That's some nice stack talk and whistle work, Merle! Great Pick!
Friday, April 30, 2021
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.
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
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
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Saturday, April 24, 2021
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!
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
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!
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
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.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
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.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
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.
"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!
