Dave Spaulding Is Back!

From Ruger's YouTube writeup: "Dave's back with more Ruger Tactical Carbine Tips.
In this episode Spaulding shows you how to clear your carbine as fast as possible and get it back on target."

Clearing jams is an important skill, whether you are a casual shooter, competive, or if you carry a gun for protection, or in your job.  When you are at the range with your .22 pistol, run a few magazines of your pistol's least favorite ammo at the end of your session so you will have some practice.  My mother does this, and she can clear her 22/45 fast and get right back to shooting.   You can too, so work on this skill every time you are at the range.

Inspiration For Monday Morning!

Back To The Old  Bigger, Better, Humongous, Super-Duper Grind!

Not My Victrola

BSGS98 posted this delightful, jazzy number just a few hours ago.  His notes:

"Dapper Dan

Words by Lew Brown

Music by Albert Von Tilzer
Yerkes' Master Saxophonists
Vocal chorus by Arthur Hall
Puritan 11075
Recorded October 1921
Harry A Yerkes lead several musical groups during the transition of ragtime to jazz between 1917 and 1924 for the Columbia label. Some of the groups he organized and recorded included Yerkes Marimbaphone Band, Yerkes Jazarimba Orchestra, Yerkes' Bellhops, the Novelty Five and the Happy Six. Some of the talented musicians in his groups included, Ted Fio Rito, Rudy Wiedoeft, and George Hamilton Green."

Weekend Steam

The summer tourist season will be here before you know it. This video was uploaded by OregonParks, and their description follows:

"Scenes from Steam Locomotive #19 from McEwen Station to the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area. This is a great way to see changed landscape that the Sumpter Valley dredges left behind.
For more information on Sumpter Valley Railway:

http://www.svry.com/index.html

For more information on Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area:

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_239.php"

Crankin' It Up

Home Sweet Home is a Nineteenth Century song that was very popular during the Civil War. Elsie Baker (1883-1971) recorded this old favorite on January 15, 1914.

Pain In The Glass

We went touring a few weeks ago, and as we motored through Marion, Illinois, a tiny rock flipped up by the car ahead of us nailed a spot on the windshield.  It took out a chip, and two cracks started moving out; one going up, and one going down.  Luckily, we happened upon an auto parts store in two blocks, so we eased into the parking lot, went in the store and bought a windshield repair kit.  These kits consist of a tube of cyanoacrylate glue, and an application system to put it into the crack to stop it from spreading.  After carefully wiping off the glass you apply a pad with adhesive on both sides, and the base for a syringe.

 Squeeze most of the glue out of the tube into the base, and then apply suction with the syringe for at least ten minutes.  The partial vacuum pulls air out of the cracks so the glue can migrate in.

Remove the syringe and pull the plunger to the top of the barrel, then put it back on the base and push the plunger down to the catch.  This step applies pressure to the glue to give it a push into the bottom of the cracks, and you are supposed to let it stand for about twenty minutes.  Remove the syringe and base, then use the remaining glue on the top of the crack.  Let it sit in the sun for a while to cure, and you are done. 

We have used these kits on other cracks, and we generally have been successful in saving the windshield.  Even if it doesn't work, you will only be out around ten bucks, and will save hundreds if it works.

Big News From Ruger!!!

Last week a photo was leaked of a 1911 .45 by Ruger, and on Monday Ruger made it official! Jeff Quinn of Gunblast.com has posted a review on his website, and this video on hisYouTube channel. This beauty is 100% American made, and it has a very competitive MSRP. Start saving your lunch money; this looks like one you can't afford to miss.

UPDATE! Ruger's introductory video:

"Guaranteed To Purge Melancholy!"

Our family has been entertained at Old Threshers for more years than we can remember by Professor Farquar (aka Sandy Lee) and his wife. He's not too well known when you get away from the Midwest, but he stays busy in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas at special events, schools, and other venues. We have three of his albums, and his latest one is "Hear The Drums Thunder," "Contemporary and traditional songs of the Civil War." I recommend it highly to anyone who is interested in history, and who likes homespun entertainment. You can contact the Professor at:

Look around his website, give him a call, and order a CD.  You'll be glad you did. (A short video plays when you click on to his site, so turn down your speakers if you are at work.)

It's Back Again Already

Back To The Old Grind!

Not My Victrola

Hoorah, Hoorah, For Southern Rights Hoorah!



Phonofile shares an Edison cylinder from 1909 with one of the favorite songs of the Confederacy.

Click over to Wikipedia to read about Polk Miller and his "Old South Quartette."