Christmas Canon, Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Where Are You, Christmas? Faith Hill

Yes, You Should Carry At Home!

These "Teens" were cruising a neighborhood looking for fresh fish to skin.  Crap comes down fast, so you have to be ready.

Neglected To Death

This 1966 Chevy winch truck is a sad sight.  I used to drive this truck and I kept it in tip-top shape.  When I started working at Stewart Producers the old girl was not roadworthy, but a well servicing company needs a winch truck for all sorts of tasks, and I worked it over.

Stewart's well servicing operation was sold off many years ago and equipment was scattered.  I stopped and took photos for old-time's sake.  It is a shame how this truck has gone to ruin, mostly by sitting out in the weather and from neglect.

I put new oak boards in the bed more than thirty years ago and kept them oiled to shed water.  The jaw clutch, brake and gear shift on the winch worked like a dream.  This old truck pulled  stuck rigs out of locations, changed out poles, pulled transmissions out of rigs; I really liked using this truck.

Someone has cut the rolling tailboard off, so I guess this old rig is really a goner.  What a waste.

Snitches Get...Witness Intimidation Update From Colin Flaherty

Non-Sporting Breed?!!!

How is mole-hunting not a sport!!!???

Lisa Marie is enjoying life in the country!  She has been seeing squirrels, too, but hasn't figured out that she should be barking at them. That will come soon enough.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warriors Outdoors

Here's a special one for you all this week!  It is a 2004 Single Six in 17 HMR that was part of a small production run for NRA benefit auctions.  The grip medallions have the NRA logo instead of the Ruger Eagle.  This fine revolver will sell mid-day, Wednesday, November 29, 2017.  CLICK HERE to read the entire description and to place your bid.  $605

Tuesday Torque: Engine Aesthetics...

Which is most pleasing to the eye and ear?

Fascinating motion,


Or raw power,
...Or, do we want to see a little work being done?

Videos by our friend, Gary Bahre.

Wash 'em, Grind 'em, Squeeze 'em!

Back To The Old Grind!

I Think They're Onto Me!

The wise old does are pretty good at spotting things that don't belong, and they can sure bust a hunter who thinks he is about to connect with a trophy.

I did see a couple of pretty young bucks on this set.  I am moving the camera again to a new spot.

Now, That's Country!

Those 40 MPH curves are really tough for the guys that just left the honky-tonk and are trying to crack open a brew!  One left the road last night, went through two ditches, up and over the intersecting road and came to rest in a third ditch where his muffler fell off.  Looks like another case of the Mercury Blues, doesn't it?!   Anyhow, check out the country muffler job!  This guy used aluminum foil to fit his muffler to the exhaust pipe!  Country boys were smarter than that back in the Model T days for crying out loud.

  Prolly stole the muffler off his naybor! Wonder if he got the cadillac converter, too?!  You have to be careful, cause you can tear your cadillac converter off when you go off the hard road and across the medium!

Heinous Perpetrating Poachers

Read the fifth story on this edition of WFIWRADIO's news page.  We could tell that poachers were busy in our neighborhood.  The deer typically alarm at 100 yards, but lately you can't get within 1/2 a quarter (220 yards) before they bolt and run.  Our little patch of habitat at the home place is twenty acres of woods that is isolated a bit from nearby deer cover, and we are on the edge of a glacial lakebed that has all been cleared for farming.  The deer come to us for a place to hide because there is no east of us.  We went from having half a dozen deer to more than fifteen, and it is too early for the deer to gang up in herds.  Here is what the poachers have been doing lately:

The poachers have been shooting deer at night with a rifle, cutting out the tenderloins and leaving the carcasses to be eaten by coyotes and to rot.  We expect to hear more about this case in the months ahead.  It is a big deal, and it has had a major, negative impact on the herd in our neighborhood.

Junior Says...

OK, But Will He Do Windows?

What A Difference A Grain Makes!

I've had the .44 Mag Vaquero for a little more than a year now.  I had to work on the sights to move the point of impact, and I think it is right where I want it now.  This revolver started out shooting left and low with all the loads that I normally use, so I had to widen the rear sight groove to the right, and lower the front sight to raise the point of impact.  Settling on a load had to be done before I could finish the work on the sights.

I like shooting the 9 grain Herco load under Hornady's 200 grain XTP bullet, but a .44 Magnum should have loads a bit warmer than that.  9 grains is really a .45 Colt load, or not quite a maximum .44 Special load.  I moved the load up to 10 grains, which is above .44 Special, but still under the beginning loads listed for .44 Magnum.  Interpolating from Lee's manual, 10 grains should be in the 1000 to 1100 feet per second range.  It is still easy to shoot in the short barreled revolver, but has plenty of power for dealing with coons and coyotes I might encounter in our woods.

I used  a bottom hold on the figures above, with the front sight centered, and level with the top of the rear groove.  It is shooting just above the front sight at 50 feet.  You can see what the 9 grain load does with the same hold. I am cranking out more of the ten grain loads to have on hand so I can be confident when aiming small with my little hand cannon.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warrior Outdoors

Ruger is offering a 1981 .44 Magnum Carbine this week.  It is New-In-Box, with a little bit of shop wear.  This is not one of the commemorative carbines, so maybe the price will stay in a reasonable range.  (I just looked at the current bid...Oh Well!) There is some very pretty figure in the wood.  This fine, highly desirable carbine will sell mid-day, Wednesday, November 22, 2017.  Click Here to read the entire description and to place that winning bid.  $1501

Tuesday Torque: Early Tractors Must Be Seen To Be Believed

I still look on in wonder when I see some of the early tractor designs.  I am sure some of the steam engine people were disappointed when they switched to gas and tried to operate with a rig like the IHC hit-and-miss tractors. Single cylinder steam engines had two power strokes per revolution, and a single cylinder gas tractor had one power stroke per two revolutions.  Factor in hit-and-miss governing, and the power to run your thresher, silage cutter, or whatever, was totally different even if the horsepower rating was the same.






Well, if everything is in order they do fire up faster than a steam engine. Just DON'T put your foot on the spokes to crank, Please! These old engines can kick back and they can launch you all the way to the Emergency Room.

Meet Lisa Marie!

We had an opportunity.  A well respected Schipperke breeder retired 4 year-old Lisa Marie from the show ring.  We made the call and submitted our information so we could be scrutinized, and we are the lucky new family for little Lisa Marie, aka Tumbleweed's Southern Nights, an AKC Champion Schipperke.  I made a long drive over the weekend to meet Lisa's mama, sign papers, and bring her home.  She is already loving country life and long leash walks around the yard.

Still Able, Just Resting

Back To The Old Grind!

Please Pardon My Absence...

...I had to go see a lady about a dog. Be back soon.

Weekend Steam: Old Steam Powered Machine Shop 32

Let's run down to the parts store and pick up a rod bearing for the old gal!

Gotta Keep It Clean!

We scoop our dog yard twice or more per day. We like it clean so we can walk without fear while we watch and exercise the dogs. Hickory leaves are great camo for what the dogs leave behind, and they have to be dealt with right away when they fall. We have had two big drops, and we will probably have to do one more minor cleanup. The dogs love to walk and roll in the leaves that I've blown out into the driveway.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warriors Outdoors

You will have to compete with collectors for this Ruger.  It is a 50th Anniversary Flattop Blackhawk in .357 Magnum that is engraved.  It is not a regular production item.  This will probably be your only chance to have one of these.  It was made in 2005, and it has the smaller frame that was used on the pre-1962 Blackhawks.  This fine revolver will sell mid-day, November 15, 2017.  Click Here to read the full description and to place your bid.  $806.01

Tuesday Torque: Big Double-Simple Rumely

Merle spotted a good one that was shot up at Rollag.  A two cylinder double-acting steam engine has four power impulses in each revolution, and they can make quite a racket under load.



Thanks, Merle!

No Rest For The Rusty

Back To The Old Grind!
6 HP Associated at Pinckneyville

Rodney Still Brings Up A Smile

Colin Update: Black On Senior Violence

Do you carry at home?  Criminals target occupied homes; act accordingly.

Marines' Birthday

Back in 1975 the Marine Corps had a tree planting program to commemorate their bi-centennial.  They arranged to have tree plantings at schools around the country, and coordinated with state forestry agencies to get the trees and tools to the schools so the kids could do the planting.  I was involved with one of my good forester friends, and two Marines.   I wish I had written down their names.  One was an officer, and the other was a Sergeant.  Anyhow, I looked on Google Earth and the trees are there.  They are the white pines up on the hill behind the Pikeville, Kentucky Elementary School building.  I bet most of the projects were mowed down in short order by the grounds maintenance people at schools, because any change makes life difficult, and little trees are easy to run over.  Up in the mountains, though, nobody mows the hillsides, and these trees made it!  I am pleased.

Weekend Steam: Old Steam Powered Machine Shop 31

During this visit, David Richards shows his power hacksaw running, some lathe work, and working on an Associated gas engine block.

Rips Our Hearts Out Every Time

Little Bear starts a 1000 mile journey early Saturday morning.  He came to us last summer from a sad situation, and he had some serious problems, but he is ready to move on now.

Have you ever seen a dog that was so relaxed while having his nails filed?  His only fault is that he likes to go after cats; so he is going to a home without cats!  He likes to walk on his leash, and that is what his new daddy wants to do with him.  I will meet up with a volunteer in Missouri, and then he will meet up with the new parent, who is taking Bear Way-Out-West!  Here are a couple of songs, just for Bear.



It gets dusty when you send a little Schipperke out into the world, so Woody Guthrie's song fits.

Just In Time For Veterans' Day, Hickok Shoots his 03-A3!

I'll probably never have an '03 Springfield, but I always enjoy seeing one; whether it's an early one, or the World War II version.

Trespassers Are No Better Than Common Thieves

One of our friends had his hunt ruined last weekend by a trespasser who slipped into our timber and went up a white oak with a climbing stand.  The guy left before I could get there, but I saw him out by the road waiting for a ride.  I spoke to him, but didn't accuse him of trespassing; just milked him for information.  He lied through his teeth, and said he never was on us.  I looked around and found where he had been. He was 25 feet over the line, which is easy to see.  I'll be looking for him again next weekend.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Wounded Warrior Outdoors

Ruger is offering something rare this week, but maybe not up there in the Collectible category.  It is a P91 Decocker in .40 S&W.  Usually you see these in 9mm, so this one is a little different.  It will sell mid-day, November 8, 2017.  Click Here to read the entire description and to place your bid. $755.58

Tuesday Torque: 5 HP Fairbanks-Morse Hit-And-Miss

Dick Brown displayed this beauty at Pinckneyville during the October 2017 show.  It is a great one for studying the hit-and-miss latch system that was used with many variations on different brands of engines.  I especially like watching the mechanism that blocks the intake valve from fluttering when the engine coasts.

Crowder's Interview With Mr. Stephen Wileford

Get Your Edge Again!

Back To The Old Grind!

In The Front Yard

Yup, that's a scrape, right out by the road.  Maybe I'll just go out there and shake some salt on his tail!

Weekend Steam: 38s Over The Mountains

Merle keeps finding good ones for us!  Go to Google Earth and look up Katoomba.  South through the mountains, you come to Robertson. That's where this video is, and it's not what I usually think of when looking for old steam locomotives.  Thank You, Merle!

Are Judges Ever Held Accountable?

Good News; Sad News

Little Bear (above), and Titan will soon be moving on.  Little Bear has  been cleared of heartworms and recently had his dental work done.  Both dogs have prospective homes now.  One is going way east, and the other is going way west.  We are going to miss these good little dogs, but we didn't start fostering to collect dogs.  We do it so homeless dogs can be placed into good homes again.  It's what they and their new families need.

Weather Coming In Tonight

Looking Out Our Back Door