The year of the new house

Today I recieved an email from a good friend who lives in California. He reads my journal regularly. His email stated the following...  "If you've been missing Mike, it's because he's still sitting on the tractor on the side of the house in front, and must have fallen asleep, as that's all I've been seeing for the last week! :-) "

My friend Danny understands that we've been very busy for he has been following our other blog as well... HOUSE PROJECT    This is the year of the new house. Signs are still being designed and built in the shop of course but the bulk of our efforts are spent on the construction.

The new house will be our home, something we've been looking forward to for more than a decade. But it will also be the face of our company on a very busy road. Our shop is at the rear of our property, about 350 feet from the road. Because our property is zoned residential we are limited to the size of our sign(s) out front. Our new house is what will really put us on the map. The house will be a landmark on a very busy road. It will also showcase everything we do in the grandest way imaginable.

So there's the explanation of why this blog has been a little quiet at times this year. I'll continue to post as we do projects in the shop and we have some cool projects in planning and underway. If it is too quiet here just jump over to the HOUSE PROJECT

Stay tuned...

-grampa dan

All we have to do is try.

One of the fellows working for us this summer has never done most of the tasks we ask of him. With each job we give Mike careful insruction and keep a watchful eye on him. In the last weeks he has pounded nails, used a skillsaw, climbed onto the roof to work and done a hundred other things never before attempted.

Today, we accidentally damaged an extension cord while we were grinding. It was handed to Mike and he was instructed to fix it. He at first looked at me like I had three heads but then set to work. Amazingly, in spite of his inexperience, he did the task and got it back together again in perfect working order. The next job involved cleaning out the router room. To haul the waste material to the garbage bin he got to hop on our small tractor and work the controls for the very first time. And with every task we have asked him to do, Mike found he was up to the challenge. 

We are all capable of so much more than we sometimes allow ourselves to believe. I know each of my crew can do these tasks. The only thing needed is the wish to give it a try. Mike has a willing spirit and jumps at every opportunity.

As I jokingly remind each our wonderful staff on a regular basis...  "What can possibly go wrong?"

-grampa dan

Pumpkin

Our daughter Rebecca has always had a soft spot in her heart when it comes to animals. They somehow find her and seem to just know that she can help them. Through the years countless animals have passed through her hands (and often through ours as a result). Pipsqueak Paddocks, a miniature horse rescue society is hosted on our small acreage and has helped more than a hundred and twenty horses since it was set up. Stray dogs, lost puppies and foster dogs all feel her love.

Last week a small brown dog appeared at our place when Bec came to tend the horses. The dog was a foster, in need of a temporary home. The little dog was largely blind, with curable eye problems, but the treatments would not come cheap. The society that rescued her could not afford the cure. The little brown dog was to simply have her eyes removed or would be put to sleep. We had to do more as this sweet little dog quickly worked her way into our hearts. We wanted to explore all options and see just what could be done. Some friends of ours stepped up and promised to help out with the cost of the surgery. We would provide a safe, secure and permanent home. We decided we would name the little dog with a moniker that would honor our friends who helped us help this little girl.

Pumpkin loves people, is eager to please and has made herself completely at home. She has a visit scheduled with an eye specialist in the next week. Her future looks a little clearer and brighter. Thanks to our good and kind hearted friends who made it possible for us to help.

Welcome home Pumpkin!

-grampa dan