Dead Men Do Bleed

Friday, August 14, 2020

The Devil Wears LaCrosse

Walking old Jack Dog yesterday morning I observed a track in the driveway that didn't belong. It was narrow, not a car, tractor or utility vehicle. I turned around and looked behind me; the log splitter was gone. It happened sometime after 10 PM and morning, and one of the neighbors told us that he had something setting off an alarm around 2 AM.

I found footprints. The thief walked in on the old section of road, and in the dark walked through mud. The tracks are plainly LaCrosse rubber boots, but the mud did not print the size rectangle. They should put serial numbers on them and register all buyers, I guess. The County Sheriff came out, took photos and notes, and we sent him documentation for our splitter, on the long chance that they encounter it somewhere. I have long held that thieves don't steal anything they have to work with, so the thief probably had a buyer lined up. We had lots of storm damage locally, so our machine is probably helping some buyer of stolen goods work up a tree.

It was a good machine. We have been using it since the fall of '09, and it has helped send many trees up the flue. It was full of gas and had clean oil; ready to work.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Brass Man Bart: The Old Grey Mare

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Brass Man Bart: Colonel Bogey!

Another one you will love from Brother Ben!

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Brass Man Bart: Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay!

I love this! I think you will, too!

The Hard Part Of Having Pets

Black Bart had a long life, and a good one because we took him in when he showed up as a feral Tom cat. He's been on heart medication since 2008, but his ticker wore out last week and he went downhill pretty quickly. Finding him hidden with Brat's owl doll told me that he knew it was the end. He was ready to go see his old friend.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Brass Man Bart Blows His Bugle!

Sunday, July 19, 2020

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!

Thursday, July 16, 2020

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.