Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Woodworking - A "Novel Pushcar" from 1923


A "novel pushcar" made like a bulldog, from the January 1923 issue of Popular Mechanics (left-click to enlarge).  I am having way too much fun going through these on Google Books.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Quote Of The Day


 I'm a Black man, and I love America.

I'm aware that's become a controversial statement.  "I love America" is something you now say if you take Fox News with your morning coffee.  I get it.  Every Independence Day, one of my favorite high school classmates posts Frederick Douglass's Fourth of July speech on his Facebook page.  You know the speech.  It contains the line, "What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?"  I get that, too.  I know our past, and I know our pain.  Enslavement.  Peonage.  Jim Crow.  I know our present, and I know our pain.  Mass incarceration.  Red lining.  Extra-judicial police killings.  But the future is up for grabs. ~ Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Grrrsday


Everyone needs a hobby.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Not Just No


One of my nephews was born in Guatemala.  His sister is biracial.

Their mom got a phone call this morning from a lady asking her if she would like to contribute to the Trump re-election campaign. 

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Aunt Martha's Workbasket Magazine - December, 1936


Eight pages from 1936, including a crocheted bedspread, a crocheted chair set, and a quilt pattern called, perhaps wistfully,  Mother's Dream.  Free download from the Antique Pattern Library.

Who Needs Opposable Thumbs Anyway


If nobody gets up early enough to please him, somebody has figured out how to open the back door.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Masochism


It was way too hot to do this today.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

I'm Not Saying It's Hot Out

when the coolest place in the house is the floor of the shower in the basement.

...but two Hobbits just threw a ring into my back yard.

How hot is it where you are?

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Woodworking - A Sewing Duck from 1940



Something for a loving husband (or son who is taking wood shop) to create one evening for the little woman.  From Popular Science magazine, December 1940, available as a free download from Google Books.  

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Caturday!


Friday, July 12, 2019

Quote Of The Day

Minnie and Sheba at the vet's yesterday

If all else fails - duck.  As a defensive stratagem it's unreliable but incredibly re-assuring for a moment or two. ~ Murphy's Laws of Combat

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Monday, July 8, 2019

Vintage Magazines - The Woman's Home Companion


From February, 1921, online at Google Books.

Saturday, July 6, 2019

Caturday!


Notice the two would-be grooms on the left are holding cats; obviously a ploy to attract the eye of a discerning female and steer them away from the others.

Friday, July 5, 2019

Quote Of The Day

image from Wikipedia

Adams had gone to Harvard, Jefferson to William and Mary. Washington had gone to war. ~ Joseph J. Ellis  

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Monday, July 1, 2019

Lost In Translation



The past four days spend scheduling vehicle transportation for several dozen Red Cross volunteers has reassured me of the continued existence of American regional accents - particularly Noo Yawk and Minnesoaduh.