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.

 

Checking In

Hey what's up?  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Let's see, we went out for lunch.  

It was a nice buffet with everything you could want and more.  Of course we all ate to much or at least I know I did.  We did partake and have a few mimosa's as well, I mean it's a buffet.  We were joined by Clark and Haley this year.  Boy, I wish the kids lived closer as it would be so nice if we could all be together.  Maybe next year.

We headed back to the house and spent the rest of the day/evening playing games.  I had a great time, haven't done that in a while.   Played family addition trivial pursuit.   It had adults and youth card questions, hell even found some of the youth questions tough.  Broke out some old photo's and that was fun.  The kids were talking about how all their pics are on the phone or in the cloud.  different times, that's for sure.

So let's see it has been decent amount of time since I have logged anything.  Actually spent 20 minutes, just trying to get logged back in again.  I keep meaning to write things down, but don't seem to find or make the time.

I did just finish another model.  I have started to put the grandkids faces in them, they look pretty cute.  My office is a mess, now.  I think I have about 18 planes hanging in the ceiling.   Going to need to find a place to donate them to going forward.

 

North Bros. Tree Stands

So a while back I had picked up a box of pre-1947 North Bros. Christmas Tree Stands.   I just though they were so cool. Well I finally got around to refurbishing them.   It was fun except for the sand blasting, I hate sand blasting.  I refinished 13 all together and they came out really nice.

I tore them down and ran them through the bead cabinet, then was ready to move to the next step.   I boxed them all up and brought them over to the house and cleaned them all up.  Then it was just a matter of priming and painting.   I hung up a makeshift clothes line and then cut wire that I used as hangers.   I primed and painted each one, letting it hang to dry.  This process in itself took me two weeks painting off/on.

Once they were dry I moved into the house where I used a paint marker.  Yes a paint marker, who know they made such a thing.  Well it worked great for this application.  I taped up the legs and then added the gold paint.  For all the rest I just free handed with the marker to add the gold paint where needed.

I used a paper plate and stuck the bolts through it.  Then I could spray paint the heads black to match the rest.  That worked great and didn't make a big mess.  then it was just a matter of final reassembly.   I struggled a bit with the first one, but that allowed me to see what I needed to and the order that I needed to put them back together.

All in all I am very pleased with the outcome. I see these listed on eBay for $65.00 to $250.00 depending on condition.  For me they will become pieces for other items I may want make.

You can see below that I have already repurposed two of them and made lamps.  I found some old ceiling lamps at the flea market and bought three of them for a dollar.   The base was white and required some modifications, but I loved the glass globes that were on them.  I did some research and bought wire, off/on switch and the lamp socket and put it all together.  I made two and have them on my desk at home.

Next I was going to see if I could use some old cameras and wire them up, so that the light will be where the flash bulb is currently.   I'll keep you posted but think they will be pretty cool when done.

Welcome Little Buddy

As one Robinson left us a new one joined the family.  On May 21st. we welcomed Lachlan

Ray Robinson to the family.   This was also the same day that his Great Grandfather passed away.  Lachlan or Lach as I have nicknamed him, sure is another cutie.   I can't wait, actually Candy and I can't wait to get back down to see him and his big brother Aemon.

Looks like we will be able to get back just after Christmas for a couple days.  So looking forward to it.   It's been to long and I wish I could get down there more.

It was nice that the kids chose their Grandfathers middle name to give to Lachlan.   That was a very emotional day for all of us.

Seems like the kids are doing well.  They just purchased a new townhome a year back and are getting all settled.   I had forgotten how much stuff you need when you have little kids.   It all takes up a lot of room.

Love You Pops

I dedicate this blog post to my late father Dennis R. Robinson Sr.   Dad passed away earlier this year, May 21st to be exact.    The poor guy had been sick for about a year and he did a pretty good job hiding it.   I spent a lot of time this year being back in Wichita to visit and help out where I could.

I pretty much traveled by car, train and plane on some of my trips back and forth.  Honestly a lot of it is a blur.   It was some very emotional times and I am thankful that I did get to spend as much time with him as we did toward the end.

For my part I had forgotten all about COVID during this time as we were spending a lot of time in the Hospital and Doctors offices.

I really miss him and at times find myself wanting to pick up the phone and tell him something or ask a question.  I know it has been tough on my Mother as well.   She is now by herself and has some of her own health issues and there is not a lot I can do being 500 miles away.

"Dennis Ray Robinson, 75, of Valley Center, Kansas passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on May 21st, 2021.  Dennis was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to everyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Robinson and Jennie (Kabler) Robinson Cowdrey; Step-dad, William Cowdrey; brother, Edwin A. Robinson

Dennis is survived by the love of his life, Goldie Robinson, of 57 years; son, Dennis Ray Robinson Jr. (Candy); daughter, Angela Marie Montini (Tony); grandchildren, Eric (Shannon) Robinson; Clark Robinson; Katie Montini and Natalie Montini; great-grandchildren, Aemon and Lochlan Robinson; cousins, Linda Kabler, Brian Kabler, and Brenda Kabler.

Dennis had a love for aviation and built and flew numerous aircraft through his life.

He worked for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for 43 years, retiring at the age of 60.  Through his career with the railroad, he was a Carman, mechanical supervisor, and safety supervisor in La Junta, Colorado and Newton, Kansas. Dennis had served as safety assistant for BNSF's mechanical, car, and locomotive team in Newton, Dodge City, Hutchinson and Wellington, Kan. Dennis helped the team surpass 14 years without a Federal Railroad Administration-reportable injury — one of the best safety records in the railroad industry, according to the Association of American Railroads.  In 2004 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Carman Dennis Robinson was named recipient of the 2004 Harold F. Hammond Award, which recognizes an individual railroad employee for outstanding safety achievement.

After Dennis retired from the railroad, he spent his free time working on his airplanes and flying in/out of his own airstrip. He was known for his Karaoke singing, sense of humor, and savior to any furry critters that may have crossed his path."

Not Even Sure

Greetings All,

Guess it has been a while since my last post.  A lot has happened since I last made an entry in the blog.  Some good and some not so good, but that is life.   Happy to report that as a family and our extended family have all faired well through COVID.  Know knock on wood.

Honestly I am not even sure what to share as it has been so long.  I have been sitting here thinking about it now for 10 minutes.  Time to move on.

So I  am still building balsa wood airplanes.  Last count I have 15 hanging in my office at work.  Yeah I am a goober.  But hell, no one ever comes into the office accept for maybe four of us, so it's not a big deal.  My last post I was still working on my Gee Bee.  Boy it seems like forever ago.

I have managed to complete a few more since then.   Below are photos of the following that I have completed.

Gee Bee

USCG JF4-1

Beechcraft Staggerwing

Hall's Bulldog

Laird Super Solution

So in this picture I am holding the wing I built for my Citabria that I am building.  It has a 70 inch wingspan and will be a RC airplane when and if I ever get it done.  I finished the wing and then put the project away for a while.   It was a rough spring for the Robinson's that I will explain later.

I'll be back tomorrow and share more about my father and a close friend of mine who passed away this year.   Be Safe.

Stay Busy

Up early and made my way to the hot tub.  This is pretty much a daily ritual for me.  It's nice to soak in the tub and I can read the news and sort that morning's email, review my to-do list.  Jumped out and got dressed and turned my attention to the driveway and porch stairs.  Grabbed the snow shovel and went to town.  It wasn't bad, we had maybe four inches or so.  Took me about 45 minutes.

When finished I came in and got Candy.  She got ready and we headed out for a walk with the dogs.  It was still early so we were some of the first people on the trail, so we got to make the tracks.  The dogs had a blast running through the fresh snow.  We only did 1.8 miles, but it was nice to be out and even though the temperature was around 28 degrees, neither of us felt cold at all, it was really nice.

We talked about going out for breakfast when we returned, but unfortunately, the place we like to go to is closed due to COVID.  So being me I whipped a creative breakfast with some leftovers.   I already had the guacamole and leftover bacon.  English Muffin, 1 slice Cheddar Cheese, 1 Fried Egg, Guacamole and Bacon.  Bam, there you go and it was awesome.

Headed down stairs and got on the treadmill.  I needed another 1.5 miles to get my steps in for the day.  Once I had that knocked out, I started working on my Gee Bee, to see if could get the rudder and stabilizer done today.

I laid out the Gee Bee plan and started pinning things down and cutting and fitting pieces.  It actually moved pretty quick this afternoon.  I was able to get both completed and then sanded.   Added the paper cockpit cover to the fuselage.  

More to do

Woke up this morning and it was snowing.  Not a lot and it has been snowing most of the day but hasn't really piled up.   Should be a pretty easy driveway shovel in the morning.  I did get up and get 4 miles in on the treadmill this morning.   I am thinking with the fresh snow, I should try to hit the trail in the morning.  Bet I could get some nice pictures.

We got out for a bit this morning and went to the store.   Had a few items to pick up.   I was making Garlic, Lemon, Shrimp, and Angel hair pasta for dinner and needed a few things.  I did make dinner and it came out great.

Last night Candy made toast with guacamole, egg, and bacon for dinner last night and that was awesome as well.  With COVID, I find that we cook a lot more at home.   Even this evening Candy made us ice cream, banana, pineapple smoothies for us this evening, man they were tasty.

I was able to spend a little time on my Gee Bee today and managed to get the airframe done.  I Will start working on the tail and wings tomorrow, but they will take me another week/two to get completed.   I will take pictures along the way.