Week of December 9, 2024

The big thing this week was that we unexpectedly replaced our washer and dryer. The washer started leaking on Monday, so I took the front off and laid on the floor watching it run a load. The leak was coming from where the shaft goes into the wash basin, and my Dad, who repaired appliances for 30 years and knows pretty much everything there is to know about appliances, thought it wasn’t worth trying to replace the basin on an old washer that came with the house. I already replaced parts on the dryer last year, so we decided it was time for a new set.

That saga took:

Monday evening (diagnosing, ordering a new set)

Tuesday evening (disconnecting the old ones and getting them out of the basement)

Wednesday afternoon and evening (delivery and self installation)

Sunday morning (Craigslist dryer pickup)

That ate into a lot of the time I had hoped to spend in the workshop making some gifts. Such is home ownership. Still better than renting, IMO. I’m glad we were able to replace them so quickly.

I feel like I’m making progress on fly tying. I learned a couple new techniques this week for dubbing and I’m feeling more confident about basic techniques. I still have a lot more to learn, and I think the next step is learning how to tie in wings for dry and wet flies. I’ll probably start with a couple of traditional wet flies with mallard wings and some mosquitos for small dry flies.

I tied some green caddis larvae, ping bead Frenchies, and leeches this week. I also sketched out some ideas with colored pencils.

I wanted to try tying some leech patterns tonight, but I didn’t have any simi seal, so I made my own blend from different colors of hare’s mask dubbing and ice dub. It kind of worked and had nice color, but the hare’s mask is too short and fine. The simi seal is made from longer, coarser fibers. I also don’t want to use all of my dubbing just for leeches (they take a lot!) so I ordered some simi seal.

Good experiment, though! I learned about blending dubbing, how to use a dubbing loop, and three different techniques for tying leeches.

I’m thinking about expanding my patterns so I can make some seasonal boxes and expand my repertoire. I feel pretty good about my winter list, and will start tying them after the new year. Short list, mostly basics that are suggestive rather than trying to imitate a specific insect.

I got out into the workshop Sunday evening, which is why this post is going out on Monday. I’m writing it on the train into Manhattan.

I finished another bowl and made a darning ball for a friend who posted a photo of an old beat up one they picked up at a garage sale. I had a piece of cherry from a tree that fell in their yard, so I used that.

Some holiday festivities this week:

Amanda and I buckled down and finished writing our Christmas cards. Charlie helped us mail them.

Saturday we went to the Wall Holiday Party, which always includes live music and singing. Amanda played her flute!

Sunday we went to the train display at the Lasdon Arboretum. Charlie loved it.

Strange mushrooms popped up in our yard!

Maybe a hygroscopic earthstar?

I love soup season. This is some pasta e fagioli with white beans.

We woke up to a couple inches of snow this morning!

My train ride is coming to an end. Time to go