Ruger's Auction To Benefit The USA Shooting Team

Ruger is offering a rare one again this week.  It is a straight-pull bolt action (Not Semi-Auto) Mini-14 that was made for export to the UK. It was built in 2000, has a Zytel stock and fiberglass hand guard, bayonet lug, flash suppressor, folding rear peep sight, and scope rings.  CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place your bid for this unusual Mini-14. It will sell mid-day, Wednesday, July 31, 2019.  $1625

Tuesday Torque: More Than Knowing What To Flip

Starting early gas engines and tractors can be tricky for a novice. You have to get your head into that four stroke cycle, and be thinking about when the mag is going to click over.

Yard Work Reward

Yard work in the country means brushpiles and then wienie roasts.

Back To The Old Grind!  Ready for S'mores?

July 24, 1944

The USS Colorado was shelling Tinian prior to the invasion and was hit 22 times by Japanese shore batteries.  Remember these men.   Here is one of the survivors.  It is good to see one of Lloyd Bentrup's shipmates still up and going.

Lost Dog; Wild Week

Our friend Michele, who is one of the founders of Midwest Schipperke Rescue, had a pup escape this week.  Mina (Sister of Vinnie) got out on Monday and disappeared into a double-planted corn field.  Susan and I spent three days studying aerial photos, searching, and talking to lots of people who live in the area.  Michele spent most of her waking hours driving, looking, and giving her phone number to everyone in the area. The efforts paid off today when one of the families Michele contacted called her with a sighting.  Michele and a friend were soon on site and retrieved the little Schip.  Here is Michele's post on Facebook.  What a relief!  We have been sick thinking of the possibilities with storm drains, gullies, coyotes, and heavy traffic.  We all can sleep easy tonight.

Weekend Steam: Big Boy In The Midwest!

The Big Boy is on tour right now!  It will be on display in West Chicago this weekend and will be heading west again next week.  Click Here to see the schedule and take a day off!  This video shows the Big Boy in Wisconsin this week.

Seldom Seen Insect Treat

I think I have seen exactly three of these in my life.  It's a mole cricket. Not a bug you want to see in your greenhouse, but neat to look at.  I saw my first one fifty years ago.  I collected one for Entomology a couple years after that, but don't remember where I found it.  (I may still have it in a cigar box!)  This one was in the garage tonight.  Kinda like running into an old friend. Internet sources say that it is a serious pest of turf, especially golf courses.  Our yards do not come close to golf course standards, even for the Rough, so No Problem!

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The USA Shooting Team

Ruger is offering a used Police Service Six in .357 this week.  This firearm was returned to the factory for unknown reasons, and it is marked as used.  Go Here to see the photos on Ruger's website before you bid.  It appears to my eyes that someone thought Stainless Steel was impervious to corrosion and dings.  There are darkened areas and pits.  It looks as though someone liked salty foods and failed to wash their hands before touching the gun.  Oh Well, it is for a good cause, but this is a truck gun, not a collector, or one you will want to show off.  Click Here to read the entire description and to place a bid if you are so inclined.  The photos remind me of seeing used lawnmowers that are returned to stores at the end of summer.  Some people will abuse the good nature of others.  $655

Tuesday Torque: Husqvarna 346 XP Resurrected A Second Time!

Got Granite?

Get Gravel!


Back To The Old Grind!