John’s New Hobby

John has been getting setup to make wooden pens for about 4 or 5 months now and finally got around to starting his new hobby. The first pen went to Mona, the 2nd to Tracy and the 3rd to Miranda.

Since then he got a couple ahead for a while. Eventually he wants to sell them at craft sales or on the internet.

Different species of wood included in his pens are Black Walnut, Zebra Wood, Olive Wood, Spalted Maple, Koa Wood (from Hawaii), Padauk, Black Wood, Cherry, Mesquite, Aromatic Cedar, Hedge Apple (the yellow one), Spalted Birch, Mahogany, Apple, Soft Maple and Mopani.

All the woods are natural colored, there was no stain applied to any of the pens. Not all pens are pictured above.

Mona Taking it Easy

 

Mona takes some time off playing games on the laptop after shoulder surgery less than a week ago.

Happy Easter!!!

Mona, Tracy and Miranda color Easter Eggs on Good Friday.

Lots of “Deviled Eggs” comin’ up

Paul & Leonora Durben Family Reunion 2011

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW…

 

I received the following information from Toni Durben regarding this year’s reunion. Her Family and her will be hosting the event this year.

 

The date is: Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

Place is: W5642 Michelle Way, Appleton, WI

Time: 12:00 noon

 

She will provide a hot sandwich, so bring a dish to pass, plastic ware, plates, and something to drink. Sandwiches are also welcome. Hope to see the entire family attending.

 

Additional information will be posted as it is received.

Picketing in Madison

On Saturday, February 26th Mona and I went down to Madison to support the Wisconsin Public Workers. I had received a call from APWU National Postal Press Association President, Tony Carobine the preceding day inquiring as to whether Mona and I would like to join him and his wife in the adventure.

 
 
 
 
 
(Left) John takes a break after walking around the Capital building several times. (Right) Mona was given a sign from AFSCME. You can see the snow is coming down pretty good.
An adventure it was. There were between 70,000 and 100,000 people filling the sidewalks, the lawn, the streets and the Capital building itself. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

(L-R) John, Mona, Cathy, and Tony

Click on photos to enlarge.

Three Day-er

Mona and I have a 3 day weekend comin’ up and we hope to get in a little bit of fishing at least one day. That depends though on whether I can get the Ice-Auger started. It probably hasn’t been started in 2-3 years so it might need some coaxing?

Fire on Ice on Shawano Lake–January 9, 2010

These photos were taken on Sunday, January 9. We weren’t able to stay at the race very long since we had a previous commitment but it’s the largest crowd I remember seeing. I hope to get more photos posted in the future and even have a short movie but also short of time. (You should be able to click on the photos to enlarge them.)