Monday, December 29, 2008

Another project

Last summer, Blaine and I had a "building session". We got the copper arch completed and installed and started on a little table. We didn't get it done, but did get the parts cut out and some assembled. You can see 2 images of "raw wood" here. One is the partially assembled table and the other is due to a lesson I learned years ago. I hardly ever make 2 things just alike, but back in the birdhouse days, I would make one for someone, then someone else would say, "I would like one like that." So the lesson learned was; always make 2 patterns of everything you build because there is something unique about that item that you won't remember the next time you want to build one. Therefore there is a second image of "raw wood" pieces all tied together. This is the second set of parts for the table. Because of time, we only marked out the profiles on the sides and legs, ready to cut when and if there is need to do this style again. Although the prototype picture I had brought from Oregon had a different style of leg, we (I) decided to try something different. I don't think Blaine was quite on board when I was rattling on about this idea. We cut the leg pieces on a bevel with the long side out. Then glued and nailed (got to use my new air nailers) to the end and side pieces making 4 sides with beveled ends. That was the part we got done last summer and you see in the first image, all clamped together. This weekend we got to finish the table (sans painting). What we found was that although our biscuit joinery last summer was a bit hasty (something to work on), the table came together quite well and the legs were very strong. In fact, although the original prototype included a lower shelf (which would give strength to the legs), we omitted that shelf, allowing the table to be used as a small writing desk. We stained the top and drawer front and added an old drawer pull that I had salvaged from some piece of furniture on it's way to the graveyard. We were afraid to paint it because it was soon to be packed in their van to ride to Springfield. I think we were very happy with the results, although as always, there are flaws that only the builder knows about. One thing I learned years ago. Don't tell everyone about the mistakes in your projects.... Although they are glaring to you because they weren't up to your expectations; most other people probably won't notice them.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Little details

So we're just about ready for the traditional family Christmas celebration. As we were tying up some loose ends last nite, Georgia says, "Greg always looks for the mistletoe. We used to have it all the time." Taking my cue, I made plans to "stop by" and pick up a bunch on my way home from grabbing a few bundles of firewood. See, we missed the Hogan woodcutting this year due to our trip to Tennessee and although we were offered wood anyway, the schedule didn't allow for bringing any home. So since time is getting short, I decided to grab a few bundles that you see as you walk into stores; you know the reject junk from sawmills. Decided to get the wood at Lowes. (that was the first stop). Then to Prairie Gardens... they've been out for 3 weeks. OK, on to Greenview... Never had any, Now Walmart.... didn't get any this year, Target.... ditto, Getting nervous. Back to Lowes... all gone. So I gave up and headed home, but stopped by the Mahomet IGA for a couple of grocery items... Yup; there by the express checkout lane. Now I remember living in the south and visiting Florida and seeing mistletoe growing as a parasite in the trees. I was about ready to e-mail my friend Mike Thomas in Mississippi to ask if he could FEDEX a batch to us overnite. But IGA, right here in Mahomet bailed us out. Soooo.... There had better be a lot of kissin' at our house these next few days. Merry Christmas to all!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

A new word for a favorite sound.

Listening to WEFT (you can get it online) the other day, I was really blessed with one of my favorite sounds. My taste in music tends to revolve around "down home" styles, mostly acoustic. Last Saturday evening, we got a treat listening to our Greg and his Friend Jim Wood present a "concert" called "US2" in which they covered lots and lots of U2 songs; just Jim on the guitar and Greg on the Mike with a scratchy voice that he covered well. While that wasn't my favorite type of music, I really enjoyed it; and got to see one of the boys using his talent. Back to me and WEFT. I Listen to that station as much as I can from noon til 2 because they play rhythm and blues. I have always liked this music as it was the beginning of the Rock and Roll of the 50's... the last of the great music.. With R&B, the older and more acoustic the better; I don't care for the screaming guitar styles however. Well, since we are in the Christmas season, they played a couple of Christmas songs including one that just about had me jumping off my ladder. The music style was that which I had always called Cajun music, but in my attempt to find the song (cause I really couldn't understand the words of the title) I found that this music is really called Zydeco, which is a particular style of Creole music, but I love it, love it love it. You can't sit still if you have any rhythm in you at all. I find that I have always loved this music, but didn't know what it was called. It is amazing how many bushes I find that I have lived under as I move toward seniority. The name of the song was "Zydeco Christmas". You can hear part of it if you go to: http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/mediaplayer.asp?ean=014551920229&track=8&disc=1
Wikipedia gives this literal definition forZydeco:(French: "les haricots" or "le zaricot", English: "snap beans") This music just makes you happy. Which brings to mind one of the guidelines we gave the boys as they were beginning to appreciate music and decide what they wanted to listen to. The rule was something like this; If the music makes you feel happy, it is probably OK to listen to, but if it makes you frown or feel angry, then you should just turn it off. I realize that if the whole world employed this principle, the poplular music of today would be a whole lot different than it is. For the most part, I would say that would be "a good thing", but it can also create a Pollyana personality. Some of the music is intended to make us feel uncomfortable to allow us to take some of the ills of the world seriously (aka U2). Oh Boy! I feel another rabbit trail coming on. Sooooo.... just why do we listen to music? I hear people saying that they "enjoy" listening to music. But then what about music of social revolution? Certainly that music doesn't create enjoyment. Sometimes I think we may listen to music to feel like we are joining those who care. Can you really call that enjoyment? I would venture to say that there are those who feel they are "paying their dues to society" by listening to such music.. Sorry, if listening to the music doesn't spur you to action, you really have done nothing but try to salve your conscience. That music has a place, but if you ask me, for really enjoyable music, you can't beat Zydeco (unless you have a poker up your butt)..