Welcome to the world, Lincoln Patrick!

January 5, 2018 - Thursday

-12 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

The Milligan Family Tree of Life sprouted another branch yesterday when Sargie's nephew, Garth, and his wife, Courtney, became the new parents of a bouncing baby boy. Garth is the son of Sargie's sister, Susy, and brother-in-law, Teddy.

I don't know the particulars, weight, height, and so on. Guys don't pay attention to those things. I'm fairly certain Lincoln's too big to throw back. The Milligan hotline lit up late Thursday afternoon as word was passed from one family member to the other, sharing the news that Lincoln is healthy and Mama is doing just fine. 

Friday was a Jack of all trades kind of day. I headed to the shop after the blog was uploaded and began turning a miniature sugar bowl and lid for an ongoing project, that of making each granddaughter a miniature tea set.

I tried using a full 1x1 inch piece of Kentucky hickory from that which Yooper Brother Mark gave me from their plant down south.



I love working with the wood. It's hard, yet isn't difficult to shape. In fact, the texture reminds me of the soap stone the Alaska Inupiat and Yupik Eskimos use for carving.



One thing I've discovered when making miniatures, it takes as long or longer to turn something teeny as a full-sized bowl. Mostly, it takes LOTS of patience, something I seem to occasionally be in short supply of. 



It took almost two hours to turn a bowl and lid and they are still not finished. I may have to switch to some other type of hard wood, probably maple, as the hickory boards are just too thin. These are mini miniatures. Too small.



Speaking of bowls, Mississippi Brother Garry sent a couple of pictures of some really fine craftsmanship. His bowl made from spalted pecan is one of my favorites.

About the time I think I'm beginning to get this lathe/turning thing down, I see Garry's work and realize how much more there is to learn.

Beautiful work, Brother!

I'm eager to see the lidded bowl in the following picture when it's finished. The Jet lathe that Garry just acquired is the same model I hope to purchase later this winter.

Seeing those shavings and that new lathe makes me want to grab a chisel and get right in there!

Sargie and I enjoyed our usual day-off drive around the area.

I'm surprised at how many people are NOT fishing this season. It's been cold and windy, but in year's past, the ice would still be dotted with fishermen. In fact, we saw little evidence where anyone had been on the ice when visiting several lakes.

An old trailer, a pop-up camper, converted into an ice shack.

I've read that fishing license sales have declined in most states, a sign that young people would rather stay indoors and play with their electronics than venture outside. I'm fearful the northern way of life that I've enjoyed throughout my lifetime will become a thing of the past somewhere down the road.

The owner of this truck and trailer was the sole fisherman on a large lake. Hmm, wonder what state he's from?

The thermometer was registering something above zero when we arrived home from our ride, so I remained outside to play a bit. The ice auger has been running rough and hard to start. I poured in a bit of HEAT to remove any moisture and also used a fuel additive to clean the carburetor. After letting it idle for a few minutes, it seemed to be running much more smoothly.

The electric fence wire that was holding the homemade hitch onto the ice shack was replaced with cable.

You may remember that making and attaching the hitch was quite the shade tree engineering process that included some very used angle iron and two old garage door hinges. 

I was sad to discover that the ice shack and Tundra won't fit into the trailer at the same time. Looks as though when I go "lake hopping," I'll have to use the Clam, the portable ice fishing tent, rather than the wooden shack. I'll be rebuilding the ice shack this coming summer so both can be transported in the trailer at the same time.

Sargie and I spent a quiet evening binge watching a series on Netflix while eating fried chicken and all the fixings. It's a toss up which food is more comforting on a cold wintry night, chicken or a hot, hearty, stew. 

Sargie closes for the next two nights, so we won't be seeing much of each other until Sunday. I'm undecided what's on my agenda. Go for a walk? Go ice fishing? Play in the shop?

So much to do, so little of me.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...