Antique Gas Stove

I love cooking with gas stoves. But hate the way modern ones are so poorly built for cleaning. I love old stoves and know several locals that still use gas or wood stoves like this one. 

It is in mint condition only too short for me. If you are looking for one like this got to Freakin' Antiquin' in Springfield, Missouri and ask about the stove by the restrooms that is for sale,

The enamel inside is like it has never been used. No dents, no rust no missing parts. I hope to have one like this one day.

Cat Bite

As a person who works with cats, fosters cats, rescues cats and has cats -this was a humbling day. We visited a friends farm to fix a computer. Her white barn cat came running out to greet us and get pet/attention. It was very affectionate and kind of a bully. When my friend  asked how to go about clipping her claws - I showed her and got a bit for my troubles.

Thankfully it  is UTD on its rabies and I let my hand bleed out after I let it go. Yes, it hurt- a lot. I washed with soap and water several times and checked for any foreign bits in my hand. I bandaged it and then finished the rest of our visit. I came home and drew the circles around the teeth marks to track swelling and possible infection. You can have serious problems with cat bites. I am also UTD on my tetanus after a broken nose moving cattle one day. Yes, it hurts after 3 days but nothing is swelling  up and nothing is broken. I will be more cautious with strange cats in the future.

Fantastic Caverns

Here in Missouri there are a lot of caves. One of the oldest is in Springfield, Fantastic Caverns. This photo is the fire/coal driven generator for lights in the cave used originally after candle light. Today it is all electric lights.

It is big but very low ceilings. You will have to duck a few times as you are driven around the cave. No bats, just propane powered jeeps pulling carriages under the ground. There are about 4 of these running during the summer season. It is not a long a ride as I had hoped. But it was fun.

Very old cave formation and no bats.

The visitors were all from all over the map. But this was our first time.If you like caves this was pretty neat.

Antique Ironing Stool Restoration begins

I saw this at a yard sale at a friends farm and no one wanted it. I have never seen nor used one but wow do I need one. Modern ironing boards are tall, heavy, rickety and take up a lot of space. This well used by a single family for generations was what I have been looking for. 

It is the right height for my short frame, heavy duty ironing table converts to a stool in short order. This means I can use it then have a table or stool nearby.The leg had be replaced well at some point to continue it usefulness. However there are many coats of oil based paint on this stool. And the original padding is dry rotted. Restoration begins while the weather is good.

Tools of the restoration

The original turquoise blue paint under the white.

Slipped in layers of muslin and padding

Yes, that is horsehair under there.

 After diving into the stool the paint removal will be a long chore. I need to take it apart and stripping will go faster. So I have to stop and work on caging extra roosters and planting my tomatoes. Rain is called for soon and the garden waits for no one.