Ruger's Auction To Benefit Honored American Veterans Afield

Here's another special one this week!  Ruger is auctioning a Convertible Blackhawk made for Buckeye Sports Supply in .32 H & R Magnum and .32-20 Winchester.  This is one of a run of 5200, and it was built in 1989.  Click Here to read all about it and to place that winning bid.  This fine revolver will sell mid-day, Wednesday, January 9, 2019.  $1250

Tuesday Torque: Dyno Testing A 1 1/2 HP John Deere Hit and Miss Engine

This is a really neat test of an original, unrestored engine from the 1920s.  Spotted by Merle; Thank You!

Oh Well, Or Words To That Effect; I Have Been Doing It All Wrong!

Must bring calipers to the table!



Back To The Old Grind!

Tracked By Phone: What Does Google Know About You?

I got an email from Google that shows me some of the information collected via my phone over the previous year.  There is no telling exactly what they have on file.

And the other day, this happened!  We went shopping at Kroger and it appears that Google and Kroger have colluded to help me with my shopping chores!  They knew I was coming!

Charles R. "Bob" Hancock, Carmi; An Old Friend

And a darn good tree planter. He put a lot of seedlings in the ground in Southern Illinois during the early days of the Conservation Reserve Program. He passed away today. This 2011 photo is a project he planted on his farm.

                           
                                                         Click Photo To Enlarge.

This cherrybark of Bob's was nearly 9" diameter in less than twenty years.  He did good work.

Weekend Steam: Jay Leno's Doble Steam Car

If you go to steam shows or old car shows you will probably see a Stanley Steamer once in a while, but a Doble steam car is almost a unicorn.  I have never seen one, and if not for Jay Leno, I would know nothing about them.  This is a good look that all steam enthusiasts will enjoy.  Hat Tip to Merle for picking this video!

The New Floor Progresses

This is how we were yesterday morning when the contractors were working in the entrance hall. We keep sweeping, and it seems there is always more to pick up.  I was still finding a few staples today from the carpet pad and 1/4" plywood tile-underlay. The dogs have to be confined while the stairwell is open for the contractors.  We set up exercise pen panels around it at the end of the day.

Here we are tonight, with about seven feet of width to go; and then the trim. The dogs will be glad when this is over and done.  They have to be locked up all day because the workers are in and out the door to cut pieces to fit.  I have been giving the critters extra walks to settle their nerves and to exercise their legs.

Family Get-Together, 100 Plus Years Ago

Scrolling through photos, I spotted this scan of a photo I printed from the negative many years ago.  The license plate says 1914, and that probably is pretty close.  At the wheel is a great aunt, May Garrison, and in the passenger seat is her sister Iva.  Behind Iva is my Great-Grandmother Myrtle, who passed away in 1971.  I remember her very well. 

I know nothing about the car, but it is noteworthy that it has acetylene headlights.  I think manufacturers switched over to electric lights about 1915.  The right hand drive is dated.  Ford switched to the left side with the Model T for the 1909 model year. I wish I knew where this gathering occurred, and the people in the background.  They are probably family, but the details are a lost ball in high weeds.

Still Prepping At The Last Minute;

but we are ready for the flooring guys.  They will be here early tomorrow.  This won't be the end, but it marks the end of the hard parts (I think!).

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Honored American Veterans Afield

Ruger has another great one this week!  This is a blue Mini-14 made in 1976.  It is marked with a U, indicating that it is a used firearm, and it appears to have a bit of shop wear when you examine the closeups on Ruger's webpage.  It is a good looking rifle.  It will sell mid-day, January 2, 2019.  CLICK HERE to read the full description and to place your bid.  $1469