Week of May 5, 2025

Happy Mother’s Day!

Monday I kept Charlie home from pre-k and took him to tour the Clearwater. They had a special event for 2-4 year olds! It was fun, despite the rain. Charlie got to help push the tiller, see some real catfish and hog chokers, and explore the deck. We also stopped at Rossi Deli for lunch (A must stop!)

I took a great photo of the Clearwater ten years ago in front of our Yonkers apartment and we have the photo hanging in our living room. It was cool to go on it!

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Tuesday I went fishing in the rain. I didn’t catch anything, but I did explore a new section of a stream I’ve fished before, saw some neat creatures, plants, and harvested some ramps for dinner. I chopped them up, roasted them with butter, and poured them over baked potatoes. Delicious.

Wednesday painters came and finished the last part of our house’s facelifts: Painting the foundation, porticos, front porch, garage door, and front door. We also cleaned the house.

Next up I want to replace the purple glass in the front door, but that requires some decisions and sourcing.

Thursday I tied some flies (rusty spinners and futsu kebari), installed a new mailbox, made a new net holder, planted our tomatoes and hot peppers, and went grocery shopping. Rainy afternoon.

Friday I went to an estate sale and dug through cabinets, drawers, and boxes for Shopsmith parts. I went back twice after coming home, sorting through things, and realizing that I was missing a couple parts to pieces I picked up. This is the sale I’ve been waiting for: Local, lots of parts, and sellers who didn’t know anything about the machine or the parts. I got:

Front table extension

Another set of tables

A newer table saw upper and lower guard that actually fits (the one I have doesn’t fit, so I don’t use the table saw on the Shopsmith. I’m excited to start using it!)

A universal accessory table that I plan to put a french cleat on and hang on the wall behind the machine.

Tailstock, lathe chisels, and various centers and chucks

Tenon cutter jig

Various spindle adaptors

A spindle sander with new-in-box sandpaper tubes for it, and the table insert for it

Push blocks

A few small tools for Charlie

A large roll of Fleishmann Yeast wax paper

I am very pleased! I have lots of clean up work to do, but it was well worth the time. I am glad to have some spare parts and new-to-me accessories (that are ~40 years old).

Saturday we spent the afternoon at Zoe’s birthday party, which was an art-themed party. We had fun and Charlie played nicely with the other kids.

Sunday was Mother’s day, so we spent the morning with Amanda, went grocery shopping while she was at her horseback riding lessons, spent the afternoon playing in the yard with her, and cooked her a steak dinner, including a side of garden radishes cooked in za’atar and butter. All in all a good day.

A few other random notes:

Spongy Moth caterpillars are bad again this year.

It is mowing season. Sunday mornings seem to be this year’s mowing time.

I want to get some water testing kits and test the water in the stream running through the nature preserve at the end of our street.

I’d love to find a copy of the Borger Color System book.