Think it's time to clean? Really?

January 25, 2017 - Wednesday

32 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I woke up this morning feeling like I was suffering from a hangover. Maybe that last case of beer I drank (in one night) over twenty years ago is causing a delayed reaction. 

I must have slept too soundly in the wrong position last night. I awakened with my head pounding and my neck felt as though it might snap in two. 

After swallowing a couple of migraine tablets, there's a chance I might live to see another day. Hopefully tonight, I won't sleep while standing on my head.

Tuesday's walk was without incident. I've noticed the steep incline of Heartbreak Hill no longer bothers me and I was tempted to walk back down and climb it again. I like to give my heart a real workout and simply walking doesn't do it. Because of thinning cartilage on weakened knees, I've been warned NOT to run or jog, so those are out of the question. For several years, I've talked about purchasing a tadpole trike, something that is heart and knee healthy. Maybe I should think more about it in the months ahead. 

Once home, I fiddled around in the yard for a bit. With all the melting snow and mud, there's really nothing a person can do.

I was alarmed to see several large cracks opening in the drive caused by the ground heaving due to frost. Moisture penetrates the cracks and freezes, causing them to become even larger.

It's a problem all northerners have and one that demands continual care. I'll use a torch, heat the surface, and fill each crack with blacktop once warm weather arrives. It's become an annual rite of spring.

The rest of the day was spent in the shop. Lest you are beginning to think otherwise, this isn't a wood worker's site anymore than one about gardening or hiking. I simply enjoy writing and taking pictures so Pentoga Tales gives me a reason to do both. What's easier to write about than what one does on a daily basis? If you're growing weary of reading about wood working, hang on, maple syrup season will be here before we know it.

I worked most of the day on the new double-rope bowl. Turning it was the easiest part. Carving the ropes was a bit more of a challenge.

I loved the grain so much that I applied multiple layers of beeswax, letting each dry then buffing the bowl after each application. 

I've always enjoyed carving. Like most everything else I do, I've never been very good at it, but that's beside the point. Now, my newest quest is learn how to combine carving and turning, possibly making monogrammed cups or bowls. It may never happen, but it's food for thought.

I started the large central shop vac to clean up one mess before I started another and found there was little suction. Once I opened the tank, I found out why. Several gallons of saw dust filled the canister.

Meanwhile:

I've been growing weary of moving that mug-like thing I tried turning a week or two ago, the one that I cut in half, then glued back together. 

I decided to try to get the walls thinner and actually make something. 

Whoops, I might have turned a bit too much. Chips flew all over the place and I quickly discounted any thoughts of making a mug.

Hmm, how about a bowl from the lower half? 

I was separating the top from the bottom when suddenly, the top half flew off like a bullet towards my face. Thankfully, I was wearing a full shield, otherwise, I'd still be on my hands and knees, looking for all my teeth. 

So the afternoon went. I finally closed the door, came in the house, and walked directly into the shower. Sargie's got this thing about sawdust covering the furniture in the living room. She has no sense of humor regarding some aspects of life.

I managed to do a couple of loads of laundry and sweep the wood chips off the living room floor before I settled in for the night. 

Sargie didn't arrive home until well past 9:30. Needless to say, we didn't have much of an evening.

She's back to work early this morning. I'm going for my walk then I think I'll work up some more winter squash that's beginning to go bad. We have quite a bit in the freezer already, but I hate to waste it. Milligan family or nearby friends, if you are reading this and want some, please call. I'm fearful we're going to end up feeding a lot of deer with wasted squash later this spring.

I have several errands to run in town so I hope to make that jaunt before day's end. I've sworn, absolutely sworn, that before I begin anything else in the shop, I'll clean it from top to bottom. I went to paint the background for the crappie scroll saw piece and couldn't find a place free of sawdust.

So, it looks to be a busy day ahead with little rest on the horizon. If only you had my life, you'd understand.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The bowl being fashioned from the bottom half of the mug.