FUNNY, Tommy.

A little early but enjoy.

'Twas the night before Christmas
And in the garage.
There wasn't a trace of a Ford or Dodge.
The presents were wrapped and the lights were all lit,
So I figured I'd go mess with my Corvette for a bit.
I popped the release and I lifted the hood,
When a deep voice behind me said "Looks pretty good."
Well as you can imagine, I turned mighty quick,
And there by my workbench, stood good Ol' Saint Nick!
He just stared at first, not sure what to say,
Then Santa piped in "Don't suppose you'd trade that for my sleigh?'
"Forget it, Mr. Claus" then I started to grin
"If you've got some time we could go for a spin!"
His round little mouth, all tied up like a bow,
Burst into a smile when he said "C'mon then, Let's GO!!"
So as not to disturb all my neighbours' retreat,
We pushed my old Stingray quietly onto the street.
Then, taking our places to drift down the hill,
I turned on the key, then let the clutch spill.
The sound erupted and took Santa by surprise,
But he liked it a lot, by the look in his eyes.
With cold tires spinning and exhaust pipes aglow,
We headed on out to roads hot rodders go.
And Santa's grin widened, approaching his ears,
With every shift up as I went through the gears.
Then he yelled "Can't recall when I've felt so alive!"
So I backed off the gas and said "Do you wanna drive?"
Ol' Santa was stunned when I gave him the keys,
As he walked past the headlights he shook at the knees!
Then the big block exploded with raspy exhaust sound!
Santa let out the clutch as the tires tore up the ground.
Power shift into second, again into third!
I grabbed for the handle, at loss for a word.
With the tank reaching empty, Santa returned to his sleigh,
Never to forget that ride in my '69 Stingray
Later, I heard him exclaim, as he blasted from sight,
"Merry Christmas, to all,
it's been a great night!!!"

Oh. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Gris. 80 doesn't seem to old to me anymore either.

Morning guys....it is still morning isn't it?

Pretty chilly this morning, 18 but up to 32 now. Boy Gris, we should could use that rain you're getting, drier than a popcorn fart here. 40s for highs for the foreseeable future.

I had a clock doctor here this morning. The clock I built a couple years back, got finicky and wouldn't run. The doc came in and checked several things out and determined that the hands weren't adjusted properly and it was causing the clock to stop. As he was explaining the issue, I realized he was absolutely dead on in his diagnosis. I explained to him that made perfect sense, since the clock would stop at almost the same exact minute every time. He told me I could add about a pound of weight to the center weight and it would have probably worked through it, but he adjusted the hands and told me to keep an eye on it, but he was confident that the hand adjustment was the problem. I've ordered lead shot to add to the center weight, as he said the pendulum I had really needs a little more weight than it has.

Going out to the shop now to spray a couple coats of finish on the tables. Church a little later, then over to #2s house for supper after the City's Christmas parade.

Well, like Marc, the wind...and dirt clouds, blew in about noon. I came out of the shop and a very light breeze was blowing but to the north I could see a black dirt coloud headed our way. By the time I got to the house it hit hard. Visibility dropped to about 100 yards...I could see the end of the block, but not much further.

Had to go out west to work on a computer, for a 9 mile drive it tool a long time to get there. Luckily, it was an easy fix and was headed back within 15 minutes.

Got back and finished up my tables and got the first coat of lacquer applied.

Wind still blowing but the dirt cloud has eased.

Morning guys...up and around and headed to the shop. pretty warm compared to the last few mornings, mid 30s now and headed to low 70s today. Low 40s for high tomorrow.

Helped a friend make some projects yesterday in the shop. Will hopefully finish those up today and maybe I'll finish building my tables as well.

Later guys.

I've made a few things in shop class Made quite a few things on lathes...I love turning on the lathe. In high school, Rosie was pretty good turning things on the lathe as well.

Tommy, I'll guess Mahogany... it was less expensive back then. Walnut has always been expensive. I always gave good grades for effort.

Morning guys...chilly again this morning, but the south winds staerted blowingearly promising to bring warmer air in.

Tommy, that is odd about the priest. I've heard stories about lathes. I had a friend who had a student die after a lathe accident. He was turning a large bowl and the blank came loose from the faceplate flew off and hit him in the chest causing his heart to stop, couldn't get it going again.

Got to go to church. Another funeral...the wife of our friend who died in August. She fell and died the next day. But no matter what the death cert says, she died of a broken heaart.....

Got to go.

Hey guys, busy day here. Cold when we got up and temps were constant or dropping all day, 18 now.

Spent all day in the shop working on a pair of tables for #1 and SIL, prepping materials for another project and creating a frame for a sign. The tables, I'm trying to finish up so we can take them with us on the next trip to KC.

Just came in about 7pm.

Hey guys, up early and off to dental appt. Had to stop at the Chebby dealer to make an appt to do a recall on the pickup. The young man who wanted on me and made the appt, was, yea, a former student. Greeted me like old lost friends. After the arrangements I asked if they still had the 2020 corvette I saw that they had advertised a couple weeks back..."No, I think that one sold. But there is another one over there." So, I went through the showroom to go take a look at it. They really wanted me to take it for a test drive. 2022 Blade silver 2LT with Calamari interior. Didn't have time, needed to go get my teeth cleaned. When I take the pickup back to have the recall done, I might just take them up on the test drive. Oh, they were only asking around $90k. The thing I don't understand, is why buy a car if you aren't going to drive it? Used 2022 Corvette only had 265 miles on it. Got to admit, I really liked it. Extremely comfortable seats, luggage area bigger than you think (at least bigger than I was thinking).

Brought our great grand home with us from the 'city'. As Momma was working and didn't get off before daddy had to go to work. So we've been sitting with her until just a few minutes ago.

Hey guys, GS #2 headed back to school. He says three more weeks and he'll be home for Christmas break.

Chilly and cloudy, but not bad outside. Looking for a high of around 50 today.

Not a lot on my agenda, Rosie is finishing up decorating for Christmas. Think I'll head out to the shop and start on Christmas present for #1.

Hey guys, been a pretty busy day here. Nothing accomplished, but busy none the less. Cloudy and cool start, but has warmed up to the mid 50s, although it's still cloudy. Another cold front supposed to move through and reset the temps a bit.

GS #2 heads back to the 'Little Apple' tomorrow. It was nice to have him home the last week.

We are headed to a 60th Wedding Anniversary reception in a few minutes then off to church. Supper at #2s house after church.

Morning guys...cold this morning. Still full from yesterday.

Need to go to the 'city' today.

The hoards will show up soon. Rosie is working on the stuffing, and potatoes...thankfully, we did the turkeys last week, so the hard part is done.

I want to say, I truly appreciate my friends here and thank all of you tor being here for me.

Morning guys

Well, got the oil changed and new pads and rotors installed, so I had them wash the car, vacuum it out and put on a ceramic sealer....looks pretty good for a 17 year old vehicle. Still had daylight left, so Grandma Rosie had the boys help put Christmas decorations up. Best use the nice day today as tomorrow it's supposed to turn cold and nasty for a few days.

Morning guys... sun is shining, but chilly start. Supposed to warm into the low 60s today with a front moving through this evening dropping us into the low 40s with a chance of moisture.

Finished up the handrail and a couple other things yesterday. The 2 GSs will be here today. They are going to change the oil/filter and front brakes on their moms' Honda. New experience for one of them.

I'm doing ribs for supper, GS #2 requested those sometime while he's home, so todays the day.

Mid Century Modern

Hey guys, up early again, but off to the courthouse to renew drivers license, then over to try and finish the handrail. Have one last piece to install this afternoon.

Then out to the place where I installed cabinets a month or so back...they FINALLY giot the toe kick board from Home screw-pot....that job was a fiasco from the start, I'm sure the folks will be glad to finally have that done.

Hey guys...Up and off early to install cabinets and modify a cabinet to install a new sink. Got back from that job around noon, so decided to use my help (GSs #s 2 and 3) to help me with installing some hand rail at a house, got about 2/3s of it done before quitting. Frinds down the street invited us to go to a movie tonight and needed to leave by 6:15.

Tomorrow, once it warms up a little, we'll go back and finish up the handrail. Today, this afternoon, was absolutely perfect for working outside, mid 50s. More of the same tomorrow.

Hey guup early and off to make breakfast. Several guys showed up to set up tables, prep cookie sheets, make gravy, coffee and prep plates and tableware. Served about 70.

Not much else on the agenda today until late this afternoon when we have a 4th degree Knights meeting. Not all KofC members are 4th degree. Most just attain a 3rd degree membership.

Morning guys....we hosted the great grand daughter last night. She did real well, great grandpa not as much, I'M not used to being up like that at night, G-grandma is more inclined to be up and it didn't affect her as much. She's (GGD) is a real sweetie....not that I am biased in any way.

Still pretty chilly this morning down to 11 but already up to 24, and headed to mid 40s.

Not much on the agenda for today other than church. Tomorrow morning, KofC is serving biscuits and gravy after Mass, so I'll be up there early getting things ready. Then late afternoon a KofC meeting.

Morning guys... up and around this morning. Pretty chilly, 13 when I got up, only looking for high of 29...and breezy. I'm smoking a turkey today, guessing it will take a while with the low temps and wind.

Rosie baked a turkey yesterday and #2s hubby is frying one Thanksgiving day....should have plenty of turkey to eat. It will just be them #2/SIL, 3 grandsons, 1 GD-in-law, 1 fiance of #2GS, great granddaughter and us. #1 and family flew to Hawaii (celebrate 10 year anniversary) and #3 is staying in KC to have Tgiving with her mother-in-law.

Got a few things to do in the shop and a couple jobs to go out and do before the end of next week.

Later guys.

Back home. Snowy, packed roads part of the way. Yes, due to the 4 of us and the baby in the car seat, we were in the pickup, thankfully.

Well, we are in Wichita. Left the house at 4:30am. Picked up GS/GD in law and Greer Grand at 5am and was on the road by 5:15. Made a stop to stretch 2 hours later. Made it here about 45 minutes early. I dropped them off and went to fill the pickup with gas so we are ready to head west when they come out.

They are in the doctors office building, I decided to wait out in the car. Was starting to snow when we left and before we got here, we got notice that school at home had been canceled for today. We ran out of the snow about a; hour, east. But as I sit here in the truck, it has started here. Sent a text to Rosie inside, but have received no answer as to whether or not they have been called back yet…should have, their appointment was for 10:05. Would like to get back on the road home. Have a feeling it’s going, to be snowy all the way back.

Rosie just texted, they are on their way out.

Later, guys.

Morning guys... chilly here too, 24 when we got up, headed to low 50s.

The chest made me proud, was bought be a former student for $675. I was expecting $400. Buyer told me he was thrilled and was going to his HS age daughter, and he loved all my work and 'know the high quality of your work".

Headed over to the 'city' for a few groceries. Tomorrow we get up early (4am) as Great grand daughter has doctor appt in Wichita at 10am and need to be there by 9:45. GS and wife are not city drivers, so we volunteered to take them.

Later folks.

OH, A belated thanks to all our veterans. And to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great country.

A special thanks to my Dad, (Flew over 40 sorties during WWII over Africa, Italy and Germany) Mom's Brother Bill (to whom I wouldn't be here as during training during WWII, he introduced mom to dad) and my brother Bruce who served during Viet Nam. RIP to all three of them.

Rather chilly here this morning, 12 when we got up, but they say we are headed to 50...we'll see.

Not much on the agenda for today. It is opening day of pheasant season. I'm not going out, but the local pheasant group has a big doings this evening to raise money for youth hunts, gun safety and habitat improvements. I've donated a chest for the auction.



Hopefully it will bring some big money for them. We get free tickets for the donation.

Morning guys....

Hey guys, up normal time and off to see the chiropractor. Back to the shop to finish prepping the newel posts I made for the church in the next town over to the west. Then with it being Wednesday, lunch with the 'old folks' at the Senior Center.

After lunch Rosie and I loaded up tools and newel posts and hand rails and headed west to install those parts. Just as a point of reference, we drove all the way over to where we were in the Mountain Time zone (just 14 miles to the west). My phone kicked over to MT and I thought I was working way faster than I was. When I realized this I was just finishing up and remembered that I had a meeting just 30 minutes. So I didn't even have time to change out of my work clothes.

Weather was warm today, 70, but the wind was blowing 30-40mph with gusts to 60. Tomorrow, the bottom started to drop out and by Saturday morning, it going to be mid teens with highs in the low 40s.

I'm tired and ready to hit the sack.

Hey guys, up normal time and off to see the chiropractor. Back to the shop to finish prepping the newel posts I made for the church in the next town over to the west. Then with it being Wednesday, lunch with the 'old folks' at the Senior Center.

After lunch Rosie and I loaded up tools and newel posts and hand rails and headed west to install those parts. Just as a point of reference, we drove all the way over to where we were in the Mountain Time zone (just 14 miles to the west). My phone kicked over to MT and I thought I was working way faster than I was. When I realized this I was just finishing up and remembered that I had a meeting just 30 minutes. So I didn't even have time to change out of my work clothes.

Weather was warm today, 70, but the wind was blowing 30-40mph with gusts to 60. Tomorrow, the bottom started to drop out and by Saturday morning, it going to be mid teens with highs in the low 40s.

I'm tired and ready to hit the sack.

Hey guys, busy several days. Congrats, Letty for finally finding and acquiring that LR.

Can't really tell you what all I've been doing, just that the days have been full and lots of stuff accomplished.

Weather has been pretty warm, but windy as heck. Tomorrow we are under a wind advisory with winds sustained at 30-40 with gusts to 60+.

I did my civic duty today, like most of you.. I hope.

Morning guys... Cold here. 28 and wind is blowing. 44 is the predicted high for today.

All the caulking done and set. Today I'll install the old folks grab bar on the back wall and spackle the sheetrock screws I had to put in. Picked up paint yesterday, so Rosie will start on that. Still waiting on glass guy to call back, to tell us when he'll install to panel.

Matt, the shower I installed is a cast 4 piece unit, called Onyx.
https://onyxcollection.com/standard-lowprofile-shower-base-pan/

Proudly made right here in Kansas.

Hey guys, busy last couple days. Yesterday we got all the framing done and the shower base set. My plumber buddy came over and did all the plumbing and we let the base glue set. Pre cut sheetrock pieces for the back wall and foot end. This morning I started putting the sheetrock up on the foot end by the time my help arrived. The back wall then and then the head end. While I finished screwing the sheetrock, my helper started patterning the back wall for the Onyx sheet 60" x 76". Once I had all the sheetrock screwed off we trial filted the pattern and made minute adjustments we transferred that to the panel, cut and installed. Then this afternoon we got the foot and head pieces patterned, cut and installed. then installed the soap dish/and bench seat. We'll wait until tomorrow to go back and clean the excess glue, then color caulk the seams.

Tonight, I have a KofC meeting. Better get going.

Morning guys... Looks like a nice morning here. Cool, but supposed to warm into the 70s and little breezy.

Got lots to do today. Going to try to get the shower base down and maybe sheetrock up on the walls.

Hey guys, Nice day here today. low 70s and no wind. Over 300 T or Ters, by 7:45. My whole case of 300 full sized Knights of Columbus Tootsie Rolls were gone, so shut the lights out and went downstairs.

Got everything torn out today, ready to start putting stuff back in tomorrow. Maybe ready to do some plumbing Weds.

My arse is dragging, headed to bed.

Hey guys, Up early and out the door to IHOP for breakfast. Then over to #1s house to see them once again before we headed west. #1 had the idea of taking the dogs out to the dog park to exercise them, so we went along and got a mile and a half walk in before we left.

Stopped to see Rosies' dad on the wayy back. Stayed there about 45 minutes.

Now that we are home, we've unloaded the car, cleaned up and put things away.

Tomorrow I am starting on our bathroom remodel. Hopefully we'll have it done this week.

Hey guys, up early and out the door to watch 2 GSs play football… on opposite teams. One was going to be happy, the other not so much. The one that won was pretty humble about it, the one that lost was pretty good, but not happy. He did play really well, but not good enough to win.

After that we chilled with the family for a while, then drove back to the other daughters place and then went to church.

After church, we took them out for their birthdays, both in November, out to eat at their favorite place.

Hey guys,just what I had planned is what I did for today…. Nothing.

Weather is seasonal today here in KC metro area. Mid 60s and very little, if any, wind.

Stopped at a couple stores just to look around, I guess I did buy a few bottles of Jose Cuervo margaritas. It is like $4/ bottle cheaper and they have different flavors. We like the orange-pineapple.

Watched daughter, granddaughter and Rosie carve a pumpkin.

Hey guys, made it to KC about 4 and was able to watch granddaughter cheer for her team. Reminds of her mother when she was that age.

Stopped in at the “little Apple” on the way up and visited grandson, his girlfriend and another grand. Took them out for lunch.

Tomorrow, nothing really on the agenda.

Morning guys... Pretty chilly. A little work in the shop to do.

Morning guys....Monday again?

Winds down this morning, but chilly 36 now, predicted high of mid 60s. Will work on a small project in the shop today.

Hey guys, up and around. Chilly this morning and only headed to the low 60s. Winds yesterday were wild, today, just normal. The pictures I posted yesterday, I find later, according to local weather gurus, was just when we had 79mph gusts...I believe it. Today the wind is just 25mph or so.

Out in the shop piddling around today, not going to get started on anything big as we will be leaving for KC on Thursday morning.

Talked with a lady yesterday, while over in the 'city' we knew 30+ years ago. Catching up with her, she was telling me she was looking for someone to do a makeover on her kitchen, and did I know anybody that would be interested....new job for you know who, as I can't say "NO". She wants to have it done sometime after the first of the year...that's good, as I have finished doing big projects for this year.

Hey guys, Up early again this morning and off to the church hall to do breakfast after Mass. Had a good turnout and served around 100 people, biggest turnout we've had since...well I cant remember when. Good thing that was the number, as we ran out of biscuits and gravy making up the last couple of plates.

After we got cleaned up there Rosie and I headed over to the 'city' for some groceries....it was a bit breezy, but that didn't deter us at all. Just a normal breeze for us in SW Kansas.





Really, the wind was blowing about 60mph out of the, almost, due west, and gusts to 70mph.

Hey guys, up early and out the door. Drove 2 hours north to watch Leo run. It didn't turn out well for him. he didn't run as well as he had hoped and didn't qualify for State, his high school cross country career is over.

Back in time for church, but it's been a long day....headed to bed.

Morning guys... chilly, but bearable. 46 now headed toward the upper 80s.

Try to go out and finish the cabinet install today (fingers crossed). Last regular season home game tonight....senior night, so Leo will be recognized for his Cross Country.

Matt, you are right, it goes by way too fast.

Got to go.

Hey guys, up and around early so as to hopefully go out and finish up the crown molding. Got it all loaded and headed out. Took a while to do it and figured out pretty quick I was going to be short. One piece about 5' long is what I need to finish up. Actually was only about 20" short, but don't want to splice 2 pieces to do it. I did have another piece in the storage shed, but different species and it won't paint the same with a lot of work, so that's what I got done. I'll finish up that job tomorrow.

Not nearly as cool today, low 80s. Mid 80s tomorrow and Saturday.

Hey Gris, you don't think that announcement was politically timed do you? Sure NOT!

Morning guys....Not quite as cool this morning, only 28, but headed toward mid 70s.

Headed out to hang some cabinets. Back into town at noon to "eat with the old folks".

Hey guys, up early and out the door to hang some cabinets. It was pretty nipplily here as well, 26 when I grabbed my coffee. Warmed up some during the day, but again pretty cool when we got back and went for our bike ride. Going to warm up some tomorrow and by the weekend back into the low 80s.

Got a call on the way home from the install job, the lady I hung cabinets for a couple weeks back (base cabinets only as the uppers were lost in transit) that the last of the upper cabinets finally arrived. So tomorrow, I'll go back out there and attempt to get those cabinets installed.

Local lumberyard owner called me to say he got the billing for my Onyx (Brand) shower we ordered to replace the tub in our master bath, so we stopped by there and wrote him a checkfor that. Once we finish up the cabinets job going now we'll get started on that project. I think I have nearly all the materials gathered up for it, I just don't want any other jobs waiting on me when we start.

Have a great rest of the day.

Morning guys... a bit chilly here this morning, 29 on the back deck. Colder yet tonight, then moderating temps the rest of the week.

Things to do in the shop. Better get to them.