Welding

NM

I've been welding the past few days. It is a new skill, and I'm not very good yet. But I am improving! I think.

I'm making tomato cages out of rebar. It has been actually quite rewarding to weld together a jig for bending the bar and cutting and welding the various parts together into something functional.

Of course there are lessons I've learned along the way. Mostly common sense stuff. So here's a list, for any other wanna be self taught welders.

1. A class in welding may not be a bad idea. I have not done this yet, save for welding workshops at the EAA Oshkosh Airventure air show.

2. No matter how hot a day it is, do not weld barefoot. Or in sandals. Or in shorts. The only problem with shorts is having little spatters of molten metal slip in between your shoe and skin. I'd say sock, but it melts through that like butter, and BAM, right into your skin. long jeans, leather apron and big welders gloves are a must.

3. When making a jig to hold parts to weld together, think twice before using wood. As I weld, the wood tends to catch fire. Fortunately I have learned to have a bucket of water on hand filled from my rain barrels.

4. (This is from my blacksmithing days) Even if the metal is black, it is NOT cooled off.

5. Always wear the helmet thingy that blocks the light. I have not messed up on this yet, but had a guy in the ER a while back that did. Really messed up his eyes.

I've been having a really fun time with it, although it is hot and sweaty work. Makes me wish I had a forge so I could do some smithing again. That was fun too. Someday maybe.

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Good Day

Another cute Boyo moment. We had corn dogs for supper tonight, and after squirting a blob of ketchup on his plate, I garnished it with a mustard smiley face. He's big into smiley faces right now as he just learned to draw them pretty well. I set the plate down on his little table, and he said "Wow! Look at that! A smiley face!"

Then he turned to his mom.

"Look mommy! A smiley face!"

Then his little brow furrowed a bit as he looked from his plate to her then the plate to her, and he said,

"Can I eat that smiley face?"

Got a lot of work done today. Made tomato cages (I'm still behind, but they are coming along nicely) Cleared out some brush, a good start on the re-landscaping process.

Boyo is climbing on my lap, wanting to cuddle in and watch a movie. Who am I to deny such a request?

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Motivation

I'm a procrastinator by nature. That's the unfortunate truth. So when I get grand ideas about things to do, more often than not I never can quite get going.

We have a grand plan for turning our haouse into a home, and I feel some motivation when I think of it. But it requires a lot of hard work, which does not scare me. Mostly 'cause I avoid hard work. I really want to see these plans through. Wish me luck.

My son has been watching the Little Bear videos and reading the books. Now he's calling me Father Bear... well "Fadder Bear" and my wife is "Mudder Bear". Our little one is Baby Bear. It's very charming. They are growing so fast.

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Tom

The world lost a good one today. He had a sharp wit, a kind smile, and a ton of information in his head. He is survived by his wife, two kids, and tons of family that loved him and will miss him.

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Rainy Weekend

Why is it that when you plan on doing some yardwork and finally have a day or two to do it, it rains like there is no tomorrow?

We've been talking about landscaping around the house. Not the 'lets plant a rosebush' variety, but a 'let's replace the back wall, add a patio the size of the back yard, reclaim the wild back hill, divide the perimeter into zones because there is so much to do all around the house' kind. It's a little daunting. But things are starting to solidify a little as to what we want where. Andwhat order we should do things in.

Of course, we are still looking at the budget for such a project too, for when we can complete each phase. In the end though, we will have a much more functional home.

So, we'll watch the rain today. Maybe figure out some other things that need to be done. Sunshine has to come sometime!

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Jen's Rules

State that even posting a picture counts as a post. In that spirit I offer this photograph taken by me.

I give you...

Sparkle

The Fish

Enjoy

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Long Day

You know what I'd like to do? Curl up with my wife and sleep for a night or ten.

Lot's going on here. Dying loved ones, figuring out life, crying baby, and hot, muggy, opressive weather. Flood cleanup in my home town, forest fires burning out a friend, the end of the world. But the beginning of another.

Oh, and that friend who made the comments. Had a talk with her and she assured me she was kidding. But I also told her that while nearly everything was fair game for joking about, that topic was not.

So tired tonight after two night shifts in a row. So Sleep Time.

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