Fathers

I am surrounded by fantastic fathers. These inspiring, caring men enrich the lives of Lil and I:

l to r - Mitch, my dad; Mike, my uncle; Tom, Alex's dad, click to enlarge

My dad, Mitch, is patient and funny. He encouraged his four girls to be strong curious women, enduring the resulting loud and confusing dinner conversations. I clearly picked up Dad's love for the outdoors, good food and strong drink. Speaking of eats, allow me to add home cook extraordinaire Uncle Mike to this list. While not a biological father, Mike opens his heart and home my cousins and myself with as much generosity and kindness as a father would. He's a fun-loving man, always creating something, always ready for an adventure.

Tom, Alex's father, inspires me to think and question. He has been a father figure in my life as long as I can remember. I admire that he is a life long learner, fearless traveler, and hard-working artist. Most of all I thank Tom for his part in raising his son, my partner.

Because of the men I grew up with, I expected that Alex would be an engaged dad. He is. Alex includes Lil in his interests, patiently answers her questions about history and language, and is a great friend to her friends. He is a curious cook, keeping us in bread and sausage, and always pushing us to try new things.

I am painfully aware that many, if not most, women never experience such strong and loving fathers. I am thankful for Dad, Uncle Mike, Tom, and Alex every day, but especially this day. Happy Father's Day, y'all!

DIY Historic Ammunition

Alex and I make all sorts of things ourselves: confit, counter tops, hard cider, chicken coops...stuff most people prefer to buy.  We like getting a little messy and learning exactly how things are created. Even given our penchant for handmade goods, we freely admit that Alex's birthday gift of homemade ammunition for his father this year is bit of do-it-yourself over-achievement.

The Back Story

Tom, Alex's dad, has a Springfield Model 1873 rifle, more commonly known as the Trapdoor Springfield.  He was gifted the firearm, made around 1880, from Alex's mother's mother twenty years ago.

It is likely that the rifle hasn't been shot in about a hundred years, knowing the family history.  Neither Tom nor Alex have fired the gun, and can't but for the birthday present.

You see, modern commercial ammunition is loaded to higher pressure levels than the black-powder era Springfield.  Firing with modern ammunition could be unsafe and would likely cause heavy wear on the rifle. Ammunition can't be easily purchased, so the gun cannot be shot.

Until now.

Click pictures for biggerness.

Making Ammunition

Starting in November, Alex melted several blocks of 'clean' lead radiation shielding from a Brownfield cleanup project he and his father worked on.  He poured the lead into a historically accurate profile in a modern mold and allowed the bullets to cool.

Next he loaded casings with smokeless powder and crimped the casings to the bullets. He tumbled the cartridges to clean off residual grease. Then, Lil and I wrapped what is certainly the most weight-per-volume gift in our family history.

Now Tom has twenty opportunities to shoot with this historic rifle. Alex invited his dad to an afternoon at an outdoor range once the weather turns warm again so they both have a chance to see how the old gun performs.  More than a useful present, this gift was a labor of love.

Happy Birthday Tom!

Recipe for Black Powder Equivalent 45-70 Load

for any reloaders who found this post through a search engine, as typical Hounds in the Kitchen readers are unlikely to cook up ammunition any time soon

405 grain cast lead bullets

33.5 grains Alliant Reloder 7 powder

Winchester large rifle primers

New Starline brass cases

1. The cases can be sized using any commercially available reloading dies.  In this case, Hornady 45-70 New Dimension Reloading Dieswere used in a Lee Cast Iron 4 Hole Turret Press.

2. After sizing and priming, add the powder charge.  Reloder 7 is a fast-burning powder for use in small varmint calibers, but also in the larger, older 45-70.

3. Seat the bullet and crimp the case.  Overall length of the cartridge is 2.65 inches.

Maybe someday I'll write about my journey from a gun fearing pacifist to a person whose spouse produces ammunition. Would any of you care to read about my views on weapons?

Hanging Out Our Shingle for the Open House

Seven long years ago, Alex's father Tom Baillieul made a two sided British style pub sign for us.  It featured the name of our business dream at the time, The Baying Hound, a micro-brewery.  Many years and business ideas later, the sign is finally hanging.

What held us up for many years was lack of a hanger.  I finally realized we could make one and traced out a design on cherry plywood last weekend.  Alex cut it and we spent the week applying coats of Spar Urethane.  All materials were leftovers from making our wooden kitchen countertops.

Alex screwed the hanger into a window frame.  The rest of our house is sided in asbestos shingle which we dare not disturb.

Two s-hooks attached the sign to the hanger and we're in business!

I love the inclusion of Devie's likeness and our names in this sign.  Most of all, it feels great to finally have Tom's artwork displayed in proper fashion.  If you want to see more of his creations, visit his website EarthFriend Arts.

The pub sign will be proudly displayed at our early summer Open House.  On Saturday, June 5 from 11 am - 1 pm we invite visitors of all ages to the homestead.  Come enjoy iced tea and seasonal treats while you peruse the garden and visit the chickens at 349 Tibet Rd Columbus OH 43202.  I hope to see you there!