YOU CAN'T CAPTURE COLD!

 Early this morning, the temperature hovered close to minus 30 degrees. That is a bit chilly. But those crazy weather forcasters always want to make it colder by laying out the "wind chill." In fact, yesterday morning, one of our weathermen, Mark (Wausau, channel 7), did not even give us the temperature, he only reported the wind chill.

Karol and I never tire of seeing and photographing the majestic pileated woodpecker, here, a male. While this is not an award winning picture, you have to know that we simply love these birds that regularly come to eat suet (beef fat from the kidney area) on a nearby tree.

This ATV trail takes me down to the lower storage shed where I house my dry wood. The snow was so deep that I needed to shovel my road. Yesterday, I brought a very small load up this hill, but I got stuck several times....the temperature was so cold that the "dry" snow was like shifting sand.

You are looking at one disappointed boy. Joshua had wanted to come to our house to sled, but it was impossible to make a slide in the deep snow. Instead of sledding, he and sister, Kaitlyn, decided to dig a tunnel in the snow that Cheeto, our snow plower, had piled up. Joshua is a true Wisconsinite - the giveaway is the Packer coat.

This is my current supply of firewood: maple, cherry, birch, and a little oak. This stack was cut three years ago and is really nice and dry (that insures that our chimney will remain clean). The wood stacked behind the ladder will eventually be used for bowls.

CHECK OUT A VIDEO OF MY WORKSHOP. I THINK I NOW HAVE EVERYTHING NEEDED IN TERMS OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT (AT LEAST UNTIL I WANT TO SOMETHING MORE ADVANCED OR UNIQUE)

SPEAKING ABOUT BOWLS....I'VE BEEN OUT IN MY WORKSHOP RECENTLY.

Made last night. I love the gentle edge on this maple bowl. This one took me approximately two and a half hours to make. Karol was pleased and so was I with the quality of this bowl.

When the weather is cold, I start a fire in my workshop in the morning, and in several hours it is warm enough to work with just a hooded sweatshirt. I've been turning mostly cherry and maple, but the piece in the front (left) is a natural edge "unknown wood." If I have a preference for bowl uniqueness, it is the bowl in the front center with the overlapping edge (great for M & M's).

Another selection of bowls. Can you tell which one I didn't turn?

The snow on our pier keeps getting taller and taller.

Our second favorite bird is a tie between the black-capped chickadee or the red-breasted nuthatch. Both are like little comedians with antics and movement that tend to amuse us as we watch.

In order to protect itself from the winter cold, the rhododendron curls its leaves tightly. You can see ice on the left side of the photo. The buds form the center of the leaf clusters. In spring, they will produce wonderful pink flowers. Winter is just a time to live in expectation of spring!!

PITTSBURGH

Karol and I have spent the last five days in Pittsburgh with our two children and their families (Matthew and Miriam). It has been a joy to be with the families, enjoy the warmer weather, and romp with the grandkids. Check out a few of the pics and catch the joy.

Before we left home, we enjoyed the male pileated woodpecker at our suet.

Karol enjoys the company of Isaac (l) and Caleb (Matthew and Angie's boys)

Ross Kolodziej, the new head strength coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

Miriam and Taylor check out the I-pad.

A relaxing moment.

Isaac loves his music.

Caleb will be two in April. Talks a blue streak.

Angie with the two boys.

The Kolodziej kids at breakfast.

Caleb is trained to massage his father's back.

Karol with Isaac and Caleb.

THE PHOENIX ANTIQUE AUCTION

Everyone likes an auction. Many people like antique auctions, probably because they remind one of days gone by. Additionally, it's a chance to see how much some of those goodies in your own home are really worth.

The autioneer is certainly in the center of the ring. Wayne has his 6 ft. son, Lee, as his assistand. Additionally, the "scorekeeper" who completed the little sales tickets for each item sold and the helper who was really a "gofer." The ring also featured the owner of the antiques, Bo, who shared information as requested about the origin or functionality of the item to be auctioned off. There were also the two women who initially received your driver's license information and later who received your money as payment for the goods purchased. The only others besides the prospective buyers were the two women who were serving food (I only saw biscuits and gravy and sodas).

Stuff is laid out in an orderly manner - with a "watchdog" so that no one pockets goods.

No piece is too old or shabby or new and clean to be sold at auction.

Before the auction, prospective buyers check out the quality of the goods. The auctioneer always says that when you buy it, you can't return it (it's "as is"}.

Some of the items do interest me!

Remember those rubber tire ashtrays from the 50's?

There's something for everyone!!!

Promptly at 10 am, the auctioneer is ready to go.

POSTSCRIPTS TO OUR PHOENIX TRIP

 Luke Selle, this is for you! The air force base to the west of Phoenix.

Normally we asked to pick the citrus. What do you think Jason might be doing?

We received permission to pick lemons from this tree.

The coots come running because they think we're going to feed them.

Tomorrow morning at 8:05 am, we'll be on a flight back to central Wisconsin and our home. We're looking forward to it even though we know that it will be pretty cold.    HAPPY 2014 NEW YEAR!