No Facilities

Random thoughts, life lessons, hopes and dreams.

A Boy Can Dream–JusJoJan

Dan Antion
2 minutes
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I have to remember that I promised to keep these “extra” posts during JusJoJan, on the short side.

Today’s prompt is “Pastime” from Di https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/. Click on the link, check out her blog and follow someone new if you’re so inclined.

Just Jot January 10-year badge

This blog, my latest book (WIP) and snow removal are my winter pastimes, although we haven’t been getting as much snow as in previous years. My other pastime is woodworking and despite the milder winters we’ve been having, my shop remains too cold to work in. However, a boy can dream.

This weekend, the Annual Woodworkers Show will be running at a nearby venue. I look forward to drooling over some new tools, maybe picking up a few bargains and perhaps a piece of interesting wood for a future project. Note: The header image today is a portion of a piece of wood I bought last year. I hope to make it into a clock.

The gallery has some photos from the storm that came through Saturday and Sunday. It left us with over 10″(25cm) as well as a bit of freezing rain.

Sammy wants me to remind you that the camera adds several ounces.
“Hi. A storm is coming Can I get a few peanuts to go?”
Getting in a little nourishment before the storm
Prior to the storm, we put out seed and peanuts
I started early so we get out before 8:00 am
The Koren dogwood is holding a lot of snow
The burning bush was bent by heavy snow
Our poor cypress were smashed. But they seem mostly OK
Ready for work
The machine made short work of this snow
We had 10″(25cm) of snow in total. we had over 6″(15cm) when I started

Books on Gateway Clipper

Knuckleheads — The Evil You Choose — When Evil Chooses You — Secrets held Against Evil

All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.

Bridge to Nowhere

90 responses to “A Boy Can Dream–JusJoJan”

  1. bushboy Avatar
    bushboy

    I always marvel at the amount of snow that I cannot comprehend 😮

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It is pretty. Most likely gone by tomorrow. We’re supposed to get 2-3″ of rain tonight 🙁

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. bushboy Avatar
        bushboy

        I guess the landscape is used to that amount of water or does it get muddy and gooey underfoot?

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Ours is a small town, but divided by type of soil. Where we are, the soil is very sandy. It drains well when it’s not frozen (as it is now). All of our gutters drain into drain tile that leads to dry wells that are 4′ below grade.

          Other parts of town are clay. It doesn’t drain well at all, and it does get muddy.

          We like snow much better than rain in the winter. I can pile it up and let it melt slowly.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. bushboy Avatar
            bushboy

            Piling snow would work well. Sandy sounds best

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Dan Antion Avatar
              Dan Antion

              Sandy is good for drainage, but the water runs away from plants too fast. You have to mix in a lot of compost and peat moss.

              Liked by 1 person

            2. bushboy Avatar
              bushboy

              Compost is the gardeners friend 👍😀

              Liked by 1 person

            3. Dan Antion Avatar
              Dan Antion

              😊

              Liked by 1 person

  2. Oddment Avatar
    Oddment

    That first photo, Sammy’s protest that the camera adds ounces, was the close call for my keyboard. Hard to laugh at 10″ of snow, though! Yikes. As for woodworking, I can only marvel. That convening of woodworkers must be hog heaven for many so gifted. How anyone could make anything out of that gnarled chunk of wood is beyond me!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I am going to start on that clock as soon as it warms up. Last year, that project slipped through the cracks. Sammy says he’s sorry about the keyboard. The snow is pretty, but the forecast for tonight is for 2-3″ of rain.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Oddment Avatar
        Oddment

        You know we will all be watching that chunk of wood change into a clock. Prepare for kibitzers!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          I’m prepared.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  3. Dave Astor Avatar
    Dave Astor

    Dan, very nice photos of snow — and a future clock! (We got only about two inches of snow here in northern New Jersey.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Dave. That clock was supposed to be built last year. I’ll start on it first thing in the spring. We’ve got rain coming tonight – lots of rain.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dave Astor Avatar
        Dave Astor

        Lots of rain is coming our way, too. :-( Good luck with the clock this spring!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  4. John Hric Avatar
    John Hric

    Interesting piece of wood Dan. I cannot wait to see what the finished result will be… once things warm up !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Finding the spot for the clock is easy, John. Getting the mechanism in will be a challenge.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Ginger Salvatore Avatar
    Ginger Salvatore

    Hahaha! Sammy is hallucinating! That’s not “camera fat”, it’s good eatin’ at the Antion’s Peanut Inn! Wouldja look at Sammy’s beautiful tail!

    Dan, you are looking too darn happy at the chance to be using your snowblower. 🤗 You men and your toys!

    Amazing isn’t it, how flattened out so many plants and shrubs and infant trees get under heavy winter snow and ice, and then spring arrives and they spring back up like nothing happened.

    Hope we get to see that clock this year Dan. It will be a beauty. It’s an interesting piece of wood on its own.

    Stay warm. Hope the rain we’re expecting doesn’t cause any problems for you. Ginger💞

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Sammy says he needs to bulk up for days like this, Ginger.

      I do enjoy moving the snow, especially when I get to use the headlight 😊

      I will get that clock made this year overdue.

      I brushed the snow off the to he cypress and the burning bush. We lost a couple branches but they bounced up.

      Stay safe and dry.

      Like

      Reply
  6. Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread Avatar
    Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread

    It pays to keep a snowblower tuned up and ready to go! That is one gorgeous piece of wood. Enjoy the show.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Judy. The rest of the week, I may need a raft, but Sunday’s work out was worth the price of the tune-up.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. GP Avatar
    GP

    Thank goodness for the plow!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Seriously. I don’t have that much “shovel time” in me.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. dweezer19 Avatar
    dweezer19

    Yikes! That’s almost a foot of snow. Poor trees and bushes. 😞While I love all that comes of your pastimes, the woodworking might be my favorite. You’ve made some lovely pieces. I’m thinking of a pair of bookends you made… stay warm, Dan!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Bookends are one of my favorite things to make. I’ve made several sets, and I’ve given them all away – that’s what make me happy.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. dweezer19 Avatar
        dweezer19

        😀I so understand. That’s why I bake!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          :-)

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  9. John W. Howell Avatar
    John W. Howell

    A lot of snow. It must have been fun to get the snowblower working.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It was, John. I had to get out there early, and it hadn’t settle yet and it didn’t switch to rain until I was almost done. Nice easy going, right through even the stuff left by the plow. What was it Hannibal Smith from the A-Team said? I love it when a plan comes together.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. John W. Howell Avatar
        John W. Howell

        Yup.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  10. Mae Clair Avatar
    Mae Clair

    That snow is so pretty! We got hit with it, too, but only about half of what you had. My hubby had the snow blower running as well.

    I love that you took care of your wild critters before the storm hit. :)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I love seeing the snow, Mae.

      We always take care of them. I shoveled a bare spot into the snow in the yard so we could feed them today.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mae Clair Avatar
        Mae Clair

        💕 😁

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  11. circadianreflections Avatar
    circadianreflections

    That was a lot of snow. We only had a few inches Sat/Sun. It’s sure made your yard look magical though.
    I laughed at the caption you wrote about the camera adding extra ounces/pounds. 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’m careful when I refer to the larger squirrels. We feed them all, but at least half of them are fairly skinny, As you can see, some aren’t ;-)

      The snow is pretty, but it’s not going to last very long. Big rain coming tonight.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. lois Avatar
    lois

    Not to worry, Sammy. There is just more of you to love.
    We had that crazy rain storm last night. I think it’s heading up your way now. So sorry…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Awww. Good response, Lois. Yeah, now they’re saying 2-3″ of rain.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Author Jan Sikes Avatar
    Author Jan Sikes

    That is a gorgeous chunk of wood, Dan. It will make a beautiful clock. Love the photos but especially the Koren dogwood tree. Wow!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Jan. The snow stuck to everything.

      Are yo still on a break? I haven’t gotten any notifications (WP dropped notifications from several people that I follow).

      Like

      Reply
  14. Bruce@WOTC Avatar
    Bruce@WOTC

    Sammy looks like he may need to walk away from the buffet for awhile. Then again, he and the gang are all probably burning mucho calories navigating that snow. The camera does add weight. And that snow looks quite weight-y as well. Our snow blower fondly remembers a time when it used to throw that stuff around.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      The snow hasn’t packed down to the point where they can run across the top (it may take a little longer for Sammy than some of the others), so it is a lot of work. The buffet is well stocked.

      The snowblower did its job. Now to see if the drain tile does its job. We have a ton of rain coming.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Boys and their toys! Get yourself a pot-bellied wood stove for your garage – they don’t take up much room and they can keep you toasty warm ;-)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’d like to, but I raise too much dust, and there’s very little free space. I have a propane heater. I can get the shop up to 55 degrees in about an hour, but the tools (steel and cast iron) hold the cold forever. I can wear gloves for some work, but not around machines which have moving parts that I could catch them on.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Yeah, I hear you. You need a bigger place!! And so true. Many tools must not be used while wearing gloves.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  16. willowdot21 Avatar
    willowdot21

    Love the photos, I would love to drive the snow blower great fun!
    I remember you getting the wood for your clock last year….
    Enjoy your wood workers show!! 💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Yes, that clock is overdue. I set it aside, and got tangled up with other projects. I won’t make that mistake again this year.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 Avatar
        willowdot21

        Times a ticking…
        You could feature the project on your blog…. It would be fun 💜😍

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          I will share photos and captions for those who want to follow along.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. willowdot21 Avatar
            willowdot21

            I certainly do 😊

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  17. Kirt D Tisdale Avatar
    Kirt D Tisdale

    Love the pics!!! The wood should make a great an awesome clock!! The snow captures are so pretty!! Get ready for more coming your way as a new system is blowing in today that even has “snow showers” in the forecast for Seattle as the mountains are getting it in feet!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Kirt. I hope the places that need to build big snow packs are getting it too. This next event for us looks like rain (lots and lots of rain).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. JT Twissel Avatar
    JT Twissel

    That’s a beautiful piece of wood! I hope you do get a chance to work on it. Stay warm!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I was planning on building the clock last year, but it slipped off the schedule.

      Like

      Reply
  19. Kymber Hawke Avatar
    Kymber Hawke

    I love your photos!

    We’re expecting a snowstorm to begin anytime, with the worst of it hitting on Friday.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks. I hope you’re prepared and I hope you can stay safe.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Kymber Hawke Avatar
        Kymber Hawke

        Thank you. I just hope the power doesn’t go out, but even so, we should be okay. :) You stay safe and warm, too.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  20. quiall Avatar
    quiall

    We got a dusting of snow Saturday night but I hope we do not get your storm! I love it when you get excited about a piece of wood because I know we’re going to see something magical.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’m a year behind schedule on this clock, Pam, but it’s going to get my attention once it warms up.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
    Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Jumpin’ Jehosaphat! I do NOT miss that kind of snow. Although I envy your obvious excitement at using that fancy-dancy show machine again. :D
    Have a great time at the woodwork show, Dan. That piece of wood is going to make a splendid clock. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I did have some fun clearing the snow, Teagan. Like a little boy, I was excited to actually need the headlight. Of course I had upgraded that to a much more powerful LED lamp than what came with the machine. I had hoped to build the clock last year, but I’m going to make sure it gets on the schedule this year.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
    Liz Gauffreau

    We had the same amount of snow. My husband spent much time with the snowblower and the shovel. I’m not looking forward to this next storm.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’m not looking forward to the rain, Liz.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    So beautiful, Dan, and so so much work. Oh my, I remember my ten years of Connecticut winters very well. Stay warm! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Gwen. It is a lot of work, but I still enjoy it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. dennyho Avatar
    dennyho

    still waiting for snow here…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Do you get much?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. dennyho Avatar
        dennyho

        Nada. Only rain, rain, rain. Boo.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          🙁

          Like

          Reply
  25. sustainabilitea Avatar
    sustainabilitea

    I look forward to seeing the clock, Dan. What a mess it will be of you get rain on top of all that snow! Yuck!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Over 2″ so far, Janet, but no problems where we are. At least not yet. I hope to share bits of the clock-making process out here.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    You must be in seventh heaven with the Annual Woodworkers Show coming up. I can see a clock in that piece of wood, anyone would be crazy to miss that. Love the snow photos!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      What I missed at first was the fact that I won’t be inserting a clock. My daughter suggested inserting a mechanism from the back and just having the hands against that “clock face” in the wood. That’s going to be much harder, but she’s right. It will look better.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jennie Avatar
        Jennie

        Ah! That will be harder, but much better. Faith knows you well.

        Like

        Reply
  27. memadtwo Avatar
    memadtwo

    Once again, the snow missed us, and now we have the (usual) more wind and rain. Snow would be welcome for a change…(K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Sorry. I’m always sad when the rain/snow line is above us.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. Marsha Avatar
    Marsha

    Great hobbies when you live in cold country, Dan! We had three inches in Prescott, but we missed it because we’re in chilly Scottsdale this week. Believe it or not, we had a touch of snow in the desert! I got a couple of dribbly flakes in the car!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Snow in the desert must be a treat, Marsha.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Marsha Avatar
        Marsha

        Uhm… Yeah?

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  29. Y3 Story Chat #7: “Uncle Ted’s Assets” by Yvette Prior – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write Avatar
    Y3 Story Chat #7: “Uncle Ted’s Assets” by Yvette Prior – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

    […] No Facilities […]

    Like

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  30. Be Careful what You Search For–1LinerWeds – No Facilities Avatar
    Be Careful what You Search For–1LinerWeds – No Facilities

    […] Howell commented on my post yesterday. He suggested that I probably had fun using my snowblower to move all the snow around. I wanted to […]

    Like

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  31. marianallen Avatar
    marianallen

    I vote for your next project to be getting heat into that shop!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’m not sure I could afford that. It’s in a detached and uninsulated garage. Worse yet, I make use of the stud cavities for storage. In order to be able to work out there, I’d have to keep it at 50 degrees so the tools aren’t too cold to hold. Not in the budget.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. marianallen Avatar
        marianallen

        New plan: insulation on the outside wrapped with astronaut foil. False floor with battery-powered hot pipes under it.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          I like the way you think.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  32. Tails Around the Ranch Avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch

    Gosh, what a beautiful piece of wood (my son does woodworking and would be green with envy at that piece). It should make a lovely clock. Your snow depth is impressive. We’ve only had a couple of dustings, with more wind than actual snow. A large PNW storm is supposed to arrive but we’ll see-more likely any snow will fall in the mountains than here in the city.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I hope to start on the clock in early spring.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. Rivergirl Avatar
    Rivergirl

    Sammy is a seriously photogenic squirrel. Snow packed poundage et al….
    😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      He knows how to work that image.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  34. Ally Bean Avatar
    Ally Bean

    Your interests are varied, I’ll give you that. So much snow, but gone already?

    Like

    Reply
  35. Y3 Story Chat Summary #7: “Uncle Ted’s Assets” By Yvette Prior – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write Avatar
    Y3 Story Chat Summary #7: “Uncle Ted’s Assets” By Yvette Prior – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

    […] No Facilities: “I like the mental comparison going on between the two (apparent) views toward death and grieving. The approach to death varies greatly among people, even people within families. Even people close to the deceased. Yvette brought this close to me in a way that let me identify with one or another trait without feeling like I was being judged or affirmed. I like how the main character states some things, imagines others, relies on third-party sources for still others. It’s a little like a narrated lecture, but without the boredom. At times, I felt I was sitting next to Lisa.” […]

    Like

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