my silhouette with trees. Years ago I would lie on the ground behind a log, but now I think I will use a folding camp chair and a monopod rest.

These little video segments can be good dry practice for you. Use a laser practice pistol, play the video full screen and sit back about 8 feet. Try to pop the laser dot in the vitals every time the groundhog appears. They never give you much time!

Tuesday Torque II: Why Two IHC Tractor Lines?

 Very intersting, Merle!

Tuesday Torque: 1912 Hart Parr

 One of three, 40 HP. Oldie but Goodie! Thanks, Merle!

Country Joe McDonald...

 ...passed away Sunday, March 8, at age 84. Country Joe was at Woodstock, and that is where he became a solo artist when he was asked to get on stage and take up some time.  He performed his famous cheer and the Fixin' To Die Rag, featured in the film and on the LP of Woodstock.  

During the 1970s he recorded his War War War album, but never performed it for audiences.  It didn't sell well, and in later years when people wanted it, it was not available.  Joe tried to get his publisher to reissue it, but they weren't interested, so he recorded the whole album again, live, in Canada in 2007.  It is a fine album, and you can listen to the songs on YouTube.  It was for sale on Joe's website, and I don't think you will be able to get it now that he is gone. Country Joe was a good guy.

Here is the 1970 recording of the Man From Athabasca, and the 2007 live recording.

Weekend Steam: 1915 Triple Expansion Engine

 Merle spotted a beautiful 1915 vintage triple-expansion marine engine that resides in a museum. It's turning, but no steam.  This engine replaced the original engines in the 1863 ironclad, HMS Scorpion. It's a beautiful piece of machinery.

And, here is an operating triple expansion engine in the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, one of the two surviving Liberty Ships from World War II.  About 200 of these engines are sitting on the ocean floor.