Tuesday Torque: Let's Enjoy A 30-60 Oil Pull!

Sittin' Around, Not Doin' Nothin?

Nope.  Folks want to get out and go. Frey Produce of Orchardville, Illinois had a Watermelon Drive Through this weekend, and the line was running about 1/2 mile the entire time we were there.

Pop your trunk or rear hatch...

 ... and it's watermelons on the run!

There's a smile behind that mask!

People don't want to sit around.  They want to get Back To The Old Grind!

Patriots' Day Plus 245

Weekend Steam: Samson...

...at the Beamish Museum.  Almost a traction engine on rails, Samson was built from a photograph and an engraving of the original engine that was scrapped in 1904.  Thanks Merle, for spotting this one!

The Great Outdoors: Counting Tree Rings

This ash tree was in its early seventies, and if not for the emerald ash borer, it probably would have been good for a hundred.  Most of the ash trees in our timber died from ash yellow disease many years ago and I have to wonder if this one and a few other survivors had some sort of natural immunity to that disease.

Quarantine Fun!

                                                                     Click To Enlarge.

I made my best guess, and I was wrong!  Now I don't have a clue. Thank You, to Whomever left the surprise!

Still Two Burnin'!

The Great Outdoors: Doomed Ash Trees; Treat Them Pre-Emptively!

You know your ash trees are dying sooner, not later.  The emerald ash borer has been in Southern Illinois for several years now, and blonding of ash bark is common.  Wait until the trees are dead and you will have limbs raining down on you, and the trees will become brittle and dangerous to cut.  Wait a bit too long and your trees will topple.  Pick your conditions and take those trees down safely. We have a couple more to do this spring yet, and that will give us a good jump on firewood for next winter.

Tuesday Torque: 50 HP Samson

According to the writeup on YouTube, this Samson engine was built at Stockton, California and went to work in an Arizona mine in 1910. Walter Miller and his son David located this rare engine and took it to the Iron Ranch to be restored.  Click the YouTube icon in the lower right corner to read the description.

It's Spring And You Might Be Firing Up Your Old Tractor...

Back To The Old Grind! Safely, Please! I know a guy who hand cranked an old Farmall and it tried to go through the barn wall. I think he jumped straight up to avoid being crushed.