!!!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

@Coydon: Yeah, a 1HP or 2HP hauler seems like a nice addition to the stable of Wheaton Labs tools.

@Mike: That's kind of like what we did with that log carrier. I suppose we just need a bit more practice to be effective with it (but mainly, I just need to learn how to walk in the snow while carrying a load).

...Thanks for all your input, guys.

BRK #195

Saturday: errands day. I started things off, however, with a bit of a nature walk up to the Caldera and back a couple times. There's a friend of mine back East who had a successful surgery procedure, and I wanted to share a few photos of this place with her to celebrate her newly-minted mobility. It would be excellent to have an old friend of mine visit...!

While on the walk, I spied a small herd of over a dozen deer across the way. Looks like I was a bit too far to catch a definitive snapshot of them, however.



Later, I went into town and picked up a few plain white Ts for Dye Day Dye Dye Dye, which happens this coming week. Also scored a superb book bundle from the Goodwill today.

Pictured here: Reader's Digest: Complete Book of Sewing; DIY manuals for Roofing & Siding, Power Tools & Equipment, Lighting & Electricity; Measured Shop Drawings for American Furniture.



Pictured here: a fun read: Matagorda by Louis L'Amour; a worthwhile read: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.



I also added an embroidered patch to my vest today. I'm an official Fermenters Club member! Thanks once again, SEPPer Austin!!!



Full disclosure: It successfully kicked-off a conversation with a fetching member of the opposite sex, so I think this patch has legs.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and make the most of your weekend...!

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:
I also added an embroidered patch to my vest today. I'm an official Fermenters Club member! Thanks once again, SEPPer Austin!!!

Full disclosure: It successfully kicked-off a conversation with a fetching member of the opposite sex, so I think this patch has legs.

Yesssss!!! Happy to hear it was a juicy conversation starter!

BRK #196

Sunday, and a Nest Labor day. I returned to the Paddock Gate project, and had to rethink it. I'd been inspired by Caleb's lattice design for the narrow-twin bunks now in the Solarium, and decided to follow suit. I had a chance to frame it out before heading out on errands.

(bonus appearance of kitty Frances)



Once it's done, I hope to have a natural wood lattice, strong enough for all the kitties to climb on. I'll continue the motif to the area above the gate, and then the wall on the far side of the paddock wall. Here's an "artist's" rendition of that first section of the paddock wall.



Meanwhile, I also started a patching project today on a pair of my work pants. There were some small squares of pine-tree fabric, and Here's the first I've added to this particular pair of pants. It'll need a few more before I'm through.





Finally: Grey moved a worktable into the Library, with the hopes he'll have more room to finish some window quilt projects. Here he is removing rust from some old auger bits and other tools.



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

BRK #197

Another Monday, and we've been back at it. Paul was out of town for a few days, and it was good to welcome him back. We also have a new Boot in our ranks, and we're pleased to have him along for the ride.

Here's a photo of today's sunrise. It felt absolutely tropical today, with temperatures in the mid-40s F. Copious snowmelt was making the driveway and other footpaths soft and muddy throughout the day, and in the afternoon up at the Lab, we all agreed that the best way to describe the roads and pathways was "slurpy."



The first half of the day, however, was spent indoors. Here's Caleb and new Boot Reid working diligently on the ceiling panel project in the Solarium. Reid has diverse experience as a WWOOFer, and he came to Wheaton Labs for the work trade and the opportunity to build with a variety of tools and projects.



In the afternoon, we returned to the Lab and the trees we had felled on Friday. Here's the "pilot seat" view from the tractor as I was towing a lumber log towards the road. The team had more opportunities to practice with the snatch block, as well as communications in general. It was good work we had done.



Doug, oh Doug (our blue pickup truck)... Little guy wouldn't start, of course after he had blocked-in the tractor on the pathway! Fortunately, Caleb set to work cleaning the battery terminals, and eventually Doug started up with no additional problems.



I had a chance to photograph the eastern landscape again, this time in the late afternoon. It looked as though a storm had been passing through, though fortunately it was several miles away.



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!