Nasty Little Buggers: Bagworms!

Bagworms are with us every summer, appearing in May in Southern illinois, but you won't notice them unless you look for them.  They start out small, and you have to really look hard to see them in late May and early June.  Now that we are in mid-July, they are easy to see, but most folks don't notice the insect in its little camo-sack; they notice them by the damage they cause.

These insect larvae will just about double in size during the remaining summer months, and they blend in well enough that most homeowners don't notice them until the needles on their favorite conifer are nearly gone.

Will your tree recover from this much damage?  If you kill the bagworms now, there is hope,but you should have done it a couple weeks back.  Malathion, the recommended insecticide, often won't kill bagworms with the recommended application strength once the larvae are as large as these.  BT spray is more effective at killing large larvae, but you should go to a garden shop and buy a new bottle if your BT has been sitting on the shelf in your garage for a few years.

Worth Every Tear

Kipling Says: We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent,
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve;
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long -
So why in - Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear? 

Read The Entire Poem.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

Ruger keeps on amazing us every week with the wonderful treasures they are pulling out of their safe. This Military Model Service Six is a special revolver indeed. Ruger says: "We have for auction a Service-Six® Military Model double-action revolver. The serial number on this revolver is 153-55968, and the test fire date is April 6, 1978. The revolver has never been fired beyond normal testing during manufacture and was packaged in a special preservative foil wrap for over thirty years. The revolver was removed from the packaging so you can see what you are bidding on. An original Technical Manual for the Service-Six Military Model revolver is included with this auction. Sturm, Ruger produced this .38 Special revolver for the U.S. Army Armament Material Development and Readiness Command, and is marked “U.S.” at the right front of the frame." CLICK HERE to read the rest of the description and to place your bid on GunBroker.com.

True Blue Sam's Advice For The Love Worn

Those anniversaries sure are piling up, and there isn't much help out there for finding just the right gift every year.  You all probably remember that 35 is Ratchet Loppers.   Is a shovel an appropriate gift for 38?  You have to be careful treading here.  It is the perfect gift...

...If it's a Super Shovel!  Don't make the mistake of buying your wife a plain old round nose shovel, or something like this might happen to you!

Stevens Sure Shot: One More Reason You Should Go To Reno!

Engineering Johnson has announced a fantastic surprise for folks who attend the Gun Blogger Rendezvous this year.  EJ bought this Stevens Sure Shot, cleaned off the grime and corrosion and will be adding it to the raffle prizes at the annual Rendezvous in September.  CLICK HERE to go over to his blog and read all about this fine little firearm.  THEN, click over to the Gun Blogger Rendezvous site for all the information you need to register and make your travel plans.

The addition of this little rifle brings the number of guns being raffled to three.  Hi-Point will be donating another of their fine pistol caliber carbines, and Ruger will be sending a stainless .357 Blackhawk to Mr. Completely for the raffle. 

The Gun Blogger Rendezvous isn't just for bloggers; it's for anyone who is interested in shooting, Second Amendment rights, and following the gun blogs.  You will meet and visit with other shooters, from the casual ones to world class competitive shooters.  The Rendezvous is very much like a family reunion, and you will have three days of range activities, plus great meals, stimulating speakers, and of course, the big raffle to raise money for Project Valour-IT.  Don't miss it!  Click the links, register, and make your travel plans.

Here It Comes Again, Already

                                                                     Back To The Old Grind!

Not My Victrola: Farewell To A Friend

It hasn't been very long since Major Chuck Ziegenfuss took down his blog, and now another blogger associated with the Rendezvous has shut his door; it brought this Woody Guthrie song to my mind, even if it's from a different place, another time. It's always hard to say goodbye to friends, and this song captures that. We will miss you, Derek. Uploaded by Alberto Al, and copied from the Library of Congress. The Dustbowl years came up in conversation with Mom recently. The day she was born, the temp was 104 Farenheit. That was an at-home birth, pre-electric fans and air conditioning. That would be a tough day to push out a baby.

Weekend Steam: I Want One Of These For The Pond!

This fine little steam boat is a home-built project from Sri Lanka. Too Much Fun.

Crankin' It Up: Skipper Joins Team Brunswick; Brat Is Not Impressed

The Whistler And His Dog by TrueBlueSam

Arthur Pryor's Band recorded this rare novelty number on June 18, 1913.  Skipper, the Schipperke wanted to be in on this one with Brat, the record being about a dog and all.  Brat stayed on his end of the Brunswick, and wasn't too happy about a dog invading his space.

Floral Jocularity

Some People Keep You In Their Thoughts...

...some keep you in their prayers; squared!  Our friend Father Malottke prints these on an antique press in his shop, performs a Mass for you, and never forgets anniversaries or birthdays.  It's not easy with Parkinson's Disease dragging him down.  Thank You, Father Malottke.

Disappearing Act

You Pick!

A) Ramshackle
B) Shabby
C) Dilapidated
D) Help Me, I'm Melting!