Boonville, Indiana Steam and Gas Engine Show! October 9,10,11, 2009

Don't miss out! One of the nicest little steam and gas shows is next weekend, at Boonville, Indiana.

This show is scheduled for October 14, 15, and 16 in 2011. It is always scheduled for the second full weekend (including Fridays) in October. If you show up on Columbus Day weekend in 2011, you will be disappointed.

Mr. Completely's September e-Postal Results!

I think all of the targets have been sent in; if I have missed you, or you had trouble scanning and e-mailing your results, please let me know and I will add you to the tally. We had a nice turnout, with a few new entrants, and a very nice variety of .22s shooting the targets.

Class I Pistol: Rimfire, Iron Sights

Tucson Cliff, Ruger Mk II; 69
Merle, Ruger Single Six; 53
Billll, Ruger Mk I; 43
True Blue Sam, Ruger Single Six; 41
Jamesll, Ruger Mk II; 27


Class II Pistol: Rimfire, Optical Sights

Mr. Completely, High Standard, Leupold; 188
Mr. Completely, High Standard, Red Dot; 147
Merle Ruger Mk II, Tasco; 64


Class I Rifle: Rimfire, Iron Sights


True Blue Sam, Marlin 39; 54
Danno Schultz & Larson; 21



Class II Rifle: Rimfire, Optical Sights


True Blue Sam, Winchester 74, Bushnell 2.5; 88
Danno ,Ruger 10-22; 56
Billll ,Remington Nylon 66; 45
Jamesll, Mossberg; 32
Tucson Cliff, Ruger 77/22; 25
Froggy, Browning BL22; 12

The Winchester 74 mostly does 'Possum Duty' around the farm. It belonged to my mother's dad, who is standing next to the Model T in the banner at the top of the page. He used to talk about the unbelievable shots he made on ground squirrels in newly planted corn fields. He used iron sights; I cheated and added a scope for the difficult shots. It still has a good barrel.

Thanks to all who participated! The target turned out to be a little more difficult than I thought it would be, but it was a lot of fun to shoot. Check Mr. Completely's blog for the next contest, which is hosted by U.S. Citizen at Traction Control; or click on the October link under "Get Out And Shoot" in the left sidebar.

"Well...It Used To Be."

One of my neighbors stopped by to look at our barn a couple years ago while I was doing some patch work on it. He was an older farmer, and was retired. He looked our barn over pretty well, and remarked that there weren't very many barns like it anymore, then he announced that his barn was a much better barn than ours. He paused a few seconds and then said, "Well, it used to be." I had been watching the weather, gravity, and termites crumble his barn for many years, and of course, he was remembering how it was when he farmed as a young man. He died recently, and Mrs. TBS went to his estate sale to take pictures. She took this shot of his old barn for me to remember him by. We put in several hours on our barn again this past weekend, and we have concluded that lifting an old barn away from the termites is about like fighting off a zombie attack. We are going to win, though.

Not My Victrola

This week's Monday Mood Lifter is another selection by Zez Confrey's Orchestra: "Morning Will Come." EdmundusRex posted this 1923 recording on YouTube. This song was one featured by Al Jolson in the 1921 production, "Bombo."

Here Comes Monday!

Back To The Old Grind!

Southern Illinois Still Life

Weekend Steam: Make Plans For Next Weekend

The fall show at The Antique Steam and Gas Engine Club, Boonville, Indiana is coming up October 9, 10, and 11. Steam engines, gas engines, old tractors, good food, flea market, plus a great bunch of friendly people will be there for your enjoyment. Take the family, and don't forget the camera.

Crankin' It Up

"I'd Like To See A Little More Of You" is a genuine oldie, recorded in 1907 by Ada Jones and Billy Murray. It is on the Oxford label, which pressed records from 1906 to 1916. It is in pretty good shape, and like many records in our collection, this was the first time I had listened to it.

One Is Not Enough!

There is good news over on The Firearm Blog for folks who want to enjoy lots of inexpensive practice with a pistol that is just like their self defense packing piece. Smith and Wesson is now shipping their new PK380 (below), which is almost identical in size and operation to their popular P22 (above).

Click On Photo For Link To Firearm Blog Post.

Both of these models are moderately priced, and the only difference I can see in the operation besides the caliber is that the .380 does not have the magazine safety that is part of the .22 pistol. There have been complaints on the internet about the P22 having problems with the slide breaking because it is made of a zinc alloy. Most P22 owners love the little gun and have no problem; Smith and Wesson has been very responsive in making things right with customers who have had problems. The PK380 has a steel slide, so dependability should be a non-issue with the new model.

My limited experience with a P22 showed that the little gun is very dependable, but it does not like cheap, unplated .22 ammo. I never had a bobble as long as it was stoked with Mini-Mags or Velocitors. Takedown for cleaning is easy if you read the directions, and so is the re-assembly. Call your favortite gun shop and load up. You will be well practiced, and well armed!

First Outing

This 1926 Ford roadster was on its first time out since its restoration was completed. It was in the lineup for the noon parade on the first day of Old Threshers, and after I took these shots I spoke to the owner. He was very proud and pleased with his flivver, and just a little nervous with all the other cars and people around him. I couldn't see a fingerprint on it anywhere, and it even smelled like a new car.