How To Be A Bad Logger!

The step cut, or as I call it, the domino cut, can be useful to a logger, and to landowners who must cut trees.  It is illegal to use per OSHA regulations if you are using it to drop trees like dominoes as one tree pushes the next.  It is a stunt that loggers like to do, just to show that they know how, and it will get you run off of a job real quick if the boss catches you playing dominoes. The usefulness of this cut is that it holds a tree steady for you until you are ready to push it or winch it over.  It is really handy when you have edge trees that are heavy to the outside of the timber, and you need the trees to fall in.  Driving wedges is tiring, especially on a hot day.  Set the tree up and then push it with equipment to make your day run a little easier.  Here is a pecan tree that Susan and I set up, followed by a tree that was harvested several years ago on the edge of our timber.  Jason, our logger, set it up a bit differently than I do, but the mechanics and the results are the same.

Tuesday Torque: Visit Boonville, Indiana!

We have always enjoyed the time we spend at the Boonville show.  It is on next weekend and there should be a good turnout, since there aren't very many competing shows this year.  Here are a few of the machines we have watched over there.

Not Every Show Is Cancelled!

Old Threshers at Mt. Pleasant, Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag,  American Threshermen Association at Pinckneyville all have had to cancel their main shows this year. What's a person to do? Go to Boonville, Indiana next weekend! They are having their summer show!  I hope it goes well!

                                                          Back To The Old Grind!

July 24, 25, 26 (click)

Roaring Twenties Music: Let The Rest Of The World Go By, Henry Bur

Released May, 1920.

Swiper's One Year Adoptiversary!

All of the dogs we foster are special to us, but the seniors really tug at your heart.  Swiper was found wandering the streets of a major Midwestern city and luckily, he was pulled into foster care very quickly.  We had his teeth done, spent just a little effort making sure that he was housebroken satisfactorily, and fell in love with this sweet old boy.

He went to his new home a year ago this weekend. We called and had a great visit with his family yesterday.  He gets the best of care and is very happy being the senior dog in a pack of well behaved Schips.

More Interest, More Shooters

Social unrest, mobs and riots have sparked new interest at the Carmi Rifle Club.  People are coming to Pistol League to practice regularly and we are getting new members. Many are now realizing they may have to defend themselves in their home or in their car when traveling.  The interest is not just in little pocket pistols for concealed carry.  This week we laid out a variety of single action revolvers, lever action rifles, plus pump and double barrel shotguns. Those who are new to shooting are limited in their knowledge of "cowboy" guns.  TV westerns were cancelled more than fifty years ago, and the guns that have fascinated old timers for decades are a new and novel tool for a large segment of the population.  We grew up watching westerns where revolvers were loaded, shot, unloaded and reloaded, cartridges were stuffed into the gates on Model 73s and 92s, and shotguns had ears. Operating these guns is second nature to "Boomers," and we are only too glad to coach those who want to learn how to run them.  We started everyone on .22s, then moved up to .38s and .44 Special. The shooting was impressive, with very few misses shooting guns that were a new experience. Good Times!

Weekend Steam: Coal Fired 16 mm Gauge, Cute!

Merle keeps picking 'em!  Thank You, Merle!  This is a cut little engine!

Silly Dog Tasks

We are having fun with the foster Schips this year, and learning new tricks to teach dogs how to be good companions.  Godiva is really fond of me, but she lived in a kennel, not a home, and she needs to be monitored closely for her housebreaking skills.  She does not like rain, she does not like the heat of the day.  She might make a little puddle and want to come inside.  You gotta learn each dog. 

Our strategy is to carry Godiva to the far end of the dog yard until we know she has done all of her business.  Little Lisa Marie needs encouragement to walk because of her knee surgery, so I take a dog under each arm.

They love the extra attention and this little effort is paying off with both dogs. That's Sisko watching the festivities.  He's wondering how come he's not getting a ride.

Brass Man Bart: Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight....

...Holy Cowbell!  Eleven tracks on this one!  Great Stuff, Ben!

Tuesday Torque: You Turn The Crank, Colt Provides The Thrill

For only 60 Gs, you can own one of these.  Rural King has one of these in their current ad, and the family of True Blue Sam is going to let the readers have first crack at buying this fine machine. CLICK HERE to buy!

Grist For The Mill...

Grain Elevator, Charles Konowal, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Back To The Old Grind!  Many Thanks To Engineering Johnson for this pick!

Weekend Steam: The Welsh Pony Under Steam, After 80 Years!

This is a great video.  The Welsh Pony last ran in 1940, but in June this year it came back to life!  Many Thanks for the pick, Merle!