Birthday Range Report

Mom began her birthday celebration by getting certified to use the county shooting range. This required only a brief course to learn the rules of range safety and etiquette. We gathered several types of .22 ammo to try in her new Walther P22 and went out to punch paper. She had some old Federal bulk pack ammo that did not make the action function reliably, and we found that CCI Stingers would sometimes fail to fire; I am guessing the nickel plating makes the case a bit too tough for this little pistol. She also had some old Remington Thunderbolts that worked very well, and we found that CCI Mini Mags and Velocitors never failed. How did the 77 year old Birthday Girl like her pistol? She didn't want to stop shooting! Check out the video; she had a blast!

Decision Time

Here is a Norway maple that developed a double-stem trunk and a multi-stem top many years ago. The double stem formed a bad joint with included bark, resulting in the tree splitting to the ground. The current owner of this tree has attempted to make it better by tying the two sides together with a chain. Cabling a tree can extend the useful life if it is done right, but the method pictured places pressure on the cambium which will kill it, causing dieback and rot in the stems meant to be saved. Cables need to be anchored with lag bolts designed for this application, or bolts with a washer and nut on the back side of the stem. Cabling should be done only by those with arborist training.

This tree also has a girdling root, and it is choking the stem of the tree, which is evidenced by the fungus beginning to show at the base of the trunk. This was caused by poor planting technique. Potted and burlapped trees need to be inspected before they go in the ground, and all circling roots must either be straightened or cut. I prefer to cut them because it makes the work go much faster.

If you look closely you will see we have some tips dying in the top of the crown. This tree truly is a goner, and it is time to replace it with a new tree. The sad part of this case is that proper planting, and a couple of snips with a pruner thirty years ago would have made this into a sound shade tree. The good news is that there is plenty of room to drop this tree if the owner finds someone who knows how to do directional falling.

Let's Look Inside

 Francis Lee Morgan was born at Makanda, IL in 1872. The photo in this post was taken inside the shop, and the little girl (Orpha, my dad's mother) in the lower left was born in 1906, so I am guessing these pictures were snapped around 1910. There is a New Way hit and miss gas engine for powering the lineshaft system near the right side of the picture. I always enjoy looking at old photos like this, and I am always surprised by the details that I didn't notice before.

Monday Again!

Back to the old grind!

Pass It On; Pass It Back!

My parents started my firearm education early. As kids we had cap guns, and were taught early on that we were never to point even a toy gun at one another. Dad had us shooting his .22 at about age 8, and he bought an Ithaca Model 49 single shot for us when I was 10. When I got out on my own I began collecting guns I liked, but never got into semi-auto pistols. I started our son shooting when he was just a little tyke, and he learned how to shoot muzzleloading rifles, revolvers, rimfire and centerfire rifles, plus handloading at home. He has paid me back by learning the skills needed to operate semi-auto pistols. When he comes home he brings his Springfield 1911, and he has taught me all the drills and skills you need for the 1911.


Dad passed away two years ago, so Mom is living alone now. She has been concerned because the .38 snubbie she keeps handy in her home is difficult for her to operate, and the recoil is a bit much for her arthritic hands. I did some research on line about small semi-autos that might work as a replacement for her .38, then I took her shopping. She looked at several models and settled on a Walther P22. This little gun gets good reviews and is easy for her to operate.

It is a small gun, but in her little hand it appears full size! She is already able to run through the function and operating drills, and will hit the range this week to break it in. She is as happy as a kid with a new toy.

When we finished the shopping for her new pistol we looked at the Air Soft guns. I have a nephew turning 8 years old in a few days who is showing interest in guns already. I looked at several models and settled on this one to get him started. I will be dropping in on him today and expect to see some smiles.

Weekend Steam

The featured engine this week is from the pages of Engineers and Engines Magazine, Nov-Dec, 1968. Ray Strappazon provided this nice threshing scene of Vic Heitman's (Manhattan, IL) Port Huron engine and Ray Kestel's Advance Rumely threshing machine.

4th of July Parade!

The music is great, but when the cameraman starts to move you should close your eyes if you are prone to motion-sickness. Have a fantastic Fourth!

Pilgrimage

Iowans make their annual journey to Missouri.

True Colors

My best pictures happen when I hand off the camera to someone else. Susan took all of these, and she provided the flowers, too.

Craftsmanship

One of the fascinating displays we saw at Evansville was a collection of engines and accessories built by Jerry Dickson. We took some photos and video and have pieced them together for you and for Mr. Dickson to enjoy. I think he will be at the Boonville, Indiana show coming up in July, so be sure to look him up and admire his work.