Left & Right

I have been doing some blog surfing to see what subjects others find interesting. One item came to my attention in my wanderings through the net. Although not scientific by any means it appears that most times when I encounter an obvious Liberal Blogger there is no way to comment on the post, although there is a link allowing you to forward the bloggers thoughts to anyone that you might wish.

I have yet to find a Conservative Blogger who does not provide a venue for comments concerning the thoughts expressed. It makes me wonder if Liberals are really as open minded as they would have the unaffiliated population believe. Why don't these people want to hear the voices of the opposition? I have found the only way to learn in some cases is to question or be questioned. If you are not willing to be questioned it would appear that you already know the truth, much as Christians of old or Muslims of the present.

Both Left and Right claim that Thomas Jefferson would have supported their sides were he alive to day. I think he would not support either. The Left is to unwilling to see any point but their own. The Right is often times to strict in how they see what the founding fathers meant. The Left is quick to point out how Mr. Jefferson supported the separation of church and state forgetting where they found the idea and the Right points out his support of a foreign war without paying attention to the cause. He would have been appalled at both sides lack of fiscal responsibility.

Alters and other things

I received my daily dose of zen this morning. The article spoke of home alters and what they might embody. It got me to thinking that I used to have customers show up wanting items such as those made for them. But then I had to move and I lost track of those customers. I have returned to this area and am in the position to make new much more elaborate and custom items. I guess I will have to remember how I first made contact with those folks. I enjoyed them as customers and generally what they wanted they were very clear about. They liked the fact that I could create something for them that had many natural elements that had meaning to them incorporated into the final design.

Alters need not be large nor ornate they can be small when the space is limited. The individuals taste dictates the style and ornamentation. They may hang on the wall or sit on a shelf. The little cabinet above left has a maple case with parrot wood door panels. The doors are deep to provide additional storage. The chest to the right is meant to sit on a shelf. It has black limba sides with dovetailed corners. The top is maple and padauk joined and planed in my shop. Both were finished with danish oil and natural shellac. This is then followed by a hand wax with a mixture I have created with a bees wax base.

Saturn In Opposition

I spent some time in the shop today working on a Raku Kiln among other small projects. Most of the time was spent in cleaning though. The lead up to Christmas always turns the shop upside down and the major cold weather since then hasn't helped much either. I have a few small things in my head that I want to work on but nothing major yet.

I would like to get back to work and finish the vanity for the master bath. When I complete it I will post a picture of it here. It is purple heart and cedar with a tile top and brushed nickel hardware. The bowl is a raised glass multicolored bowl that really sets off the colors of the woods involved.

Following that project I will finish the build in of the hydro tub. It too will be purple heart and cedar with nickel hardware.

The early evening witnessed the rising of Saturn the brightest star in the nights sky tonight. It was quite impressive as I puffed a fragerent cigar and enjoyed a glass of deep red Merlot. It would have been a better night had it been much more silent.

Work in the shop on Sunday-Finished off the Kiln I just need the regulator and hose to fire it up. Lots of cleanup and trashed hauled out today. I did finish off a small project, a snak tray in Maple and Purpleheard with some mother of pearl inlay. It was a quick small thing made of collected bits of other projects gone wrong.

The new month and the Wolf Moon

This month begins with very cold temps and more new snow. My new toys could come in very handy this weekend if the cold isn't to harsh. The cold has been to sharp to be in the shop this week so no upgrades were made to the sleds. Maybe this weekend depending on the cold. Next week has already been covered by other jobs. I should consider putting one of my winter poems in this instalment, I will keep that idea in mind. Well this one came to me on the porch its a new one that will go into my file.

A FINE EVENING

The new moon sharp and cold
A good pipe smooth and bold
The gold of fine whiskey
The night is calm

Neighbors noisy but unobtrusive
Neighbors friendly a fine hello
Brings to mind the solitude of the country
The solitude of the mountain side

Fine whiskey, good wine and dark ale
A good pipe and thoughts of the future
Where will it go, how will I follow
Life an adventure and the cold

Adventure is where you find it
Follow those feelings that thread
Friends and loved ones
The new moon cold and calm

The wolf of the moon that I can not see
The finer things in life
The loved ones close
Adventure found in the snow and cold

A good pipe, fine gold liquor
Dark velvet night
The noises of the lonely hound
But gold and warmth, a fine pipe
And loved ones close.