3/28/2020, Saturday

Wood, dogs, coffee, crocheting, clotted cream, wine, bargain shopping, gardening, cooking,... it's all the same.... Just different foci for the same obsession....

Some of us with more marginal obsessions are viewed with more curiosity. Ron's Aunt who lives in Knoxville, TN once looked at me and in a very pointed "bless your heart" manner only a little southern woman can manage, said to me, "Why do you have so many dogs?" Without missing a beat I replied, "Why the Hell not?" She burst out laughing and said, "I can't argue with that!"

I know just a little about wood, but because my BFF is a theater organist, historian, and restoration expert, I learned a lot about the different woods used by Wurlitzer and have learned a bit about the look, density, and qualities of American hardwoods. So, in that way, I totally get David's love of wood.

I have been wood working since the age of 9. Got my first power tool at 11. Got my first hand plane on my 14th birthday. I still use this plane. Went to work as a cabinet maker at 16. Ran a shop at 18. Had my own shop at 19. Built my first house at 19. Really became frustrated with the lack of skill in the trades and in my 30 something sold all my tools and bought nursing school books. However at This time in my life the wood work is for fun. DS and DIL own wood lands and although we found the deal on the sawmill DS bought it for me. I could not possibly use all the timber that is on the ground. And I have no expenses except the gas that runs the mill. I do have other interests but most are blue collar. Chemical plant operator was very fascinating. Scary. Embarrassing that I ever did it, But very fascinating. Almost all of the building trades including solar collector systems. Heavy equipment operator, egg and beef production. Mead maker. I can sew well but it makes me nervous. Oddly I don't like to work on vehicles. My grandfather was a mechanic and inventor. I am told I am most like him. He made the first mechanical cotton picker. He never had a college education. I don't like to read but I love audible. I listen to books everyday. I have loved working all my life.

David, you really are an amazing guy. Thank you for that incredibly rich resume. I knew about some of it, but not even close to all of it. I am so proud to know you.

And as soon as I can get closer to you than six feet I'm going to drive across the state line and spend the day with you dragging logs out of the forest. But first I need better snake boots. :)

Come on when you can. You can run the saws.

Greetings

Well Something is still not right with this page and my computer. Its topsy turvey but I can kind of get around.

Little news here. Our landlord for part of the studio is pushing us to sign a new lease for a year. WE will just pay month to month for awhile. The city just passed an ordinance that we can't be evicted if we can pay rent due to the virus deal. Good reason to stall.

So we are home today. I was out briefly yesterday. I am kind of having one of my "spells" though less intense. Think I will lay low. Planning on emptying a dresser drawer or two into a laundry basket and then sitting on the bed sorting while I watch TV. I think its all expensive fancy lingerie from my fat days that I hesitated to toss.

No snakes here that I have seen though there was a little brown one that lived in our compost can along with other creatures. Once I found my little dog out in the yard tossing something around. It was HALF a snake.

I am trying to study and figure out all the public assistance available to laid off workers so I can help our staff and figure out what business assistance we can get. My lawyer brain is 18 years out of date so its a challenge. I am old school - need a hard copy and a highlighter to understand anything.

I may sneak into the studio tomorrow. Its pretty big and I have a private room and can close the door and need not see a single person of the 2 or 3 still coming in.

Peps I want you to put up a 24 hour puppy cam. Our eagle cam here is no more as the eagles did not come back to nest, but I so loved it when we had it. I actually saw an egg being laid and daddy eagle cover the nest during a sleet storm. I know there are others but not as cool.

Cheers all. Diane S

News flash. I was having one of my feeling crappy spells. I took an anti anxiety med followed by a chaser of 6 hershey kisses. Seems to have cured me. Diane S

Congratulations! You should ask your general practitioner forward your medical records to Dr. Fauci and to my GP along with blood samples for replication of your antibodies that can be injected into me and everyone else who feels discombobulated, even though they haven't yet been infected.

Could be the breakthrough we've all been waiting for!

Good Morning All,

Sitting up on my bed waiting for the nurse to come and remove my staples? Shes due in the next hour. DH and both my sons are off picking up our winter firewood. Will be good to have that done.

I am pleased to report, I practiced a lot of self care yesterday. There was a 2 hr nap, Shaving of legs (was desperate for that to happen!) painting of toenails and a long hot shower (waited till DH was home so he could assist me getting in and out)

Weight - 171.38 - down a smidge but not fussing for now

I plan to do a bit of work today to get a head start on the working week. We have leftover pizza for dinner so super easy

Apart from that I dont have a lot to report. Most exciting news is I made it through a night with no painkillers. WOOT ! I have been struggling with ankle pain - I worked out it must have been caused by the compression stockings. I took them off yesterday and pain went. Will discuss options with nurse today when she comes

Love to you and I will pop back later to read and catch up on everyones news

S

GOOD JOB! GOOD, GOOD JOB! YOU GET AN A+++++++++++!