November 13, 2017 - Monday
Pentoga Road
(written Sunday evening)

I'm writing tonight as I have to be in Iron Mountain for a podiatrist's appointment at 7:45 Monday morning.

Sunday was a busy one, although it doesn't seem I accomplished a great deal. After taking my usual walk, more than half the day was spent cleaning the shop and putting tools away.

I used the vacuum to reach into all the nooks and crannies to remove any sawdust and for at least a few minutes, the place was actually clean.

That didn't last very long.

Tiring of the same old thing (mostly the dreaded turkey,) I worked on the maple bowl that I'd started Saturday.

With face shield down and chisel ready, I flipped the switch to the lathe. 

Nothing happened.

In the end, I removed the wires from the motor, wiggled, tightened, cleaned, and swore. I'm not sure what, if anything, was done properly, but in the end, it started working.



It's just another reason why a new lathe is in my future. I'm afraid I've taxed the little one-third horse power motor until it's tired, very tired.

I spent a long time working on the bowl and for something different, burned the trim to a dark brown. That's accomplished by holding a slim piece of hardwood against the trim as it spins and letting friction take over. The room was filled with blue smoke by the time it was finished.

I'm pretty sure when it comes to the shop, I suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder. As the afternoon wore on, I worked on one thing, then another, then something else. At least I'm not getting bored.

Sargie was home early and we've had a nice evening together. She closes Monday, yet another long one for her.

I have an early appointment, then plan to visit Ross and Holly and enjoy a cup of coffee and some fine conversation. After, I want to go to Home Depot and get a small sample pot of brown paint. My goal for Monday is to brush a base coat on that turkey. Yeah... we'll see.

Hambone's coming home with Grandma Sargie tonight and I'm looking forward to hanging out with my little shadow. It's been tradition that he helps hang the Christmas lights on the pyramids by the barn. Maybe we'll get that done while he's here.

It's time for this boy to go to bed. Morning is going to come sooner rather than later.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...