The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 09

[Rustyoznail]

Taking a break for some coffee and a bagel.

I've got a doggy door that sits in the sliding door track. Problem is it has teeny tiny bolts and dome nuts that my fat fingers are having a hard time dealing with. Plus, the pup insists on helping. I'm worried he'll swallow a dropped nut or washer before I get it.

 

[JGittes]

It looks like at least one pair of Canada geese decided to stay. We'll know they're nesting when only one is seen on the pond during the day.

Thrity-five or so years ago, on my first trip to New Orleans, I bought a handmade, porcelain Good-Kruger doll. It's a fully articulated ballerina, about 15 inches tall. I found a glass bell jar tall enough to cover the doll but squished her hair into the rounded top of the jar.

I'm old enough that I'm spending about a quarter of my time downsizing (actually, getting rid of all the shit I've accumulated in life), and I helped with enough end-of-life transitions (clearing out houses of deceased relatives) that I don't wish that on anyone when I depart. But I hate just throwing away things of value.

Our neighbors have two granddaughters who look just like the doll (they're six years old). I had the bright idea of giving it to Judy, and she could decide which granddaughter to give it to. Judy loved the idea, but when I unpacked everything to show her, she was clearly disappointed that the bell jar didn't let the doll's hair fluff out properly.

I do 'semi-' fine woodworking and thought I could make a base to raise the bell jar high enough for Stella (the doll's name) to stand proudly. I've joked about my woodworking skills, saying that when I attack a project with tools I haven't used before, I've acquired the skills to begin the project by the time I'm finished. This time is no different, and after two days of planning and woodworking, I have a crappy base that I could sand into reasonable shape. Last night, I decided to start over and make it right.

I used to enjoy visiting TxRad's coffee shop to hear him talk about building boats and decks and fences and all that stuff. If anyone is interested, I could continue that tradition: small steps, no big walls of text.

It sure would have been easier to just toss it out, but not nearly as much fun.

 

[ChloeTzang]

I used to enjoy visiting TxRad's coffee shop to hear him talk about building boats and decks and fences and all that stuff. If anyone is interested, I could continue that tradition: small steps, no big walls of text.

It sure would have been easier to just toss it out, but not nearly as much fun.

Oh yes please - used to really enjoy Tex's boatbuilding posts.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Yay CK!

I'm closing in on the end of my WIP and it occurred to me that I haven't thought a moment about title or short description since I scratched "Denial Is Not a River in Egypt." It turned out that fear was the underpinning for denial, so that title would have just been a diversion.

Anyway, it should be good for Romance and O's Pink Orchid event.

Sounds like a good title to me.

I've had one in my head for ages but no story to match - "The Winter of Our Disco Tent"

 

[Rustyoznail]

Sounds like a good title to me.

I've had one in my head for ages but no story to match - "The Winter of Our Disco Tent"

Oh, that's good. A 70s party at Burning Man?

 

[Belegon]

I used to enjoy visiting TxRad's coffee shop to hear him talk about building boats and decks and fences and all that stuff. If anyone is interested, I could continue that tradition: small steps, no big walls of text.

TX and I talked tools plenty of times in the old days, but never actually on Lit, I don't think. I think that didn't become a conversation between us until after the time we had a meet up down at Lucky and Vella's in Texas. Lucky had started building a fence, but it didn't reach far into the backyard yet, and a half completed project in view while we were sharing beers on the back porch made it inevitable we would start talking projects and tools and stuff.

JGittes, I did ten years managing an install bay for Best Buy, so I totally understand the "This project will teach me how to use this tool," thing. My best tech and I even created some tools for some things.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

I'm not very tool savvy but I can at least make sure there's a fresh pot of coffee brewing and the teapot is hot. I am pretty good in the kitchen so I made some brownies and put them out on the counter.

I'll be over in the corner writing and enjoying a cup of Earl Grey but I'll certainly listen to anyone discussing tools and projects even if I can't do it myself.

 

[NotWise]

Sounds like a good title to me.

I've had one in my head for ages but no story to match - "The Winter of Our Disco Tent"

Bikers set up a big tent in the woods and host raves all winter?

 

[NotWise]

I used to enjoy visiting TxRad's coffee shop to hear him talk about building boats and decks and fences and all that stuff. If anyone is interested, I could continue that tradition: small steps, no big walls of text.

It sure would have been easier to just toss it out, but not nearly as much fun.

I miss that, too. Please do.

 

[Belegon]

well, I'm willing but it's gonna be talking about old projects. See, the neuropathy makes my hands and feet numb. The feet part means my balance is bad and walking is occasionally much harder than it should be. The numb hands mean that I don't mess with power tools much anymore. Not a good idea to be trying to saw a board to make a shelf with no feeling in your hands. That's a recipe for a new Emergency Room story, and not the kind you publish but the kind that gets told to all your relatives at Thanksgiving.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I've been up and around for a bit. I've been reviewing one of stories that I've worked on forever, or so it seems, and now, I'm fucking tired. So, I think it's going to be back to bed soon. But I'd like a cup-a-coffee before I go back to bed.

 

[JGittes]

My second attempt at the doll base went much better today. I still have at least a full day of sanding and finishing to do, but that's just physical work I know how to do.

The fundamental problem is the bell jar is 200mm in diameter and needs to be raised an inch. I didn't want to buy anything since I'm trying to downsize, and the only material I have that is an inch thick are broken down pieces of our former front door. We live in a 600-year-old oak timber frame house. I've seen photos of the house from the 1890s, and the door was there then. I suspect it is 150 to 175 years old, but it was so warped that after one complete rebuild (done by a professional joiner), it still wouldn't close tightly. We had an identical one built, and I saved the wood from the old door.

I decided to take the easy way out and make a 'sort-of' oval base to avoid gluing. However, creating a round (or oval) base from a rectangular piece of 150-year-old wood (oak strengthens with age) isn't easy. I've used routers for five or six years, but only on the most straightforward projects. So, I broke out the trim router jig I bought a couple of years ago but had never used, and I used it.

My first attempt is best thought of as practice. At least it gave me big enough pieces of the original board that I could plane and square the edges and glue three pieces together to get an odd-shaped piece of oak that I could route out a 230mm diameter base. The rest was pretty easy. The jig worked perfectly, and I finally have a piece I can be proud to give someone else.

I said I'd try to avoid walls of text, so this is pushing the limit. I know we can insert images, but does anyone know the size limit of a photo image? I only have my phone, which takes three to four MB photos. I have no idea how to get a lower resolution. I've used online programs to reduce the file size, but I don't know the limit and am too tired to research it. It's a cold and stormy night here in SE England, and I'm going to bed.

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Well, it's 6.30 am on a Sunday, and it's cold. Puppy hss let me know he wants to go outside for a wee, but I suspect it's now a wee and a play. The doggy door is in, so I think I'll go sleep on the couch for a while. He can come and go, and I will try to stop him eating things he shouldn't.

JG, what phone are you using? Personally, I wouldn't change the resolution of the camera as I'd forget to change it back. There are tools on the phone that will help.

 

[dmallord]

My day nurse has the Flu A strain. So, it's strange not to see her this past week.

I sent both stories I've been working on for a couple of months to post, yesterday. One is for the Mike Hammer 2025 event entitled 'Case of the Missing Minx.' The post date is on July 15th. It's early out the gate, but sent in case it slips through the cracks between now and then. The second is entitled, 'The Orphan.' That one should take the customary Lit week or so to post. It will post in non-erotic as it is a bio piece.

Hope all of you, get better soon. The night nurse tells me that the bug is spreading all around us. In isolation, I thought I would be fine, but two weeks ago I think I caught the same thing the nurse has. Maybe from her visiting others. Who knows. I have a bit of the bark left but am better.

Coffee is greatly appreciated, and thanks for your extra hands on the chores and food. I think I've gained a pound or two. Still, my pants are falling off, so I have to tighten up the belt and a couple of extra notches. It's at the point of deciding whether it is worth it to get some new, smaller sized ones or wait for the weight to return.

 

[MrPixel]

...I will try to stop him eating things he shouldn't.

Puppies will be puppies, but let it get out of hand...

Is he at the point where he knows his name, and it isn't "NO!"?

 

[_Lynn_]

well, I'm willing but it's gonna be talking about old projects. See, the neuropathy makes my hands and feet numb. The feet part means my balance is bad and walking is occasionally much harder than it should be. The numb hands mean that I don't mess with power tools much anymore. Not a good idea to be trying to saw a board to make a shelf with no feeling in your hands. That's a recipe for a new Emergency Room story, and not the kind you publish but the kind that gets told to all your relatives at Thanksgiving.

I struggle with neuropathy too so I get the balance and walking bit. I even gave up driving last year because of it.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Puppies will be puppies, but let it get out of hand...

Is he at the point where he knows his name, and it isn't "NO!"?

He does know his name, usually attached to "no".

Overall, he's been good but tonight he's decided to bark about everything. At the moment I'm outside swatting mosquitoes and waiting for him to wear himself out.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

Managed to have a beautiful sunrise before the clouds moved in. It's going to be a gray day today. I've got a fresh pot of coffee going so anyone who needs a jolt of caffeine can get it. The teapot is hot for those civilized drinkers that enjoy a nice cuppa. There are sandwich cookies on the counter for those who need a sugar rush.

I'll be over in the corner doing some more writing. I'm really happy with where my story is going now after so many weeks of staring at blank paper. Hopefully I'll get more words down on paper today.

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[NotWise]

I said I'd try to avoid walls of text, so this is pushing the limit. I know we can insert images, but does anyone know the size limit of a photo image? I only have my phone, which takes three to four MB photos. I have no idea how to get a lower resolution. I've used online programs to reduce the file size, but I don't know the limit and am too tired to research it. It's a cold and stormy night here in SE England, and I'm going to bed.

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement.

I don't know that there is a size limit in terms of MB. To be courteous to readers, the picture should be narrow enough that you won't cause browsers to resize off the screen. I usually stick to a maximum width of about 600 pixels. If you can get the point across in a smaller space then that's good.

 

[NotWise]

I wrote to the end of my WIP last night and re-read the whole thing for the first time. It doesn't hang together very well--probably because the effort was interrupted at different times by the holidays, by covid, by work, and by the flu. I knew before re-reading that one scene needed a re-write. I know now that two scenes need to be re-written. I've also given the female protagonist license to be blunt to the point of cruelty. I need to reconsider that. She's conflicted and maybe I should let the readers be sympathetic.

The first week of the month has been very warm and dry. My garlic has sprouted and I imagine the hyacinths will be close behind.

 

[Belegon]

I wrote to the end of my WIP last night and re-read the whole thing for the first time. It doesn't hang together very well--probably because the effort was interrupted at different times by the holidays, by covid, by work, and by the flu. I knew before re-reading that one scene needed a re-write. I know now that two scenes need to be re-written. I've also given the female protagonist license to be blunt to the point of cruelty. I need to reconsider that. She's conflicted and maybe I should let the readers be sympathetic.

The first week of the month has been very warm and dry. My garlic has sprouted and I imagine the hyacinths will be close behind.

rewrites happen. But you can't edit a blank page, so always keep pushing if you can. it's important to finish things, even if they go haywire.

 

[Duleigh]

God I love coffee...

View attachment 2489454

 

[Lifestyle66]

My first chore in the morning is to make a fresh pot of coffee for my wife before she gets out of bed.

This morning, I was sitting in my chair in the living room reading the news, when she came from the bedroom, naked.

"Did I leave my clothes out here last night?" she asked.

"Yeah, right there," I said pointing to the pile of clothes beside my chair. "And your coffee's ready."

 

[NotWise]

This smiling face is "Nagano."

The flowers usually come in pairs, but I managed to snap off this one's twin before it opened.

This bulb was one of my weakest for quite a while. Now it seems much stronger.