Weekend Steam: Union Pacific 4014

Merle thinks like we do, and he has been watching the Big Boy.  We have also been checking out the 4014 on YouTube regularly.  Thank You, Merle!


Steam engines in snow are dramatic. Here is one that we enjoyed this week as the Big Boy headed to Sharon Springs, Kansas.

Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789." G. Washington

Ruger's Auctions To Benefit The USA Shooting Team And The Light Foundation

                                                                                $535
Both of these guns sell mid-day, Wednesday, November 27, 2019.  Click on the photos to go to the GunBroker links.

                                                                                 $605

Marvin Wilkerson, Our Farmer, Our Friend

Our neighbor Marvin Wilkerson passed away recently.  If you have watched our videos of harvesting on the farm, that was Marvin operating the equipment.  Marvin loved John Deere tractors, and that is what he and Donna farmed with for more than sixty years.  He has been farming Patti's ground for more than forty years.  His obituary is here.  We shot a little video in September of Marvin combining beans on the back 40.

Rest In Peace, Little Friend

Little Lightning showed up in the Fall of 2012 after we moved in to take care of Patti. He was a very wild, frightened dog.  We put food out for him and soon he was hanging around the house, but he slept out in the woods under a treetop on the ground.  We couldn't touch him.  He eventually learned that food was available when we called, and he liked to sleep in his doghouse with the heating pad under his bed. We were able to catch him one time and we had his vaccinations done.

 He tangled with cars a couple times, and his right front leg was broken and never healed.  Lightning was a good driveway alarm, so we knew when company arrived almost without fail.  Susan and I went to Carmi for a meeting at the rifle club Monday night, and when we returned, Lightning did not come around for treats.  We figured that something had happened to him, and this morning I found him in the road at the south end of the property.  It is always a difficult task to bury one of our little friends.  Lightning lived life on his own terms, never letting us get close to him, but we were able to keep him fed and sheltered.  We will miss the little guy.

Tuesday Torque: George Kester's Collectables....

...for superb Christmas presents!  George Kester is still making cast toys for kids of all ages in his shop.  These are 100% old-time toys, made in America by a steam engine man.  I have bought many for kids in our family, but even adults enjoy having a few of these to display in a place of honor. Click the picture from Kester's website to have a look.

Here are some that we have purchased in years past.  These are keepsakes that your kids, grandkids, nephews and nieces will keep all their lives. Check out the catalog on the website and give George a call!

Give Thanks To Those Dedicated Engine Enthusiasts!

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam: Russell 16-48 Pulls A Sled

Merle spotted another good one.  This is a Russell rated at 16 HP on the drawbar, but at well over a century of age, it is running at just 105 pounds in the boiler.  It still puts on a good show!  I would like to see what this engine could do at 150 pounds.  Thanks, Merle!  Russells are pretty!

The Things I See

The boundaries need touching up regularly as old posts and boundary trees slip away.  I was adding some posts this week and examined this old remnant.  You can see a nail inside the stem that was bent over a barbed wire, but look above that at something out of place.

Somebody drank a cool one and left the empty tucked into a fork; probably about sixty years ago.  No Deposit, No Return, I guess!

Ruger's Auctions To Benefit The Light Foundation And The USA Shooting Team

                                                                              $560
Two great pistols are being offered by Ruger this week; one to benefit the USA Shooting Team, and the other to benefit the Light Foundation. Click the photos to go to read all about both guns and to place your bids.

                                                                             $805