The lathe is on its way!

April 29, 2020 - Tuesday morning

41 degrees/HEAVY RAIN/breezy

Pentoga Road

I feel like a little kid the week before Christmas. My lathe, my big boy Powermatic unit, is on its way. Many know how long I've waited to purchase a new lathe. I've been talking about it for what, three years or more? 

So many that I looked at just didn't feel right. I regard a lathe as an extension of one's body. I know, it sounds weird, but compare it to purchasing a car.

You see something that has visual appeal, you sit in it and it's comfortable. The engine is started and it sounds right, and finally, you drive it around the block a few times and it feels right.

During the height of my professional music-making days, I regarded several musical instruments in the same manner. I didn't have to think about what keys to push, what chord came next. Whatever instrument I was playing became an extension of my body. 

When my eye sight was failing so badly a few years ago and I was just learning to turn, I didn't need perfect vision to feel what was being created. Even today, I often close my eyes and let my fingers guide me. I find they often have a much better sense of what needs to be done than my eyes.

So my lathe's on its way. I just want to go out in the shop and clear everything out of the way, sharpen a few chisels, select the perfect wood, and get started. 

Patience has never been my virtue. It'll arrive when it gets here. Until then, take a big breath Tommy P. Patience, buddy, patience. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

Rain, OMG (as the kids say) we've got not only cats and dogs falling from the sky, I swear there are a few hippos and elephants. 

Over two and a half inches of water has fallen in the past thirty-six hours and it's still pounding down. 

Even the earth worms are screaming for relief.

Thousands dot the drive, all seeking refuge from an overly saturated lawn.

I tried to work on the window grids in the shop on Monday, but making them necessitated trekking several times to the garden house for an exact fit. Getting soaked, dodging raindrops, and mucking through a muddy yard and garden isn't my idea of fun. I made a few cuts then quit. 

Sargie and I went for a ride and were delighted to see our local lake has FINALLY opened up for the year.

The only evidence of ice is directly along the shore and I imagine even that will become a distant memory following this current rain.

 We were very surprised to find the boat dock has been put back in the water for the year. It's good to see the lake is open and ready for another season of fishing.

I found this cutie pie mermaid at the lake

 Back home, Sargie was busy arranging and rearranging the downstairs bathroom medicine cabinet. She'd purchased some magnetic strips used to hang a few of the smaller metallic goodies.

While my girl was busy doing her thing, I was conducting important research via the internet in the living room. 

OK, I was watching turning and hiking videos on youtube. 

My bride was a girl possessed. The next thing I knew, Sargie Crocker was busy in the kitchen. Yesterday's culinary magic consisted of all kinds of seafood. 

Seafood Alfredo. One of my favorites!

Those piles are all seafood to be added. We like a noodle or two with our meat.

 I just finished talking with Jambo on the phone. He's back in Marquette doing what we're all doing, waiting for the rain to stop. Jambo volunteered to price pine boards to make board and batten siding on the garden house. I suspect it might be a bit too pricey for what we're able to spend, but who knows. We may go with a textured plywood siding for now and add battens later. 

Like most, Sargie and I are still looking for that tree, you know, the one that money grows on. 

Today. Hmm, it's just too wet to consider doing anything outside. There are several things that might be accomplished indoors, but do I really want to do them? Being lazy, reclining by the wood stove, and snuggling under a blanket, on a chilly, rainy, dark, day is so much easier.

After all, according to our governor, who is obviously auditioning for Joe Biden's running mate, I'm elderly, vulnerable, and unable to make my own decisions. 

Then there are some turning chisels I can sharpen and things to move out of the way in the shop to make ready for the new lathe. 

Boom! 

I'll let someone else play that vulnerable, elderly card. Me? I've got things to do.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture:
THAR SHE BLOWS!
I often found myself surrounded by humpback whales, some up to forty feet long, while fishing in SE Alaska