Welcome To Hell: Do Not Underestimate The Depravity Of The Criminal Mind!

"If This Doesn't Alarm The Hell Out Of You, It Should!"

"A man'd be a dang fool to leave all this!"

I've been enjoying some of the early Beverly Hillbillies shows.  I don't remember what was going on when this series started, but I actually missed the first one, so this is a real treat.

No Crazy Pass For This Monster

Click   Sabrina Stauffenberg was murdered at Thanksgiving last year.

Banging My Head Against A Tree

For many years I have been cutting difficult trees on state sites, and making each one a lesson for the site staff.  I have explained many times the steps to cutting a tree; why we do it the way we do, and how to cut one without being hurt or killed.  So, Monday I was at one of those sites, and this is what I found.  These are classic "Cut the tree on an angle so the stump can push the tree over!" stumps.  I have yet to see a stump reach up and push on the bottom of a tree.  What stumps like this do is either cause the tree to barberchair, putting that tree up in the air so it can drop on you, or letting the tree slide off the stump, when it will decide where it is going to fall, based on how the weight is distributed after it hits the ground.  I have seen people smashed by both scenarios.  Shoulda saved my breath, I guess.

You Get Two Guesses...

I just retired for the second time this year.  My contract work was more intense than I thought it would be, but it was very satisfying.  The new District Forester at Fairfield is up and running.  I think she will do great things in the years ahead.  Mel Gerardo was the first DF at Fairfield.  He was a Marine vet, and he fought at the Chosin Resorvoir.  I have eternal respect for him.  He left Fairfield to run the state nursery at Anna-Jonesboro, and he was superb in that job.  Rick Moore was the second DF; then Gary Stratton, who was my boss while I worked at Fairfield.  Jenny Lesko is the new District Forester, and she has a solid foundation with her education at Notre Dame and Purdue.  I think she will do great things in District 19, Fairfield, Illinois.

Anyhow, which of these do you think fits my mood tonight?





Yep, I feel good! Bobby's song is a downer, and it is great to be permanently unemployed!

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Light Foundation

Ruger is offering a 22/45 Competition model from 2000 this week. The 22/45's are lighter than the metal framed Mk series pistols, and we seem to shoot our 22/45's more than we do our all metal Rugers.  This particular pistol has a damaged rear sight blade, and Ruger will replace it before shipping to the winner of this auction.  It will sell at mid-day, September 13, 2017, so Click Here to read the entire description and place your winning bid.  $456.22

Tuesday Torque: 20 HP Fairbanks From 1906

The most interesting part of this video for me is seeing the operator hit the 'Match Starter.' which was used on some of the early big gas engines.  The writeup says they are using caps, and that would probably be more dependable than Ohio Blue Tips matches.  What a great save!


Many thanks to Merle for spotting this great vid!

Where Were You?

I was on my way to this little patch of timber to do a TSI marking for the landowner.  I would make a pass and come back to the truck and listen to the news.

Final Monday For This Old Boy!

Our good engine friend Gary Bahre visited Old Threshers at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa this year, and brought back a couple of good grinder photos for us!  These grinders used to be on every farm and were used for sharpening mower sections.  A cow's gotta eat!

Back To The Old Grind!