Abbreviated Week Ahead!

Back To The Old Grind!

Ruger's Auction to Benefit Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

Ruger's auction for HAVA this week is a 10/22 Target Rifle that was rollmarked in January 1995.  The Target model went into Ruger's catalog for 1996, and the good folks at Ruger think that this rifle may have been built as a prototype.  Click Over to Ruger's GunBroker page to read the full description of this fine firearm. 

Mr. Completely's July 2013 e-Postal Contest Is Up At Billll's Idle Mind!

The July 2013 Mr. Completely e-Postal Contest is up at Billll's Idle Mind.  It looks like a great contest, with opportunities for challenged shooters to score well, and for skilled shooters to really impress the rest of us.  CLICK HERE to check it out, and note that this target needs to be printed in Landscape.  Thanks for handling July, Billll!!

Not My Victrola: Pleasant Moments From Vaudeville

This earworm from Billy Murray and Aileen Stanley was surely performed on many stages around the country. I would be very surprised if it was not written for the stage. Many Thanks to CatsPajamas1 for posting this treasure.

June Mr. Completely e-Postal Extension!

Zeke is on a road trip and he suggested that we run the June contest through Sunday, July 7.  Contest extensions are always a good idea, because folks can shoot two contests in one range trip.  The July Mr. Completely e-Postal contest will be hosted by Billll, of Bill's Idle Mind.  Check in daily at Billll's blog; he will have his contest up soon!

Update! Update!  July Is Up at Bill's Idle Mind!  It's a great contest.  Click over, read the rules, print your targets, and Go To The Range!!!

Weedend Steam: Turning Green, by George

You have all seen the ad for George Kester's engines on the left side. I was on the phone with him recently, and this video shows what he is doing on his weekends now. He was on a trip last week that ran 280 miles each way. I bet he was beat by the time it was over, what with being up in the cab the whole time.

You Call It! The State of Diss-Repair

We'll start out with an easy one!

A) Sidegogglin'
B) Swayback
C) Ramshackle
D) Cattywampus
E) Whopperjawed

PS:  Brat will be on tomorrow evening!

Sign Up For The Rendezvous!

You will have a great time at Gun Blogger Rendezvous VIII, September 5-8, at the Silver Legacy Hotel in Reno Nevada.  New friends, new guns, old guns, new experiences, new skills; and it's all for a good cause!

Here's is some of the action from 2010 and 2011:




 And, this year, a new activity that you can add to your set of skills!

Wedging On The Edge

 I was asked to tip this tree over, because it was weighted heavily toward some improvements, and the site staff was nervous about cutting it themselves.  A large limb threw the weight exactly opposite the way we wanted this tree to go, and the top had to be swung over about seven feet to reach the balance point. The face cut revealed that the tree had begun to rot, and the entire width of the hinge was punky with white rot. Normally, the hinge in this tree would handle about ten feet of back lean/weight, but the rot lessened that by an unknown amount. Everyone stayed well back while I drove the wedges, and if you listen closely you will hear fibers popping as I hammer. All's well that ends well, and everyone involved learned a bit more about limits in handling back weight. I got to leave after the tree was on the ground, and the grounds crew got to clean up all that wood.

Note at the end how widow-makers rain down around the stump.  Always get away from the stump when the tree tips.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

Ruger's auction this week is a rare and very desirable GP 100 .357 revolver with mystery markings.  CLICK HERE to go to Ruger's GunBroker page for the description, and to place your bid.

Injury; Insult

This was a fine little truck, not too many years ago, and I fondly remember the man who drove it.  He made a forest on his land.  His ride does not deserve to have a blue barrel stuffed into the engine compartment.  R.I.P., Ike.

Never Pass A Place...

                                     

...to visit a rest stop, or words to that effect, because a fellow might need to take... a rest.  On a recent trip home from Iowa I was feeling great and zipped right by a convenient stop at Hannibal because Troy was just over an hour ahead, and I didn't need to stop.

Then, I started getting sleepy.  I chugged a coffee; then I chugged another coffee; then a Water Joe.  I woke up, because I now needed a rest stop!  No problem; 45 minutes, tops.  Oops, an alligator in the road.  Some trucker up ahead is having problems.  Then, the traffic bunched up and crawled to a stop.

Five miles in an hour.  I finally passed the unfortunate parties that bumped into each other when the remains of the left rear tire let go.  I made it to the Troy Wal-Store in better shape than the guys who met by accident, and I don't intend to pass through Hannibal without stopping again.

Eyes And Ears!

Back To The Old Grind!

Not My Victrola

VictrolaMan posted a very interesting record.  He calls it The Runaway Slave Song, but that's not what the label says.  He is probably trying to avoid nasty comments on his YouTube channel, and that's a pretty good idea.  I recognized the tune right away, and the lyrics are changed very little, from Banjo Sam, that Grandpa Jones recorded many years ago.   Punch the play button and have a listen; it's a catchy little tune with the banjo played in pre-Scruggs style.

Weekend Steam; Who Knew?

I was surprised to see Regaskin's recent videos of old engines at a show in Ireland.  I have read engine magazines for a whole lotta years, and I don't recall reading any reports from the Emerald Isle.  Here is a video of model steam engines on display at the Eyrecourt rally, County Galway, Republic of Ireland.

Crankin' It Up With Brat The Cat

I'll See You In C-U-B-A Medley, February, 1920. This record is from early in Prohibition, and folks were either heading for Canada or the Caribbean for a little relief from the drought.
 Not so far from here There's a very lively atmosphere
 Ev'rybody's going there this year
 And there's a reason
The season opened last July Ever since the U.S.A. went dry
 Ev'rybody's going there and I'm going, too

 I'm on my way to [Refrain:]
Cuba, there's where I'm going
 Cuba, there's where I'll stay
 Cuba, where wine is flowing
 And where dark-eyed Stellas
 Light their fella's Panatellas
Cuba, where all is happy
 Cuba, where all is gay
Why don't you plan a
Wonderful trip To Havana?
 Hop on a ship
And I'll see you in C.U.B.A.
[2nd verse:]
Take a friend's advice
 Drinking in a cellar isn't nice
 Anybody who has got the price
Should be a Cuban
Have you been longing for the 'smile'
 That you haven't had for quite a while?
 If you have, then follow me and I'll show the way

I'm on my way to

Cuba, there's where I'm going
 Cuba, there's where I'll stay
 Cuba, where wine is flowing
 And where dark-eyed Stellas
 Light their fella'sPanatellas
Cuba, where all is happy
 Cuba, where all is gay
Why don't you plan a
Wonderful trip To Havana?
 Hop on a ship
And I'll see you in C.U.B.A.

Remember Pine Ridge Jack?

Our good friend Jack, of Cisne, Illinois has won the top spot in the Cattle Baron Class (over 70) at the State Single Action Shooting Society Championship, held at Sparta, Illinois last weekend.  Jack shot ten stages in two days, with 24 or 28 shots per stage, and missed only three plates.  Jack told me that he wasn't worried about a couple of competitors, but he had to shoot hard every stage to beat two that were pretty good.  Well, they aren't quite as good as you, Jack!  Good Shooting!

Jack lives on the same farm where he was born 77 years ago; and produces row crops, cattle, and basset hounds.  He has a little firearm business on the side to pay for his Cowboy Shooting hobby, and he is my go-to when I need a firearm transferred in or out of Illinois.  Jack is a pretty good gunsmith, as was his daddy before him, and every hour you spend with him talking about guns is a priceless education.  Congratulations on the new belt buckle, Jack!

Molly and Her Folks Are Going To GBR!

I see over on Mr. Completely's blog that Molly and her parents are planning to be at Reno.  That is all the more reason for you to attend.  Molly is an inspiration to all the shooters who meet her and have the opportunity to see her shoot.  She has rare ability that soon has all of the men shooting video so they can capture a bit of her magic, and maybe improve their ability by studying this teenage prodigy.  Here is some video of  Molly shooting a Sig-Sauer .40 Cal, and a Ruger Mk III at the 2011 Gun Blogger Rendezvous:



And, one of Molly's videos shooting a Steel Challenge stage a few years back:



 Here is the recent NRA video featuring Molly:

You meet the greatest people at the Gun Blogger Rendezvous, and you will have the time of your life, shooting a variety of guns, watching others shoot, learning new skills and useful shooting information. CLICK HERE to go to the Gun Blogger Rendezvous site, and register for Reno.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

Ruger's auction this week is a mystery Vaquero revolver built nineteen years ago.  The reason for the rollmark on the left side of the frame has been forgotten, and this will be a very rare gun in your collection.  CLICK HERE to visit Ruger's GunBroker page and read all about this special Vaquero.  Loosen up those purse strings and make a bid to help a good cause, and maybe win this fine piece of shooting machinery.

Ready, Set...

...Gone.  These four wren babies were hatched in a flower pot by the back door.   This photo was Saturday; today they flew.  We saw them flitting around the garden area with Mama all day.  Another day or two and they will be out in the world.

If You Can't Find 'em...

...You know the rest. Back To The Old Grind!

Not My Victrola: Fathers' Day Special

We all want to pass down all we can to our offspring, and I think this song expresses this sentiment very well.  From the EMGColonel.

Not My Victrola

From George Ter-Martirosian

Go To The Gun Blogger Rendezvous! It Will Be Bigger And Better Than Ever!!!

Mr. Completely has posted an update on the Rendezvous, and you really need to go read it. There are some exciting new sponsors this year, and new activities that you do not want to miss. Have you ever launched a bowling ball? Trust me, if you don't go to Reno this year, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Go read Mr. C's update, register, reserve your room, and make your travel arrangements. If you do not want to fly, take the train! The Amtrak station is just a short walk from the Silver Legacy; or you can drive. The Interstate system comes within a few blocks of your hotel and the Rondy. Here is a little video showing the corporate sponsors from the 2012 Rendezvous, and there will be several more this year.

Crankin' It Up With Brat The Cat

Here is a real oldie this week; January 1913!  "Casey Jones Went Down On The Robert E Lee" is an obscure song by Clarence Jones, and performed on Columbia disc A271 by Arthur Collins and Byron Harlan in January, 1913.  The original owners enjoyed this record, judging from the wear.  I played this side with a loud needle, and then with a soft tone needle, which was marginally better.  I kept the loud one for this video, and switched to a soft tone needle for the flip side.

Whistling Jim, by Theodore Morse, is performed by the Peerless Quartet, also during January, 1913.  You can Fox-Trot to this one.

Weekend Steam

Let's stay in Colorado this week, and visit the Georgetown Loop. This one is a bonus for Iowans missing Number 9.

NellyBelle?

I Don't Smell Flowers...

...unless they're on a tree.  I can stand under a persimmon, hawthorn, or basswood (especially basswood) and hyperventilate, but I don't go around sniffing flowers.

It's a stupid prejudice from early in my life.  Flowers like this smell like a funeral home to me.  I'm glad that funeral directors haven't discovered the flowers on trees.

Is Your Old Nu-Tone Fan Running Slow?

These old fans seem to run forever, but eventually you will hear them struggling to come up to speed.  Don't torture these fine little fans by running them on dry bearings; take them down and oil them.  When you take the cover off yourfan, you will find that you unplug the fan and loosen some screws to take it down.

Put a finger over the little washer as you work it off, or you will be looking for it on your shop floor.

It's a brushless motor in a can.

Use a screwdriver and a small hammer to push the indents back.

Pop one of the endplates loose. 

There is a thin washer that goes between the felt and the bearing.  Capture it with a small screwdriver...

...and slip it back over the motor shaft.

Oil the bearing and soak up the wick.  Replace this end and repeat on the other end of the motor.

Put it all back together and test the motor before you stick it back in the ceiling.  Mr. C's Super Sekrit Gun Oil is super slick, and really hangs onto parts.  Use it straight, or add it to your favorite electric motor oil for some Super Sekrit enhancement.

Could You Stand To Blow Your Horn Like That On Monday Morning?

I prefer to slip in quietly. Back To The Old Grind!

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

Grit your teeth this week and loosen up those purse strings!  This 1975 production Ruger M77 in .358 Winchester is a rifle that you cannot let slip away.  The .358 is one of those unappreciated calibers that everyone should own.  It uses necked up .308 brass, so anyone who reloads can use this rifle, and this caliber has a better balance of killing power, trajectory, and recoil than any rifle caliber you can think of.  It will take any game animal on this continent, at realistic ranges, and without bruising you to death while you sight it in.  Go read about this great caliber here, and then go place your bid on Ruger's GunBroker page.

100% of the proceeds from this auction go to benefit the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance.

May e-Postal Results Are Up!...

...over at the Smallest Conservative. This was a great match, and pretty much boiled down to what you could hit after you had collected 10,000 points. Many Thanks to the Sand Castle Crew for putting the May match together for the rest of us to enjoy. Be sure to shoot the June match over at Engineering Johnson's blog, or click on the link to the June match on the left sidebar.

Weekend Steam: A Little Rocky Mountain High

Courtesy of the Fishers.

Not My Victrola

BSGS98 has posted a rare record of Mills Merry Makers performing 'Moanin' Low' from 1929.  We are well into the electrical era with this song, and it is interesting to hear a flute being featured, something that would not have been possible a few years before.




And one from cdbpdx of the Red Hot Mama:
...And Annette Hanshaw from EdmundusRex.

 

Brat will be along later this weekend...

Should'a Done A Little More Calculatin'

It seemed like a good idea.  Susan's Mom hasn't had a good appetite since her stroke, and was doing a lot of picking at her food instead of eating.  We had her do a weigh-in, and she was down to 92 pounds; not good.  We started taking her out to eat at least once every weekend, and she will clean her plate at a restaurant.  We've been hitting KFC, Long John's, barbecue places, even Taco Tierra in Fairfield, and it worked!  She was up to 97 the last time she weighed.  I checked my weight, and I have picked up 6 pounds during the same period.  Gotta fine tune this idea a bit.

Not Only Merely; Really Most Sincerely...

South of Orchardville, IL. 

Cultural Ref

Come For The Hats...

...and that's just the beginning!  Meet the bloggers you read.

 Shooting lessons from real champions!

Vintage firearms usually appear; this one from 1927!

And, maybe something will follow you home!

Gun Blogger Rendezvous is just three months away!  Click Here to go to the GBR website, and register with Mr. Completely.  Proceeds from GBR and the big Saturday night raffle go to Project Valour-IT, to purchase voice activated computers for wounded service personnel.  It's guaranteed to be a great time!

A Blast From Our Past

 A lifetime ago we were small scale beekeepers, but we gave away our active hives about twenty years ago and stashed our leftover equipment in the barn.  The Mrs recently got the hankering to jump back in, and we attended a class to refresh our memories and learn what is new.

Sunday, we drove up to Waterloo to a well respected beekeeper and brought back two nucs with good queens and lots of eggs and brood.  Click to enlarge this photo and you should see the queen with a spot on her back.  These seem to be extremely good-natured bees, who never got cross while we handled them in spite of the cool, cloudy weather.  I was up against the action while our hives were assembled without any protection.  I did make sure before I left home to wear a light colored cap.  Don't ever wear black around beehives.

Susan is going to be the primary beekeeper, but I am getting a new hat and veil so I can do the heavy lifting for her.  The car sure did smell good coming home; bees have a happy smell.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

There can't be many more of these U.S. Government models left in Ruger's vault.  None were sold to the public out of the 17,000 Ruger made for the miltary, and this is one of the few rare ones that were hiding in the Ruger vault.  Click Here to go read all about it on Ruger's GunBroker page.

This fine firearm will sell mid-day, Wednesday, June 5, 2013.

Your Job Should Be So Sweet

Back To The Old Grind!

Not My Victrola: An Old YouTube Friend

KSPM0220 was a YouTuber, until YT killed his account for copyright issues.  That is something that I have to watch, and you never know what will trip their trigger.  Last week they blocked two century-plus old records, and sent me a nasty-gram about copyright strikes.  I think that in the future I will confine my record uploads to DailyMotion, which is much more friendly to old record sharers like KSPM and me.  Here is one he posted back in 2009; a real upbeat song from the 1920's



Shakin' The Blues Away-Ben Selvin Orchestra 1927 by bigband78