1987 Vintage Technology on a 2011 Vintage Kid

Oooh - What's this?!?!  It's amazing technology from 1987ish.  

A calculator watch has a zesty appeal to a 5 year old boy.  

Wow - Look at him calculate!  

What moves!  Even without a calculator watch, that's pretty cool!

Grandpa's Old Axe

I have my Grandpa's old double bit axe.  It's been moving from here to there in my barn because I don't quite know what to do with it.  Who uses an axe anymore?  Well, perhaps I would if it was refinished and prettied up.  So, that's what I intend to do.

Here's the old axe.  It's a pretty long dude.

It's called a "double bit" ax because it has two cutting edges.

The stamp in the head of the axe shows it was made by Brown Camp Hardware Company.  Interestingly, this is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.  And right downtown, too!  That old building is now a bunch of hippie apartments and condos.

There is a lot of surface rust to clean up, and both cutting

 edges have a few knicks and dings to work out.  

The handle is in good shape, except it has a lot of dirt and grime, and some paint overspray from house projects of yesteryear.

I plan to sand off all that grime and make that old wood look a good deal better.  Perhaps then I'll be motivated to swing it a few times, but I'll probably just hang it on the barn wall as a decoration.

As a side story, my kids call it a "battle axe".  I just can't picture ol' Grandpa swinging around a "battle axe", but it's a fun thought to think about.  I asked my kids, "How do you know what a battle axe is?"  And they referred me to their new favorite Muppets Video.  

Click here:  Pumpkin Pie a la Bazooka

Picking Blackberries

What better time of year to go out berry picking that on a hot and muggy July day?  Heat index of 105 ensures good, plumb blackberries and mosquitoes.  A big rain a week ago plumped them right up (the berries, that is).

Here's Kiddo #3 lamenting his empty bowl.  What a kook!

Saturday At Home

A year ago this weekend, we had the big tornado-and-or-straight-line-winds come through and tear down quite a few trees.  I finally cleaned up the last of the damage a year after the fact.  This pine tree by the driveway had its top fall off, but I didn't clean take down the rest of the tree until today.  

It was 8 loads with the wood wagon, and this is all that is left - just the trunk chunks.  Of course, this means we had to have hot doggies for supper.  That's just fine with me.

While out and about taking pictures, here's a pic of my new railing.  I'm very pleased with it.  It's only taken 4 or 5 years to finish.  

And more bonus pictures as I was out:

Number 2 Kiddo out in his sandbox.

He's pleased with his creation in sand.  

And Number 3 Kiddo had his hair cut outside tonight.  That saves alot of cleanup time, and it was so nice and cool outside tonight.

One Lawnmower Per Family Member

I don't know why I buy junky stuff off Craigslist.  I think it's a disease.  I am now up to 5 lawnmowers in the barn.  Here is the inventory:

#1

My John Deere 420 with new Vanguard 23hp engine 

This is my main mowing machine, and works just great.  I have

no plans to give up on it for it has rarely failed me in the past.

#2

The John Deere 316

I got this machine for free because it had a broken connecting rod.

I repaired that and gave it a cheap rebild, and now it is my most

 reliable little tractor.  I use it mostly for moving around the old 

wagon, hauling yard debris and tools, and giving kids rides.

#3

The Snapper

I bought this dude last year at an auction for the 

dazzling low price of $7.50.  I want to get it to 

running condition so I can use the leaf-sucker-upper.

#4

John Deere 420 without engine

I use this one as a parts unit, and also to model and mock up

my new front end sickle bar mower project.  I want to jump

back on that project for that was fun and could be useful.

Perhaps someday I'll run across an engine for it, too.

 #5

The "new" John Deere 140

This model is revered the world over for some ingenious firsts.

I bought it with the intention of getting it running and perhaps

having one of the boys drive it around as a good beginner lawn

mower.  Now that I see it, I think I'll simply get it into decent

running condition, and sell it for a quick profit.