Godiva Has Settled In

I hope her feelings aren't hurt too bad when it is time to move on.  She will be a fine companion for someone. 

She enjoys a little lap time every evening, and goes to her kennel for meals and bedtime just like the rest of the dogs.

She likes the sunny spots on the floor.  Dogs figure that out pretty quick.

Chicago Is...Listen To The Aldermen

Holy Cow!  Profanity Warning.

Chainsaw Appreciation

We're hitting our outdoor work just about every day.  We cleaned up a patch of honey locust and are now pushing back an edge that has grown out with leaners and mis-shapen trees.  Here we are starting on a snag, after I tapped on it to see if it was solid enough to stick a saw into.

We don't trust snags.  Drive in a wedge to tip it, and it is likely to lift the hinge apart rather than bend it.  I put the loader against it for a gentle push.

Surprise!  It is a mostly solid, very dry, black oak!  This will be good wood for the stove next winter.  It just needs to be cut, split and stacked in the barn.  No drying time needed.

Tuesday Torque: Root And Who?

Root and VanDervoort!  Made in Moline, IL.  This is a brand that was sold by John Deere.  Go Here to read a very good historical writeup about these great engines.

Stay Sharp!

There's a lot going on this week.  Plan every move; have an escape plan. Throw chips, not dust!

                                                           Back To The Old Grind!

Roaring Twenties Music: Alcoholic Blues Helps Set The Mood!

The Alcoholic Blues was introduced in 1919, and was popular in sheet music, piano rolls and discs.  Susan and I still enjoy singing this one.

Brass Man Bart: Polka di Basso, by E. C. Ramsdell, 1896

Brother Ben has assembled another performance with his tuba and euphonium.   These are really great, Ben!

Weekend Steam: Classic Railroad Action!

Thank You Merle! We appreciate your picks!

Sighting In One Shot At A Time

I'm checking out a new-to-me rifle in .308.  It came with a scope already installed, so I set up at 25 yards and fired one shot.  It was high and right, so I measured, made adjustments and put it away for the next day. At 100 yards, slung up and settled into Natural Point Of Aim, I got a good trigger break when my breathing brought it to the center. I measured, adjusted, and couldn't resist another shot.

 1 1/2" high at 100 yards.  Next shot will be at 200 yards, and then deciding how much correction to dial in.  Good rifles are a joy.  Going prone with a sling is great therapy.

Diggity Doggone

We watched the camera, and the drain line coming from the house was mostly plugged.  We washed it out and ran the camera again, finding two broken places under the slab on the west side of the house.  Concrete saw and jackhammer for the next step.  Aargh! (The hole is filled and the sod is settling.)

Hot Diggity!

Most people are trying hard to return to normal, at least out where we live.  The plumber is coming tomorrow and our latest hole-in-the-yard is waiting for him.  That was a lot of dirt to move by hand, but at least it was moist and easy to dig.

The Mt. Vernon Public Works guys were in front of our veterinarian's office, widening the driveway and installing a new culvert.

One of our local acquaintances has a trackhoe and bulldozer business.  He met a truck as he passed one of our farm fields, moved over, and the soft shoulder pulled him into the ditch.  His luck held and his hoe did not roll over, but it was close.  He had to knock some trees out of our little shelter belt in righting his machine, but we are ready to retire those trees anyhow. 

He had it ready to load up again when we left him. I hope all of our readers can see normalcy at the end of the tunnel soon.

Tuesday Torque: Armstrong Corn Shellers

These machines will develop a kid's work ethic and he will feel great, pulling his weight on the farm. Susan and I shot these photos and video segments at Pinckneyville last October.