Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warrior Outdoors

Ruger has another special one for you this week! Ruger built a special order of Mini-14s for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol back in 1979, and then they made 300 more just like them without the OK Highway Patrol marks on the receiver.  Click Here to read all about it and to place your bid on this special rifle.  It will sell mid-day, November 1, 2017, so don't delay! $2335

Horowitz Halloween!

Recorded about ninety years ago...




Aeolian HallPublished on Mar 15, 2010 This is an annotated or Audiographic Piano Roll that Vladimir Horowitz made for the Duo-Art Reproducing Piano around 1928. He seems to stay very close to the Liszt arrangement, but in 1942 in a Chicago Concert, he first played his own arrangement of Liszt's arrangement. The work of Danse Macabre (or Dance of Death) is the Opus 40 of Charles Camille St.Saens, and was inspired by a poem by Cazalis that described skeletons dancing in a graveyard at midnight, as Death plays his violin.

Halloween Special

Here's my old favorite Halloween record again!

We Get So Soon Old

Way back in the Fall of 1972 my roommate and I went to the spelunkers' club meeting at Lowry Hall, at the University of Missouri-Columbia.  The cavers were a grubby bunch; dirty blue jeans, dirty beards, but Reed and I were at least in clean clothes, and maybe not too grubby looking. We were hoping to get leads on caves we could visit.   We watched a slide show of cave pics, and they did the necessary club business; but what my buddy and I were aware of through the entire meeting was a good looking blonde girl who sat right in front of us.  She was well dressed and good looking!  When the meeting was over she turned around and asked us if we could take her caving!!!!!  We hadn't seen that coming, but she had an assignment in one of her classes to report about spelunking.  I beat my roomy to the punch in getting her phone number, and pretty soon Susan and I were dating.  We actually went caving together, too!  Susan's Mother didn't much care for me when she found out that we were going to Rocheport to rappel off the cliffs along the Missouri River.  Mothers are funny that way. It's amazing how quickly forty-five years have gone by.

Tuesday Torque: Buck's Branch Sears Economy at Pinckneyville!

We just have to show one more video of the big old Sears.  Gary Bahre took the Sears and his freshly restored Fairbanks to the Fall show, and they both were in fine form.  I think Gary is going to have to cut back or build onto his engine barn!

Up With The Chickens and Back To Work!

Back To The Old Grind!

Nice, But Not The Big One!

Here's one that is cute this year; maybe a trophy in a year or two!

Weekend Steam: 30-90 Russell, Pulling the Sled; Lots of Torque!

Merle brought this one to my attention.  I have seen it before, but I don't remember if we have featured it here.  Fifty years ago, the old-timers wouldn't have done pulls like this, because it wasn't what these engines did.  Things change, and new people own the engines now.  Crowds enjoy seeing what they can do.  It is a bit dangerous.  100 year old metal sometimes fails, and repair parts can't be ordered; they have to be fabricated.  You really have to appreciate the owners who put on a good show for us.




Thanks, Merle!

That Made A Little Racket!

We bought our Grasshopper mower back in '06, and have had good, reliable service from it.  We grease the bearings that can be greased regularly, and we keep a logbook so we know the hours.  We typically grease it every four hours, but sometimes let it go to eight.  This gizmo is the electric clutch for the mower deck.  It rides on the crankshaft at the back of the machine, and has two ball bearings that are sealed.  One of them failed at a little over 800 hours, which is a pretty good run, but this assembly is pricey.  The new one is installed and is running well, but now I wonder; should I pop the clutch off every couple hundred hours, tease  the seals up and shoot a little grease in, or would that be inviting trouble?  There is also a little gearbox hidden under cover on the mower deck that cannot be greased.  The jackshaft and driveshaft feed power into it, and there is no way to access it for service other than tearing the machine down.  H-E-Double Toothpicks is going to break loose when the seals let the grease out of that!  I better talk to the dealer before next Spring.

What A Dog!

Jack Dog is eleven years old now, but he still acts like a young dog.  He stays outdoors as long as the weather is good, but I put him in the utility room with Spike at night, when it storms, or when it is really cold.  (He has a solid, heated doghouse for cold weather.) I walk him out to the road and around the yard before I put him in.

Every night as I walk him, he stops, turns to face me, and sits.  He wants his hugs and petting.  Every night. 

It's our special time every day, and then he goes in for his bedtime treats and spends the night with his cat.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warrior Outdoors

Ruger's offering this week is this exciting Stainless, Laminated Hardwood Stocked, M77 in .300 Winchester Magnum. This auction has been viewed nearly 14,000 times, but there have been only 24 bids as I post this, and the next bid must be at least $960.  Not bad for a high quality bolt action with bells and whistles!  This fine rifle will sell mid-day, October 25, 2017.  Click Here to read the full description and to place that winning bid.  $995

Tuesday Torque: 10 HP Fairbanks Restored!

Gary Bahre pulled out all the stops on this restoration; it truly was a sad case. This engine worked in a rock quarry, and when it was retired, it was disassembled and left outdoors many years ago. Gary bought it in February, and every part on it was stuck. The cylinder had to go to a machine shop to have the piston removed by a hydraulic press. The cylinder was bored out, the piston was built up and machined, and on and on. He had it running in September! Here it is at the Pinckneyville Fall Show. The end segment shows this Fairbanks running slower after Gary set the timing back to after-top-dead center.

Must Have A Lot Of Chickens!

Back To The Old Grind!

Go Git Wood, Everybody; We're About To Be Snowbound!

Well, Susan didn't want to wait for the weather; she went to our infallible source so we could see if the coming winter will be tolerable or not.  Today she brought in a persimmon and cut open a seed.  SPOON!  That means we will be shoveling snow.

Not content with one seed, she split open three more, and the sign is unmistakable.  Polish up your snow shovels with a little cooking oil so you can pitch snow, stack extra wood closeby, and have tarps handy to cover your wood before snowstorms.  Lay in extra coffee, and plenty of beans and cornmeal.

Weekend Steam: A Review of Old Threshers, 2017

This video has only 13 views, but it is pretty good.  It shows familiar engines and sights around the show grounds at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 

Three New Fosters Posted On Midwest Schipperke Rescue!

Tuesday of this week we took Little Bear to the Vet for his heartworm check; he is free of the nasty parasites now!  With that good news we contacted Midwest Schipperke Rescue with all of our information so the dogs can be posted for adoption.  

 Titan is a young high energy Schipperke. He loves to rip and requires room to run. He is  quick to pick up on obedience commands. He loves to play on the backyard agility equipment.  A good chain-link fence is imperative as he is a high escape risk. After exercising he can become a lap dog and begs to have your attention. He gets along well with most of our dogs but would challenge another alpha. He is  food aggressive. We have had no accidents but due to his high energy level, he stays in a large exercise pen which he respects in the house. We give him numerous exercise periods outside, and he comes to the door when we call. He gets along with men and women, but would not be a good match with small children. He has no known health issues. A strong, firm but gentle Schipperke parent that is willing to work with a high energy dog  will be a great match for Titan.

Bear is a sweet "cuddlebug". Bear loves to sit on your lap and relax, but outside he can be very playful.  He has a very strong ratting tendency and does NOT accept cats. He may have had a scrap with a cat or other animal in the past as he has a small scar on his nose.  He has had no accidents in the house but he is closely supervised and let outside on a very regular basis. He walks on a leash nicely.  Our best guess on age is around 5 - 8 years old. He gets along great with men and women but has not been around young children.He gets along with other dogs in the house, but does like to be the center of attention. He has undergone heartworm treatment and now confirmed negative.  He will  need  dental but that is the only known health concern. He will make a great little buddy.

Koda is a beautiful chocolate schipperke. Do not let his striking color fool you. He is all schipperke.  He loves to play with toys and can rip around a yard at the speed of ...well faster than you can run. He is a shy dog at first.  He is apprehensive of new situations. We are not sure of his age but 8 is a guess. You will need to go slow with him and if you have other pets introduce him slowly.  He does get along with the other Schipperkes that he is presently living with but, can be protective of his space. He knows his name but does not always have a reliable recall.  He walks on lead without pulling.  He is very loving once he gets to know you.  He has not been exposed to children, but I would not place him with small children due to his shy nature. There have been no incidents of nipping or biting while at his foster home. He is not a cat lover and should not be placed in a home with cats.  He does love older people and seeks them out for affection.  Although not a lap dog.  He will sit on your lap and enjoys being brushed. He has not had any accidents in the house, but is taken out frequently and supervised while loose in the house.  He does not appear to have any health concerns. He has had a recent dental and lost most of his back teeth. He eats a kibble softened slightly. He gets along with both men and women. He will make an outstanding loyal companion when he has built a solid relationship with you.

Interested parties must fill out the Midwest Schipperke Rescue application and submit it to Mary Cox. LINK  Mary's email address is at the bottom of the application. Schipperkes are a big flight risk, and a fenced dog yard is highly recommended.  Midwest will look at applications critically and try to fit these dogs into the best homes possible. 

I Can Hardly Wait For Skipper To Wake Me Up In The Morning!

This was yesterday.  This morning there was just the thinnest of crescent moons, just about 15° ahead of the sun. The camera in the phone could not capture it.  Tomorrow is the New Moon.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warriors Outdoors

Ruger is offering a New Model Single Six Convertible in .22 LR and .22 Magnum.  It was manufactured in 1977 and has been stored in the Ruger vault for forty years.  The 4 5/8" barrel length is perfect for packing when you will be getting in and out of a utility vehicle or pickup truck.  It will sell mid-day, Wednesday, October 18, 2017.  Click Here to read all about it and to place your bid.  Holy Cow!  $1276!

Tuesday Torque: Miami Sideshaft Engine

One of these Miami engines was featured in Gas Engine Magazine recently.  A fellow found one that had been butchered by having the end of the cylinder cut off, a wedge installed on the piston; and then it was used as a wood splitter.  The parts were all there, but the cylinder was worthless.  The dedicated hobbyist made a pattern and associated cores for casting, and had a new cylinder made.  It was not easy to find a foundry capable of making the intricate casting, but he succeeded. He then had the machining done and built his partly new Miami engine.  It's an intricate piece of machinery, and it could be called a work of art; at least in my book.

Looks Like Old Times!

Back To The Old Grind! (I am staying retired this time. Working up wood, doing yard work, fixing the old truck. I don't have time for a job!)

Fall Colors

No frost yet, and the extended dry spell hurt the display.  Hickories and ash are showing yellow for a few days, and then turning brown and falling.  Persimmon is all turning a brilliant yellow and giving good hang-time.  This is sassafras, and you have to get up close to appreciate it.  It is mostly muted this Fall.

Sumacs are steady performers, and provide color when other trees are drab.

Here is one of our persimmons, coming through again with color to brighten our day.

Weekend Steam: Fall Steam/Gas Shows

Check the Show Directory under the Stoke Up label and navigate to your state or to October.  This weekend is the Boonville, Indiana show, and next weekend (Oct 20-22) is the Pinckneyville, Illinois show.  Here are a couple of videos we shot at previous Pinckneyville shows.

Ever Hear Of A Sugar Baby?

That's what Caterpillar called these skid-steer D-6s.  They were used to haul wagon trains of sugar cane from the field, and were built in the 1950's and 1960's.  I saw my first one the other day, and it was a surprise. 

Boonville, IN Show, October 13, 14, 15! Be There!

The Boonville Antique Steam and Gas Engine Club's fall show is happening this weekend; October 13, 14, and 15, 2017.  Boonville is just a short drive from the Boonville, Lynnville exit on I-64 in southwestern Indiana. There will be a fascinating assortment of tractors, gas engines, steam engines, and other machinery, plus a great flea market. There is food available on the grounds, and the fall weather is usually perfect for enjoying a full day of activities. This is one of the best little shows in the country, so load up the family and go!

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warriors Outdoors

Ruger is offering a Service Six in .357 Magnum, made in 1983.  It was returned to the factory by a distributor, and is marked with a U for Used.  This fine revolver will sell mid-day, Wednesday, October 11, 2017.  CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place your bid. $675

Tuesday Torque: 9 HP Economy Restoration Is Done!

Regular visitors will recognize this engine.  It's the big Economy engine that we found on Buck's Branch (of Beaver Creek), just above Martin Kentucky, back in the 1970's.  Gary has completed the drop-center cart, sanded for a couple days, painted, striped, and added decals.  It is ready for show.


Video by Gary Bahre

How Quick Are You?

This is a good video by Colin Flaherty, looking at how dangerous it is today, and the crookedness of the news and the justice system.  Something that I want to make sure you see is right after the 5:40 mark.  It's a mugging, and from the time the victim passes the perp until he runs with the goods, it is less than ten seconds.  You must be alert all the time when you are out in public; and at home, too.  Stuff happens fast.

Before Hoe-Cakes, Corn Pone, or White Bread, Folks Still Had To Eat!

Back to the (Really, Really) Old Grind!

Morning Dog Walks

It's worth getting up early to walk dogs so you can see the sunrise.  We had a little weather activity today that was dramatic, and even got a little sun pillar action.

It's been dry, and the trees aren't coloring up like they usually do.  Ash will turn yellow for a couple days and then drop.  Walnut has been pretty good, and so has persimmon. Here we have some shining sumac that always puts on a good show along the driveway.

A squall line ran through this evening and dropped a little rain.  The fire danger should drop a bit, and maybe some of the trees can show off a little color now as we lead up to frost.

Weekend Steam: Old Steam Powered Machine Shop, Bushing A Flywheel

This is a great project to watch! A real education for machinist wannabes!

Thrills In The Mailbox

I bought the Buck 110 Folder in 1971 and carried it for many, many years.  The lock began to slip, and I stashed it away, figuring I would send it off to Buck one day to be repaired.  The big CRKT knife was new in '06, and it saw a lot of use until about a year ago when I noted that the liner-lock had worn, and was in danger of slipping off the back end of the blade.  I sent both knives off to their respective parents for repair recently.  I opened the mailbox a few days ago, and there were two packages!  Buck repaired the 110 Folder.  It has a stiff new spring and a new latch; they also touched up the blade and polished the wood and brass.  CRKT sent me an entirely new knife!  No charges; not even shipping!  You can't beat service like that!  I highly recommend both of these companies if you are shopping for a knife.

The Final Forty

The second crop soybeans are done.  Dusty!  My eyes got scratchy when the combine turned around.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warrior Outdoors

Ruger is offering another of their ever popular .44 Magnum Carbines this week.  This one was rollmarked in 1982, and it is one of the 25th anniversary Carbines.  It will sell mid-day, October 4, 2017. CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place your bid.  $1825

Tuesday Torque: Road King Continues On His Maytag

Going On My Wish List

Back To The Old Grind!