Almost the years end...and, one more day 'til the Sabbath. Been a long week, but a satisfying one. My head cold is finished. The bench seat is finished and delivered. The saddest thing was something I witnessed today. Now, I'm not anti-hunting. I don't hunt...neveer have and never will. Today, I noticed two men driving the perimeter of the 1,000 acre wheat field across the street. Late afternoon, they reappeared and stopped at the pivot centeer in the field and proceeded to set up goose decoys. A few minutes later, a lone goose flew over rob ably at a height of fifty feet. A shot rang out, the goose dropped to the ground and a black lab retrieved it. Felt tremendously saddened at the sight. Not anti-hunting, but still felt saddened. Hope I never see it, again.

Spent Christmas wekend with a bad headcold. Not the way I wanted to celebrate the Lord's birthday. Just finished the benchseat, 'cept for the wax. Looks nice. The Lord and I work well together. Ordered my wife a really nice Lanz flannel nightgown from Vermont Country Store - boysenberry color- ordered in plenty of time for Christmas. Alas and alack. No deliveery, no preseent. Disappointed and a little irked. Yesterday, I went on the Vermont Country Store wswebsite and found no evidence that I had ordered it. Checked my bank account. Nothing deducted by VCS. Hmmm. So, went on the VCS website and reordered the thing. Today I get a letter from the store saying that they appreciate my order of two weeks ago (!!), but would I please send them money so that they can ship. Called the store, cancelled the first, kept the second, should arrive any day..now. Good grief!

Haven't seen the sun in  over two weeks. Nothing but grey, and other shades of grey. N o rain , no sun, no nothin. Finished a full day in the shop. Be glad when its done and delivered.

Spent the morning chasing rabbits. First o a body shop for an estimate on damgae to the car's rear bumper. Some knucklehead swiped the bumper on the way out of Walmart's parking lot. Broke the fiberglass. Never left a note. Rabbit number two involved buying tgwo rialroad ties and putting them at the edge of my drive in front of the shop. The neighbor across the road likes to turn in my drive if I'm not around. Rather than  ignite a neighborhood war by telling him to quit, I'll just leet him deasl with the rr ties. Problem solved. Too cold to get much done in the shop, today. Glue wont set below 50 deg, so  mostly sanding and planning the final steps. Benchseat is beginning to look good. Hopefully, more progress tomorrow

The end of another week. The bench seat is showing good progress. I've placed three childsen's chairs and a small desk in a local furniture/gift store - a very nice place in Hermiston called "The Covered Wagon". Beautiful selection of items. Located next to Wilcox Furniture.
Sundown for us, on Friday, means an end to the workweek and the arrival of our Sabbath, the seventh day, which the Lord created for us so that we could rest, and honor Him. No, we won't be struck by lightening if we don,t keep the Sabbath. Howeverf, it does seem right to do so. Spend quiet time with family and freinds. Go to worship service. recharge depleed batteries.
So, Happy Sabbath to everyone.

Been house cleaning today. Lu extremely busy....so, with mop and bucket Getting colder by the day, here in the high desert country of northeastern Oregon. Snow will come soon, but not much. Enough to cover the ground to a few inches and snarl traffic. So little snow each year that towns don't own snow removal equipment. We drive through it, following neighbor's ruts. Highway departments spread a liquid mixture smelling like cow urine on bridges and at intersections. Soon enough what little winter we get will be a memory and spring will settle in while the rest of the country is entangled with March and April...and sometimes May blizzards. Can't say that I miss that kind of winter, much. Where I'm from - New England - we said that there were three seasons....winter, mud, and the fourth of July

Took an early morning stroll in the freezing fog...good for the soul and body, eh? Spent most of the day in the shop. Had the heater on long enough to settle the glue, but off most of the time. As-fix-iation by heater fumes is not my style. Finally brought most of the work in the house to cure. Turned the heat off in the shop and worked with gloves, and wool hat. The bench seat is going to be a beauty. Schools getting ready to close for vacation so not much of a chance of getting called. Read 1 Cor 13, Romans 8, Psalm 25 and 50 with Lu.

Still tired after a long weekend. Played a very grumpy Roman guard in a Christmas pageant called Journey to Bethlehem. Some claim that its type-casting...that its east for me to be grumpy Roman guard. However, nothing could be further from the truth you hear??Actually, the pageant is cool. (no pun intended. Its outdoors in a village hopefully resembling Bethlehem agt the time of Christs birth. We people it with live actors in costume who play King Herod, the wisemen, village shopkeepers, the innkeepers, various peasants....well over a hundred actors in all, Roman guards, etc...then, generally act as we think 1st century inhabitants would act while guides bring groups of visitors through. I get to harass them in the tax collector's tent. Then, the witness the angel talking to the shepherds "Behold, I bring youj tidings of great joy...on this night, a savior  is born....." They proceed to the stable where they see Mary and Jospeh, and then end the journey at the cross. I affects a great many people, giving them a taste of what Christ-mas is really about. 4 hours a night for three nights. Really tiring...but, thats our Christmas. Trees with lights, fancy, expensive presents, etc are insignificant.
Tomorrow, I'm in the shop again, working on the bench seat. Got some photos back a few pages. Tonight, its paperwork...receipts, mileage, etc...getting ready for taxes.

Spent today sub-teaching at Umatilla High in shop. Duty consisted mainly of making sure the kids didn't amputate digits, and wore safety glasses. There are always a few who are resistent to the most basic safety precautions. They're bulletproof! Accidents happen to the other guy, eh? For my part, while mon tiroing their activities...a pretty easy job, actually, I managed to sand the three pieces that will make up the back of the bench seat. Too cold to go into my shop. No heat. The propane ran out and I need a new bottle. Haven't seen the sun in days. Terrifically foggy, since we're so close to the Columbia. The frost is thick and everywhere. A beautiful sight.

I wonder how many schools stopped for a moment of silence to honor Pearl Harbor? I wonder how many schools take a minute out of the beginning of the day to pledge allegience to the flag? And, we wonder why kids don't seem as patriotic as previous generations. Is it hypocritical for schools to teach civics, American history, government, and the Constitution, and not require the students to pledge allegience to the flag??
Spent the day in the shop. Cold and damp. Icey fog continues. Managed to glue up the back of the bench seat. Maybe I'll have it finished by Christmas.