Our Shop #2: After the Wood Show

As you know from part of of the Shop series, Rick and I were headed to the “big” wood show in our region, looking forward the Little Ripper and some other things. Then, tomorrow, we were going to go to Busy Bee to buy my “Darth Vader” air filter mask.

But, before we get to that I think I’ll start at the end. On the way home, about 15 minutes away from home actually, the snow that had started to fall was beginning to freeze on the road at different spots. No problem, take it slow and be cautious of the corners.

At one corner the ice was pretty bad but just a small patch, and then we went up over the little hill and along a stretch of bare road. Nothing unusual, really, for winter road conditions, but Rick did comment on how the snow was sticking right to the road and freezing rather than drifting.

Anyway, another curve and hmmm there was 1/2 of a big road sign. And then there were tracks heading into the ditch. Because it was close to home I knew the area well and I knew what was at the bottom of that hill—a pond. Sure enough, as we cautiously drove along the road, I kept my eyes on the tracks and, yes, they ended up in the pond. There was a van, half floating in the water, the front end swimming. And then I saw the young woman, climbing out of the window and across the hood of the van. She had just gone in the water.

Due to the bad conditions on this stretch of road, we had to go quite a ways to find a spot to safely turn around in and as quick and safely as possible we finally made it back to the accident. I knew that she was OK when I saw her, but she could have slipped back into the water—and what if she had kids in the van with her!! Oh slow motion. I thought it would take forever to get back to her.

But we did, and other than the trauma of just experiencing such an accident she was fine. We quickly got her into the warm truck and just as we pulled into the laneway the owner of the house arrived home (great timing) and we got her inside and wrapped in blankets.

All will be fine (except the van of course at this point). Boy, what a shake up.

On the “silver lining” side of the story, other than the list of “good luck” things that I rattled off for her to help her calm down, the owner of the house is a woodworker. I’ve always known this, but I didn’t know him and obviously had never been to his home before.

While waiting for the police to arrive we started up some casual conversation to help the young lady relax. The woodworker used to make furniture but he retired from this and is currently making guitar necks (is that the right word??). He sells them around the world. Very interesting.

So that was the ending of our day. Now, back to the wood show…

Let’s see… what did we get?
1. the Little Ripper (yippee). We had to order the blade for the bandsaw that goes with it. I guess our model of bandsaw is rather new on the market and the blade, supposedly, is a newer type /length blade.
2. Wheels/frame to put our bandsaw on so that it can be moved easily.
3. Respirator by Triton (it was $100 cheaper than the “for sale” item that we were looking at through Busy Bee).
4. a chip knife :D I just had to give it a try. Oh and the guy let me try it out and I’ve now made “one” (count them, “1”) official chip!!!
5. we “ALMOST” bought the most beautiful slab of walnut—it called to me from across the room and when we came back to get it (it was at the back of a pile, hidden against the wall) it had just be bought by someone else. Lesson learned.
6. and we bought a router. (this would be router #3). What kind you ask? The Triton. Yup.. got it with the respirator. I don’t know if the price was a great deal, but it saved us an hour trip to London tomorrow so I guess that is a good deal. And the show special was that you got a free lid for a garbage can – I think it’s the cyclone thingy but I haven’t looked yet.. and we got a set of something or others for the router as well… I have no idea what that was either.
And.. .. hmm that might be it. :) Maybe. It should be enough, shouldn’t it !!!

And now.. at an early 9 PM and after a very exciting (and traumatic) day.. these eyes are saying “read the rest of The Pulse tomorrow”. I think I’ll listen.

Night y’all.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)