Our Book World It’s been a busy, people-filled week. We’ve got 44 pages of Tiny Homes on the Move completed (1st pass), and another 30 or so designed, so we’ve got a third of the book scoped out. Two great things right now:
1. High-quality material coming in practically daily.
2. The design process, with me, Lew, David and Rick, is flowing now. The pages are looking good. Took a while to get going, but now stylin.
Solo Fridays With all this activity, I love the chance to be alone out here in this used-lumber studio, with sun now streaming in, some happy and melodic bird calls out in the garden, the little tin windmill showing a slight onshore breeze, music playing. Seems like rain is coming, we need it. I don’t agree that these bright sunny sharp days are “beautiful.” Give me clouds and a changing sky and pelting rain.
Around Here Photos of a day’s egg production by our Golden Seabright bantams, and my first wooden spoon (crude, but I’m learning fast). Going to start making spoons out of apple wood, all the other pieces of wood I’ve been collecting for years.
Justified This only for fans: Great performances the last episode, when Arlo dies. Raylan, Arlo, especially Boyd. Some terse, highly-polished script writing. In one particular scene (during opening credits) when Raylan is talking to a guy in prison and the dialogue is great, the credit, “Elmore Leonard,” rolls across the screen (series based on his stories).
Music Earlier listening to Dan Bern (“Hooker”). Right now listening to “Sinatra: Best of the Best.” This is a perceptive collection, put together in 2011; they really chose the best stuff. What a rich voice!
I grew up with Sinatra (from the ’40s-on), never paid much attention to him, and then in the 60s, upon discovering Dylan, the Stones and Beatles, I put him in the “square” category. Oh, puhleeze, not Sinatra!
I overlooked (and misjudged) a bunch of things back then in pursuit of all things hip. In the excitement of the very real cultural revolution, there was the “hipper-than-thou” syndrome, resulting in a less-than-wide outlook on life and culture. So it is with delight that I go back in time and discover such excellence. I must confess, when I heard this version of “MyWay,” I got a chill.
Birds The red-shouldered hawk cruises in and terrifies the chickens once in a while, but they are fenced securely. Yesterday two very perky blue California Scrub Jays in garden. Resourceful, strong, smart (therefore wary) birds. Doves and quail on ground this morning, bunches of small birds. Lots of huge Canadian Geese in yonder flatlands.
good looking spoon. will you use it, or just admire it? recal your post of "barn the spoon",
http://lloydkahn-ongoing.blogspot.ca/2013/01/wooden-spoons-in-uk-by-barn-spoon.html
wondered if he inspired you, or always been an interest…?
myself, would have a hard time to "use" any of these spoons, as the care and time spent creating them, creates huge value in my mind.
Solo Time. I like the sound of that. It's one thing gone for a lot of the 'Social Media' generation… even alone you are still networked.
Justified… Wouldn't miss it! The dialogue and 'demeanor' alone are worth the price of admission.
Sinatra… Right up there with Ella, says I.
Good morning Lloyd, firstly can I say how much I love your blog. For a couple years now every Saturday morning without fail finds me in bed catching up on the many interesting posts. Just a couple of points: if you enjoy justified you would appreciate a book called Twilight by William Gay – well written southern gothic, I love the characters' voices. I smiled when I saw that you were trying spoon carving as this is one of my main pass times (I have two blogs on the subject if you are interested – also have a look at Jarrod Stonedahl if you don't already know him – very talented carver). I know how much you love music – can I rexommend The Fleet Foxes who I like to listen to when I carve, some thing about the Native American rhythms and the image of an Apalachian cabin that the songs conjure that compliment the activity. Thanks again, keep it up. Richard
Richard, Great to receive this. I love your spoons (http://52spoons.blogspot.com/) Perfect timing. My 1st spoon was from a milled piece of walnut. Had no idea how to scoop out bowl. Just ordered 2 Frost crooked knives. Have a hatchet on order so I can start by carving from the branch. Going to post your blog in the next week or so.
Richard, If you see this, could you email me at: lloyd@shelterpub.com? Have some carving questions…
Lloyd-if you get some spoon tips please post them up…you and Mark Freudlin (sp?) have given the itch to try and am trying to figure out what tools I should have to start, without cutting off my fingers!
And Richard, the link from Lloyd to your blog was VERY good place to start! I have been ranging around searching for just that information all weekend. Thanks for taking the time to post that
Hey, it's a pleasure, glad I could help. Thanks for reading my posts – that's what makes the otherwise solitary exercise of sitting at a computer worthwhile. Let me know if I can help in any way.