Hunnert Degrees

It managed to get up to 100 degrees yesterday - it was still 90 at 7:30 last night in fact. It cooled off a little when a storm came through and dropped a little rain on us but that didn't help with the humidity any. The forecast calls for 90 degree days and a chance of storms for the next four days or so. Not really the type of weather that I can feel good about. It would be nice if we actually got a decent amount of rainfall - things are really dry. One thing about it, however, it's not just here. It's record setting hot all over the place.

Because of the heat, I've got nothing planned for the next few days. Just going to try to keep cool and relax. I might do a little darkroom work. I've got a couple of negatives I'd like to make prints from. That'll at least get me out of the recliner. I'm turning into the old retired guy. I've got all day to do things and don't do any of them because I've always got tomorrow. Soon as it cools off, I'll be back on it. Trouble is, that might not be until October.

Have a good weekend and stay cool. It's dangerous hot out there for a lot of you folks!

Bike & Photo

I want a bike like this and take a photograph like this. Not asking too much, is it? (Both of these from MotArt Journal)

I had my MRI on the heart yesterday. That's an interesting experience - lots of holding your breath for 20 seconds at a time. I did get a CD out of the deal though. As much as they get for those tests, I'm thinking a souvenir CD and a T shirt  would be cool. Maybe screen print your heart on the shirt with some kind of catchy slogan "I've got my heart on for you", or something. Anyway, next up is a review from the Doc. Not sure when on that but I've quit being in a hurry about all this. I'm figuring, if there's no hurry, that's a real good thing.

I've been working on the barn and the upstairs woodshop is coming along right smartly. I need to decide what type of ceiling lighting I'm going to use. I've got three outlets wired to a switch so I can plug in most anything that suits me. Maybe talk to the man with the crane and see about getting my tools up there first and then locate the lighting to accommodate the equipment. It's hot again - looking like maybe a 100 today - so I won't be getting much done until it cools off a little but I've got some things done this week. A guy can get a lot done with 4 or 5 hours of easy work most every day. Before I started the gym and got old, that used to be my routine. Come home from work, get a bite and then head out to the shop most every night. Either that or stay late at work and put in a few hours. What I need now is to get myself a regular workout schedule to get some stretching and strength training in along with working on things around the shack and I'll be set. Should be pretty easy to find the time if I retire.

I'll keep plugging away. You stay cool.  

Americani A Firenze

Sticking with the art theme, the Wall Street Journal had a review of the exhibition "Americans in Florence: Sargent and the American Impressionists" at the Palazzo Strozzi. The Sargent in the exhibition's title refers to John Singer Sargent, an American born in Florence who lived most of his life in Europe. Once again, if I was filthy rich, after checking out the Rodchenko exhibit in Krakow, I'd hot foot it over to Florence and see this exhibit. If like me, you can only think about traveling to Europe on a whim, you can see more of the exhibit at WSJ.com/Leiart.

Sometimes I wish I had pursued a career a little more lucrative than school teaching. It would have been nice to have a few more bucks in my pocket for things like traveling overseas. My art education has been extremely neglected. Other than a little art instruction as part of elementary school and a film appreciation course I managed to sneak in at the college level, everything I know I pretty much picked up on my own. That of course explains why I don't know much, but it wouldn't hurt to actually teach a little bit of art appreciation in school instead of ramming all that algebra down the student's throats. I think we could all benefit from an understanding and appreciation of the fine arts. Nobody uses that much algebra anyway.

Maybe I should further my education with a trip to the Art Institute. They've got an exhibit of Italian drawings from the Renaissance going on now. The last time I was there it was to see the Charles Sheeler exhibit about five years ago. I can take the "Vomit Comet" and spend a day in the city. A couple hours at the museum, walk around for a bit, shoot a roll of film. Always a good time.

Rodchenko

Girl With Leica

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal the other day about an exhibition of the works of Alexander Rodchenko at the National Museum in Krakow, Poland. I don't know too much about the man but I'd like to know more. His photographs are typically taken from different angles and/or viewpoints. I haven't seen much of his work but I've been impressed with every thing that I've seen. If I was filthy rich, I'd fly to Poland and check out the exhibition for a little bit o' inspiration.

I've been wanting to get out and shoot some pictures but it's just been too bloody hot. It's supposed to cool off for a couple of days, so maybe I can get the big camera out and shoot a couple of shots. If nothing else, run a roll through the twin lens or the 35mm. Instead of doing my "walkies" around the shack, I can take the show on the road.

It was a pretty good weekend. I got a nice bike ride in Sunday morning and finished up all the wiring in the new barn except for running the wire from the pole to the panel. I'll get a list of materials put together and get on that this week. It'll be nice to have that done.

Have a good week.

Barn Shelves

100 miles

Barn Shelf

Shelf Bracket

I got the shelves taken care of  for the new barn yesterday. I had the heavy duty wall brackets but didn't have/couldn't find enough shelf brackets. The store bought pieces are a "U" shaped stamping that are hot-dip galvanized. I made mine out of square tubing. The end that mounts to the wall bracket I cut out on the bandsaw and the wiz wheel, then did a little touch-up with a file. The other end I cut back at a 45 degree angle and drilled a hole so I could screw the shelf board to them. The shelf boards are 2" x 12" that were part of the lifting cradle. I ripped a piece in half and added that to a full width piece so the shelves are 16" wide. I made four brackets that width and I think I'll make two more to fit the 12" width. That'll give me two wide shelves and one narrower one. That should be plenty of shelf space on the lower level. I want to keep the lower level of the barn pretty sparse.

The top fuzzy photo is the speedometer on my road bike. I put a new battery in it and cleaned the bike up just before I had the heart attack. As you can not so clearly see, the odometer reads 101.3 miles. Nothing great here but a significant mental milestone for me. I've been increasing the mileage and the speed a little at a time. In the past my normal cruising speed was about 15 mph. I'm working on about 12 mph now depending on conditions on a 4 mile ride. Nothing earth shattering but I'm making some progress. I want to eventually work my way up to a metric century - 62 miles. It might take me until next year but that's OK. I'll just keep pecking away at it until I get more info from the Doc. and then adjust my workout accordingly.

It cooled off a little yesterday after the little bit of rain came through. Hopefully it'll stay that way for a few days. They said on the Weather Channel the other day that we've had 12 days of 90 degree weather already this year, probably 13 now, and we normally average only about 16. I know my electric bill is going to be a killer this month with the AC and the fans running most of the day. Anyway, if it stays a little cooler, I can get a few more things done. It feels good to be making some things again.

A Beautiful Day

Headed south on Saturday afternoon to deliver the Fair Lady and attend the memorial service for my brother. When he was diagnosed with cancer, some of the people he worked with were going to have a fundraiser for him. Unfortunately, he passed away before that plan could be put into action. But since he didn't want a funeral, the fundraiser became a memorial service/family reunion/picnic/hootenanny. It was just the kind of thing that John would have wanted. Lots of good people, good food, good music, and good fellowship. 

My deepest and most heartfelt thanks go out to all who helped and who were able to attend. There's a lot more I'd like to say but I just can't find the words. 

Peace

Graduation

I finished up cardiac rehab the other day as documented by the above certificate suitable for framing. I completed Phase II but don't remember there being a Phase I. Maybe that was walking the hallway while in the hospital. Regardless, they gave me my certificate, a pedometer and sent me on my way with instructions to work my way up to 10,000 steps per day. 10,000 steps translates into roughly 5 miles, which is a pretty good distance. Without factoring in specific exercise time, I walked about 5,000 steps the first few days working around the shack and just doing what I do during the course of the day. I've been riding my bike every day as part of my routine but I need to add some upper body exercise. Unfortunately, I'm still in limbo.

I met with the Doctor a couple of days ago and he wants to do another test on the heart and maybe another angioplasty. I was hoping to get the go-ahead to start doing a little more instead of continuing to just spin my wheels. Could be worse, though.

I found some fuel line for the Rapido and the Missus picked up a small windmill that is in need of repair, of course. It's missing some of the vanes and one leg is broken, so I can work on that and keep plugging along on the Rapido while I'm waiting on testing and Dr.'s visits. Plus it's going to be in the 90's for the next week, so I'll have to take it a little easy anyway. 

Have a good weekend and happy Father's Day to all of you Daddy-O's out there.