Thanks mom!

I'm often asked how I learned to do the things I do. It started early in life. My Mom took notice of my drawing ability and passion and encouraged it. Although we didn't have a lot of money in those days I never was wanting for drawing materials. My Mom helped ends meet by working in a small department store in town. She saved and brought home the white cardboard packing that was tucked between the shirts for me to draw on. She also made sure I always had a good supply of pencils. More than that Mom allowed and encouraged me to pin or tape the multitude of drawings I did to my bedroom walls.

My Mom always had time to admire and make favorable comments about my drawings too, no matter how busy she was. In the process she was encouraging me to do more. Mom saved a lot of what I did as well, something I treasure to this day. As all mom's do she was equally encouraging to my siblings as well, recognizing their efforts in art and anything else that interested them. With four very active kids, close in years, I know it was no easy task.

I am who I am in large part because of my Mom. Thanks Mom!!!

BIG pull - little tractor

To get the features out of our shop we use any method we can think of.  Recently Peter had enough people power to steer a heavy feature but not enough to move it. The solution was to hook up the lawn tractor and give it a pull. The little tractor laid down some rubber but proved to be too light to do the job so it was unhooked and the bigger tractor was brought out to finish the job.

Runaway train

With the roller coaster track now all in place we could move on to the other features that were waiting. Today's task was to lift the runaway train onto the mountain and weld it into place. Jack and Bert did the honors.