Not My Victrola

Here's a recording by Fritz Kreisler that is new to me. "Blue Skies" has been recorded by many artists, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised...but where has this recording been all my life?



 Just in case you aren't familiar with this song, here is Harry Richman performing it on disc in 1927.

Weekend Steam

Summer vacation time is upon us, and maybe you want to take in a steam excursion or two. This is a selection of some steam trains you can find in the western U.S.

Crankin' It Up: There's A New Victrola On The Block!

I'll have to shoot a new introduction, won't I?

New Pony In The Stable

 Friday morning we will be checking the speed of the turntable, and then we plan to do a Crankup for you on this new-to-us Victrola we have moved into the music room.  The Brunswick (and Brat) will still be featured regularly, but this new beauty will sharing duties with the old Brunny.

Stay tuned!  As soon as we have the speed set we will be recording!  We might even feature a different cat for a recording mascot.

Worthington Tractor!

 We showed a little teaser of this tractor, and now it's time to let you see the whole thing.

The model name is on the grill; it's a Chief!

 Duals for handling heavy loads.  There is a lot of iron hanging on the front end to counterbalance the oilfield engines this tractor handled.

 Definitely not a factory installation.  I wonder how many fingers this setup took during its working life.

Believe it or not, the engine is not stuck.  It was started a year ago, and the carburetor is off for a cleaning right now.

Not very pretty, but it would be a great little putt-putt for touring a gas engine show.

The gas gauge is on empty.  Ask for a fillup if you make a deal on this ride.  It's in rural Edwards County, Illinois.

Yesterday's Business

We had important business to attend to on Memorial Day.  Susan was out early collecting flowers from her garden and the wildflower patch.

She decorated several graves at Dahlgren.  This is O.T.'s.

This is a young Marine from our neighborhood.  He was buried in France, and his father had him shipped home after the war.  The information that came with the casket cast doubt on whether the soldier inside was actually John Voliva, because no identification was on the body.  Against all objectons, the father viewed the body so he would know, and it was his son, identified by his red hair. 

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Light Foundation

Ruger's auction this week is a rare special edition GP-100® with a 3" barrel, from 1988.  Read the entire description on Ruger's GunBroker page, and then place your bid.  This is a highly desirable gun for collectors, as the bidding demonstrates.  100% of the proceeds from this auction will go to benefit the Light Foundation.  The hammer falls mid-day, Wednesday, May 28, 2014.

Holy Cow!  33 bids, $1550!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday Turbo Boost

Earl Hines on the piano, 1929.

For Lloyd Bentrup...

We keep these for you. 

...Would Have Been Forty Years Old Today...

Cystic Fybrosis is a nasty disease for a kid to have, and for a family to deal with.  I have a friend in his mid-40's with CF, and he sets a record every day when he gets up.  Mike climbed up on our car when he visited one time, and left a dent in the hood.  It's still there, and it always reminds me of my little nephew.