Stu Stu Studio!

So what do you want to do this weekend?

Foreshadowing shot.

Hows about we make a studio so we can make some art?  First step: let's get some of the Artist's work all up in here. 

Art. Check.

Next step: Let's make it convenient to work. The Artist needs an area to store his tools. 

Hmm, I smell a Sears Solution! Check!

Indeed. What better than a Craftsman tool box. On wheels! 

Mobile unit. Check. 

Ok, before I move on, let's really focus on the joy a simple solution like a giant Craftsman tool unit brings. All the stuff can go in it. All of it! Brushes, pencils, acrylics, oils, papers, tools, tapes, glues and more. There's even a drawer for incense! 

The Craftsman and the Artist!

Even the little lady was happy about this solution! 

I prefer Artists, but Craftsmen have their uses... 

Last step:  it's up to the Artist. He's made his studio. now he must be left alone to create. So let's take a walk. It's early April, and it's been a brutally cold and lengthy winter. So what does Lake Huron look like? 

Frozen

Brr! 

Cold, but beautiful. 

What else is going on this spring around Grindstone Corners? 

No buds on the trees yet...

But there is new life! Look, a baby cow!

Seriously, city girl? It's a calf. MY calf. Back off!  

This Momma cow did a deep menacing moo at me to express her feelings about my interest in her baby c... I mean calf. 

This cow expressed himself in other ways!

Back End!

Mike and I agree- this cow pasture is one of the world's more magical places. There's just something about it. The cows always have attitude, the landscape is always beautiful, and there's always something there that makes you just want to stop and step into the world of the pasture. It's just part of what makes Grindstone so very special! 

I also happen to be privy to what is on the Artist's easel right now, and it is cow-shaped! They are so inspirational!

See you next weekend!

Visitors Bearing Gifts

A little backstory: I'm not from Michigan. I was born and raised in upstate NY, in a suburb of Rochester NY. I moved to Michigan to work at the Longway Planetarium in Flint, MI, after living in the NYC area for several years. I've been happily in Michigan around 15 years now, and the ONLY thing I regret about leaving NY is that I live 6 hours away from my parents!

They came for a visit. They arrived weary, since they both still work, but bearing gifts, as always! They brought Mike a saw. A very nice saw. I know it has a great name that explains its function, but I'll just call it a saw. It moved in many, many dimensions, planes, and time zones, and Mike was delighted with it.

...and this knob extrudes macaroni...

...but this one flattens out pizza dough and then takes you to 1985...

Ok, I'm making fun, but now I see the label- it's a radial saw!

We let Mom and Dad sit down for 5 minutes, then we put them to work. We still had lots of work to do before drywalling could commence. So hi ho, hi ho, up on the scaffolding we go!

"Measure twice, cut once"

The wall at the front of the church wasn't ready for drywall yet. Nailers (2x4s) had to be positioned so that there was something to nail the drywall into. There is an arch already built into the wall, but there was little to hang drywall on, so that was the day's project. There was something for everyone to do.

How's the weather up there, Ma?

"Hey! Up here! Look up!"

I definitely inherited my work ethic from them.  They haven't slowed down much in the 46 years I've known them. Mom's 71 and Dad's 69 (it was his birthday!), and they work harder and better than most 30 year olds! Plus they are fun to have around. Dad has a great attitude and endless curiosity, and Mom and I are always up to hijinks. We both almost wet our pants trying to get a ladder out of the bathroom. It was definitely a Laurel and Hardy moment, but luckily I'm the cameraperson so there is no evidence of it!

"Put that camera down and fetch me a prybar!"

This was an especially athletic moment for the men. You can't see the full view, but Dad was hanging out in space like a child on a jungle gym.

"This doesn't feel like recess!"

Honestly? I don't remember him being in so much peril when I took the picture, but looking back, yikes!!

"I can't quite reach the nail..."

But perseverance paid off, and the arch had its nailers!

I know it's hard to tell the difference, but Wayne, our drywaller, will be able to tell! He's set to start work soon, and everything must be prepped and ready. 

There was also a door that was to be walled over and had to be framed in. 

Good bye door, hello wall...

Let's go get some ice cream!

It was a busy and short weekend, and I was very sad to see them leave for NY on Monday morning, but before they left there was some time made for ice cream eating and cow-gazing. Dad and Mom grew up on farms in a little town near Hornell, NY, and Dad retains his love for the bovine race, as do I. So he and Mike stopped by our favorite magical cow pasture for some cow-eye candy!

Bovine Bliss

Cow-gazing is relaxing!

Cow Contentment!

We're very, very lucky to have Mom and Dad! Thank you, God!

Shy Ponies and Rude Cows!

I took a walk Saturday morning. The sun was out, the air was crisp, and the roads were too muddy for me to drive my usual route by the horses and cows on the way to the Church in Grindstone City. So I walked there instead.

Walking down a country road

The road is rather like clay, so I stuck to the grasses and weeds by the edge of the road. I walked gingerly by the horses, trying not to spook them...

Shy ponies...

Drat, they have sharp ears. Maybe I'll meet their owners and get the OK to bring carrots next time. If stealth won't work, maybe bribery. They are so pretty!

On to the cows.

Pastoral beauty

I kept walking, steady and slow. I hoped my favorite rebel calves would be out of the pasture and by the barn as they usually are. Jackpot! Those cutie pies look good enough to eat!

"I thought you were a vegetarian!"

I didn't mean literally "eat" guys- it's just a metaphor for how stinking cute you are. Meanwhile in the wink of my eye, they skeedaddled back under the fence and behind their momma's apron...

Rude cows!

If you blow this picture up, you will see that EVERY COW is staring at me. What you can't hear is the utter silence and eerie motionlessness of this scene. A dozen cows, motionless, silent, staring...until one cow broke the silence with her powerful stream of urine hitting the mud.

"Well, you were staring at us too!"

"Either feed us, or moove on already!"

I mooved on. 

Back at the White Church, plans are underway for more demolition. This time, the walls! 

This is the entranceway. Square is out, arch is in. The door to the sanctuary should match the windows.

Then there is this opening. Rectangle is out, arch is in.

Arch it!

Where's my Sawzall?

Also, this room on the other side of the front of the Church needs help.

Water damage from a leaky roof.

So the wall is coming out, the walls repaired, and a tile floor, furnace, and bathroom are all destined for this area.

Wall must go.

WHERE'S MY SAWZALL?

When I left, the north side had been cleaned out. I returned to the city, leaving Dr. Sawzall to it.

Before

After

Can't wait to see what it looks like after a day of demo. Stay tuned!