While we bask in wintertime temperatures, our friends and Chief's owners, Tom and Melinda, are soaking up the sun in Mexico.

February 13, 2018 - Tuesday evening

24 degrees/cloudy skies/breezy

Pentoga Road

We just arrived home from dropping the Kia off at the mechanic's. I was hoping the shimmy that developed yesterday was caused by a build up of ice and snow in the wheel well, but that's not the cause. We'll find out tomorrow what's causing it to wobble all over the road.

Today flew by. After taking Chief outside early this morning, he was returned to his kennel while I took my morning stroll.

Once home, Chief and I took some time to play and work on tricks while the shop warmed up. 

The next couple of hours were spent salvaging the bowl, a chalice really, I began turning yesterday. 

The top had to be turned down, the inside rounded, but in the end, I think it's salvageable. 

Made from spalted maple, I left the tenon on the bottom so it can be mounted back on the lathe to finish sanding and polishing. There's also a small crack into which I injected epoxy mixed with sawdust. That will be sanded smooth.

There was a small emergency in the shop this afternoon. The lathe was working perfectly when suddenly the motor stopped. Everything came to a grinding halt. 

After doing some inspections, I discovered the carbon brushes which conduct the electricity from the coil to the moving parts in the motor were worn down.

A quick temporary fix was performed by utilizing a small piece of wadded sand paper wedged against the top part of one brush to cause it to once again conduct the current.

I'll order a set of new brushes tomorrow. At $2.50 a pair, I'll order two or three sets.

I was asked the other day what ever happened to the goldfish that called the garden pond home last summer. I'm happy to report that they are alive and well, merrily swimming in a fifty gallon tote downstairs in the basement.

It shouldn't be more than another six weeks to two months and they'll be back in the pond for the spring, summer, and fall, months.

Sargie was home early tonight then followed me into town so we could leave the Kia at the mechanic's. After a quick stop for a burger, we came back home.

Tomorrow's Valentine's Day. Since Sargie closes tomorrow night, we decided to celebrate this coming Thursday, her day off. 

Chief likes me, but he LOVES Sargie. 

I think Chief and I will celebrate Valentine's Day by playing fetch, practicing new tricks, and when he takes one of his daily naps, I'll sneak out to the shop and try to finish the chalice.

Some friends Tom and Melinda are... sending us a picture like this one in the middle of February. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...