Progressing Nicely!

 The next step is putting on the wood for the seats and foot rest.

Back To The Old Grind!

More Weekend Steam, From Our Mt. Pleasant Correspondents!

Friends Gary Bahre and Albert Miles went to Old Threshers this weekend and sent these videos of a portable Case engine being belted up to a corn sheller with horses, backing into the belt. The operator did it in one go! Pretty darn impressive!

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Weekend Steam III: Avery Walkaround

 

I have always like Avery steam traction engines. The undermounted ones are more numerous, but I like these little straight flue engines. I saw one sell that needed extensive restoration work, more than fifty years ago. I thought that the tough shape of the engine might make it possible to buy, but it started at $600 and went up fast. I don't remember what it went for, but when something starts at your limit, it knocks the wind out of your sales.  Bill Sater, one of the founders of Old Threshers had one of these, and I spent a lot of time admiring it. 

Weekend Steam II: Rollag, Minnesota and Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Weekend!

 Two big shows are happening this weekend in the Midwest. Old Threshers at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag, Minnesota. Both shows are worth the drive!

Weekend Steam: Land Rover?

 Thanks, Merle! Good One!

Slow Down And Hit!

 

Old Threshers, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

 Started today, goes through Labor Day!

Rebuilding Our Old Swing

 My dad acquired this swing about 65 years ago. He put all new wood on it then, and then again 30 some years ago. Now Susan and I are doing it for an anniversary present to ourselves. It will be ready for sitting and swinging soon.

The Garden Is Down To Peppers

 

We are calling summer over. The garden is basically done, and we will soon be burning and tilling. It is time to get serious about splitting and stacking wood. We have some at the house already in case of a cold snap!

Views From The Dog Yard

 The sky has been beautiful lately, with lots of dramatic clouds drifting by. We had a memorable sunset yesterday with lots of color, and then the early first quarter crescent moon. 

De-Lint Your Clothes Dryer!

 Susan and I are always doing something exciting. Today it was opening up the Samsung dryer to clean out lint and dog hair. Susan washes dog beds and kennel pads, so the fuzz builds up.

Tuesday Torque II: Prototype Chevy Tractor!

 Merle spotted this one. I had no idea, never saw, never heard of this! Many Thanks, Merle!

Tuesday Torque: Meadows Mill and Fairbanks 208

 Susan and I had a pleasant conversation with this gentleman, who was making cornmeal at Pinckneyville. We need to pull our mill out this fall and make some new meal. It keeps for years in a freezer, but we are just about on empty.

For Those Big Beautiful Coffee Beans!

Back To The Old Grind!

 Don't make a cup, build a pot!

Weekend Steam II: Buckley Old Engine Show

Another great video pick by Merle! Many Thanks!

Weekend Steam: You Should Know Where This Is!

 Comment if you don't know, and we will tell you! Thanks, Merle!

Cuttings Rain Down!

 This little guy was dropping cuttings on my head this morning, so we do have some hickory nuts. Other squirrels are busy cutting white pine cones. Pine-infused bushytails!

Learn To Drive A Model T With Jay Leno!

 

Ruger Mk IV Competition Model, Vortex Scope

The Ruger Mk IV Competion model now has a scope.  I have leaned heavily on Bushnell scopes for many years, but two fell apart inside this year, and Bushnell's repair line does not answer.  I have read discouraging reports from others online, so I looked elsewhere. Optics Planet had this Vortex 1-4 X scope in FDE at half price, and that was too good to pass up. I installed it yesterday and sighted in with Mini-Mags at 50 feet. I checked it with Velocitors and it is really close.  According to Ballistics By The Inch, Velocitors from the 7 inch barrel are going faster than Mini-Mags from an 18 inch barrel, so those should be good for varmints around the dog yard.

 

Tuesday Torque Bonus: Big Iron At Pinckneyville

Tuesday Torque: 1904 Waterous Fire Engine

 This engine is a beauty, and it is great for listening, too. It would still fight fire if you need it for that!  Many Thanks to Merle for spotting this fine restored machine.

Nearly A Lost Skill!

 A few dedicated souls keep this alive. The only handmade broom factory in Illinois has been gone several years now.

<span style="font-size: large;">Back To The Old Grind!

We Went To Pinckneyville!

 We have some videos to process, and quite a few new photos. It was HOT! There was a breeze a good bit of the time, and that helped. 

Weekend Steam: American Threshermen, Pinckneyville, Illinois...

 ...This Weekend!  It will be hot Saturday and Sunday. Get up early and do your walking around before the sun is coming straight down on your head!

Japanese Sword Information?

Susan's father brought this Japanese sword home from Guam, where he fought in 1944. Do any of our readers know how to decipher the markings? We know only a little from doing an internet search, and it is probably information to date the blade. The oxidation makes me think that it may be an old blade, and not war production. 

UPDATE: Detail Photos of Blade

 

American Threshermen Show, Pinckneyville, IL, August 14-17, 2025

 

Click To Enlarge

Tuesday Torque: Gather Up Your Wrenches And Welding Rods

 Every engine enthusiast should build one of these. Thank You, Merle!

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Nagasaki Suffered, Too. History We've Never Heard

 

Weekend Steam IV: Vicarious Vacationing, Albert City

 

Here's the view from the operator's platform, for all of us who did not make it to northwestern Iowa to watch Kory Anderson's Case 150. 

So Many Flowers,

So little time. Back To The Old Grind!

 

Weekend Steam III: Needs A Tender!

 Thanks, Merle! A lot of genius went into this one!

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Weekend Steam II: Go To Albert City!

 Kory Anderson is showing his Case 150 at Albert City, Iowa this weekend. Here it is pulling  a ripper. Barely breaking a sweat!

Weekend Steam: A Double Surprise

 Merle sent a link for some British engines, (Many Thanks, Merle!) and when it played out, a Big Boy video jumped in. We will call that a win! Here are your vids!

A New Rose For Alabama

 

Vanilla (and three more dogs) moved in as fosters in July, and today ( August 7) Vanilla (now Luna) heads for her new home. The adopting family will be here bright and early, and will be taking her to the sunny South. 

Lucky dog, lucky family!

And...Luna has started her journey home!

Update, Sunday, August 10: We are getting glowing reports, photos and videos of Luna in her new home. She seems to have adjusted instantly and is even using a pet door, something she has never had before.

August 6, 1945, City Of Death, History Underground

Bill Whittle On The Atomic Bombs

Raining Hickory Hulls

 The little grays are cutting hickory now, and bits of hickory hulls are coming down on us when we go out with the dogs.  The squirrels are not bothered by us down below. Those little guys are tough to locate, but when you finally see one, they would be easy shots up there, with only their jaws in motion.

Tuesday Torque: Albert City, Iowa Thresherman Show

 You probably have never heard of Albert City, but that is where you should be for August 8-10.  They have a nice steam and gas show, and this weekend, Kory Anderson will be there with his Case 150. If you are in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Iowa, you should make the drive to see the biggest, newest traction engine in the world. 

Great Weather, Cut Wood!

 Back To The Old Grind!

Drop A Dead Kentucky Coffee Tree!

 This KY coffee tree has been dead for a couple years, and it is time to turn it into firewood. The wood is still solid (and loaded with moisture), which is much better than dead ash will do. Ash trees turn into punk quickly and are dangerous to cut after they die. This drop had no surprises, and it will be stacked to dry in the barn in short order.

Weekend Steam IV: Rollag Is Just One Month Away!

 

Busy Kitchen

Coleslaw

Peppers

Chicken Broth

 

Weekend Steam III: Steam vs Diesel

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Weekend Steam II: Another Great Merle Pick!

 

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Weekend Steam: Welland Steam Festival, UK

 Many Thanks, Merle!