Friday, April 30, 2021

Weekend Steam: Nickel Plate Engine #765

 That's some nice stack talk and whistle work, Merle! Great Pick!


Thursday, April 29, 2021

"Just Put A Thumb In It" Kentucky Ballistics


SLAP is an abbreviation for Sabot Light Armor Penetrating. The penetrator is held in a polymer sabot in the cartridge. It is possible that part of the sabot was lodged in the bore while the penetrator went on. That happens occasionally with WWII era armor piercing .30-06 rounds, just in case you come across some of those. If you use those bullets you should check your bore after every shot so you don't blow up your M1 Garand.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

We Saw A New Critter!


 We think this is a Broad Head Skink. It was up in a hollow hickory tree that is frequented by gray squirrels. We read up on it a bit, and they supposedly have a strong bite if you bother them. 

Proud Parents


We have two pairs of goose parents this year, and both of them brought out their goslings for a first outing yesterday. One family has three, and the other, four babies. We are keeping an eye out for coyotes.


 

 

Tuesday Torque: Henry Ford's First Automobile

Stops like Fred Flintstone's car!

 

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Got Some Of This Planned This Week


                                                               Back To The Old Grind!

Friday, April 23, 2021

S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien Triple Expansion Steam Engine

 The S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien is one of two Liberty Ships that is still serviceable. 2710 were built during World War II. The ship is fired up once a month and the engine is run for the public to see. Thanks for spotting this great video, Merle!


Thursday, April 22, 2021

Make A Plan For Every Tree You Cut!


We go through the planning process for every tree we cut, large or small. One of our viewers asked a good question about cutting a leaner, so we drew out the problem and figured out whether he needed to do anything special, and it looks like dropping his tree will be pretty much straightforward.

Holy Cow, It's Earth Day Again!

 I will most certainly go out and celebrate by whacking a tree or two today! Every time you cut a tree you create a place to grow a new one!


Tuesday, April 20, 2021

What Really Happened At The Suez Canal?

 Susan and I found this video quite interesting. Bank Effect and Finger Traps!


Monday, April 19, 2021

Tuesday Torque: IL-MO Engine Show Coming Up!

 Illinois-Missouri Tractor and Engine Club will be having an invitational crank-up at Defiance, Missouri at the Daniel Boone Home, Saturday, April 24, 2021! Our friend Gary Bahre is planning to be there with the five horse Falk if the weather cooperates. 


Sunday, April 18, 2021

Just A Little Old Widow Maker

 Yard work never ends. Gotta pull this one down by hook or by crook before it falls on one of us. First thing Monday!


                                                                  Back To The Old Grind!

Covid 19 Info You Can Use!

Height Measurement Made Easy; Biltmore Stick Hack

Weekend Steam II: Ffestiniog And Welsh Highland Railway

 Merle, you are giving us a first class railroad trip around the World with your video spotting. Thank You! 


Friday, April 16, 2021

Weekend Steam: Scrapped 34046 'Braunton" And Then After Restoration

 "Here we have 7P 5FA Light Pacific , West Country Class 4-6-2 34046 `Braunton` with a Before and After Restoration vid...first filmed in the Early 1980s @ Barry island scrap yard in south Wales seen in a sorry sight, then some clips of this Year 2013 on some tours in fine form....what a GREAT job done in restoration..i take my hat off to everyone involved"            Thanks, Merle!

He Made It Look Easy!

Our friends Ray and Tom came out to hunt this morning. Tom called and Ray, who has a tag for this season, did the shooting. One shot, done! Nice bird, Ray!  Tom will be back in the last spring season and try to get one for himself. 



 

Thursday, April 15, 2021

The Garden Is Up And Running!


                                                                          Radishes!

Pour Some Salt On Its Tail!

 We are enjoying wildlife shows morning and evening. Susan has become a real pro at calling in barred owls, and that is just a little spooky when they fly in and talk back to you. This morning a hen turkey was scouting around the house. She took off at quick trot when I stepped out with the video camera.


Monday, April 12, 2021

Tuesday Torque: Aumann Auction, Coming Right Up!

 Click the link and have a good time browsing through the online auction catalog. There is some good stuff in this auction, but bring your big-boy checkbook!  AuctionLink


Sunday, April 11, 2021

Schindler's List, John Williams; Simone Lamsma, Violin; Davida Scheffers, English Horn

When Spielberg asked John Williams to write the score for Schindler’s List he showed him an early cut of the movie. Williams stood up and walked out of the screening room. He came back in a few minutes later crying and said “you need someone better than me to write music for this.” And Spielberg said “I know, but everyone better than you is dead.”


Cabbage, Broccoli, Onions, Radishes, Lettuce And Potatoes Are In


 Tomorrow, asparagus crowns! Back To The Old Grind!

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Weekend Steam II: Strasburg Ghost Whistle

 Hmmm. Green board, train backs through. Don't worry, it's a tourist railroad. Thanks, Merle!


Friday, April 9, 2021

Weekend Steam: Doughty Valley Steam Show, Charm, Ohio, 2010

Featuring a 110 Case on the sawmill.  Many Thanks, Merle!

 

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Egrets Visited Today


 The pond provides entertainment throughout the day. Deer, geese, an occasional coyote, and ducks have us reaching for binoculars regularly. These snowy egrets are a treat to see, and they will probably be gone tomorrow.

Monday, April 5, 2021

Tuesday Torque: 5 HP Hornsby Akroyd Oil Engine

 Great Pick, Merle! Thank You! Chris Eppings description should answer most questions that viewers may have. These oil engines were designed to burn heavy oil. 

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"You are viewing a very historically significant engine. This oil engine, built in Grantham England was designed by Herbert Akroyd Stuart. An Englishman, Akroyd Stuart designed and built the worlds first successful oil engine. His engine was patented, built, and successfully run a year before Rudolph Diesel ran his first engine in Germany. Akroyd sold his design to Richard Hornsby Co and they produced engines based on his design for many years. The blow torch on the head of the engine is used to heat the bulb for starting. Once under load, the engine would produce enough heat to maintain the temperature required for ignition and the torch could be removed. Fuel is controlled by the length of the stroke of the fuel pump as well as the valve connected to the governor which bypasses the fuel back to the tank rather than injecting it into the engine. The engine is very well constructed with bronze bearings and heavy castings. "


Sunday, April 4, 2021

Yard Work, Yard Work, And More Yard Work

 We are doing lots of pruning and cutting in addition to gardening and mowing already. Sharpen with every refill. Look for bright spots and make them disappear.



Back To The Old Grind!

Saturday, April 3, 2021

How We Got Through The Winter

 I bet we have watched this video at least once every day for three months. Tchaikovsky was cruelly criticized by a critic when he wrote this, including the nasty remark that "you can smell the vodka." Well, wake up and smell the vodka! I remember the first time I heard this when we were taking the kid to Carbondale every week for violin and orchestra, and it was a real jolt. One of my favorite pieces. You gotta wonder how the male virtuosos are able to perform this piece dressed in a monkey suit. Pour a cup of coffee and buckle in before you hit Play!


Weekend Steam II: Sawmilling With A Case 110 At Pinckneyville

 Great Pick, Merle! This video has some shaky moments, but in a heavy crowd that is expected.  It is worth watching. The belt pops off the Case, and you will see that lumber is stacked next to the edger, which is used at the end of the video. The mill at Pinckneyville sure could use a log turner. You will see the guys turning the log down 90 degrees at the 4:30 mark. That is a good way to give the whole crew hernias. Standard practice is to turn the log up 270 degrees so it doesn't fall off the carriage. Lacking a log turner, you use cant hooks. Big logs can be a challenge, and trying to catch a log coming off the carriage should not be part of the equation.


Friday, April 2, 2021

Weekend Steam: Photos Of All The Big Boys!

 The only one I have seen in person is 4017 in Green Bay. Thank You, Merle!


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https://prrt1steamlocomotivetrust.org/ - Please help fund the T-1 Trust! They are a wonderful organization, building an advanced new 4-4-4-4 T-1 steam locomotive from scratch! One of the most viewed Union Pacific Big Boy videos on youtube! This is my photo collection of all 8 surviving Union Pacific Big Boys today. 4004, Cheyenne, Wyoming 4005, Denver, Colorado 4006, St Louis, Missouri 4012, Scranton, Pennsylvania 4014, Cheyenne, Wyoming 4017, Green Bay, Wisconsin 4018, Frisco, Texas 4023, Omaha, Nebraska If you enjoy my videos, feel free to like, comment, and share! Thanks for watching!

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Iron Skillet Update


                                                                    It's working great!