Weekend Steam II: No. 1 Stirling...

 ...worked from 1870 to 1917. The first and last of its kind. Thank You, Merle, for sending this one!

Weekend Steam: Steam Lorries!

 Steam lorries made a few appearances in the Iron Men Album many years ago, but if you didn't take that magazine, you probably never heard of them.  Great machines! Many Thanks to Merle for spotting this vid!

Swashbuckle Safely

 None of us are Errol Flynn.  Use safe techniques when running your saws. Make a plan for every tree. Wear your protective gear. Start your bore cuts with the bottom corner.

Chainsaw safety is serious business. There was a man killed just west of us in Jefferson County, Illinois, when a tree he was bucking came down on him. You always have to be looking for a tree to fall, roll, or kick back on you. Branches that fling when a tree comes down will aim right back at the stump.  Study those safety rules on the left side of this page, and review them frequently. Click This Link.

Challenges, Heroes, and Joy In Dog Rescue

 

Meet Fizzgig, one of the young Schipperkes rescued in Eagle Point, Oregon on January 6 of this year. Many people had to step in to help in this rescue. Jim Hamilton, Eagle Point Chief of Police, contacted Midwest Schipperke Rescue in Illinois for help, and veterinarians, techs, and other volunteers were organized in just a few days. Fifty eight live dogs were seized from a hoarding situation and were taken to the Jackson County Animal Shelter. The youngest dogs and their mother were soon taken in by a local volunteer*, and those dogs have all gone to permanent homes.  One of them is Fizzgig, the beautiful little guy in the photos.  His adopter flew to Medford, rented a car, met our Oregon foster volunteer, adopted Fizzgig and drove more than 1200 miles, an 18 hour drive, to take him home.

As remarkable as this rescue operation was, it is not over. There are still about forty young adult dogs who will be adopted over the next several weeks.  Every adoption will be made by good folks who step up to make a trip to help a dog. We have applicants from coast to coast, and volunteers will be transporting dogs east. Adopters will then have to travel to a central location to get their Schipperke. It is an unusual situation for a little regional rescue organization, but so far, things have been falling into place, and the adoptions so far have been successful.

*God Bless our volunteers out west. The family who took in those pups has made countless trips to their veterinarian with numerous problems, and has had to coordinate with adopters to meet at a remote location for meet, greet, and adopt, plus handle the paperwork for Midwest Schipperke Rescue.  The breeders who are handling the newborn pups are doing hard work, too. The dogs that came out of the hoarding house all had health issues such as worms, giardia and coccidiosis. Many people would have given up on the pups and watched them die one by one, but the pups are thriving now.  

A court decision gave the dogs in the county shelter to Midwest Schipperke Rescue. The dogs have been moved from the county shelter to Dogs For Better Lives, a service dog training facility in Medford Oregon.  From Michele Kasten: "Midwest Schipperke Rescue has given the trainers at Dogs for Better Lives the green light to assess any of these dogs that may fit into their service dog training program! Dogs for Better Lives trains hearing assistance dogs, autism assistance dogs and facility dogs that help physicians, teachers, counselors, police officers and child advocates. The organization trains shelter dogs as well as purpose-bred dogs to become service dogs. A Hearing Dog is a career that schipperkes could be well suited for and also allows clients that prefer a smaller dog the chance for one that fits their home better than a large breed dog. We are hopeful that one or more of these dogs has this unique opportunity, it would be a win-win!" 

 Many thanks to Fizzgig's new Mom for sharing his photos.  You can see more of Fizzgig on Schipperke Country on Facebook.

Lira And Glenda Are Part Of The Pack!

Lira and Glenda have been in the basement for not quite two months.  That's long enough for these good little girls, who have taken to being housebroken really well. The skunk that strayed into their dog yard forced the issue of taking them upstairs, so we have been busy. 

We set up kennels and an ex-Pen for them and have been teaching them in and out of the large upstairs dog yard.  They are loving it, but we are using leashes for a few days while they learn the new routines. Glenda has a new home to go to in the near future. We have held off on placing Lira, and she will be ready soon. She is losing her timidity now that she is part of the pack.

 

Wednesday Windage, Late Again!

 Foster dogs, Oregon hoarded dogs, skunk in the lower dog yard, hoo boy! We had good weather but I couldn't get out and shoot, so I am just going to share Michael Bane's latest video, which is mostly about lever guns. There is some real competition going on out there now that Ruger is cranking out new Marlins, and they are really nice. I like walnut, but the laminated wood stocks appeal to me, too.  I like that Michael ends this video looking at his Ruger LCP II in .22 LR.  I carry one of those, and they are a good little tool. Many don't like the manual safety that Ruger added to these, but I find it useful. I like to set the safety before I click my pocket pistol back into its Kydex holster, then I put it back on Fire. It is a nice layer of safety when you are pushing the gun back into the holster. Remember that a firm grip and regular cleaning and lube are more important with these pocket pistols than with larger ones. Get out and practice, then clean and lube

Tuesday Torque: Lanz Bulldog Detail!

 How cool is this? It's the crankshaft from a Lanz Bulldog, single cylinder tractor. I love watching videos of those critters, and this is what goes around inside.  Many Thanks, Merle for spotting this one!

Dying Can Be A Tough Process

 We had a sick skunk fall over the retaining wall at the end of our lower dog yard, and the poor critter could not get up and out after I opened the fence. It would move around a bit, and then curl up in a ball, occasionally having seizures as it fought for breath. It probably has either distemper or rabies. Both diseases are common with skunks. We don't want to kill him and get his blood and scent in the dog yard, so we have to let nature work its nasty, merciless process to the end.

Well, life continues for most of us, and there is plenty to do.  We moved the two fosters from the basement to be with the pack upstairs. We don't want them in their dog yard until I can spray a mild Clorox solution all over where the skunk could move. It's always something. Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam II: Another Trip To Cass Scenic Railroad

 Thanks, Merle! We never tire of the Shays in West Virginia!

Weekend Steam: Moving Out!

 I am more of a 2 MPH guy when operating a traction engine!  Thanks, Merle!

Oregon Dogs Update

 Back on January 6, the Eagle Point, Oregon Police Department served a search warrant for a dog hoarding situation. There were 58 live dogs taken out of a home, and 30 deceased dogs. Nine pups and two adults were surrendered by the homeowner to Midwest Schipperke Rescue that day, and all of the dogs went to the Jackson County Animal Control shelter. Midwest found a volunteer to take the surrendered dogs and care for them in just a few days. There were two pregnant bitches.  One was put in the care of a local show dog breeder, and the puppies arrived soon after.  The other dog whelped her puppies at the shelter and another show dog breeder stepped in to care for those pups. 

Pups in their foster home, with mother. These dogs have all gone on to their adopted homes already. Because of their age, adopters signed a contract to spay or neuter between 9 and 12 months of age. Midwest will cost-share the expense of the surgeries.

Sweet Pea, on the day she was rescued. 

Sweet Pea with her pups.  All are doing well, and Sweet Pea's coat is growing in again.

The rest of the dogs were surrendered by the homeowner last week at a court hearing. They have been moved to a great dog training facility in Medford where they are being evaluated by trained staff.  Vets and techs have been working this week to bring them all up to date on vaccinations, heartworm and brucellosis testing.  Many will be adopted in the west, but many will also come east.  We have applications from coast to coast from folks who want to adopt them. 

Susan and I are screening the applications, and others are coordinating supplies to the western fosters, Jackson County Animal Control, and the training facility that has the dogs now. Transport east will probably be by volunteers who fly dogs around the country. Boarding facilities to house the dogs until adopters pick them up have to be arranged. There is a lot of activity that will be happening to get these dogs into their homes. 

Wedneday Windage: Aiming vs Turning

 Watch just  a few chainsaw videos and you will hear the cutter talk about "Turning" a tree. I have yet to see it happen in videos or in the woods, and I have looked at a lot of stumps and treetops. If a tree turns (deviating from the aiming of the hinge), that means that the hinge has failed and the tree is going where gravity will take it.  That is a bad situation, and you give up your control over the tree if that is your method. Aim the hinge where you want the tree to fall, make it long enough and the proper thickness. Use a trigger to put the tree in motion so you can get away quickly. 

The tree in this video is a very dead pin oak, and a fancy new pit toilet is just out of view. I had to not crush that!  The wedges were placed to give support to the hinge, just in case the wood had rot that could allow it to crush. This was at Sam Dale Lake, Wayne County, Illinois, eleven years ago. I had a spare saw warmed up and ready to go, just in case I had trouble.

Tuesday Torque: Going Up To Maine For Some Winter Logging

 Merle, I have seen the steam powered Lombards, but never the gasoline powered ones. Pretty neat. Gotta love the Ts set up for the North Woods.. Many Thanks!

Winter Is Fading Fast...

Right now we have entered Mud Season. A few snow bones are left, but rapidly shrinking. The owls are necking and cooing, geese are passing through, and the Old Gobblers' Club is out showing off and looking for ladies. 

                                                       

Susan is starting cabbage seeds! Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam: Painted Up Pretty, 1912 Case 45 HP, and Minneapolis

 Many Thanks to Merle for sending the link for the 45 Case. While looking at that one, another video popped up with a Minneapolis. Both of those brands always look good!

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Smile!

 Susan and I have had a good time posting songs for our viewers this last month.  I hope that you all have had a few smiles! Happy Valentine's Day!

                                           Click Photo

Valentine's Day Song Festival! I Can't Help Falling In Love With You! Elvis Presley, Arlo Guthrie

 

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday On Saturday Night? Al Jolson

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Ain't Misbehaving, Ruth Etting, Louis Armstrong, Leon Redbone

Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting recorded this classic in 1929.  Listen closely to Louis.  At 2:12 he quotes Rhapsody In Blue.  Listen well to Leon Redbone, too. This is from his debut album in 1976, and jazz violinist Joe Venuti plays with him on this track. Joe was working hard during his revival, and this is one of his last recordings before he passed in 1978. His playing is unmistakable.  When I checked this song I immediately looked up info on the recording, and there was Joe Venuti. 

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Dancing In The Moonlight, Rudy Vallee

Ten Year Anniversary

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Maggie, Yes Ma'am, Come Right Upstairs!

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Margie, Red Nicholls and His Five Pennies

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Love's Old Sweet Song, Joan Morris and William Bolcom

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Stardust, Hoagy Carmichael

Tuesday Torque: IHC 10-20 Titan

 You gotta love that rhythm! Thank You, Merle!

Build A Barrel Stove, Upgrade Your Independence!

Back To The Old Grind!

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Spanish Pipedream, John Prine, "Go To The Country, Build You A Home!"

Valentine's Day Song Festival! DIggy Litty Lo, Doug Kershaw

 

Weekend Steam II: Trevithick's Locomotive, The World's First

 

Many Thanks, Merle, for the suggestion!

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Desperado, the Eagles

 

The interview with Don Henley is well worth listening to, plus he sings Desperado at the end!

Making Hay While The Sun Shines

The temps were good for outdoor work today and snow was melting.  Susan and I got out, split and stacked 45 rounds from the black oak snag that I finished picking up a few days ago. 

 

Weekend Steam: Steamboat Engine Room

 This is a fantastic look at a well kept engine. Note the angled blades on the paddle wheel as it turns.  That is high tech in the steamboat realm, and greatly increases efficiency.  Many Thanks, Merle! 

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Cherish, The Association

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Burning Love, Elvis Presley

Gathering Wood In The Snow

We got all the top wood out of the timber before the snow and cold snap, but thirty some feet of good, long dead black oak got a foot of snow on it, and we had days of single digit temps. It finally got up to almost 30 degrees F, so I grabbed the rest of the wood before the ground has a chance to thaw. I think we are set now until warm weather. Now, to split forty-some big rounds of oak.

Valentine's Day Song Festival! My Gee Gee From The Fiji Isle, Tod Weinhold, 1920

 Poor old Hiram Perkins falls in love with the dancing girl at the circus. I wonder how it turned out for the lad. Recorded in November, 1920.

Wednesday Windage: 357 vs 44 Magnum Carbines, A Re-Visit To Paul Harrell

 

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Everybody Loves Somebody, Dean Martin

Proper Escape Direction

 The final part of putting a tree on the ground is to escape from the stump at 135 degrees from the direction the tree is falling, or 45 degrees off the back of the tree. Forces going out will reflect directly back at the stump, so a 180 degree escape route is dangerous. These events happen with regularity, so incorporate your escape into your falling plan. Link To Facebook Reel, Click

Valentine's Day Song Festival! True Love Ways, Buddy Holly

Tuesday Torque: Coolspring Power Museum Fall Show, Someplace Or Another

Valentine's Day Song Festival! Fever, Peggy Lee

 

Sciple's Water Powered Mill

Back To The Old Grind!