I have Spoken

Well the weather around here has been fairly crappy.  Cold mostly and today we had fresh snow, not much but enough it required the driveway to be shoveled,  maybe two inches.   We did venture out for lunch and outside the neighborhood the streets were pretty much fine. 

Yesterday I had to get out and replace a garbage disposal over at the Bott House.   Got a call Friday night that there was water in the laundry room.   Went over and to figure out what was leaking.  The kitchen sink is above the laundry room and found that the garbage disposal was leaking from the bottom.  

Finished up and while I was there I grabbed one of my Lego sets that I have a duplicate of unopened.  When all done, headed back home and started working on building my Lego Star Wars The Child.  Took me about 5 hours off/on and to complete.  While building I was re-watching the Mandalorian yet again.  Came out pretty cool and will see where I end up placing it.  It may just go back in the box.   

I have two planes that I am thinking about building, but I need a change for a while.  I have built numerous over the last couple of years, it's time for a break from them.  

Last weekend I built a the Lego Viking Ship.  Again took me about the same amount of time to complete.   Being that Lego seems to increase in value, more so for unopened retired items, I am very careful in the opening of the box and each back containing the Lego.  I try to keep everything as neat as I can.   I already took this one apart and repackaged it and taped the box back up.

Next on my list is to start working on a Mandalorian 500 piece puzzle.  Don't know why I always need to keep busy, but I do.  

Finally going to breakdown and do it.  I need to get some heat in my shop, I would love to work over there as I have so many projects, but when it is cold I have no interest in freezing. I have a kerosine heater, but it get's pretty stinky and doesn't really do the job.

Supposed to go out of town next Friday.  We will see if my plans change any as I am traveling to Israel.   I will know more tomorrow.  I got a email about the conflict that is currently happening and the people I am visiting wanted to know if we wanted to change our plans and hold off for a couple months.  We will see.

What's Up This Week

This week flew by faster than I ever expected, leaving me scared about the amount of time I had left to do all the things that were on my list. Seems that as I get older the weeks fly by faster and faster,

Our street is still covered in snow/ice.  Just as it begins to melt we get another storm with snow.  Despite temps dropping into the single digits, I decided that it would be much more fun and exciting to ride my e-bike instead.

I bundled up in multiple layers of clothing (which surprisingly didn't make it more difficult to ride) and started cycling down the street. I tried to drive on the clear areas but for the most part it was packed snow and ice.  Took it slow and easy each day and never had any issues. The trails that I ride were also still snow packed and icy.

It was great to be out in the open air despite how cold it was outside (13), with nothing but me and my e-bike and my JBL Flip 4 blasting my Rockabilly playlist.  I love my playlist and it is so funny that when I come across people on the trail, they start dancing and give me a big thumbs up.  Just fun music and puts a big smile on my face each way to and from.   

The whole experience was so refreshing, not just physically but mentally as well; every single turn felt like an adventure as I tried to balance out on top of icy patches on the road while dodging traffic here and there! After what felt like forever - although it probably wasn't even close.

But despite the chilliness and how long it took me to get there, those 30 minutes spent riding were definitely worth it. There's something special about being out in nature in wintertime, when everything is blanketed in white snow and you can almost feel your troubles disappearing along with each pedal stroke you take.

Made It Home

I got home from Wichita this last Wednesday night.   I was supposed to be home before noon, but that quickly came and went.  The evening before I get a text, that my first flight had been cancelled and now I would depart around 12:45PM.   Well that came and went, long story short, I arrived at the airport at 10:15AM and we finally departed at 5:15PM.  Then when getting to DIA, I had a good 2.5 hour drive home on snow packed and icy roads.  Traffic wasn't moving to fast and that was a good thing.

Thursday morning I did get up and walk to work, it was a little cold but I did it.   Candy picked me up later that afternoon as we had a meeting we needed to attend.  Friday I drove to work and got home about 4:00PM.  Tonight was the big night, we were headed out to see Hairball.

Uber picked us up about 5:30PM, and we headed down to the Famous for a pre-dinner cocktail.  It was snowing out, but not to bad.  Which was good as we were going to be doing some walking when we got downtown.    I was surprised how busy the Famous was, we just bellied up to the bar and had a seat.  Our youngest son works there on Friday and Saturday nights.  So we got to see him and through him we have met many of the folks who work there.  Really nice people and they always have great things to say about Clark.

After we finished our drinks, we left and walked over to the Pikes Peak Center.  It was only about  half mile and it was actually fun to walk in the snow, even though it was cold it didn't feel that bad out.

We were able to quickly get into the Pikes Peak Center where we had tickets for dinner.  This is the first time we had purchased dinner tickets before the show.  It was really nice and the food was great.  So if you are looking for a fun night out, have dinner and see a show all at the Pikes Peak Center.

We were in our seats at about 7:50PM.  The place was filling up quickly and from what I understand it was a sold out show.   Even though this was just a cover band, I thought they did a really great job.  For Kiss they were in full Kiss costume and sounded really good, you would almost think you were at a Kiss show.  Next up was Van Halen, then Guns N Roses, White Snake, Def Leopard, Queen, Alice Cooper and more.

They would play 2 to 3 songs from each band.  There were two lead singers, so while one was doing one band, the other was back stage getting into costume for the next.   We had a great time, on our feet for two hours and singing along where we new the words and mumbled through the rest.

On the Road

So on Sunday, I flew out to Wichita Kansas from Denver Colorado.  Headed out to see my mom for a couple of days.  Leaving tomorrow hopefully, but we are getting snow in Colorado and it looks like it is moving this way.  Just what I need as I have so much work to do.

Been a few months since I have been back and we are approaching the two your anniversary since dad passed.   Mom is doing what she can to stay in her home but it is getting more difficult as time goes by.   We had a doctors appointment this week and the list of issues she went through was just a glimpse of what we all have coming as we age.   

I am of the mind that I need to go out in a blaze of glory, not sure what that means as I don't want anyone else to be hurt, but racing to the top of Pikes Peak and driving off the edge with guns blazing would be one hell of a way to go.  I may get my fifteen minutes of fame only when I am gone.  No I am not suicidal, just creating content for the blog.

We have finished with the auctions and most of the items have been sold and removed. I
purchased a few things myself.  Not sure if I did it because I wanted the items or was just trying to get mom more money.

I did buy my dads old Farmall Model H Tractor.  Figured we might want to keep it around incase we needed to mow the runway at some point.

Now I am thinking I will haul it home on a trailer and then clean it up and get it going again.  I had it running last time I was here, but it took some finagling to get it going.  Not sure what I will do with it when I drag it home, but if the Ranchero is gone I will have a little room.

Hell maybe I will get into tractor pulls.  Just kidding, that's not for me.

I have a hard time when I come back and visit.  I find myself walking around the grounds and talking to my Dad, of course he doesn't' answer, but I am unsure what he would want me to do to help my mother.  She lives alone, she is out in the country and she struggles to get around. 

Out on the Bikes

Yo, yesterday I woke up and decided to take a stroll to and from work. It was a bit nippy in the morning, but by afternoon it was nice and toasty. It's been a minute since I walked to work, but I've been riding my trusty bike when the streets ain't icy. Today, me and my bike buddy hit the road and went downtown for some grub at Rasta Pasta. I love that place, but let me tell ya, the staff ain't the sharpest tools in the shed. They always mess up my order and it would be a breeze if they just wrote it down. I bet they be higher than a kite while they workin'. After lunch, we checked out an antique store and then headed back home. All in all, it was a nice day, compared to the last two weeks of wintery hell.

Speaking of Dicks

Donald Trump, his children, and his businesses have a long history of being accused of being grifters and crooks. Grifters are people who use deceit and fraud to obtain money or other benefits, while crooks are people who engage in criminal activities such as fraud and embezzlement.

Throughout his career in real estate and entertainment, Trump has been accused of using shady business practices to take advantage of others. For example, he has been sued multiple times for fraud in relation to his real estate ventures, and has been accused of not paying contractors who worked on his properties. Additionally, Trump University, a for-profit education company founded by Trump, was shut down by the New York attorney general for engaging in "persistent fraudulent, illegal, and deceptive conduct."

Trump's children have also been accused of engaging in similar behavior. For example, his son Eric Trump has been accused of using the Trump Foundation, a charitable organization, for personal gain. The New York attorney general has also accused the Trump Foundation of engaging in "a shocking pattern of illegality."

Furthermore, Trump and his children have been repeatedly sending out emails and messages asking for money from people, promising to use the money for different cause but most of the time they are not, they are just taking advantage of people's generosity.

Overall, it's clear that Trump and his family have a history of using deceit and fraud to obtain money and other benefits. If you are receiving any emails or messages asking for money from Trump or his family, it is best to be cautious and not fall for their scams. It's important to be careful and not be fooled by the tricks of these grifters and crooks.

What A Dick

 Internet was out at the house this week, thanks to some dickhead.  Thanks brother!

57 Ford Ranchero

After working on restoring my 1957 Ford Ranchero for several years, I have reached a point where it requires a professional body man to finish the job. The rust issues and body work are beyond my capabilities and I lack the time and funds to try to fix it myself, only to potentially have to redo it later. It is complete and I have everything needed to finish it. The Ranchero runs and drives great, just needs to finished.

Additionally, I have other projects I want to focus on and my workshop is becoming cluttered with the Ranchero, two Model A trucks, and a Toyota RAV4. In order to make room to work, I need to move two of them out.

Therefore, I am considering selling the Ranchero and using the funds to install radiant heating in my workshop, allowing me to work on projects during the winter months. My wife also has a list of items she wants me to make for her to display her quilts and other crafts.

Furthermore, my welder has failed and I need to look into getting a replacement. Despite this setback, I have collected various items such as old steel wheels, milk cans, and tiller wheels that I hope to turn into unique yard art when I have the time.

Love My Rad

Today I took my RadRunner Plus out for a spin and it was glorious! The ice and snow that had been coating the streets for months was finally starting to melt and I couldn’t wait to take advantage of the warmer weather.  I have owned this bike for a few months now, clocking in over 500 miles of use. As a big boy, it is important for me to regularly check my brakes as the friction from my weight takes its toll on them. 

As I started riding, I blasted some Rock-A-Billy music from the Bluetooth speaker, because it seemed appropriate for the day. To my delight, two older ladies began dancing around when Jerry Lee Lewis came on - what an unexpected surprise! Most of my ride was through trails in parks which are great for avoiding traffic, but there were some roads that needed to be navigated as well. Thankfully all my gear kept me warm despite the chilly 21 degrees outside temperature. Two coats, wool socks and scarf did their job protecting me from the cold like a champ! 

In summary today's ride was just amazing! The joy of being able to go outside and feel free while listening to good music was something else. After all these months stuck inside due to Covid-19 restrictions it felt so liberating. Furthermore, e-bike rides provide quite a workout too - great way to exercise without spending hours at the gym! 

I can’t wait until next time when I get back out there with my beloved Rad Runner Plus again.

HairBall

My friends and I are really excited for this month because we're headed out to the Pikes Peak Center to see Hairball, a cover band that puts on an amazing show. We've heard great things about them, and some of us have never seen them before so it's going to be an awesome experience.

Known as "The Show Must Go On!", Hairball is certainly living up to their reputation. This rock cover band was formed in 2000 by Bobby, who named it after his beloved cat. Since then, they have become notorious for their high energy performances of songs from all genres - from classic rock to current pop hits. 

Their shows usually last around two hours and feature three costume changes, taking the audience on a wild ride through time with hits from bands like AC/DC, KISS, Journey, Bon Jovi and more! In addition to their amazing covers of popular music, they also provide fans with lots of interactive fun. From confetti cannons to foam fingers and smoke machines – no matter where you sit in the venue you will not miss out on any of the action! 

What makes their shows even more unique is that they don't use any recordings or back tracks – every single instrument on stage is meticulously played live. They rely solely on the skill of their musicians who are each hand-picked by Bobby based off of their talent and ability to put on an amazing show. 

So if you're looking for a good time – make sure you head over to the Pikes Peak Center this month and check out Hairball! You won't regret it!

Out On The Trail

This morning, we went out for a short hike. The trails were covered in snow and ice, so I wore stabilizers. We stopped by the creek to try and see the beaver but didn't have any luck. We walked about three miles total and our little dog Lilly did well.

It was a beautiful morning, despite the cold weather. The sun was shining and the fresh air was invigorating. We enjoyed being out in nature, even if we didn't see any wildlife. The trail was slippery in places, but the stabilizers prevented me from slipping. I was glad I had them, as we saw other people struggling on the ice in places. Overall, it was a pleasant walk. 

Christmas Is Over

When I got home from work, the removal of decorations were in full swing. Candy had already gotten the outdoor lights down and most of the decorations inside were gathered up. To finish our work, she even set up a ladder so we could get into the attic and get the storage boxes down. 

It's not an easy job because our attic is quite small and there's very limited room to maneuver once you're up there. Furthermore, we have to keep our cat Brooks away from climbing up too - he loves to explore new places! So after we carefully secured Brooks downstairs, we proceeded with our mission of getting everything down and packed away for the holidays. Eventually, after hour of hard work, we managed to get everything loaded back into its place in the attic. All in all, packing away decorations for Christmas was completed until next year.

As time passes, many of us accumulate more and more possessions. Whether they're heirlooms passed down from generations before or treasured items that have been acquired over the years, these objects can hold a special place in our hearts. But few things can compare to something that is handmade with love – something like the three round nesting boxes I made over 25 years ago. 

These boxes are special for many reasons. For one thing, making them was a fun and
rewarding experience that required patience and attention to detail. Taking into account the fact that woodworking wasn't my strong suit at the time, their completion was quite an accomplishment. Now they sit atop a desk that I refurbished fifteen years ago. 

The desk itself has quite a story behind it as well; it was originally an old military desk with drawers and compartments galore – but I only kept the drawers! After some sanding and painting (not to mention some waxing for extra protection), I had created something new from something old; something that not only looked better but held sentimental value as well. 

Nowadays, when we look around our home we see countless items that may not be new but still evoke nostalgia - whether it's a mismatched chair inherited from a grandparent or knick-knacks collected on vacation trips - all of which combine to make up part of who we are today. It's true what they say: some of life's greatest treasures come in small packages - like my three round nesting boxes!

Enough with the lamps

Candy surprised me today with an unexpected but welcomed gift! She picked up a couple of glass lamp shades at the antique store for just 8.00 dollars. These shades will actually work with my North Bros. Christmas Tree Stands, which come in two different sizes. I'm so excited to be able to build new lamps using the North Bros. Christmas Tree Stands as the base, and fortunately I should be able to find all the necessary hardware that I need to make this happen.

However, what makes these North Bros. Christmas Tree Stands so special? Well, they were designed by a company called North Bros. Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia during the early 1900s and were quite popular during the holiday season in America. The reason is because their stands allowed for people to safely display their Christmas trees indoors instead of having them take up space outdoors or inside traditional wooden boxes. Furthermore, it was also great for those who did not want to keep buying live trees each year since these stands could hold both artificial trees and real ones alike! 

In addition to being functional, these stands are also incredibly collectible due to their unique designs and nostalgic charm. The best part however is that many of these vintage pieces can still be bought today on sites like eBay or Etsy at relatively affordable prices if you know where to look! 

Now that I am finally going to have a classic set of North Bros. Christmas Tree Stands with new glass lamp shades on top, I can't wait for this project! With some luck and hard work I'm sure my lamps will turn out great and be something truly special that can be cherished for many years down the line-just like the classic pieces from North Bros Manufacturing Company themselves!

Just Kidding

Today, I took a journey deep into the wilderness. In my exploration of nature, I discovered a newfound appreciation for the beauty and serenity that outdoor activities like hiking offers. The sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the environment were unlike any other experience. I felt at peace with myself and the world around me as I traversed various terrain and encountered different species along the way. Just Kidding, I ended up driving and then getting on the treadmill when I got home tonight. Will try again tomorrow.

There are plenty of reasons why the average person might not want to walk to work, from bad weather and safety concerns to a lack of time or energy. But sometimes it can be difficult to make convincing excuses when you're asked why you don't walk. Here are some common persuasive excuses for not walking to work that might help the next time you need an explanation: -I'm too busy with other tasks -The sidewalks aren't safe in my area -It's too cold/hot outside -My route has too many hills/unfriendly terrain -I'm worried about missing important calls while I'm on the move -I have medical conditions preventing me from walking.

New Lamps

Well I had some time today so I finished wiring up my lamps.  I am extremely happy with them, but with every project, now where do I put them.  If I was a bachelor I am sure I could find a place. :-) I would be that creepy hoarder neighbor.  All our tables are currently are in use.  Maybe these will be gifts to family and friends.

Making big plans in my head to walk to work tomorrow.  I got my clothes laid out so I have no excuses now.  Bet I can come up with a couple by morning, hahaha.

Snow Today

Curious to see how much snow we are going to end up with today/tomorrow.   So far we have only had about 3 inches, but they are calling for more this afternoon and tonight.   We already got the driveway shoveled and made a run over to Wal-Mart to pick up a few items.

I have been trying to get caught up on some work items to prep for the new year.   Lot of changes coming this year and will be interesting to see how they all play out.  

More Pics

 

Blackberry Rum

Each year I make up some Blackberry Rum.  The process is really easy.  I harvest the berries from our bushes in the back yard.  Load them into a couple big mason jars and then pour Bacardi Rum over them and let them sit for about a month.   Then strain them and re-bottle.  Goes great with Coke or 7-UP.

The Sharkey Clark Memorial Golf Tournement

Well we completed another Sharkey last year.   This time we were in Hot Springs, AR.  Even though I suck at golf I have a really great time hanging out with my uncle's and cousins.  I will say that as we all age, things have really slowed down.

Foxy Shazam

 In September we went to see Foxy Shazam again.   Always a great show!

More Lamps

I was over at the shop before Christmas and found a ceiling light globe I had picked up to make a lamp at some point.  I drug it home with me and made Clark a lamp for Christmas.  I think he liked it and it is a one of a kind. 

I have enough bases to make about 10 more.  They are all sitting on table down in the basement and I need to get them out of the house. 

The base is a North Bros. Tree Stand from the late 40's.  I have been using ceiling lights and mount them to the top.  I cut the flange off the light base, then wire up the plug, light and off/one switch.  I think they are really cool.  

No idea what I am going to do with 10 of them.  Since I had dug out all the tools and stuff I needed I ran over the HD and picked up a couple more lights.   This time I am going with acorn glass top. 

Resolutions

Did you make any resolutions for the New Year?   I didn't, or at least I haven't shared any with anyone.  One I should make is to stop watching the Bronco's until next year.   The boys are having a tough season.

The Grandkids are getting bigger and bigger.   Eric decided to cut Aemon's hair, but I don't think Aemon was cooperating .  Hey the mullet is coming back in style.  I like the cut, it actually looks about like mine, when I cut my own hair.   I am thankful for facetime, at least we get to see them and they can see us, although most of the time they are running around and Eric is chasing them down.   I am ready for another trip to FL.   If that darn hurricane wouldn't have hit Sanibel Island we would be checking in today for the week.

Our boy Lochlan is getting his own personality and getting big quick.   I am hopeful that when we get back from Israel we will be able to make some time to get down there and see them.   I am sure Grandma and Grandpa can keep them busy.  Not only that I sent them some hot wheels sets and track for Christmas and look forward to playing with it myself.

Oh Eric and Shannon have their hands full, I am sure.  These two boys are always on the move.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Hello, and I hope that you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.   Where does the time go.  Pretty low key around our house this year.   We stayed home and celebrated with our youngest Clark.   I wish Eric and the family were closer, would be great to be able to celebrate with all of us together.   Well maybe next year.

I was able to finish up another plane I was working on.  Guess you could call this a tribute build as I tried to model it after one that my father had built.   It's close, but not identical.  I needed to make sure that I got the correct N# on the plane.   For this one it was N21GR, I knew the GR was for my mom's initials but learned today that when Dad built this one, they had been married for 21 years.

For now so it doesn't get broken I took it to my office and hung it up with the others.