Charlotte Allen, my maternal grandmother, left behind five photo albums. Some time ago, these fell into the possession of Aunt Joan (Allen) Turley.
|
Her desire is to make these photos available to Allen Family members. As some of you know, I have been working with her and, to this point, have digitized somewhere in the neighborhood of 910 images. Assuming no insurmountable obstacles arise (or as Grandpa would say, "God willing and the creek don't rise") we will have USB drives with these pictures available at the next family reunion.
|
I have made a few trips to Joans' house to collaborate, but I feel like I'm imposing because she always has a big meal ready for us. It's a shame I no longer own an appetite.
|
I used the singular tense but, in fact, we have pressed several people into service helping us. Ameilia and Leann bore the brunt of scanning and identifying.
|
These trips to deal with photos gave me the opportunity to visit with Mark a couple of times. I offered to make a tumbler for his granddaughter, Kaitlyn only to learn that she already had one and was it running at that very moment.
|
I attended the double baptism of Carson and Armin. As of late, getting reasonable images seem to be beyond my capability...
|
...and these are the best I came home with. To paraphrase one of our recent vice presidents, "You don't use the images you want, you use the images you have."
|
I have enough of my mother in me to be displeased when things don't work like I expect them to.
|
We had a fair number of mischievous pranksters there. And I disclaim any knowledge of where those tendencies came from.
|
There were quite a number of relatives present...
|
...from all sides of the family. |
I enjoyed visiting with Mylinda, even if it was only for a short time.
|
The difficulty of getting a good family portrait increases with the square of the number of adults times the cube of the number of children involved. This is one of the better ones... |
I know! Lets all stand a line from shortest to tallest... Actually this photo will probably become a classic.
|
Then came the dreaded, "Lets get a picture with dad... Well, I suppose worse things have happened1.
|
This the first major project using my new toy (lathe). We came by a cabochon making machine that was rusted solid. These things sell for between 300 to 400 dollars, and presented a challenge I could not resist. After a number of unsuccessful attempts at driving the shaft out of the rusted bearing, I cut the shaft. Once it was no longer encumbered by the sheet metal case, it yielded to my persuasive hammer, and fell apart. I welded the shaft back together in an attempt to preserve the distance measurements. I then purchased a length of ¾ inch diameter rod, turned one end down to ½ inch diameter, and cut a half inch worth of 20/inch left hand threads. The other end I also turned down to ½ inch diameter, and cut an inch worth of 20/inch right hand threads. I then cut 4 inches worth of 18/inch right hand threads on the ¾ inch shaft itself, and finished it by cutting a groove for a snap ring. All I need now is to make a flat spot for the set screw of the pulley, and I'll be finished. To this point, it has taken only twelve hours...
|
I have recently noticed a small growth on the inner aspect of my left eye socket. I didn't think much about it for the first few months, but finally decided have it looked at. My PCP sent me to a dermatologist, who confirmed his diagnosis of basel cell carcinoma with a biopsy (the red dot on the raised area), and sent me to a dermatologic surgeon who practices Mohs Micrographic Surgery.
|
After a knife fight (to which I neglected to bring a knife) and a skin graft, I was just slightly miserable. But, as the song says, I think the worst is over now...
|