Winter does not want to end.

Although it can be very beautiful, we are ready for winter to end up here. It has been snowing off and on for the last three days. Hard to believe we were out in shorts last Monday. The snow melts pretty fast and the moisture is welcome.

Derek Graduates!

Derek graduated from Western State College yesterday. He was one of 235 graduates. He graduated cum laude (with praise).

He has another 7 weeks on his commitment to the WSC Art Department, and then he needs to get going on his next stop...which started to solidify last Monday morning when he got a call to set up an interview with a Prof. Stevens at New Mexico State University.

Derek was offerred/asked/n0t sure of the actually term to use, a place in the graduate MFA program and a graduate assistant position. The actually offer letter is to follow, but it looks like his tuition will be cover and he will receive a stipend.

He will need to find a place to live and attend GA orientation and training courses this summer sometime.

This is a three year program, since as a GA he will be taking only 9 credits a semester (along with his GA responsibilities) and will be working there year round.

I understand that one of the reasons Prof, Stevens selected Derek was his contemporary sculpture portfolio. Which if you have seem any of his pieces you probably would understand. She will be his mentor during the program.

Thrift Stores & Pawn Shops

Last Friday, Marlys and I went into Canon, not for re-provisioning (feels that way when the grocery store is 35 miles away), but to hit all of the thrift, used items and swap shops in town along with the pawn shops, we know about.

This included all of the small shops along main street, but also Goodwill and the Habitat for Humanity surplus store.

Although Marlys made a number of purchases along the way the HFH store was my gold mine. If you don't know where to look for it I am not sure how you would find it, since it is located behind another store on an alley. As with most stores of this type it is piled high with "stuff", with a little organization thrown in...very little. The store was in the process of moving to a new, larger location, so everything over $5 was half off.

I made two purchases. Windows that will be installed in the shop doors this summer. Although I had standard barn sashes in mind, these vinyl double glazed and with perlons(?) ones more then fit the bill. It is amazing how heavy they actually are, but they will let in more natural light and allow the view on Waugh, even in the middle of winter.

My second find were heavy duty shelf brackets. I had built some shelves during the shop re-model using leftover OSB, but they were not the strongest or best looking. These are the same type of movable shelf brackets that hold up the +200# red Snap-On tool box (in the last picture) in the shop now. They should hold up to the growing assortment of screws, bolt, nails and coffee cans full of other items that are accumulating in the shop. Since we are so far away from town, very little gets throw away as items are deconstructed (torn apart). I have literally spent several afternoon sorting fasteners.

The dish on the shop is now all hooked up and working, although the only thing I really use it for is playing music through the stereo off of Directv. I did mount a TV, if I actually want to watch something, but so far it is turned off. DTV seems to have changed from simulcasting XM radio to there own programing in similar genres, but I do miss Dusty Street on Classic Vinyl and the tidbits she would add on certain song from her experiences back in the era, as part of the scene.

You may be wondering why I haven't mentioned Marlys' purchases, but she probably wouldn't want me to tell, so you will need to guess or ask her when you see her wearing them.

BTW: I did pickup a brand new spray gun for the HVLP system at City Wide Pawn for $15 bucks.

YouTube - Hang gliding whack onto lake ice

YouTube - Hang gliding whack onto lake ice

This is a flight I had in Duluth, MN mid-January sometime in the early 90's. We are flying on the ice and being pulled up by a snowmobile on the St. Louis river where it empties into Lake Superior.

This was a target landing competion, which you will see I didn't do too good at on this flight.

John Eiden, another pilot some how kept a copy of this video it is at least 3 copies from the original, but still good.

Thanks, John for keeping the moment alive!