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Rogues Gallery

 “Mug Trio” from The Smoking Gun

 

(to start of project)

It’s possible some of the information below is full of half-truths, exaggerations, or outright lies; it’s difficult to say. If no current photo exists, a reasonable approximation is used herewith.

This is a partial list, in no particular order, of ‘seedie people and places. I’ll try to update it from time to time.  Some of these folks have useful or interesting links associated with them. Some links are not to people, just useful links. Some are just interesting people.

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Slow Stripping

Weekend’s work – half hulls 

 

(to start of project)

I am the Bungie King. With wooden fingers.

Bungie chords in different lengths, and with lots of places to hook to, seem to apply the right amount of flexible pressure, over large areas, to pull the strips together snug. Since I plan to finish the insides bright, random staple holes would be unsightly, otherwise you could just use more staples. Also, the bungies ease the strips most of the way flat without breaking them. Bungies with large plastic hooks don’t mar the wood. The wooden fingers, with a spring clamp applied, hold the strips flat against the form. Fast and easy to apply. Problem solved.

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Fast Stripping

Clamping improvisation

 

(to start of project)

Put on 24 strips in seven hours today, which is pretty good, cooking right along in a groove. Then I hit a curve, came to a stop, and decided it was a good time to quit for the day.

Cedar strips bend very easily in one direction – back and forth – which is what makes them so wobbly. But they don’t bend much at all in the other direction. Add a twist and it really gets fun. The first twelve strips up the hull are pretty much flat runs, bending in the easy direction, so these went up quick.

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Snowy Hills

Morning Snow on the HIlls

 

Snowed last night.

It’s funny, the hills and Blue Ridge spend all year a hazy blue-grey – sometimes more grey, sometimes more blue. There’s a brief period on clear days in Spring when they’re mottled greens, and in the fall there’s a week or so when they’re rusty. But after fresh snow is when they suddenly stand up and want to be noticed.

 

Treeline, Old Field

 

 

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Planking

 First strip planks in place

 

(to start of project)

 After two months of careful preparation, it’s crazy how fast the planking goes up, and how quickly what was only abstract art becomes a physical boat.

An extra set of hands, like those of a daughter home from college, really help. When those hands have to go back to school, you have to improvise. These snug fitting “fingers” hold the gluey strips in place as you work your way back with the staple gun.

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Measure Twice, Cut Once

Hey! Remember me?

 

(to start of project)

Notes to self:

  1. Check measurements twice, again.
  2. Pay attention to wife.

Some things bear mentioning over and over again.

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Ice

Ice Storm

 

First mark of Winter.

In just a week or so, a flock of robins will be here, and will spend a few days stripping the Holly tree of berries. They’ll start at the top and slowly work their way down, leaving no berries behind. Then they’ll leave.

But for now, the berries are glazed with ice.

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