Schips Like Snow

We have been staying in as much as possible during this cold and snow snap.  We go out for firewood and to walk the dogs.  They love to play in the snow, no matter the cold.  Here's Lisa relaxing in the snow after a good rip around the dog yard.

Here's Lisa in January 2018 enjoying a little run around the dog yard.

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

Here are a couple of New-Old-Stock Mk I Target pistols being offered by Ruger this week. This is a rare opportunity, so click the photos, read all about them and place your bids.  These fine pistols will sell mid-day, Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

                                                                          $910

                                                                      $1045

Second Chances For Dogs And People

                                                            Click On Photos To Enlarge.
Susan and I have been fostering Schipperkes (for Midwest Schipperke Rescue) four years now.  We did not know much about fostering when we started, and we are learning with every dog because each foster is unique.  This is our latest, Ozzie, a show dog in his senior years.  He is a champion quality dog whose owner was a Schipperke breeder until this year when her health failed.  Her dogs went to new homes and this old boy came to us as a foster to prepare for retirement as a house pet.

Ozzie lived in a deluxe kennel with his own outdoor run and was not a house dog. We often have to housebreak the fosters for various reasons, and we adjust our days to fit the dog and change their habits without stress. We use frequent walks with lots of rewards for the behavior we want. As the dogs learn how to behave they are introduced to our dogs and cats, and become part of our household.  Ozzie adjusted well to our home and liked sleeping in our bedroom at night, but he never tried to get in bed with us because our bed was already full of Schipperkes.  He learned to bark at us when he needs to go out and would go to his kennel like the other dogs when it was time for meals.  Ozzie was a joy, and we would have liked to keep him, but someone out there needed a dog like him.

Ozzie's new mom lost her Midwest Schipperke Rescue dog to old age earlier this year. She felt lost without a Schipperke, so she applied to Midwest again for a dog to adopt.  We were given her contact information, spoke to her over the phone, and took Ozzie up to St. Louis to meet her. She was the "Someone" that needed Ozzie.They hit it off, and on our second visit, with a little bit of paperwork, Ozzie was adopted.  He has a bed in every room, lots of toys, and a choice of two beds in his new mama's bedroom.  Ozzie chose her bed, though, and that is where he sleeps.  It is gratifying to see the joy in dogs and humans when they become a family.

If you have the time and inclination to foster Schipperkes in need of a home, contact Midwest Schipperke Rescue and fill out an application.  Volunteers are needed for transporting dogs, and for rescue and rehab.  Donations are welcome at the address listed on the link.

Tuesday Torque: Engines At Rollag

The Rollag show grounds is populated with building after building with fascinating displays, and tons of old iron.  Here are a few of the gas engines you will see in those permanent displays.

Want Fresh Apple Cider?

Back To The Old Grind!

Tree Bigger Than Your Saw?

This tree has been waiting for us until the crops were out. We had warm weather and favorable wind to help bring it over, so today was the day. A diameter tape showed the tree was 55 inches diameter, and our big saw has a 28 inch bar, with an effective reach of 27 inches. We have had to deal with similar situations before, and found that removing blocks around the tree is a good solution. Borecutting makes your saw as handy as a light saber for making special cuts. Find a chainsaw class if you don't know how to borecut and do open face cutting to drop a tree.

Weekend Steam Bonus: Steam Shovel Action At Rollag, Minnesota

Some great action we saw at Rollag, Minnesota.

Weekend Steam: Cute Ones Across The Pond

Merle spotted a couple good ones for this week. Wouldn't you love to have one of these in your back yard? Thanks, Merle!

Gophers Again

We dug again.  During our previous explorations for the downspout drains we found the perimeter drain on the south end of the house, and where it had been cut decades ago during a water line installation.  The far end was plugged by tree roots and it had to be replaced from the cut  outward.  We had the plumbers here this week and they got 'er done in half a day.  It's installed and covered up.  We will be leveling next Spring, and maybe we can make this yard smooth enough for Bocce Ball.

Maintenance Reminder!

Guns should be cleaned and lubed after use, especially before being stored away so they don't rust.  Your carry guns should be cleaned and lubed regularly so they are always ready to run.

Oil creeps away from the surfaces that need to move, and lint will pull the oil off.  Pocket carry should be considered as extreme service because of lint and dirt exposure.

Ignore your gun for too long and pocket dirt may prevent proper functioning.

You need only a few minutes to break down, clean, and lube most guns.  Do it at least once a month. 

Take note of of your carry ammo, too.  You need to run your gun occasionally, use up that ammo you bought five years ago and stoke up with factory fresh.

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

                                                                         $2575
You can be a winner this week with Ruger's auction offerings.  Ruger is selling a Law Enforcement Only Mini-14 from 1988. It was returned from a Minnesota Police Department and was returned to inventory.  It looks like a good one and is drawing lots of interest.  The revolver is a Ruger Service Six made in 1985 and returned in 1986.  It looks good, and it may go for a bargain price, judging from the bids as I post this.  Click on the photos to go to the GunBroker links.  Both of these fine firearms will sell mid-day, Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

                                                                               $660

Tuesday Torque: Firing Up A Field Marshall

This is really Firing Up!  You have to light a punk and put it in the combustion chamber, and then you spin the engine with a shotgun shell.  Boy, do we have it easy today! Thanks for the pick, Merle!