March in New Hampshire

Today the temperatures reached 68 degrees, snow disappearing, people in shorts but in New Hampshire just like Missouri, tomorrow will be something else.  But as the weather improves so will I be able to get back to carving; it is a shame that there is not someplace in town where carvers and woodworkers can get together to do their work.  But I imagine the insurance for liability would be huge, so tomorrow back to the deck and since the folks under neath us have moved maybe I won't get flack from some wood chips hitting their deck.  The flu has jumped up and got all of us, I was first, then mom and now Pat, each time the recovery period is longer-it sucks to get older!

Do have 5 leaves that will travel from New Hampshire to India.  They will travel with a friend that works for IBM and will spend a month providing and working service with the people in India.  He travels extensively in the far east and India for his job, but this is about helping people.  The leaves will go to 5 people who provide leadership for the group.  The leaves are wooden copies of actual leaves from the mountains that surround Camp Merrowvista, so they travel with love.  I know that some of the hearts and leaves from the apple trees in Missouri are in the middle east, now in possession of the Kids 4 Peace that were here last summer!  Perhaps they can be the leaders that will make the world safer.  Now if we could just get some kids to take the place of many of our politicians!

If you get a chance check out the Ward Museum in Maryland; it's 9 hours away but I hope to travel there some time.  They have a world championship show in late April that attracts carvers from all over the world, conduct work shops and seminars, plus competition for all levels.  During the year they work with local schools and groups to conduct exploration of the wetlands and the animals that live in the area.  Would be so much fun.      www.wardmuseum.org


Working on two leaves right now, finish with Tung Oil and so far I really like the  rich, finished look, thin coat, rub like "wax on, wax off", drying time is 10 hours before next coat so not real time efficient.  I guess when you are retired that time efficient thing does not make much difference!   I am excited to get back to carving and getting outside-temps for this week are in the 50's and  60's so could be a productive week. Also going to get the mountain bike out, trails still  have too much snow and ice but the streets are clear and the local grandson needs some "outside time".

The leaf on the right is red cedar wood from Missouri; it is a soft wood that doesn't take kindly to rough treatment but has great colors.  Can be used to line chests and closets with a bug resistant smell but this one will have no smell.  The leaf on the left is from a piece of wood I picked from a burn pile some place, think it might be poplar, a much harder wood.  No matter what the wood is, extensive sanding reducing the grit to a fine level plus the type of finish (varnish, oil, acrylic) makes all the difference.  This is one process that can't be rushed.

The outdoors is calling so need to stop the rambling.  Thank you for reading this and I hope that your days, and weeks are good. Daylight Savings time starts today, so we have more daylight hours-use it wisely because once it is gone, it is gone forever.  Much peace to you.  And remember to "measure twice and cut once"!