Thursday, February 25, 2010

Two Florida Birthday Boys


Here are the suspects in question. No they are not twins. The big guys twin is in NC. The Florida Birthday Boys, one is 66 years of age and one is 2 years of age, but they play well together.


When you are the youngest brother, there is always help opening your presents.


Brother is very observant.


Learning how to drill your way into your next present, kind of like a mini-safecracker.


All the boys are into something in this picture, including Dad.


Have you ever, I say ever, seen a cuter construction worker?


He looks "On The Job".


Another shot of our junior hero.

The MT's Computer Table

The MT (Medical Transcriptionist) needs a larger computer table upon which to base her new career.


After many false starts and ideas on table length and width, we decided to start with this old desk from a pawnshop.


It is a solid wood desk reclaimed from an abandoned storage locker.


The sides are relatively unscathed, while the top is marred and scarred.


There is a heavy coat of what appears to be varnish all over the desk.


Here is the first cut. I am going for the two upright sections. I will make them the pillars that hold up the new table.


First cut as seen from the back.


Here the second cut has been made and I am using a hand saw to completely cut all the way through in the backside of the desk.


Once the two uprights have been separated, I used a power sander to smooth out the finish and prepare the sides for painting.


The separated sides. I also took out each drawer and rebuilt/reglued them as required.


On the insides of each leg, I had to repair some holes that developed when the desk was disassembled.


Seams that opened over the life of the desk were filled with caulking in preparation for painting the legs.


The table top came from Lowes. It was a man made pine board 24"X72"X1" that was stained with a red oak stain. The legs were painted black to make the top stand out. The drawer handles were replaced with some that were already on hand. The holes for the original pulls which did not align with the new handles were filled with oak dowel and the new handles were then fitted.


The keyboard sets on a shelf that is 24"w X 13" deep providing enough area to hold the keyboard and mouse at an optimum height for the MT. The key board shelf is also pine and was cut from a man made Lowes board. It was also stained to match the top of the desk.

Since the desk top is soft pine, it will be finished as funds permit with a glass table top cut to fit at some date in the near future.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, 2010


The young gentleman play a game at the annual Hoggetowne Medieval Fair.


This is the second day of the first weekend of the Faire. The day before was cold and rainy. On Sunday the weather was better and it seemed like a lot of folks came to the Faire.


A typical booth at the Faire.


A young gentleman checks out his first sword before purchase.


Future knights await the start of the joust.


Newly purchased swords are displayed.


Challenges are issued.


And accepted.


Our hero, this knight represents our side, which just happened to be the "sunny" side of the field.


One of the two Ladies who accompanied the knights, she traveled with the other or "shady side" knight.


The "shady side" knight, who I believe eventually won the joust.


The two knights pass each other in the joust.

By the time the games had ended, the sun was very low behind the trees and my photography had long since ceased. I and those with me got very cold before we departed the area and headed to Sonny's Barbecue for a joyous repast.

Frozen Melrose

Ice in Melrose.

The hose had some ice in it and when I turned the water on it made a pile of ice. It took two days for that ice to go away in Melrose, FL. It is not often we get the cold weather we had during January.

The grass, in which you can see a little green, was totally frozen and even as I write this there is no green grass in my yard. Their is green clover and dandelions but no new grass growth yet.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

For those who ask Mom, what Dad would like for his birthday I present some ideas. Cash is always acceptable because Dad has some ways to purchase many items at a discounted price. But for those who like to shop and give surprises, here are some ideas. I have provided a picture, and a location which sells the item. However, as always, an Internet search for the lowest price plus free shipping is always recommended. In fact, hunting down the best deal is a great part of the fun.

Happy Hunting,
Dad

Stack-On In-Wall Cabinet
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/08/55/29/90/0008552990055_150X150.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.walmart.com/browse/Hunting-Gun-Accessories-Gun-Accessories/_/N-919uZaq90Zaqce/Ne-2p4g&usg=__5dyBbNTx68xa_BFiRkix9iQkXRg=&h=150&w=150&sz=4&hl=en&start=4&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=DwCI3GmJrApDXM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Din-wall%2Brifle/shotgun%2Bcabinet%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1W1ADBF_en%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1

Visual Optics 18" VO-Halogen Scope (4mm Series)at: http://www.inspectortools.com/product-p/vivo184h.htm

Pachmayr Master Gunsmith Screw Kit at:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=967567

SCREW CHEK'R available at: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=775/Product/SCREW_CHEK_R

Shotgun Dummies, 12 GA 2-3/4", per 25 available at:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=16762/pid=6811/sku/Shotgun_Dummies__12_GA_2_3_4___per_25

Roll Pin Holders Set available at:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=3016/pid=781/sku/Roll_Pin_Holders_Set

58 Bit Master Set Plus w/ Magnetic Law Enforcement Handle available at: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=1915/pid=417/sku/58_Bit_Master_Set_Plus_w__Magnetic_Law_Enforcement_Handle