Git 'R Done!

Click over to Mr. Completely, click on his link for the E-Postal match, print your targets and the rules for this month, go out and shoot! Scan your targets and send them to Ahab by midnight.

Weekend Steam

The Kitten engineer is keeping a close watch on her trusty steed as it powers a threshing machine at Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers. The show continues through Monday.

Crankin' It Up

Isham Jones Orchestra performs a very nice dance number. Coal Black Mammy was a popular Al Jolson song; this version is less well known. This disc was given to me by a dear great-aunt many years ago. It is embossed with: Orms Piano House, 112-14 No Main Street, Burlington Iowa, Licensed Brunswick Dealer.



This week's Harry Lauder special is 'I Love A Lassie.' We still have a couple of Harry's numbers to record, so be sure to check in again the next few Fridays if you are one of his fans.

Jewel Weed Soap

One of the interesting plants you can find in the woods is Jewel Weed. It has a reputation of being an antidote to poison-ivy, and it does seem to work in preventing or relieving dermatitis from poison-ivy contact.

Susan is an experienced soapmaker, and this year she has begun making extract from Jewel Weed. We use it as an ointment, and as an ingredient in homemade soap. It really does work! Here is Susan showing the plant to a class of soapmakers.

Discussing oil selections for various types of soap.

Measuring lye: a postal scale is a necessity for consistent results. Lye is difficult to find nowadays because dopers use it to make some of their poison.

Pouring the Jewel-Weed extract.

Adding lye to the Jewel Weed extract; very carefully and slowly.

Adding the lye solution to the oils.

Mixing it up. Stick blenders sure are an improvement over the spoon!

Pouring the mixture into a mold.

Soon-To-Be-Soap.

One of her finished bars. This one is lavender.

Free Samples!

The finished Jewel Weed bars.

Not My Victrola

Here is a jazzy number to help you get your feet moving on Monday morning. KSPM01 posts a lot of great old records, doesn't he?

Monday Again!

Back to the old grind!

E-Postal Shooting Match Reminder

You only have one more week to enter the Mr. Completely's E-Postal contest. The host this month is Ahab. Click over to his site for the rules and the targets, and go out to shoot with family or friends. You don't have to shoot well to have fun, and if you are afraid of embarassing yourself you need the practice anyway. Get Going!

Small Town Skylines

A Tin Man water tower and a grain elevator mark little towns like Donnelson, Iowa. Lots of these communities survive as bedroom communities where housing is less expensive than in towns where the jobs are. Motorists don't usually stop to look around unless they need coffee and gas at the convenience store.

County seats in the midwest are often marked by ornate courthouses that were built in the late nineteenth century. This courthouse is in Washington, Iowa, and there is lots of activity going on around this landmark.

The town square is in the process of a major facelift, and the activity has been entertaining. A couple of buildings have been demolished on the south side of the square and a new library is going to take their place. The rebuilt sidewalks have electric heat to melt the ice during the winter. I guess they don't believe in Global Warming.

Monroe, Wisconsin has the prettiest courthouse I have seen. Catty-cornered from this magnificent edifice is the Huber brewery, and right next to that is tavern where you can partake of good food, Wisconsin Cheese, and brewery fresh beer. Just remember to think of your head in the morning.

Animal Rescue

Last week we were working in the front yard when we heard a car stop about 1/4 mile from our driveway and then start up again. They drove by us, and then this little dog showed up. He is a Miniature Pinscher, and he was pretty shook up about losing his people. All of our pets are strays, and we get really mad about people who dump animals. Min Pins are indoor dogs, and we don't want a dog in the house right now, so we have found a home for him.

Here he is getting acquainted with Hey Joe, a dog who was dumped on us in 1998. Hey Joe has been a very faithful watch dog out here on the farm. We have named the Min Pin Otto, and we are taking him to his new home on Tuesday.

Weekend Steam

You meet the nicest people on a steam train! This charming lady is one of the dancing girls who will entertain you in the saloon at Midwest Old Threshers next weekend. A word of caution to middle age guys: If you stand in the front row during a show in the saloon, you may be hauled up on stage so the girls can embarrass you. Great Fun!

EJ is shown getting some pictures of the reversing gear linkage on a very rare Colean engine built in Peoria. Old Threshers is more fun than Christmas and the Fourth of July all rolled up into one. You will take home some great memories.