It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, Andy Williams

Silver Bells, Dean Martin

Weekend Steam: Great Dorset Steam Fair

 Thank You, Merle, for another great pick!

Christmas In Prison, John Prine

 "Sweeter than saccharin at a drugstore sale." We miss you, John Prine.

Just In Time For Thanksgiving! Our Pumpkin Patch Escapade!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we broke open some pumpkins and Susan has been cooking them. A pie went into the oven tonight! Watch the slide and video show to see the results of Susan's pumpkin patch. Pumpkin Pie recipe is at the end of the video! Alternate title and description! My Wife Planted A Pumpkin; You Won't Believe What Happens Next!

Brassman Bart: Hosts Of Freedom by Iowan Karl King

 The Brass Man's notes: Hello! This week's music is a number written by Iowa's own Karl King, “Hosts of Freedom”. Originally published in 1920, this music is 100 years old this year, and is public domain. The town band I played in when I was a teenager always played this number every summer, and when you listen, it may sound familiar, especially if you have ever played in a small town band in Iowa. The music is available as a free download on bandmusicpdf.org, and is very nice to listen to. All parts in this video are performed by me, and I hope you enjoy. Please like, please share, and please subscribe. Thank you. Brassman Bart

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

 "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789." G. Washington

Tuesday Torque: Many Cylinders!

 Do you get nervous about the tie-downs on these engines holding?  This is edge-of-your-seat excitement!

The Governors Have Instructions For Your Thanksgiving!

Gather Your Groceries! MMM! Cranberry Shortcake!

 Back To The Old Grind!

Firearm Season

 The last time I went hunting was 1999.  That hunt lasted maybe fifteen minutes and I haven't had the desire to go out and kill another.  This year, one of the neighbors who always hunts isn't able to go and they depend on venison for most of their meat, so I volunteered. I have seen quite a few bucks, but I'm not buck hunting.  All of them have been less than mature and not trophy size or quality.  The does I've seen so far all have their babies with them, and I'm looking for one that won't leave orphans. If I don't find what I want Sunday, there are four more days coming up in two weeks.

PS: I went over to the farm today and saw some good ones.  There were a couple of does without babies hanging out by the barn, and there was a very pretty 8 point buck that I saw a couple times.

Did You Notice The Proliferation Of Pepper Spray Attacks This Year?

 Here's some useful information for you to digest and think about!

Weekend Steam: Picton To Moss Vale, NSW

 Merle is really good at finding the exotic locations.  Thank You, Merle!

No More Walks With Jack

 

Old Jack had been going downhill for the last several months. He had back pain, hip pain, weakness, and then kidney failure.  The old boy was 14 plus years old, but still enjoyed going out, but he was often falling down by the end of his walk. Skipper left us last week, too, at age 18 1/2. 

Brass Man Bart: Bell Cow Novelty March

Tuesday Torque: Thumpers; Big Single Cylinder Engines!

 Another Great Pick By Merle! Thank You, Merle!

You Can't Live Without Them!

 

Back To The Old Grind!

SUV RVing: Mountain Climbing In The Wind River Range

 SUV RVing is one of our favorite YouTube channels, and we often watch Tristan during dinner at our house.  Here is an incredible hike/climb he did recently.  

Weekend Steam: The Romance Of Indian Railways, 1975

 Another Great Pick By Merle!  Thank You, Merle!

I Remember A Couple Of These Places!

 Many years ago Susan and I visited Chicago to visit relatives and to do a museum crawl. We navigated to Columbus Foods to buy bulk soapmaking supplies.  It was a bad looking neighborhood.  Creepy, Scary.  The house next door had chain link with razor wire around the top and pit bulls on the porch. We rang the bell and had to talk through an intercom. They told us to get back in our car,  leave the way we came without taking any side streets, and phone in an order. We also lived in Eastern Kentucky for several years and that looks quite familiar. Poverty, welfare, alcoholism, Mountain Dew teeth, and now Fentanyl. Holy Crap.  There is a lot of beauty in Eastern Kentucky and we have some great memories, but we also saw too much of the trouble there, too. 

My Buddy, Frederic Fradkin

Brass Man Bart: Dixie Doodle Dandy March

Brother Ben found one that I had never heard before! The Brass Man is cranking out a lot of good music for us, isn't he?

Tuesday Torque:Get Out On The Water While The Weather's Nice!

 1909 Waterman; Thank You, Merle!

Twelve Months On Gravel...

 ...does not make a good year! Gravel eats them up.

Two new skins this week, then Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam: I Don't Want A Pickle...

...Just Want'a Ride This Motorcycle! Thanks, Merle, For A Great Pick!  Short and long versions!

Looking Up

Looking up means you will trip once in a while in the woods, but it is a necessary habit for all woods workers. Never sit down, or even pause under snags or trees with dead limbs.  Soon it will all be on the ground. 

                                                          That one would have smarted!

 

Too True

Brass Man Bart: Barnyard Blues

 You are going to love this one!

Tuesday Torque: Where Did The Modern V-8 Come From?

 I think it is fascinating that Ford isolated his team and made them work with outdated equipment. They worked it out, though! Interesting thing about patterns and casting is that antique engine parts are quite difficult to duplicate today. Foundry practice has changed over a century, and special techniques have been lost to the modern pattern maker.

Makes Me Feel Sorta Small!

 

Back To The Old Grind!