Back To The Old Grind!
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Not My Victrola
Toledorecordman uploaded these two Belle Baker sides. Good songs, and from a record sharer that we hadn't run across before. I'm subscribed to him now, and we will probably hear more from Toledo in the future. Here's 'Sweet Little You,' and 'Hard-Hearted Hannah.'
Wow, what a contrast; Sweet Little You, to "pouring water on a drowning man." What fun!
Wow, what a contrast; Sweet Little You, to "pouring water on a drowning man." What fun!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Illinois Carry Classes; Something I Never Expected To See
Carry classes for the new Illlinois concealed carry law are popping up all around Southern Illinois. I took the first half of the required course of instruction two weeks ago and will complete it this weekend. The first part is basically the NRA Basic Pistol Course, and the second half is a day to learn the intricacies of Illinois' law. Part of the first day was a two part range exercise to cover the NRA requirements, then we all shot the required thirty shots from 5, 7, and 10 yards on the target specified by the Illinois law. The law is available online, so I have been reading ahead and getting familiar with it. It's not a perfect law, but it's a lot better than what we had, and I expect positive changes in Illinois because of it.
Weekend Steam: Visiting Scotland
"Footage from the last week of the 2012 season of 'The Jacobite' operated
by West Coast Railways and featuring LNER class K1, no.62005.
Photographers who travelled to Scotland for the final week were rewarded
with some stunning lighting and cold, still conditions for most of the
week which enhanced the beautiful autumnal colours." Click on the "Watch on YouTube" icon to go to YT and read the entire writeup. Video by acw71000.
Crankin' It Up: The End Of A Musical Era?
February 21, 2014 is the 98th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle Of Verdun, which had something like 700,000 to 1,000,000 casualties. War was no fun after August, 1914. Here is a recording of Prince's Band which gives a glimpse of the world view of war before the Great War changed everything.
Prince's Band recorded this lively march on January 11, 1916. War was much more fun before the Great War, which began in August 1914. America was catching the fever for Europe's war in January of 1916, after the Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915, but hadn't yet jumped in. The battle of Verdun began in February 1916, and there were over 700,000 casualties. The battle of the Somme began in July 1916, and it bled England white. The century of modern war that began with WWI pretty much ended the celebratory mood of war music, so you might look at records like this one as the end of a musical era. Tin Pan Alley continued to celebrate to whip up war fever in the U.S. in 1917 and 1918, but that was before the reality of the horrors of war were visited on America.
Prince's Band recorded this lively march on January 11, 1916. War was much more fun before the Great War, which began in August 1914. America was catching the fever for Europe's war in January of 1916, after the Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915, but hadn't yet jumped in. The battle of Verdun began in February 1916, and there were over 700,000 casualties. The battle of the Somme began in July 1916, and it bled England white. The century of modern war that began with WWI pretty much ended the celebratory mood of war music, so you might look at records like this one as the end of a musical era. Tin Pan Alley continued to celebrate to whip up war fever in the U.S. in 1917 and 1918, but that was before the reality of the horrors of war were visited on America.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Big 'un Update
It's been a long day, what with the squall line that blew through this evening, and I didn't have a chance to spend time with Brat on the Brunswick. I did spend some quality time with Big 'un, and he seems to be recovering well.
You have to remember that this cat was not a tame cat we could handle, and while his eye was hurting he was ready to fight anyone who got near him. He lets me pick him up now, and he hugs up close to me, but welding gloves help me relax until we get to know each other better.
You have to remember that this cat was not a tame cat we could handle, and while his eye was hurting he was ready to fight anyone who got near him. He lets me pick him up now, and he hugs up close to me, but welding gloves help me relax until we get to know each other better.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Thank You For Your Prayers...
Big 'un came through surgery just fine, and was up on his feet again in the evening. I brought him home today, and he is no longer in pain. He will be pretty again. He was a big cat, but the last month has taken him down to six pounds. Vets are extraordinary doctors.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
They're Still On Guard
Things have quieted down now, and the only hunters afield are looking for coyotes, not deer. The deer are relaxing just a bit, but are still alert. I was staying back in the shadows in the barn, but when the others in this little group got up they spotted me.
I think they nailed me by spotting my hands working the camera. These were out at 50 yards, well within their danger zone, and they all bounced away when I blew out a loud breath.
Ruger's Auction To Benefit Homes 4 Wounded Heroes
Here is a special one this week. Ruger is selling an early 7 1/2" Redhawk from the first year of production, and folks, they aren't making this model anymore. I have a 5 1/2" Redhawk, and with the iron sights I can torpedo a muskrat on the pond, or take the ears off a rabbit. The longer barreled version will perform amazing feats of marksmanship in your hand. Collectors are piling on this one, but you should go watch the auction, and bid if you can. 100% of the proceeds go to benefit Homes 4 Wounded Heroes, and this fine .44 will sell mid-day, Wednesday, February 19, 2014.
$1825!
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