The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouses 8

Strike Up the Band, and Wooden Spoons - Voila!

Batch (of 3) on the left gathered dust until yesterday PM!

One has to return to a two-week-old photo (above) - way back to the beginning of this 'production line' series - to see a lovely set of three western cedar slat birdhouses (with white pine roofs) waiting for attention. Yesterday I blew off the dust and finished adding colourful trim.

I collect wooden spoons from a variety of sources and they always come in handy as perches. The fence slats were rescued from the curb-side the day before yesterday - during an evening walk. A throw-away wooden shelf will provide trim for another half-dozen birdhouses at least.

Together, the spoons and fences make these sturdy western cedar houses a little more interesting for my sharp-eyed feathered friends.

Don't throw away your wooden spoons. Mail them to Santa

Claus and he will get them to me on Christmas Day

Please link to The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models 7

Photos GH

Motorcycle Miles in July 2

St. Marys, Ontario... and Leftovers

Golden bales under cloudy skies, NE of London

I had a smaller window of time for a motorcycle ride yesterday so I headed off in a north-easterly direction to St. Marys, Ontario. It is 50 kilometres from my front door, compared to 60 - 65 for Pt. Bruce (my favourite destination). My notes mention a few of the highlights - "golden bales, deep river valley" - and photos depict others. (Any from Pt. Bruce are leftovers from earlier rides during the week).

I like second floor apartments. A balcony would be nice. When I saw

a friend I could invite him up for coffee or holler, "Get off the grass!"

 I would like to buy the chair. Maybe that low table too : )

I'm parked at Imperial Rd.'s end, 20 steps from lunch (yummy BLT sandwich)

In Black and White:

Bike rides, whether short or long, include many wee pleasures 

Please link to Motorcycle Miles in July 1

Photos GH

Motorcycle Miles in July 1

Lakes and Rivers

Pt. Bruce on a sunny day

My motorcycle runs well, and it often takes me - swiftly, easily and breezily - to the beach at Port Bruce, a pleasant village on the north shore of Lake Erie.

 Some days I seem to have the place to myself

In the mind's eye, there is a river widening before me

On the way back home, north of Sparta, I spotted a rich corn field that seemed to have a river running through it. So, the ride seemed to be about blue-green lakes and flowing rivers.

Please link to Motorcycle Miles: Port Bruce, Coffee, and Corn 4

Photos GH

The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouses 7

And I say 'Voila'!

Hop vines make a nice backdrop for three sturdy birdhouses

These birdhouses are constructed from faces of red cedar and sides, bases and roofs of white pine barnboard. And when I use white pine the paint pots are never far away.

I think the rescued fence material brightens up the joint

'Voila' means they are finished and just moments away from being placed in storage for my next birdhouse sale (August 28).

Let's see. Three down, 17 to go! So, more details to follow.

Please link to The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models (6)

Photos GH

Lake Erie Saturday in July (4)

Always a Warm Welcome

Because I regularly visit Port Bruce in the summer, via Yamaha Delivery Service, and gulls are about, I can safely say I always receive a warm and welcome welcome.

Photos from along the way:

 "So, a guy says to me, "Catchin' more than rays?""

"I says, Can't see who you are, sun's in my eyes, so take two steps left.

Then I hears a big splash. Good swimmer, he was."

HA HA HA HA HAAAAH!

Look for the details - swallows skimming, turbines turning

And try the BLT at the Corner View Cafe whenever possible!

Please link to Lake Erie Saturday in July (3)

Photos GH

Birdhouse Repair: Labatt Park Custom Model (5)

Down to the Last Steps

"Looking good, I say"

This custom four-plex is almost ready for its return trip to Labatt Park, home of Canada's oldest ball park and best hotdogs.

The trim is now fresh in appearance and the third coat of paint is now dry on the new support pole.

Visiting ball teams and umpires have their own dressing rooms

So, today I'll attach the support platform to the pole and deliver the ensemble to the park for placement in a strategic location. I'll also collect the original chimney (w flag attached) and reinstall it on the new cedar roof. All is well, I say.

More to follow.

Please link to Birdhouse Repair: Labatt Park Custom Model (4)

Photos GH

White Pine is for Painting 2

Colourful Start

Three more colour combinations are coming up

The white pine cuts and sands easily. It also takes a coat of paint without a lot of fuss and bother - my kind of wood.

Two of five have jumped successfully onto the production line. More to follow.

Dimensions of faces: 9.5" H x 6.5"W. Sides are 5.75" H x 6"W.

Please link to White Pine is for Painting (1)

Photos GH

My Morning Smile 16

A Few More Sunny Days

My neighbour has a few hop cones already and mine are not far behind. I think a few more sunny days will do the trick.

Then we harvest a million fresh cones!

Please link to My Morning Smile 15

Photos GH

White Pine is for Painting (1)

Painted Pine on the Production Line

The production line inside the workshop just got a wee bit longer. Fifteen cedar models have been joined by five white pine, and as is usually the case, when I get out some white pine I intend to get out some paint brushes as well.

Roof slats, roof ridge, trim, perches, etc., are all coming up next

Early days. More to follow.

Please link to White Pine Birdhouses and More (6)

Photos GH

Lake Erie Saturday in July (3)

Up Close and Far Away

Try perch sandwiches at Corner View Cafe, Port Bruce

Watch for large fishing vessels on the horizon line

Please link to Lake Erie Saturday in July (2)

Photos GH

Avocado 39 "Taller By the Minute!"

Patience is a Virtue

Right around three feet tall now

Several months ago my wife planted an avocado seed according to Hoyle (dipped its butt in a glass of water using toothpicks) and we waited a long time to see the first root emerge from its bottom and shoot from its top end. I trimmed the shoot according to online instructions and eventually it stretched about two feet high, then stopped growing for several weeks.

Patiently we waited for the plant's next stage, and recently I saw a wee bit of new growth (no pictures were taken), followed shortly thereafter my its new and improved growth spurt. Six or seven new leaves have sprouted and 10 inches have been added - in very short order - to the plant's overall height. What this all means and what will develop I do not know.

Shiny new leaves are on the move

I'm just going to have to wait and see..... patiently.

Please link to Avocado 38 "Caught Off Guard!"

Photos GH

The Transition Zone 5

The Right Name for the Game

Slow down, Gordie. There's a well-known curve ahead

(Similar photo appears w blog title, top of page)

The month of July saw the end of one set of 90 walks/runs ("Speed Up, Man") and the beginning of another (100 walk/runs: "The Transition Zone"). It seems I know how to pick names for the sets. I did in fact feel like my attempts at shuffling or jogging were speeding up in June and July, and I sense good things will continue to happen in July and beyond. Though I still hesitate to call myself a runner, I believe that by September I will have earned the title, especially when going downhill.

"Whoa. Watch out! Speedster coming through" 

"Transition Zone" seems an appropriate term to describe where I am right now - related to The GREAT Canadian Comeback - for a couple of reasons:

     My sore left foot is healing and to remove small amounts of

     stress I will continue to cycle once or twice per week.

     Though it appears the number of walks will improve this month

     ('Get Out The Door' (GOTD) rate of 80 - 90%, compared to 73%

     in June), the total number of miles covered will be below the monthly

     average again, i.e., under 120. 

I don't mind transitioning downward from 120 miles per month to 100 - 110 during summer months because there is much to do each week (other enjoyable, 'active' activities), and higher numbers might result in more stress injuries. Finding the right training program to mount a comeback is an ongoing business, and I have lots of time to sort things out as I go along. 

"I'll study the numbers each month and sort things out"

More photos from along the way:

 Greenway Park is still my favourite destination for walking/jogging

My Old South loop provides lots of shade during hot evenings

Progress is being made. All is relatively well. 

Please link to The Transition Zone 4

Photos GH