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Todays operation was a total success, pulse this morning was around 110 -125 and not very strong, now it is 60 +/- and very strong.

Don’t know what you will be doing Friday but I will be having a couple closed-chest heart surgeries. Your prayers will be appreciated. During my hospitalization in January a Cardiologist did a Coronary Abrasion to correct Arterial Fibrillation which resulted from the removal of blood clots from my lungs. Follow up imaging and appointments revealed Hart Flutter and the likelihood that a Watchman device would be called for as well. The Watchman device is sort of a miniature umbrella that will be placed in the heart to close off the appendage of the heart that develops clots. Needless to say, I will be under general anastasis for all of this. The route of entry will be a long catheter that will be inserted in a large vane in the leg. I will be laying on an x-ray table with a receiver hanging directly over me. A Radiologist will monitor the procedures on a huge screen so the Cardiologist can see exactly where the device is being placed. Once the location has been confirmed my heart will be stopped while the Watchman is deployed and seated, then he will start my heart and confirm there are no leaks. The insertion device will be removed and the x-ray turned off and they will prepare for the next procedure, two Ablations. The difference between heart flutter and murmur is the murmur is caused by valve leakage and Flutter is caused by the electrical impulses from the brain not always getting where they should be. The analogy the Cardiologist used was right up my alley, he said it is like a pair of spark plug wires that are arcing to one another, the cylinder that should get the spark receives less than it should and the other cylinder gets a spark at the wrong time which fights against peak performance. Utilizing the same catheter the doctor will insert the mechanism used for this procedure, the x-ray unit will be reactivated, at this point he will stop my heart, do two Ablations inside the heart to block these nerves from each other, and then restart my heart. After a period of monitoring my heart if nothing else needs to be done the catheter will be removed and a vascular surgeon will close the vein. The Cardiologist doing both of these procedures specializes in Watchman installations, he did over 600 last year. I am extremely confident that everything will go well, but a prayer or two sure couldn’t hurt. Thank you in advance for your prayers. 953 nut AKA Dick Schmidt https://www.bch.org/media/video-center/bch-news-segments/watchman-implant-animation/

Picked up this 18' car trailer. Loved the powder coat red color (and no Uncle Jim they did not have lime green! at least in stock) The son dabbles in concrete work and we needed something just a little bit bigger looking into buying equipment. The logic was now we can haul it home if we find it! Plus, it can haul a few show machines on nice days. I will say after looking around and comparing what local dealers have, there was a huge difference in the quality. The bargain units looked like jr high welders put them together, and frames were skimped on a bit. Auction trailers were just priced right under new, I can't figure that one out. After you pay the price, buyer premium, transfer and tax it worked out to be little savings and no warranty. I ended up paying 15% more but got way better quality.

Success! This morning my pulse was 110 -125 and not very strong and now it is 60 +/- and very strong. Thank you to all who offered prayers, I am a firm believer in their power.

I think that the Friday after fathers day should be officially inducted as Nation Wheel Horse Day.

And this one has been mine for 60 years. And Mrs.Ks for 80 years. She vacationed here as a 2 yo toddler. We usually spend several weeks here every year. Just got back home after a great week with our two sons and thier wives. VID_20261009_064926134~2.mp4 We had cold and wind the first couple days so we stayed on shore to crab while the Ladies shopped. First crab of the week. This guy watched my traps all day waiting for a handout. The weather really improved and we got out to do some serious crabbing. Crab omelets for breakfast, steamed for lunch, and cakes for dinner. Feeling blessed to have a family that loves it here and keeps me in the game. Blue skies and calm seas to all.

I came across this guy a few days ago in a group of tractors I bought from an estate. It appears to be in early production 1955, and has a fiberglass hood. It has welded on nuts for the grease zurks on the front steering, a solid bar axle stop no muffler clamp holes or shifter stop it also has a suspended fuel tank without a stand, along with a cable brake. The steering mechanism does appear to have been changed as the steering shaft is the only unpainted metal on the entire machine. The steering links appear similar to the rest except the steering link attaches to the top of the drag bar on the one side and then downward on the other like standard. It has a 1200 Clinton 152 series and a large diameter rear end pulley.... The previous owner had it for 30 years. And it's exactly how he received it. I'm curious as to what the experts think? I know these little guys have had quite the life since new, but the lack of modification holes, and the completeness make me wonder if this truly is a survivor? I have more pics but hit my 16mb limit

Got my homegrown wide wheels ready for final sanding today.

When Ford brought out the 9N in 1939, the stamping dies for the hood wasn't available yet. So, the first 600 to 700 9Ns had a cast aluminum hood, but they were painted gray in the factory. The rarity of the aluminum hoods, were were prone to crack, current owners have polished the aluminum to a bright shine and leave them unpainted. The video below (not mine) shows one of these polished aluminum 9Ns.

Attempted to mount these brand new 4 ply tires. Actually felt something in my shoulder while I was leaning into my Harbor Freight tire mounting rig. Stopped before I did damage to some muscle that doesn’t see much action in my day to day activities ! Was just too much and ya gotta know when to let the pro’s handle it. Local garage popped em on for me. Gotta love all the nubbies…but they won’t last.

Spent the day with Mrs.K while she had a total knee replacement. They used the Mako Robotics System that uses a preop CT scan to create a 3D image that is used to program and guide the robot through the procedure. She was up and walking 3 hours after the surgery. So far all is well.

I have been messing about with an axe from the farm that was always around the place. That hickory handle has a shape and a feel you just cannot find today. The tool I used to clean the head is a harbor freight poly brush of which I do not remember the proper name.The two small he ammers looked pretty rough so about five minutes of cleaning the heads with the tool and then heating the wood with a torch to blacken it ( in stages so it does not dry crack) and then scraping and sanding it makes them into really nice hammers. After light scraping and sanding the blackened surface you can wet sand with linseed oil to turn the black into a chestnut reddish patina that's just beautiful. The larger ball peen hammer has the original crap varnish from the factory. The two framing hammers were signed up with the tool as well as the Doyle titanium which is a challenge. The cut down one is what I wanted for a bench hammer and body hammer. Those were both Harbor Freight and I reshaped the heads to smooth out the lines. Optional step is to run many coats of Danish oil into a scraped and sanded hickory handle and then sand it down flat and start the hand rubbed coats of linseed oil. The old gunstock guys would often use abrasive rotenstone in with the hand rubbing to polish the wood to a higher sheen. Thus is to no great purpose except to practice wood and metal finishing for other projects. I like the fact that oil finishes do not require anything special in dust free or temperature control. The tool gets into small corners and is s not prone to catching or throwing bristles. I stock up on them during thirty percent off on all items under ten dollar sales at harbor Freight

Rainy evening here so in garage tonight. Got the 702 ready for winter.

Picked up the first batch today, just to test run the Cyclone Rake on the back of my 16 auto. Also fired up the C-160 with the Mighty Mac and turned them into powder for the garden. Photo from last year - the 16 Auto in the background wasn't ready for lawn duty yet. Replaced the C-141 in the foreground with a C160. The C-120 has a pine straw rake on it this fall to help spread the ground up leaves prior to my neighbor tilling them in with his B-100.

Just returned from camping at local lake. Intended to catch a few channel catfish but that didn't work out. Good thing we saved a few hot dogs for ourselves! We like to cook outside on these trips so the Dutch oven get plenty of use. The first morning's breakfast was store bought canned cinnamon rolls. We spice them up by adding a mixture of brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon and a dash of vanilla to the bottom of the dutch oven and pour maybe 1/3 cup of sweet whipping cream before baking. It really helps the rolls. Sitting around we discussed adding the whipping cream to the small cheap canned buttermilk biscuits. The biscuits came our fluffier and with more flavor. Brother in law thinks we should try adding butter milk to the dutch oven. I almost for to take and "after" picture so a few biscuits are missing.

I have had the small Harbor Freight for over 25 years the large about 20 also have a few other tire tools. Have never had to take WH tire to the Tire shop.. Wound up cutting a couple off with a sawzall. 20 or so WHs, 3 Large tractors two military vehicles and 20 miles to a good tire place... You do it your self....

Maybe something to take your mind away or not? Well a few months back, before the big show, I ended up with a gout attack that turned septic. The infection attacking some tissue that was aggravated by loose metal in my right ankle. Long of the short, lots of antibiotics, two surgeries my foot was saved and 3 months later, I am kind of walking again. My wife in the mean time is taking care of me and the kids chipping in on the yard work etc. Then it gets worse. My wife falls and breaks both legs, one ankle just cracked and the other in a fixator, more surgery and screws and plates. Just perfect timing I still could not walk. Can't drive, can't cook, can't can't can't wow. Through the grace of God, good kids, good friends and neighbors, we got through it. (At least my issue, she is still mending) Something ironic, the Dr. that operated on me also did her surgeries. When she was in the OR he came in and said, you know I been at this over a dozen years and this is the first husband and wife procedures I have done. He said he has done relatives but not a couple. I told him that we are going for the preferred customer tee shirts. He laughed and looked at the nurse and said, maybe we can have buy 4 and get the 5th surgery free? You know like the coffee punch cards!

A lost dog wanders through the jungle. In the distance a lion sees him and whispers: "I'm going to eat him, I have never seen anything like that before." The lion then began to approach the dog in a threatening manner. When the dog realized this, he panicked, but as he tried to run away, he saw a bone nearby, and he got the idea to speak out loud. "Lion meat is delicious!" The lion suddenly stopped and said: "Wow, this guy is stronger than he looks, I better go while I can." A monkey was watching this from the tree. Apparently, the monkey thought that if he told the lion, he would get something in return. Then the monkey told the lion the truth, and the lion got angry and said: "Go on my back, and I'll take you with me." And he began to run after the dog. When the dog saw this, he realized what had happened and began to panic even more. Then he had another idea, and he yelled: "Where the heck is that monkey! I told him to bring me another lion an hour ago!"

Decided it was in time to start the winter workers up from their nap. Both started reasonably easy considering they haven't run since last winter. Same gas in the tanks as when I shut them down and I put them away. That's why I run non ethanol fuel.

Got um welded together. Found some old aluminum siding and cut me a strip out and used thatvas a backer for my weld and it worked great. I had them tacked in 3 different places and just welded a1 1/2 to 2 inch bead rotatiing wheel to a different spot trying to keep heat down a little. Ran out of supplies (primer, Bondo, sandpaper etc.) and had to quit for the day. Opie took care of some business while we where at shop also. He is a groundhog killing mochine. This is the eighth one Ive seen him kill and he has probably killed more than that

I did the last 12" 4 ply's on the floor but took 6ply 25x10x12 to the local tire shop. He has one of thoes automatic tire machine. It does 12" to large truck tires. $20 for two tires. No way I would have got them on. Got the same deal on these OR 10.50's

It's that time of year again - the semi annual migration of the house plants. We had our first frost threat last night so all t. he plants came back into the house. Since window space is limited in this old house, we end up grouping several in prime spots. Long story short , I built a plant stand. It's dry fitted for now, still needs a bit more work before it's ready to be put into service.

October 16, 1958, Chevrolet begins to sell a car-truck hybrid that it calls the El Camino. Inspired by the Ford Ranchero, which had already been on the market for two years, the El Camino was a combination sedan-pickup truck built on the Impala body, with the same “cat’s eye” taillights and dramatic rear fins. It was, ads trilled, “the most beautiful thing that ever shouldered a load!” “It rides and handles like a convertible,” Chevy said, “yet hauls and hustles like the workingest thing on wheels.”

I'm believing for your total healing in the mighty name of Jesus. I declare it done with faith believing that it will work out for God's glory for we know that all things work together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. I know that you are doing your best to follow God and you are called according to His purpose. If you ask anything in His name it shall be done. Whenever two or more agree in faith believing it shall be done. I know there are many more here in faith believing with you. Amen.

A guy sits down in a movie theater and notices that the man in front of him has brought his dog and it's sitting in the seat next to him. He thinks it's unusual, but he likes dogs so he decides that as long as it's not a distraction he won't mention it. The movie starts and pretty soon there's a funny part. The dog makes some low woofing sounds that seem like laughter. In a little while there's a sad part and the dog appears to be weeping. This continues throughout the film and the man sitting behind the dog is astounded. When the lights come up he taps the dog's owner on the shoulder and tells him, "I gotta say, and I know it sounds weird, but it seemed like your dog really enjoyed this movie." The dog owner looks at the dog and nods. "I know, it really is weird," he says, "because he absolutely hated the book."

Update: This tractor is now for sale locally. I know of this guy who has the ad, he's always having tractors for sale, so I'm sure he bought it at the auction to flipped it. Currently he wants $750 for it. Here is his ad: "OBO 14 hp Kohler ,48 inch  adjustable deck ,in front ,sharp Blades , no smoke. Tire chains ,runs like a top ,ready to mow today. It is a really fun tractor to mow with. It’s cool ,quiet spindles ,no rust.nice tractor!!!" If anyone is interested, pm me and I'll send the link, or just search fb for deals in my area. Pics from the ad:

Finished my front weight set today.

Niece and her husband are visiting so put them and two WHs to work

Damn it @Achto I was JUST going to type that!!!

Hung the new winter/plow tires on the rear of the C-145 Auto today. Can’t push snow without weights, really going to bother me to scuff up the new wheel paint but that’s life

Turning the dirt!

Reminds me of my trip to Rochester to get the cardiac cath done. My wife is horrible with directions and city driving. Plus she grips the steering wheel with a death grip at 10 and 2 and never budges. She followed the ambulance and out the rear window I could see her "drafting" the ambulance. All the way thru the lane changes, can of worms ect. We get to the hospital and I asked the ambulance driver how fast he was going. He said 80! I laughed. My wife met me at the ER entrance white as a sheet!

Hang in there! (get the three angle valve job if they offer, high performance!)

October 17, 1978, Village People released "Y.M.C.A.," on its way to hitting #1 in over 15 countries. The disco anthem that turned every wedding, gym, and stadium into a dance floor shaped like four letters.

I only saw in person one other fiberglass hood! Yes they made a fiberglass rj hood early on. Wheel Horse made the first fiberglass hood for the Senior, the earlier and bigger Wheel Horse. . My understanding is the supplier of fiberglass was from Indianapolis. The first photo is from a Senior ad piece. Second shows fiberglass hood in a private collection in Toledo, Ohio that i saw several years ago when i bought a 603 Wheel Horse from my friend John “ Brrly” Campbell! John had stored some of his tractors in this business building. The former owners main office was used to store a number of pristine restored Wheel Horse tractors! The last photo is the fiberglass hood Wheel Horse and as i have been told and recall they were called an RJ 25!

Finally got my widened wheels painted today. They actually look better in person than in pics.

Set the mowing deck low and mowed the lawn for the last time until Spring. Then drove it for another 10 minutes until the gas tank emptied. Pulled the battery and shelved it. Went thru and thoroughly cleaned everything and put it in storage.

Hi! My grandma is closing her small engine business which has been open for over 50 years. She was a Wheel Hose dealer, and is looking to sell tractors, parts, and memorabilia to fans who would appreciate them Please private message me if you are willing to travel to Marion, IN for pick up.

Finished up the xc ski chair touch ups and kids size ski chair today... Fun projects!!!

What was even more useful than the first telephone? The second telephone.

Spent a few days gathering parts and painting. Put three coats of paint on the wood. Went out this morning and assembled it. Took it out front and did a photo op in front of the Halloween decorations. Used the matching Roper to move it. The wife threw in some deadheaded flowers to take to the compost while it was there. So it has already been put to work.

October 12, 1900 First modern submarine is commissioned by the US Navy as the USS Holland, named for its designer John Philip Holland.

October 14, 1994, The Shawshank Redemption had a limited premiere in the USA on September 23, 1994, followed by a wider release on October 14, 1994; it initially wasn't a big box office hit but became a beloved classic over time.

Never seen that technique uesed to smooth a gravel driveway before, guess it works prety well.

Looking around our property today I enjoyed the red color coming on to the Dogwoods. This put me in mind of a little joke I pulled on my wife when we first bought the property.. As we walked around the property I was telling my wife what species each tree was and if it was a nut tree. When we got to the first Dogwood, she asked how she could identify it as a dogwood. I told her that the bark was the best way to pick one out, she throuly examined the tree's exterior covering. At that time I snuck up behind her and BARKED LIKE A DOG. Well, at least one of us thought it was funny.

So it is written, so it shall be done...

Nothing to stir. Columbus Day is a governmental holiday. You are free to celebrate it or not, in any manner you wish or not. That’s what makes this Country unique. And something to be celebrated. Warts and all. Same with all the other days, weeks, months etc. for the myriad of events, causes and remembrances... Perhaps we could all look at things as NOT zero sum comparisons... Just a thought.

Eric, those photos of you doing WORK remind me of my wife's opinion of the "Home Renovation" shows on TV. She always tells me the host of the show is filmed holding tools and then gets out of the way so the workers can actually accomplish the task. Nice of BBT to allow you to look like you did the job.

I got all coked up today ... the evaporator fan wires were brittle and cracked and a short waiting to happen. Unit bearing motors are not meant to be taken apart and this one was hardwired. I was up for the challenge and replaced the cable. Rewired the rest of the cooler while I was at it. I dated this thing around early 50s.