Twelve Cardinals...

...at the feeder.  Had to fill the feeder twice, and it’s a good thing I did. Just before sunset Sue noticed twelve cardinals fueling up.

Photo by Sue

And then there is dog walking, which these days is more enjoyable with appropriate gear. But what about Pax you say.

Photo by Sue

And then there is boat building. Now at the tricky part, and clearly a two person job. (Note: errors are obvious, but so far not insurmountable.)

And then we received notice that some of the waming shelters in Whitewater  “may need to be closed for the safety of staff,” and will be reopened Thursday noon. 

Tough Sledding...

 ...and walking too.  Pax and I got dropped off at the southern end of our regular creek-side trail, planning to walk home. About a hundred yards in, we turned around and retraced out steps. From there we used sidewalks, about 75% of which were shoveled. A little tired and a bit later than anticipated, we made our destination.

Getting deep

Dinghy is coming together. Ah! The power of geometry! And so far it looks like mistakes have been minimal.

Smoked Pie

Quite a flavor sensation, though unanticipated.

Go team

After dinner with our guests, but before Sequence, Sue served up her special apple/cranberry pie, and, while it was very good, it had a decidedly smokey flavor. (Of course, that didn’t stop anyone from devouring it.) Luckily, some of it remains…so after supper tonight the analysis will continue. And, I’m thinking that smoked pie might become a trend, or even go viral. We’ll have to see.

First glue. The mid-hull frame got epoxied today, and the two halves of the bottom got stitched. Lofting the frame turned out to be the trickiest but of measuring, and I’m hoping I got it right (it’s all about angles). Now that the bottom panels are stitched they will be opened up like a book, spread out, and then attached to the side panels and the two transoms. (At least in theory.)

Neighbors...For Dinner

James and Anne, fellow activists  from one street over. Neighborhood association and grocery store startup. Lots of neighborhood gossip, a little politics, and then Sequence. 

Colder Than...

 ...Christmas in Canada, among other things. 

Double digits below zero (F) on this morning’s short walk. In spite of Musher’s Secret on his paws, Pax ended up lifting his feet. However, he very much seemed to enjoy the afternoon walk, when the temperature was right about the zero point.

Bow and stern transoms lofted and cut out, along with a T-shaped bow reinforcement of my own design. A stern reinforcement will be devised later, when what’s needed becomes more obvious.

Bookin’ Down The Highway

To Worzolla in Stevens Point to pick up, and then deliver to Fox Point, a truckload of books.  

Used a lot of windshield solvent, and now the weather’s getting worse—windchill advisory with below zero temps.  

Not much time to work on dinky building, but the bottom panels got drilled. And now we are at the stage of self-doubt—how accurate were the measurements? Were the up-side-down things done right-side-up? Because, looking at the side panels, and then at the bottom panels, it would appear that there is clearly no way they could all fit together.

Snow Day

Schools, and pretty much everything else, closed or opening late. 

A good chunk of the morning got allocated to the moving of snow—not just for our place but also for various neighbors. Had planned to work on the dinghy project, but didn’t get to that until well after 2. Nonetheless, the two bottom panels have been cut and faired.

Another Winter Warning...

 ...and, yes, the snow has begun. 

The two dinghy side panels have been faired and drilled. The drilling—itty-bitty holes every 4 inches along the edge—are for the copper wire stitches that will hold things together until the epoxy/fiberglass takes over. When the drilling was done, the logical next step was lofting one of the bottom panels.

If I cut and fair it, and it’s twin, tomorrow, along with the two transoms, it will be stitching time.

Gymnastics

Took Maddie to practice this evening. 

Second dinghy side panel cut out, and the two panels almost match.

Deep Six...

...six below zero F at the moment, and going down.  

To Fox Point for a theatrical play…

And then some basketball…

And then a dinner of deluxe, home made fish tacos.

Earlier in the day, starboard side panel of the TWEAK dinghy was cut out. It will be the template for the port side.

Also, super, blood, wolf moon and eclipse.  Very visible and fun to see. 

In Deep

Six inches or more. And cold. Numb thumbs running the snowblower. 

But in the basement, dinghy making step one—lofting—which consists of measuring and marking, and then using a batten to draw hull shapes. 

Here Comes Winter

Winter storm warning, but we know that’s overdone. 

Snow starting just as we were walking  

And this could be the start of something big.  

The plans are on the plywood  

Among The Democrats

Pleasant, well-meaning group of about a dozen on the communication committee. 

Maybe I can be of some assistance. Worth a try.  

Nice To See The Sun

conditions conducive to several walks, and even a bike ride. 

Also good for a bit of grocery shopping  followed by a bit of pot roast making (some for distribution).

Dull Day

Heavy clouds, chilly south wind.  

So, while Pax follows the scent of rabbit or gopher, wade into the sea of grass that dominates the prairie. Get in deep enough to be surrounded by bluestem taller than you. Then stop and stand still, listening to the wind press through the grass. Watch the seed heads bow before the breeze. Then go catch up with Pax.

Gray and Brown

No blue or white. 

Cloudy, cool, breezy. Nice Kettle Moraine walk before noon, workout at Aquatic Center after noon. Decided, given recent events, a swim not necessary.  

Through The Glass Darkly, or...

 ...ice in the veins. 

Photo by Tony (after the rescue)

Sailing on known questionable ice, and not paying attention.

About 5 minutes chilling in the drink, but good rescue by Bri and Tony. Lessons learned, damage to pride but nothing else, and all’s well that ends well. Very efficient emergency services got me a ride in a hot ambulance, well before hypothermia set in.

Hike At The Audubon...

 ...plus a scrappy game of Chinese Checkers and some microscopy, among other things. 

Will and Mimi down below the tower  

With The Boys...

...as Bri arriving home from trip and Renee and girls at a Becca birthday party and then school dance.  

Previously... 

Goose Hole

All the geese you’d ever need. Thousands, on an ever smaller opening. It’s been cold. Little Cravath Lake was wide open two days ago, but solid now.

And here are suspended ice wafers, held up by twigs. As the temperature drops, the runoff from the recent rain diminishes, and the water level in Whitewater Creek drops, leaving a few bits high and dry.