Shop Time w/T.W. Friends

In 30 years we have only had one "bad" neighbor fortunately.

They got a Dodge truck (naturally) stuck in the mud in the yard and woke me up -- at 4:30 in the morning -- more than a 1/4 mile away...

Well, the law was called, not by me, this area is covered by the State Police.

They woke me back up at 6am knocking on the door -- as we were talking the neighbor decided to try moving the truck again - using the same foot on the floor without mufflers method that didn't work before.

The officers apologized for bothering me and went to investigate -- things got real quiet for the next week and they were gone.

 

Two reasons..
Went to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation dinner last night and
Stopped by and picked up the Rosewood Square.
The story of the Square...
35 years ago i had zero money for tools and all the woodworking tools I had came from local flea markets. Never mind I still have most of those tools!
I was almost finished with my engineering degree. This old guy (about the age I am now haha) asked me to come over and help him lift and hold some wood he was using for a layout of a new project. Anyway, he mad several marks and we set the wood down.
He then picked up the most beautiful square I had ever seen. Rosewood handle and a blued metal with no markings. Brass dowels held it together. I told him that I loved that square! I of course could have never afforded such a square back then. Over the years we worked on many projects together, some his and some mine. I jokingly told him one time the only way I can ever have a square like that is if he left it to me in his will.
Over the years I have bought a few of these squares in a few different sizes but never the size he had.
Now I have three.... a small and large one I purchased and now his, the middle size.
I rarely use them, as I have several cheaper and more robust squares. I mainly use them as a "gauge square" to check blades and other tools that need to be perpendicular. I also have a few "engineer" squares to check those Rosewood squares! My engineer squares are most accurate as they are +- 12 micron or so. I have a special drawer that stays closed most of the time. When I open it, there are now five squares, individually wrapped in a rag soaked in oil. Only had four until today.
That is the story of the square.
I don't know about you guys, but square is really important to me lol. I know most people can't look at something and determine level and square, but I can.

 

I'm glad you went to get it!

 

3 in his backyard. All in various states of welfare funded modification

 

I've never had a truly bad neighbor, I've had roommates that I wouldn't choose to live with again. But I didn't get to "choose" to room with them the first time.

 

I was also given a gift by another friend while I was at the dinner last night. I will post that pic and story later!

 

Trans Am up on blocks sets the standard.



Surprised they haven’t butched this one with some stick figure thing you gotta decipher while you’re treading water.

 

I've never had a bad neighbor, either. Worst was at our first house. One neighbor had a pristine yard, the other's was 104% weeds. I was stuck in the middle trying to stop them from creeping towards the pristine yard. There may or may not have been some over-the-fence weed spraying action here and there.

Never had a roommate, either. Went straight from my parent's basement to being married.

 

Thank you for the story, I'm so glad that you went to get it.

Sometimes it isn't about value or even usefulness, just the satisfaction of having something with good memories or a good story behind it.

 

We had a big lunch out today - pizza special at The Club.
Brought home a rotisserie chicken for dinner, $4.98.

Carcass is doing the 3 hour simmer, homemade chicken soup tomorrow.

 

Great idea ! I thought Helium was rather expensive to be filling blow up dolls.

About $200.00 for a 55Cu ft. A great idea though.

 

I’m still trying to figure out how they’re gonna read the warning label in Cali when you’re not supposed to be gawking’ at it.

 

So, quick story. See the Euro 8 point deer head mount i just put on my shop wall?
A few years ago, I carved a rustic centerpiece for his dining table and gave it to him. He lives in a log cabin alone. Wife died 20 years ago. He is a great hunter (has 140 acres near White Sulphur Springs in WV) and a master finish carpenter. About the only place I excel with him is I can imagine and build something out of wood and he needs to see a picture or take measurements.
So anyway, I skinned a pine log about 12" long and about 8" in diameter, carved out the middle so you can put napkins, salt and pepper and a few other things. It was so insignificant that I didn't even take a pic.
Well, he loved it. Says he uses it all the time. Says it matches the house. Last time I was there he had over 30 mounts all over the house on the wall. Huge Deer, Bear, Raccoon, Pheasants and Rabbits. Even a Skunk!
So anyway, he says that, when he finds something worthy on his property he will give it to me, since my carving came from my property.
I go up to the RMEF dinner Saturday night and he said he had me a gift.
After the dinner I go out to his truck and he hands me a box with this deer skull and 8 point antlers. He said he found it and wanted me to have it. I asked him if he ran across a skeleton?

He said no, I saw the skeleton but it took a 7mm get rid of the deer carrying around the skeleton!
Anyway, he shot it, and had his guy prepare it for mount. The pic is the finish!

I have a rule for all the friends of my shop... if you give me something i can put on my shop wall, it will go on my shop wall with your name on it and the date.

 

Nobody read those labels, it’s more like the evidence for big brothers to “regulate” whatever it deem suited!

 

Good morning everyone, have a great, safe and blessed eclipse day.

 

Good morning all,
Rather long night but my father-in-law Jim is no longer in pain he died this morning at home after spending time with his children and family. I am glad his suffering is over.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers and good vibes. I was lucky to have been able to meet Jim and be part a part of his family. He’s presence will be missed but our memories of him, will keep us smiling

 

Folks live on in the memories of others. Glad you were there.

For the rest of You let’s get Monday over with.

 

Condolence Jtcmedic....

 

Prayers for you and the family.