Ms Debbie P's 2007 Shop Tour and Inspection #12: Wednesday Special: With Dusty down at "This Old Crack House."

This week is an homage to Dusty and his venerable blog “This Old Crack House.” I actually heard of it before I was aware of the existence of Lumberjocks. The name slays me every time, but aside from the subtle Norm reference, this house was exactly what the name implies. A blight on the neighborhood and an eyesore.
I asked Dusty if he could give me a paragraph to describe his motivation behind the project and the blog, and here is what he had to say:
”Honestly I would have to say at first was to get rid of a problem house and neighbor. As time went on I fell in love with the house. I had it sold previously to a Buddie and it never materialized. I am grateful for that.

What got me interested in blogging was the encouragement I got from the other lumberjocks. I am not a writer nor had ever done anything like that before. Several Lumberjocks encouraged me to tell the story behind all the mission furniture I had displayed in the project sections. I also started the blog to began a healing process with myself with regards to having lost the use of my one hand. I wrote the blog in hopes it would not only help me heal but offer hope to others with permanent disabilities or handicaps.”

There are before pictures of the house in Dusty’s first entry in the series and pictures all the way through to the final chapter. Along the way we have been treated to a view of some of the finest Mission Furniture and Stain Glass (the entry about Dusty’s stained glass classes is one of my favorites) out there. And the writing is highly enjoyable as well. I have tried to blog a simple project, one of my jewelry boxes. I boogered it up so many times amongst the picture taking and became so frustrated that I bagged the undertaking that same afternoon. This gentleman has shown remarkable fortitude and considerable skill in both the construction of the house and it’s furnishing as well as the art of the blog.

Here is Deb on the back lawn as we arrived to begin the tour.

I was just as excited to have been invited to participate. Being on the other side of the shot has the distinct benefit of sparing you the vision of me airborne. ‘Tis not a pleasant sight.

Deb is always game to investigate mixed media projects. I think she was agog at the sight of Dusty’s glass supplies.

Here she looks at the schematic of a window in progress. Shop points were awarded for organization, great lighting and the presence of a shop fire extinguisher.

After a tour of the house, with every room crowned with fine furniture and stained glass, MsDebbieP relaxes in the Great Room Home Theater.

Popcorn anyone?

So in closing, we salute you, Dusty. Your perseverance, talent, humor and humility are well noted. Your shop, home and blog are winners, to say the least.

We have your certificate ready. Thank you for sharing this labor of love.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.