Chaos in the Wires

Like order and direction? Then don't look behind Hawkeye Downs' chaos garbage pile in 42N country. Actually its an area where various constructions materials are collected and sorted before being recycled. Hawkeye Downs consists of an ASA raceway, camping facilities and exhibition buildings. Are these tangled wires randomly placed or chaotically bundled? Probably just a clump of disorder -- for the moment. Know that.

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Umbrella Clothes Bars - 1904

Something so simple represents something so practical. A patented clothes dryer from 1904 recently was offered at auction in 42N country's Traer, Iowa. eBay sold one of these for about $50 recently. Whether you remember using one of these or not the practical technology is always something to keep in mind if you need to dry clothing. New line dryers go for $75 or so but don't look so cool. Know that.

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Iowa's Guardian of Forever

"A question. Since before your sun burned hot in space, and before your race was born, I have awaited ... a question." STOS, Ep. 28.

While not quite the time portal portrayed in science fiction, this gate mimicks the Guardian's distortion of time. By remaining chained and locked for years the Guardian has kept this wooded area secure from development. But for how long as the property is nearing sale.

Before leaving this 42N country relic it seemed to say, "Time has resumed its shape. All is as it was before," and added, "Many such journeys are possible. Let me be your gateway." Know that.

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Iowa Corn Crop Finally Begins to Dry Ahead of Fall Harvest 2009

Finally. After a cool, wet summer, 42N country in the state of Iowa is experiencing three consecutive weeks of warm sunshine and low humidity air masses.

The result is yellowing corn and soybeans, a sign that crops are maturing and drying has begun. Ag experts continue to predict that this fall's harvest of corn in Iowa will be one of the largest - some estimated 13 billion bushels - just shy of the 2007 record of 13.04 billion bushels.

To those who live outside the American Midwest or have limited access to cornfields here are two looks of productive acres located in north central Iowa. Miles and miles of corn is evident but also notice the gently rolling hills. This is evidence that the "Hawkeye" state is not universally flat. Know that.

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American Crayon Company - Indian Chalk Brand. That's Fly.

A major element in any classroom is white chalk - was then, is now. The American Crayon Company produced much of the school chalk during the last century in Sandusky, Ohio and Waltham, Massachusetts. Marketing for school room chalk in the early 1920s was so expansive that the company advertised in the Saturday Evening Post (December 16, 1922) with a theme of quality art education in a multi part ad series (one example above.)

The American Crayon Company went on to purchase more school and related supply vendors throughout the century and is known today as the Dixon Ticonderoga Company. Name ring a bell? It should. That's the Number 2 lead pencil people.

Back in the 1920s the packaging for a gross of chalk sticks consisted of a wooden dovetailed box (above) with a sliding top. The Indian chalk brand appeared on the side. This specimen complete with winged insect appeared recently at a farm estate auction near Traer, Iowa. That's fly. Know that.

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See the Saws

Collecting saws is a viable hobby and one that is also practical. Vintage saws can be found at estate auctions, garage sales, and thrift stores. These three old timers were offered at a recent farm estate auction near Traer, Iowa.

Like any working saw, the teeth become dull with repetitive wear. Keeping your investment in like new sharpness requires occasional file sharpening. If you didn't learn how how to get this done from someone like master carpenter Norm Abram, here is an excellent primer on the subject. Depending on how much hand sawing you do, file sharpening is a way to save a few sawbacks. Know that.

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Barn of a Different Color

Around 42N country (and a quarter turn west or so past the prime meridian) it is fair to say that there are many, many farms where you may find barns in colors of red, white, yellow and gray. Generally the construction material on these local barns is made of cedar or pine siding boards. Oak is sometimes used for the main frame.

In the last two decades metal roofs have been installed on many existing barns covering the original wood shingles. Newer barn designs can include traditional construction material and non-traditional material like metal. Walters Buildings and U.S Buildings have some fine examples of each style.

This barn, located outside of Traer, Iowa (42.19N, 92.46W) was built in the 1940s according to an expert. Dan Reed of Fairfield, Iowa explained that the barn’s clean design and the way the roof is peaked is an example of the post World War II construction style that occurred in these here parts.

This particular barn (and another one closer to Traer) are unique in their siding material. It’s masonite – a fiberglass like man-made material that can be cut in large sections and nailed to the barn frame. The material is extremely weather resistant holding up well for 60 some years. Like the other nearby example near Traer both buildings were of the same color - masonite white gray.

Wood, one of the more traditional materials used in this barn is evident in the door and window frames. Sixty years of weather and paint layers has left the door hinge in a more typical setting of elemental exposure. Know that.

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