Thursday, January 22, 2026
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Double Black Oak Snag, Cut and Buck
This went well in spite of having to hold the saw nearly shoulder height. That bit of awkwardness caused me to hit the far end of the hinge, but I got away with it. The tree was balanced pretty well side-to-side or I would have been in trouble. I give the first stump a grade of A, the second one, a C-. Gotta watch out and not do that again!
Today I was bucking, and moving rounds. More bucking tomorrow, then splitting and stacking.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Monday, January 19, 2026
Tuesday Torque: Will It Start? We've All Been There!
Thanks, Merle! It's always a thrill when an engine begins to kick and then run!
Midwest Schipperke Volunteers Have Been Busy!
January 6 a search warrant was served in Eagle Point, Oregon for a dog hoarding situation. The police chief contacted Midwest Schipperke Rescue ahead of time for advice and possible help in dealing with a tough situation. Midwest's founder got on the phone and contacted dog people out west, and soon had vets and techs lined up for the police in Eagle Point. Police recovered 58 live Schipperkes and 30 deceased dogs over a three day period. Veterinarians and other volunteers processed the live dogs on the scene before they went to the county animal shelter. The homeowner signed over nine puppies and two adults to MSR at the scene, and those dogs were transferred out of the shelter to volunteers in Oregon six days later.
Sweet Pea, a very pregnant female gave birth to seven live puppies last week, and six survive. One little boy could not gain weight, and he passed today. Some of the dogs have already been placed in homes that will become permanent. Others have adopters picking them up soon.
Puppies in a volunteer foster home.
Puppy Pile and Corki
Sweet Pea...
... And some of her puppies. Little Blue Boy is the one who passed today.
Susan and I have been busy for two weeks with this project. We have had a lot of applications from people wanting to adopt dogs, and we have to screen everyone, then interview, etc. We are not done yet. There will be a court hearing next week to determine the status of the forty-some dogs in the county shelter that came from the hoarding situation. Sweet Pea's pups will also have to be placed in good homes when they are ready to leave their mother.
Not a grind! We are helping Schipperkes and meeting (Online, On Phone) good people all over the country.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Friday, January 16, 2026
Weekend Steam: Battling Whistles!
Thank You, Merle! One of the comments says the Daylight is sporting a CB&Q five chime whistle!
Lira Is Progressing Nicely!
Lira isn't ready to go to a home yet, but she is improving. She now enjoys sitting on the couch with us and the last couple days she climbs onto my lap. She is still a nervous girl who barks at small disturbances, but the progress is happening.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Black Oak and Bradford Pear
We are feeding the stoves the good stuff tonight and for the next several nights. Hard woods, not the birch, except for getting the fires recharged in the morning. Bradford pear is hard and dense, lots of BTUs! Big chunks of Bradford run all night long.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Monday, January 12, 2026
Tuesday Torque: 35-70 Minneapolis
Merle sent the link for the Minne that is plowing. Many Thanks, Merle. This one is running great.
I shot this video at Rollag. The 35-70 Minne isn't quite tuned perfectly, but it settled in and pulled 74 horsepower on the Prony Brake.
Valentine's Day Song Festival! When My Baby Smiles, Henry Burr, 1920
Henry Burr was a prolific recorder, making more than 12,000 recordings. If you collect any old records, you probably have him in your cabinet!
Sunday, January 11, 2026
It's Always Something Department
This catalpa has been a joy all of our married life. It was a sapling when we were married and it provides a beautiful show of flowers every spring. It will have to come down, and luckily, catalpa is dependable for making stump sprouts, so it will rise again!
Back To The Old Grind!
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Weekend Steam II: The Sandbox At Rollag
Many thanks to Merle for spotting Someplace or Another's short video on the big Bucyrus shovel at Rollag. Every steam fan should try to get to Rollag, and two or three visits would be even better. I will drop my video of the beast below the short.
Friday, January 9, 2026
Weekend Steam: Steam Powered Motorcycle!
Thank You, Merle. Two wheels, four power strokes per revolution!
Valentine's Day Song Festival! Hit The Dance Floor With Your Sweetie!
Stumbling, Billy Murray, Victor record, 1922.
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Backyard Wildlife
The raccoons are squalling and fighting every night, driving the dogs nuts when they are out, but the turkeys and the deer have settled down. We had 50 turkeys around the dog yard at one time the other day. I hope they have good conditions and raise a bunch of young'uns this year.
Valentine's Day Song Festival! Nellie and Joe
School Days, When We Were A Couple Of Kids, Byron G. Harlan, 1907.
Valentine's Day Song Festival!
It's just a bit more than a month until Valentine's Day so we are starting our annual song fest for that great day. Let's start off with Jimmie Rodgers with one of his final recordings. The Last Blue Yodel, Women Make A Fool Out Of Me!
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Thunder Chicken!
There has been an eagle hanging around the pond for the last couple weeks. It will sit and watch the water for long periods with the patience of a cat. I hope we see it grab a fish. We don't let our Schips out unaccompanied. A Schipperke would be an easy kill for a bald eagle, so we go out and keep watch over them.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Wednesday Windage: Loosen Your Tree Stand After Deer Season
Trees grow up and out every year. After deer season is over, visit every stand and loosen the straps so the tree doesn't embed metal. I will be carrying a ladder around my woods for a few days because tree stands are wrecking some of our sawlogs. I will have to do surgery to separate them, and I think these trees are ruined. Be a thoughtful guest when you hunt on the property of others. Don't use nails, spikes, or screws, and after you are done hunting, give the tree some breathing room. You can strap them in snug again next Fall.
Click the photos for a closer look.
Tuesday Torque: 12-25 IHC Mogul Tractor
Many Thanks, Merle! Everyone note how you start this antique beast. It has a pony motor! I don't know if this was standard or an option. It sure is neat!
Monday, January 5, 2026
The Day After Christmas....
....stores in Mt. Vernon, IL were taking down Christmas decorations and decorating for Valentine's Day. Oh Well. We always like to post songs for Valentine's Day for a month, but may start early. But today is Epiphany, so one more Christmas Song for all of you!
Sunday, January 4, 2026
An Idea Worth Revisiting
Logger and chainsaw instructor Joe Glenn showed us how to make a stump vise way back in '09 at the Dixon Springs Ag Center. It's easy to do and just takes a few minutes, in case you rock your saw and need to do some serious filing.
Back To The Old Grind!
Weekend Steam II: Little Train In The Snow
Many Thanks to Merle for another great pick. I like the full cab around this little loco. Good for winter!
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Borax Wagon Wheel
This is a fascinating process to witness on little wagon wheels. There is a video on YouTube of the entire process of building one of these wagons. Update: Many thanks to the commenters! Below is a video from Engel's Coach Shop, and if you like this sort of thing you should hit the subscribe button on his channel.
Friday, January 2, 2026
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Susan Is A Pile-It!
She has piled firewood from one end of the house to the other. Full frontal firewood!
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