Spring's Here

Well, I think Spring has arrived in eastern Kansas. I think that deserves a journal entry. Never know in the future when one will ponder historic trends. The wife is getting antsy to plant the vegetable garden so I dashed out last night and tilled the garden. I feel it's going to be a good year for growing things. Soil looks real nice, assuming you like dirt.

Joy In Order

This project took way too long to get going. Years of contemplation. I should have just done it a decade ago: building shelves for the kitchen pantry.

I usually said I'll do it in the Spring when it's ideal working condition in my garage/shop. But I waited too long. To save some do-it-yourself dignity I did it this month in a very cold garage, just to get it off "the list". But it's done! Looks fine and I get a warm feeling seeing all the order it has instilled in our kitchen supplies. Wilma doesn't take it to that level, but loves the shelves anyway.

Five Cents Worth

Back in Little Rock for a little business travel. Time to kill so I sketched a Jefferson nickle I found with a really neat Lewis & Clark engraving on the back (Jefferson was the president to authorize their expedition, so it all ties together well). Tried out Noodler's ink in my new fountain pen in my new sketch book. The waterproof (?) ink still doesn't work. It didn't work in my Moleskine Sketch books either, so I'll give up on it for my watercolor pencil work. I still like it for writing (and calligraphy) and pen and ink sketching. Had a chance to get into Ozark Outdoor Supply store again (maybe I shouldn't bag on women who like to shop). It's a house converted into a retail store. They have serious gear for hiking, backpacking and canoe/kayaking. Just packed to the walls with stuff. Love the place.

Hall of Waters

I went on my first sketch crawl today. It's the one organized by Kate Johnson in Excelsior Springs, MO. I'm one lucky pup to only be 90 miles from real sketchers and water color artists that do crawls and let hacks like me tag along. We had quiet sketching time in the early afternoon hours. It's neat to be with people that understand these things can't be hurried. The Halls of Water has a neat long tall room full of glass designed to bring in the sun, with a (former) water bar area that now sells bottled water and misc. goods, and a free history lesson if you ask. Then a jaunt over to a local restaurant to talk things over and eat a bite. A person could get used to this.

Cleaning the 853's

I've been a Shawnee County (Kansas) 4-H Shooting Sports air rifle instructor for about 15 years now. It's enjoyable working with youth on a project they really like. I see all types of kids with all types of other interests, but on our shooting nights we share an interest in target shooting. We get a couple chances a year to shoot in competitions with other counties and the kids get to meet their peers. I get to watch them grow in both age and abilities. I may be an empty-nester but I still have my kids.

Old Iron, New Bread

Cooked up some bread using a new approach my son told me about. It's the crunchy crust/soft inside type, and it doesn't need to be kneaded. This isn't even work.

I made my second loaf this week. The first loaf, made while the kids were home over the weekend, didn't last long and I only got one piece. Bummer.

There's a story behind the Dutch Oven. It's Wilma's, inherited from her Mom. Wilma, an accomplished cook, says she never saw her Mom use it, so it probably hasn't been used for 50 years. It's been out in the garage forever . . . patiently waiting. Well, it came to life and it's neat to use such antiques for their intended use. It's going to be used pretty often now, thanks to this bread recipe.

New Old/Old New

Here's a couple new gadgets for me.

One is a new item just like the old days. No high-tech material in this pocket magnifying glass, just steel, leather and glass. Retro (and it was hard to find, too). I heard of a nature guide in a National Park that carried one around his neck to show his tour group the fine details of small nature. Then I heard of sketchers carrying one to inspect and sketch all things small. That's enough reason for me!

The other item is an old item from my daughter, that's new to me. I may be the last old kid on the block to get an MP3 player. Been looking at the technology for years but never figured out when I would actually listen to it. Well, I figured I'd listen to it when I exercised (an activity I strive to do regularly but haven't made it there yet). My daughter recently received a nicer one so Dad got her hand-me-down. Boy are they neat! It's old and has no clip to fasten it to your clothes, so I use a potato chip bag clip for that. Goofy but functional in the privacy of my own basement workout.


Here's a picture of my new journal, freshly stamped with a "return if found" stamp I had made, and a touch of calligraphy for a title page. I feel it's all me, from stitch to sketch. Feels good.