Inauguration Day

Being a Teacher Librarian in a public school, I must maintain an apolitical social profile.

Nevertheless, anyone who knows me knows precisely how I feel about today.

Great Conjunction 2020

Like the rest of the planet, I have been awaiting the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn for ages.

Last evening, as dusk fell where I live, an enormous bank of clouds moved in and just sat, enshrouding the horizon into the night. Made for a spectacular sunset, true; yet, I was not able to view the Great Conjunction. 

I have been watching Jupiter and Saturn dance across the sky for months, since they were on the other side of the sky. But at the point when they appear closest, the Heavens remain veiled, alas.

 

That's sky-watching, I suppose. 

Behold what you can behold. 

 

All I could say is that the Moon and Mars looked magnificent, high overhead...and that at least the skies were bright and clear here three years ago for the solar eclipse.

October Memories

Each October morning this year, my wonderful wife gave me a photograph or two, all of past Hallowe'ens.

A spectacular way to celebrate the Season, awakening every day to remembrances and anticipations. 

 

 

Thank you, Rainbow! Happy All Souls' Day!

Weather the Weather

Pumpkins, nursed all summer long--frozen on the doorstep, by an arctic blast, and now nothing more than a pile of smushed fruits.

Decorations outside, whipped in the wind, arisen after weeks of still skies, and torn asunder, flown across the yard.

And all right before Hallowe'en itself. Alas.

Yet, we persevere, and certainly, whatever the weather, we will do so again next year.

Which Days Were They?

Apparently, National Daughters Day and National Sons Day just passed by a couple days ago. 

I had never heard of such days before.

In truth, I don't mind missing them.

As far as I'm concerned, every day is a day for honouring both daughter and son.

 

 

 

Summer Shaving Horse

This summer, I finally carved out the opportunity to make a shaving horse.

Principal directions derive from The Woodwright's Shop: A Practical Guide to Traditional Woodcraft by Roy Underhill (University of North Carolina Press, 1980) along with a little of this and that from the world wide web. 

(The sawhorses in the background are inspired by good ol' Roy Underhill and his good ol' PBS show "The Woodwright's Shop" - and fashioned from repurposed windshield pallets, as well.)

 

The plank and riser are from a pallet for shipping sheets of plate glass. The vise pieces are from windshield pallets. The legs are from deadfall pines salvaged off of Casper Mountain. The pegs are from the wild rose bushes in my Mom and Dad's backyard.

The twins are natural woodworkers! 

(I've since added pegs positioned specifically for their feet.)

Fair - 2020

Just as the annual Parade was cancelled this year, so was the Fair and Rodeo. (The 4H animal shows were still held, nevertheless.)

So, we made our own Fair!

The twins made a carnival complete with a midway full of games, rides, concessions, a petting zoo, and even a Haunted House!
They invited relatives and gave out tokens and awarded prizes--sure to award themselves as well.
Just so happens to be the 130th anniversary of Wyoming Statehood. What a way to celebrate!
And what an honour to witness our children endeavour to make the best of every situation.

For us, it was the best Fair ever!