September 28, 2009

Char and I spent the day at my brother’s house. He had a new Geo-Thermal heating system installed. We went to see the transformation from a fuel oil furnace to one that uses well water. At first, it was difficult to completely understand how 55-degree water can provide the heating and cooling necessary to be comfortable. I think after having it explained a couple of times I hopefully understand the process. The bottom line as Bob explained is Geo-Thermal heating and cooling is a “green” system. As we have all heard, green is good. Here are a few pictures:

The existing fuel oil had to be removed prior to removing the old furnace.

This is a last look at the old furnace and oil tank in the background. The water heater was removed also. The new hot water system can be seen above the water heater chimney.

The heavy equipment arrives.

Delivering stone for the drain field.


Digging the drain field to recycle the water.

The installation is complete and Bob is happy.

Now a little yard work is needed and the job will be finished.

September 27, 2009

This weekend we went to Fall Festivals in the area. Yesterday we went to Pioneer Days at Creek Ridge County Park near Michigan City and The Scarecrow Festival at Wanatah. We were so involved with everything that I forgot to take any pictures at the Scarecrow Festival but we did buy some homemade blueberry jam. Sorry. Hmmm the jam sure is good.

Pioneer Days Festival

Today we went to the Fall Harvest Festival & Antique Equipment Show at Sunset Hill Farm County Park near Valparaiso. There was a lot to see and do and I remembered to take pictures today.

There were lots of Antique Tractors.

These guys are demonstrating silo-filling equipment.

This man is making wooden shingles.

Wagon rides around the Park were available.

This is the view from the wagon on our ride.

Doug Hall showing us the wooden saw he handcrafted.

Doug has been cutting things out of wood for over thirty years. His most outstanding achievement is a small biplane he made that is on display in Washington D.C. at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.

This is a picture of Doug as seen in his local paper and a purple heart wood airplane like the one in the Smithsonian.

Rope making demonstration.

Guys love to look at old cars like the ones they used to drive.

This was my favorite-1923 Model T Ford.

We really had a great time this weekend. It is always fun to go to the fall festivals in Northern Indiana. Of course, I’m sure there are some great festivals in your area also. May one of these years we can be in your area and you can show us some festivals in your neighborhood. Both Char and I think fall is our most favorite time of the year. Although a couple of days ago, Char said it was getting a little cool and wanted to know when we would be leaving for Florida.

As we were driving around today, we saw this sign. I believe this person wants to help others who might not be as fortunate. I’m not sure this will stimulate the economy but I’ve heard it will make your roses grow.

September 24, 2009

Today we drove about 75 miles to Shipshewana, Indiana to have lunch with my brother Bob and his wife Janette. They are enjoying their recently purchased fifth wheel trailer in beautiful Indiana's Amish Country at one of Shipshewana’s campgrounds.


We had a family style lunch at the Blue Gate Restaurant near the center of town. The food was plentiful and very delicious. We had a salad with homemade dressing, a small loaf of bread served with apple butter and Amish peanut butter, fried chicken, roast beef, green beans, noodles, corn bread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy. For desert we had pie with ice cream. No one left the restaurant hungry.

After lunch we visited an Amish farm to meet friends of Bob and Jan. We met Freda and two of her grandchildren and then went to a neighbor’s farm to watch area men working to fill a silo.

The farm owner sent us to the cornfield to see Bob’s friend and to watch the cutting, binding and hauling process. It was interesting to see three horses pulling a binder for cutting, binding and lifting corn stalks to a horse drawn wagon for transport to the chopper/blower at the silo. There were two binders working in the field. The pictures below are of Bob’s friend Sonny, on the binder and his sons John and Larry on the wagon loading the corn.

Today we witnessed labor as it has been performed for hundreds of years. It was great to see the interaction of men and horses while accomplishing one of the many tasks on a working farm.

We had a great day and it was exciting to meet Amish families and visit two different farms. Thanks Bob and Jan for a wonderful day.

September 20, 2009

Once again we are in Indiana. Yesterday we went to the Coates Reunion at Char’s brother Bill’s farm. Family members from five States, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Florida (Char) were there. It was great to see Char’s cousin Sharon and her husband Steve from Arkansas. It had been over twenty years since we had seen one another.

Everyone enjoyed the pictures from yesteryear that Sharon brought.

The potluck dinner was great as was expected. Recipes are to be shared with everyone for Norma’s fantastic Peanut Butter Pie. Afterwards, Bill gave rides in a Model T. With the temperature in the mid seventies, it was a pleasant day for a ride around the farm in a car with no windows.

Left to right: Dave, Bill, Steve, and Dick

Left to right – Sharon, Bill, Roger, and Norma

Left to right: Char, Ray, Donna, and Bill

Of course a visit wouldn’t be complete without a tour of Jeanette’s sewing room to see her new sewing machines and a trip to Bill’s shop to see his current projects.

Here Bill is describing how the gas gauge works on a Model T. In this picture you can see it is a piece of wood. This is a special stick with different markings to indicate the level in either oval or square tanks. Technology was a lot simpler then.

We had a great day and everyone had a great time catching up on the past.