Custom Puzzles for Birthdays

Both my wife and brother in law have come to expect custom puzzles for birthdays and Christmas and maybe an occasional extra. Suzanne's birthday is September 5th and Bill's is September 4th so usually we get together and they work their puzzles together. This year I had to mail Bill's but Suzanne worked them both anyway. Bill's is a Tim Ernst picture of some beautiful rocks in the Buffalo River. Suzanne's was a picture of a crazy quilt. Both were cut with extra figurals. Anyway, here are the pictures. These are HARD to put together...not for those who would give up easily.

Todd, "the Barefoot Cellist", Performs at Arvest Ballpark

Arvest Ballpark hosted the Arkansas Philharmonic on July 3rd complete with a great fireworks show. We were treated to some beautiful music, a tribute to Louis Armstrong, big bands and a lot of show tunes. Of course the Stars and Stripes Forever and other patriotic tunes were played before the fireworks got under way. The real attraction and star of the show was the cellist on the extreme right?..That's Todd Spain, "the Barefoot Cellist"! Known for years for being barefoot and wearing sandals even in the cold weather, he asked and got permission to take off his shoes for the concert. This is Arkansas after all and I'm sure that dirt felt good to the toes. I really doubt if anyone but his parents noticed because it's a long way out there to second base....but of course his parents noticed!!!

Purple Hull Pea Festival 2009

We were in Magnolia, Arkansas (Suzanne's home town) for the weekend and as "luck?" would have it caught the 20th annual Purple Hull Pea Festival in Emerson, about 15 miles South of Magnolia, almost to the Louisiana line. Yes, it was the biggest thing going on in Emerson (Pop 392). The heat was in excess of 100 degrees but everyone was having such a great time. The biggest event was the annual World Championship Rotary Tiller Race. These are no ordinary roto tillers. These had souped up motorcycle engines and covered the 200 foot track in under 6 seconds!!! Dust flies eevrywhere, everyone laughs and they do it again!

The festival also featured a genuine wedding (see pic). Don't ask me why they did this but it was the real thing and not "shotgun". The wedding was held while one of the tillers was being repaired. Since the tiller was supposed to be in the neext race the announcer decided "we'll move the weddin' up and do it now"! Yes it was weird but it was sort of fun.

The next big event or "highlight" was the anual Larry the Cable Guy Look-Alike" contest. Yep, he pretty much looked like him and could say "Git 'er Done" like the real guy.

There were more festivities including the purple hull pea dinners, pea shelling contests and recipe contests but the heat was getting to me so I had to leave. It was an afternoon of small town fun with wonderful people and I recommend it to anyone!

Where all Good Billy Bass go When They Retire...

We were visiting the boys in Little Rock this weekend and after a hot round of disc golf we went to cool off at Flying Fish in the Rivermarket area. It's a wonderful place for catfish and po'boys of all kinds not to mention the lemonade and sweet tea that we guzzled by the gallon. On the way out I took this pic of the "world's first Billy Bass retirement center"....a good idea for these singing fish. If you have one to "retire" you can trade it for a free catfish dinner even!....anyone want to hit the gargae sales?

The Town that Loves Buffalos..

On our trip to Bartlesville, Oklahoma we saw this little city park in the middle of the downtown area. They appreciate buffalos here as you can see. I figured my Buffalo Patrol friends would like this and went back with my camera....so here ya go Buffalos! Enjoy!!!

Mailbox Makeover Gets Way Over Done!

Yes, we do need another hobby......but the mailbox just keeps needing more stuff. Gotta have an outhouse...DUH!

The Fully "Tricked Out" Mailbox

The log cabin mailbox was just screaming for decoration so we couldn't resist. A few musical instruments, a rocking chair, a fishing pole and it now looks like a pretty nice place to live. The neighborhood kids like it...and the neighborhood banjo player.

Todd, the "Green" Engineer

Todd and Mom pose for a pic as Todd leaves Ft Smith to go to his summer job in Little Rock. He will be working for Viridian (www.viridianUSA.com) which is a consulting and construction firm specializing in "eco friendly" buildings. They have an interesting list of things you must do if you would like one of them to come and speak at your event. No styrofoam cups, print on both sides of paper if paper is really necessary (email is strongly encouraged) but the one Todd thought was the most interesting was that if beer is served a keg is the way to go! No sense in wasting all those bottles. Yes, I believe Todd will fit in with his employers and enjoy his summer!

We miss you already Todd!!

Mailbox gets a Home Makeover!

The Spain's mailbox was looking pretty shabby. It was time for a little home makeover, or so Suzanne said. Here's the result, built as a late Mother's Day gift. I've always wanted a log cabin....this is as close as I'll probably ever get but at least it has a banjo by the door!
(Note: Click on picture if you want a larger view)

Maxine the One Eyed Wonder Dog!

Maxine Love, known as the "One Eyed Wonder Dog" died several weeks ago and is dearly missed by her family, Trish, Mark and Joe. This scroll saw portrait was created as a gift to Maxine's family in honor of their best friend.

Here also is the original picture it was created from. What a cute dog!!!!

It's a Dog's Life!

Pictures of Socks and Coco...and maybe Sock's sister!!!

Weekend in Little Rock!

These are a few pics we took in Little Rock this weekend. Note in particular the dog friend we met at the dog park. Shelooks EXACTLY like Socks!! We are pretty sure they are brother and sister. They sure played together like they knew each other...rolled around and hugged like old friends. Elle, the girl dog was also a "rescue" and the owner doesn't know the previous history but look for yourself. How could there be another mutt so close to Socks?

We also drove by Viridian where Todd will be an engineering intern this summer. They specialize in "green" buildings so Todd should learn a lot.

Also pictured are the new headquarters of Heifer International located next to the Clinton Library. Brad is standing in front of the visitor's center next door which was one of his deign projects and will be opening soon.

Enjoy the slide show!!! (....and be sure to check back for a video later!)

The Razorback Cello Section '09

 

Not every Razorback team gets a lot of newspaper publicity. Reporters don't come from everywhere to write about how this team is doing...who will carry the load next year and what freshmen are coming in. However, while the annual Red and White football game was being played down the street, the UA Symphony Orchestra combined with the university's Schola Cantorum and the community's Master Chorale performed the Brahm's Requiem at the Walton Arts Center. Needless to say it was gorgeous and of course that was due mostly to the cello team. (Well, DUH! of course!) Guys, you are MY dream team and worthy of praise!!

It is rather hard to believe that the cellist on the extreme left is related to one of the Floppy Bottom Boys pictured in the previous post. Of course he would not claim any musical affiliation I'm sure.

The Floppy Bottom Boys

This is the group you didn't get to hear at Extravaganza 2009. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your point of view!) things were running a little late so the Floppy Bottom Boys yielded the stage to others with bigger amplifiers. We had fun anyway....and preserved our ear drums for another day.

Extravaganza 2009

The Westark Area Council's Extravaganza 2009 was a spectacular success. Attended by nearly 2,000 people, the event was held at Ft Chaffee just outside Fort Smith. As you can see by the smiles on the faces in the video everyone had a wonderful time....and the weather was just gorgeous. (not counting the high winds and the electrical storm at night.)

Wood Badge Puzzle Box

This special Wood Badge puzzle box was created for the Wood Badge Reunion at Extravaganza 2009. This as well as the two knives and clocks will be auctioned to raise funds for scholarships for the next course.

The box is cut from a single block of aromatic cedar. A "key" has to be removed to open it and there is a smaller box inside that has two lids to be removed to get to the pair of Scout fleur-de-lis earrings inside.
(Click on the picture for a larger view.)

Old Man Playing Banjo!

Anybody know this old codger?.....saw him in my backyard playin' the banjar!!! Twarn't no good but you kin tell by the smile under the beard he really likes to play! Now, les see.....whar' kin I post this so those two young'uns of his will see it? Better yet, whar kin I post it so his young'uns FRIENDS will see it!!!

SHHHH!! Don't Tell Kevin!

This is the knife and box created for our Extravaganza 2009 chairman, Kevin Overholt....but don't tell him! It's a surprise!!
He was in the Bear Patrol of SR-890, hence the bear on the box.
(Click on the picture if you'd like a larger view)

Wood Badge Items for Auction

Here are the items I have made so far for the Wood Badge Reunion at Extravaganza 2009. Proceeds go for scholarships for the next course in Spring 2010. If time allows I might come up with a few more but the knives have sold well in the past. These are Victorinox Swiss Army knives with the plastic handles pulled off and replaced with cocbolo. The inlays are German silver and yellowheart.

Two Puzzles for Ralph's Pink Flamingo BBQ!

Ralph's Pink Flamingo BBQ is a fabulous restaurant owned by our friends Ralph and Patsy Taylor and was recently named Reader's Favorite BBQ by Fort Smith Entertainment Magazine!!! Ralph used to cook for our Boy Scout troop and run our annual cooking contest for the boys. His BBQ is indeed the best ANYWHERE as his numerous awards and trophies can attest.

Just for fun and as a congratulations gift I made him these two puzzles.
Congratulations Ralph, Patsy, Jeff and Rhett and best wishes for even more success!!!

Scoll Saw Portrait- Dave's Dog

One of my coworkers asked if I could make a portrait for his family's beloved dog who passed away at the very ripe old age of 23. (Isn't that about 152 in dog years?!!!). Since three are really easier to cut than just one since it slows the blade down a little, I made one out of 1/8" Baltic birch ply, another out of cherry ply, and one out of oak ply. The Baltic birch one is framed here and he is going to use one for a lid for a box for the dog's papers and ashes.

Dave, I hope this picture of your "best friend" brings comfort to you and your family!

Happy New Year -2009

Happy New Year to All!!!
We celebrated New Year's Eve in Bartlesville with family and friends and here's the video to prove it.
Warning...video has yet ANOTHER holiday tune butchered on the banjo by yours truly! Does it ever stop?! ...mercifully this video and tune is only 1 minute!