Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Wednesday Windage: Go Big Or Small?
We bring out a few small revolvers and semi-autos at classes, but most folks gravitate toward mid-size pistols. We see a lot of failures with the tiny pocket pistols. Those require a very firm grip and a bit of weight in the hand in order to function relilably.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Sunday, December 28, 2025
It's Always Something!
There is always a project to complete. I don't know how I ever had time for a job. Anyhow, watch this video about replacing the heating element in an electric stove. Do as I say, not as I did. Pulling the stove out so you can access the back is not a bad thing, and it allows you to do some necessary cleanup.
Back To The Old Grind!
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Weekend Steam: Cumbres and Toltec Rotary Snowplow
Another great subject pick by our blog friend Merle!
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Rest In Peace, Rambler
Rambler showed up as a feral Tom in 2011. I soon had him coming to us for chow, and he learned to come running when we called his name. It took a year before we were able to touch him. He had a heated hut on the porch that later became the home of Lightning. We eventually caught him and took him to the vet for vaccinations and neutering. These photos are from 2012, and he has been a fine pet all these years. We figure he was sixteen years old, and his health failed recently. I buried this old friend today. Susan and I are not taking in any cats now. They would outlive us, and I don't want someone turning pets out of the house when we go toes up. Same with our dogs. We aren't getting any puppies! We are enjoying our old dogs and the fosters that go through our hands. Seeing a homeless dog go to a great new home is a joy and we plan to keep on doing that while we have good health.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Tuesday Torque: Massey Harris At Boonvillle, Fall 2025
Many Thanks, Merle! This is a good one, of a rare tractor. Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 22, 2025
Up Early! A Special Day, A Long Day!
Up early, outside, breakfast, outside again, then some couch time! Kenneled, car ride, meet giant Burnese dogs, all day car ride! New People! Bella and Stella are now at their new home in South Carolina, thanks to volunteer transporters. This was a real adventure for the volunteers and for the little dogs. Our volunteers today were carrying their Burnese Mountain Dogs for a Christmas vacation, and they met up with our Schipperke adopters well after sunset. We had confirmation that Bella and Stella are in their new digs a little before 9 PM this evening. We are going to miss these little girls. People are good!
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Bella And Stella...
... are leaving after many months to go to their new home. A generous transporter is taking them to South Carolina tomorrow. We are going to miss these fun loving little dogs. They have been a joy.
Tuesday, we will go to Swansea and pick up another homeless Schipperke who is quarantined at a vet's office, and she will take up residence next to Lira, who is still learning how to trust people and be a pet. Back To The Old Grind!
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Weekend Steam II: Steam Drama
Reading and Northern in the snow:
Keck pulling a hill...
30-90 Russel pulling the sled...
Friday, December 19, 2025
As Soon As I Said It, I Knew....
...that I had jinxed myself! Susan and I were going out the driveway for a shopping trip to Mt. Vernon, and I realized that I had left my leather gloves behind. I didn't want to go back and told Susan that I had forgotten them, then said, "Well we just won't have a flat tire today." So, after Kroger and on our way to Aldi my phone rang. It was our neighbor lady who was also in Mt. Vernon shopping. She had a flat tire, and was pulled over at the Taco Bell. Susan agrees that it was totally my fault.
We found a large bolt stuck in the tread, too big to plug, so we changed to the little spare. It didn't take long and she headed off to the Ford garage for a new tire. (Our neighbor loaned me some jersey gloves from her car!)
Morning Wildlife Show
A few nights ago I saw a skunk on the pond dam, and raccoon eyes out in the trees. Morning came and there was a fox crossing the dam, a lone goose that was hanging around on the ice. Was it the fox keeping it out there or a raccoon. One passed by, and you can see it to the right of the goose.
Here's a better shot of the coon.
Then a pretty ten point buck showed up north of the dog yard. He had moved off into the woods by the time I got back with a camera, but I did get a photo to admire him. I am surprised he has survived. The neighboring wildlife outfitter has posted a dozen big bucks that their customers have killed, and there were others that were shot and not recovered.
I think he has figured out where his safe space is.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Dropped A Good Firewood Snag Today!
This tree has been waiting a couple of years. I have to get it down while it is still solid, and today was the first part. The wood looks good, and it will be ready to burn in a few weeks.
Sophie Has Found Her Forever Home!
Sophie has been with us for 1 1/2 years learning how to be a pet and a house dog. She was a hot mess when we got her, and she touched grass for the first time in her life.
We drove up to St. Louis yesterday to meet her new owner, at a hotel across I-70 from Lambert Field. While we walked into the hotel, an F-15 took off with its afterburners firing and Sophie froze for a moment, but did not try to bolt and run. She has become a well adjusted dog. She is eager to meet new people and shows healthy curiosity in strange circumstances.
Here we are, leaving for the flight west. Sophie is the third dog to go way west from us this month. Midwest Schipperke Rescue is literally adopting dogs ocean to ocean and border to border. It is a strange, complex thing to have joy and sadness at the same time for a little dog. She is part of our family, but now she has a better life ahead of her.
Yes, Sophie got into that little crate! Happy Trails, little girl!
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Wednesday Windage: Snake Shot
I began using snake shot in .22 WMR (22 Magnum) fifty years ago. It works well on copperheads and other snakes, making them dead quickly. I also keep .38 Special snake loads on hand, and it shreds snakes. Makes them even deader! Hitting a snake's head with a bullet from a revolver is difficult, and if you don't hit the head you have to keep shooting. Get some shot loads! End the threat with one shot!
Monday, December 15, 2025
Tuesday Torque: Nice Old Fairbanks, plus Noisy Fairmont!
This Fairbanks has an interesting layout. The cam operates the ignitor and the fuel pump, and there is also a hand pump built into the assembly for priming the engine. The Fairmont 2-stroke a few locations away was drowning out any conversation!
Sunday, December 14, 2025
You Can't Save Them All
Homeless Cracker...and some poor soul has lost their marbles!
Back To The Old Grind!
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Weekend Steam (and Gas) II: Boonville, Indiana, Fall 2025
Someplace or Another provides a great tour of the show just north of Boonville. Susan and I went over for part of a day, but with dogs at home, we looked fast, and didn't shoot many photos and vids. Put Boonville on your list, it is a great little show.
Friday, December 12, 2025
Weekend Steam: Engineer and Engines Magazine Calendar For 2026
Call Brenda Stant at the number on the bottom of the picture to order your calendar for next year. It's a good idea to buy a subscription, too, while you have Brenda on the phone. Engineers and Engines is still a private enterprise, and Brenda has been a Lady of Steam all her life. It is a fine publication!
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Sad News From Our Blogging Family
Danno, of Sand Castle Scrolls blog passed away, much too young, the week of Thanksgiving. His son contacted Susan and me with the news, and now he has published an obituary for his dad on Sand Castle Scrolls. Danno participated in the e-Postal matches started by Mike Gallion, and hosted several of the contests. He brought the Rio Salado Target Terminators to Sparta, Illinois in 2014 for a shooting competition. While they were visiting, Gary Bahre guided the crew out to his engine shed for a private tour of his collection. It was a good time, and a great memory to cherish. Click over to Sand Castle....leave a comment.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Wednesday Windage: How Accurate Are Minie Balls In Modern Reproduction Rifles?
We have an Armisport 1853 Enfield in .58 caliber, and it is a good shooter with Minie balls. The first shot from a clean barrel will be off a bit, but then the gun shoots where you aim. I used it to take a deer in 1999, and it caused impressive damage to the deer's heart and lungs. The standard loading in the 1860s for that rifle was 60 grains of black powder. I bumped it up a bit to 70 grains, but I think 60 grains would have done just as well. The deer was only about 5 yards away when I made my shot. Too much powder behind a Minie is a bad idea. Too much pressure will cause the skirt to blow out as the bullet leaves the barrel. Minies must be cast from soft lead so they can expand to the riflings. Hard lead is likely to break at the bands, leaving a ring of lead in the barrel. Don't try to hot-rod your musket! Anyway, this video is a good one. I think you will enjoy it.
Monday, December 8, 2025
Tuesday Torque: Erickson Hot Air Engine, Plus A Fairmont Section Car Engine
We saw these engines at Boonville this Fall. The Fairmont is a loudmouth, isn't it?!
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Weekend Steam II: A Bit Too Fast For My Nerves!
Merle, I hope the steering chain has all the slack out of it, and I wonder how the brakes are on the English beast!
Friday, December 5, 2025
Weekend Steam: Nevada State Railroad Museum
Many Thanks, Merle for spotting this one. I knew nothing about it. 4-4-0s are called Americans, 2-6-0s are Moguls, but I did not know the term for a 4-6-0. Turns out is called a Ten-Wheeler.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Every Morning, Every Evening, Ain't We Got Fun!?
Lyra lying on my leg, Stella and Bella, all of us enjoying the stove in front of us. Coffee, wood heat, and Schipperkes!
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
One More Birch To Buck
We got it out of the pond before it rose, and that is a good thing. I will buck this log tomorrow, and then we can finish splitting. After that we will be loading brush and baldcypress segments that we will not be burning. The ground is still holding up well, so we are pushing to finish before it turns into a muddy mess.
Wednesday Windage: Belly Band Holster
I bought a belly band holster to try out, and these are my thoughts after trying it with various pistols. Leave your thoughts in the Comments. Re-holstering is my greatest concern. Don't blow your leg off!
Monday, December 1, 2025
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Move, Split, Stack
We are processing the trees we dropped around the pond recently. I pick them up, split them into small pieces, and Susan stacks them. That makes her an official pile-it! This is birch. We will be doing more cherrybark oak when the birch is all done. The cypresses will be going into a brush pile. After that, we have a large dead hickory and a three stemmed black oak to work on.
Friday, November 28, 2025
Weekend Steam: Railroading Bi-Centennial!
Truly Historic, Merle! We are really glad you spotted this one!
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Bucking Up Cherrybark Oak
We are making firewood from the trees cleared along the power line right of way. The old 272 still runs like new at 30 years old.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Schipperke People
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Wednesday Windage: Tim Sundles Videos Are Worth A Look
I couldn't get out and shoot today, so I am cheating and sharing a video from Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore Ammunition. Tim and his wife have been busily posting regularly, and they share a lot of good knowledge. Check out his YouTube channel and enjoy. Here is one from his series on .38 Special and .357 Magnum with a good black bear story.
Tuesday Torque
Here are a couple of nice videos that Merle spotted for us. One embeds, the other I have to link. I love quirky engine stuff, the older the better. Thank You, Merle!
London To Brighton Veteran Note the glass carburetor bowl!
Tractors, old cars, guns...Who has not been here?
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Four Schipperke Pups...
...One has gone to Kentucky, one has left for Wisconsin, leaving Cole and Colby needing homes, plus the adults, Bella, Stella, Lyra, Sophie, and Atlas. We are making progress, it just is slow. Back To The Old Grind!
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Dusty Bucked Out!
Dusty bagged his second buck for this Fall. It's a nice, mature boy with an eleven point rack.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Weekend Steam: Westinghouse Engine At Pontiac
Westinghouse engines are fascinating because of their age, and they were made before builders settled on designs that worked for traction engines. Henry Ford went to work as a technician for Westinghouse in 1882 while he was a teenager. That experience had to have been a large influence as he entered the automobile manufacturing world. Many Thanks, Merle, for spotting!
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
L. Wolfe Gilbert, C- In Geography?
Waiting For The Robert E. Lee is a great song, written in 1912 (Lyrics by L. Wolfe Gilbert, Music by Lewis F. Muir), and recorded by numerous musical stars. Al Jolson recorded it in 1912, and then again in the 40s. There is a problem, though. The Robert E. Lee was a steamboat that worked on the Mississippi. The song places you in Alabama. Steamboats did work in Alabama, but the Mississippi does not go there! Oh Well, it is still a good song, and folks will probably be singing it for another 100 years.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Wednesday Windage: 22 Long Rifle Trajectory, Ruger Mk IV Competition
I re-installed the scope on the new Ruger after a class, and after checking the trajectory out to 50 yards I have decided to crank it down a bit so it is slightly low at 50 feet to have a longer point blank range for yard varmints. Trajectory is fascinating stuff.
I apologize for missing last week. We have been extra busy lately. Today we had contractors in the basement doing cement work, but I was able to head out behind the barn to finish this little project. I have one in the hopper for next week already!
Monday, November 17, 2025
Tuesday Torque: Mighty Avery Prairie Tractor
Merle, I have loved these Averys since 1965 when I saw one in my Iron Men Album Magazine! Many Thanks!
Here's the photo I remember from 1965.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Watch And Share This Tractor Video!
We use our tractor nearly every day. It mows, it bush-hogs, it tills, carries brush, pushes trees, and carries wood. I remind myself every time I climb on that tractors are always trying to kill you. The wide front end models aren't as bad as tricycles, but they can all smash you in a heartbeat.
I have seen small-time loggers use tractors as skidders, and it is not pretty. They would hook over the rear axle so it lifts the front end of a log when they pull, and the front wheels typically will come off the ground so the driver steers with his brakes. It's dangerous as can be, and I don't know how any of them survived doing that. If you are going to pull logs with a tractor, hook it from the drawbar. Get a logging arch or a sled for the front of the log. Stay alive.
Back To The Old Grind!
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Friday, November 14, 2025
Weekend Steam: A Couple From Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
Number 9 Shay came to Mt. Pleasant from California in 1966. Stan Mathews was a real hero in establishing the Midwest Central, and accumulating rolling stock. Back then, you could buy a share in the railroad for $10, and that got you a lifetime pass. It was a good fundraising scheme, and I still have my pass in case I go to the show again someday. Merle sent a link to a new-to-me channel with some videos at Mt. Pleasant. Thank You, Merle!
My first ride after buying the pass was in the cab of Number 9.
Backyard Buck
Susan and I were out in the back yard with three dogs, (Yappy Dogs!)plus a friend who had come by to visit, and he has an outdoor voice. We were out there visiting and watching the dogs when two bucks showed up and postured around each other for several minutes. I was able to get this one videoed with my phone before he turned around and went across the dam. I am guessing those two had already had a good tussle and didn't really want to do it again. I hope they can stay hidden, because we have crossbow hunters all around us again this Fall.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Tuesday Torque, A Day Late...
...but worth the wait! Many Thanks, Merle! We had company four of the last five days, plus dog things going on.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Dogs Coming And Going
We had a busy weekend with the foster Schips. Two adopters came and each took a dog home. This one is Tevin, who has moved to Kentucky. Queenie left Sunday for Indiana. We are sad to have dogs leave, but also happy that they now have good homes. Monday we pick up another Schipperke. She needs to learn the social skills a pet needs, so we will have her for several months at least.
Back To The Old Grind!
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Friday, November 7, 2025
Thursday, November 6, 2025
United States Marine Corps' 250th Anniversary
Monday, November 10, 2025, the Marine Corp will be 250 years old. Fifty years ago in 1975 the Marines planted trees with school kids around the country to commemorate their bi-centennial. I was involved with their project at Pikeville, Kentucky. You can see that tree project on Google Earth today! There are white pines on the point behind Pikeville Elementary School visible in the aerial photo and the drive-by on Google Earth. I would love to go up there and see how those trees are doing. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them.)
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Heinous Poaching Perpetrators
I hear them. In the early morning, and at dusk, I hear the rifle shots in the surrounding countryside. It is bow season, and bow kills are checked in by your phone or computer. No game warden will see your deer, so there are poachers roaming the backroads with rifles, killing deer, and checking them in as being taken by bow and arrow. We also have poachers who have no tag at all who are antler-mad. They commit atrocities like the one pictured. They remove the head for the antlers and throw the rest of the carcass off a bridge, into a creek. They are hard to catch, they know it, and they do it year after year.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Wednesday Windage: Sight-Seeing
I nearly gave up on iron sights for a while. Cataracts made using irons nearly impossible, and driving was difficult, and dangerous at night with bright lights causing trouble. I tried several red dot sights, and traditional scopes on pistols, and found that Bill Llewellyn's Bullseye ghost ring sight blades worked well on my Ruger pistols. I had my lens implants done in 2016 and can shoot with irons again, but I had a minor panic attack lately when I realized that Billll's Idle Mind blog no longer listed Billll's Bullseye sights. I got in touch with him and he still had some, so I bought four. They are pretty darn useful in pistol shooting, but you do need to change your technique a bit to get the most benefit.
=These are some of the pistols I provided for a recent carry class at the Carmi Rifle Club. L to R, Single-Ten (.137 rear sight notch), Mk III Target (Bushnell Red Dot), Mk IV Target (.118 rear sight notch), Mk III Hunter (Billll's Bullseye Sight .205 aperture), Mk III Target (Billll's Bullseye Sight .205 aperture, with top half of ring removed).
Stock Ruger target sight, Billll's Bullseye, and Billll's Bullseye abbreviated.
I was hesitant about putting a peep/ghost ring out for a carry class, but I am glad I did. The fellow I was coaching did OK at the beginning of live shooting with a red dot sight, but when I switched him to irons, he began putting all his shots above his target. I stopped him to point out how he was missing, and he told me, "I don't like revolvers." I responded that "The revolver isn't the problem, I don't think you can see your sights." He then said, "Well, I have cataracts." So, I switched him to the pistol with the ghost ring. I told him to look at the target through the window of the rear sight, move the front sight onto the target, and shoot. The important thing with these sights is to focus on the target and not fuss about the sights. He immediately was putting his shots into the black on his target. He was amazed, and I was, too. It is such a simple solution to use a rear sight that lets you see the target instead of covering it up and using a tiny notch. We had him go back to the red dot when we shot qualification targets, and he was a happy camper.
Rearranging guns for the class for qualifications, I had to take a red dot gun away from the lady on the left for my man with cataracts. I handed her the Mk III Target with the cut-down ghost ring. She had not shot that gun at all during class, and I gave her the quick rundown on focusing on the target through the window of the rear sight. Illinois law has us shoot ten rounds from 15, 21, and 30 feet, standing, for a total of 30 shots.
Here's an even bigger surprise. Shooting that cut down ghost ring, she put all thirty rounds into the ten ring, with only four falling outside the X-ring. She was rightfully pleased.
The lady on the right also shot a 300, with only three out of the X-ring. She was shooting a Mk III Target with a red dot sight.
I have tried the ghost ring on steel while practicing at the rifle club, and it lets me shoot faster than I can with the traditional narrow notch rear sight. The more I use it the better I like it. I must contact Bill and see if he has any more of his sights on hand. They work a trick!
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