New Thrills Every Day! Our First New Mower Since 2006!

 We have been hauling the Grasshopper back and forth through the country to mow two places, and we finally broke down and bought a second mower.  We did our research online and called two dealers to see what was out there. The second one offered a really big discount, so we made a deal. Life is good.

While we were still at the dealer we bought a couple oil filters for our new toy and inquired about the recommended oil. We were pointed to Kubota branded oil, and I read the label. Kubota is still adding zinc, an anti-wear additive that has been removed from most automotive oils, because it is bad for catalytic converters. We will be running the Kubota oil, at least until the engine is well broken in. It pays to read the label!

New Chainsaw Chaps!

 New equipment is always a thrill!

Fascinating History: Horsa Gliders

 One of the foresters I knew flew a Horsa glider into Normandy on D-Day. It stopped in a hedgerow, breaking one of his legs. He was wounded by machine gun fire when he got out of his glider, and that was the end of the war for him. He was a fascinating man who grew up on a little 40 acre farm in Jefferson County, Illinois, and was well known in the field of conservation.  Look up Sylvan Runkel on the Internet.

Tuesday Torque: Fordson Crawlers?

 I had never heard of Fordson Crawlers, but they are out there, and now we are all educated, thanks to Merle and his Internet explorations. Thank You, Merle!

Rolling Thunder!

 A nasty squall line rolled through tonight, necessitating a move to the basement until it passed. We set up exercise pens in the library and moved all the dogs down, and then back up again when it was over. It was a challenge for me with the bradycardia and heart block issues I am experiencing, but I am feeling OK now.  Only eleven more days until I see a cardiologist.

Weekend Steam II: Western Maryland 1309, The Beast Is Back!

 Great engine, Merle! Thank You!

Dynamic braking by the Diesel to test 1309.

Weekend Steam: Scott-Carver Threshers, Jordan, Minnesota

 Merles spotted another great engine show, in Jordan, Minnesota. The only problem I see is that this show is not in the same time frame as the show at Rollag, and it is a long way from where we live. The Corliss you see at the end of the news report powered an ammonia compressor for refrigeration.  Thank You, Merle!

I am pretty sure that this Advance Rumely is the engine I learned on, many years ago!

Wildlife Resort

 It is a rare day when we don't see any wildlife in our back yard. The Toms stayed way back, but I got a few photos. Mama Deer and her yearling let me get some good shots. Mama looks to be pregnant, and I think the yearling is, too. 

Hillbilly Highway: The Road Out Of Appalachia

 Susan and I lived near Highway 23 in Eastern Kentucky for several years, and witnessed the cars with Ohio and Michigan plates coming to visit every summer.

Laurel Wilt: An Imported Disease Wiping Out Sassafras....

....And spicebush. This deadly fungal disease came from Asia, in wood, as have many other forest pests. It was first found in 2002, and is now killing the sassafrases in our timber in Southern Illinois.

There is a reddish sassafras tree just to the right of the driveway, and a dead one to the right of it. Another is behind the one with fall colors. This Spring, all three of them are dead.

University of Kentucky has a good post (click) you should read about Laurel Wilt if you are a forest owner or just a tree lover. 

Spicebush is a site indicator of deep, rich, moist and well drained soil at the foot of slopes and adjacent to streams. Spicebush means that you can grow excellent black walnut, Shumard Oak and swamp chestnut oak. Foresters get excited when they find spicebush. The twigs traditionally have been used to flavor meat from wild game, especially groundhogs.

Sassafras roots and bark have been used for centuries to make Spring tonic and root beer.