Thursday, April 23, 2026

B-B-B-Buzzards!

Turkey vultures are enjoying themselves at our place. They circle around over us throughout the day. Our timber provides a good updraft when the wind is moving, and they surf the edges. Every morning they will roost in this dead tree to sun themselves. We admire from afar!





 

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Wednesday Windage II: New To Me Things On My Old Contender


 We have a nice selection of 10 inch barrels for the Contender, but I have been wanting a barrel in .223, and you gain a lot of speed if you move up to a 14 inch barrel. I found a good one online at a fair price and have it sighted in.  That extra 4 inches of bull barrel is heavy! I ordered a kit to install sling swivels to the gun, and now it hangs easy on the shoulder.  Stick your support arm through the sling, hasty sling style, push out with your shooting hand, and this rig is steady like a rifle!

Wednesday Windage: Pairing Handgun And Rifle Cartridges

 Here's another good one from Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore Ammunition.

Baby Owl Update

 We are checking the yard every time before we let dogs out. This morning the little owl was gone from the yard, but I soon spotted him back up in his tree. I am amazed! 



Tuesday Torque: Tioga Tractors, Have You Seen One?

 This is a rare, maybe totally extinct tractor. I have never heard of or seen one of these. Many thanks to Merle for spotting this one!

Monday, April 20, 2026

Excitement In The Dog Yard!


A barred owl fledgling hopped out of the den today.  We set up fencing immediately to keep it from the dogs.
 

Sunday, April 19, 2026

No Retirement For This Faithful Friend

 We're cranking out two pots a day, plus a few cups of instant.

                       Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam II: Minne Out In The Wild

 Many Thanks to Eaton Rapids Joe!

Friday, April 17, 2026

Weekend Steam: Oldest Paddle Steamer In Australia, PS Melbourne

This is one I stumble across, and it is great to watch.  It is the Paddle Steamer Melbourne, plying the Murray River at Mildura. It is a much different layout in the engine room than American steamboats!

Thursday, April 16, 2026

No Log Too Big!

 Once in a while a really big log will come into a mill, too big for the carriage, too big for the blade to cut through. Sawyers would use this method to bust a log in two so it could be sawed. Powder is a bit pricey nowadays, so don't let your trees go over-ripe on you!