Happy Saturday and welcome to the bar. We’ve had a busy week, but Cheryl is back and David and I are going to celebrate our accomplishments by indulging in our favorite weekend pastime—eating, drinking and yacking like the old ladies after church when us children were dying to get out of our good clothes. While in the spirit(s) we will try to crack the code of Linda’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “What’s that smell?” Write the first thing that comes to mind. Enjoy!
If we were having a beer, you’d be wondering about the week I had.
“You’re early, Dan. I was surprised to see your car in the upper lot.”
“The lower lot is now half reserved for delivery drivers, David.”
“Why on earth would anyone get delivery from here?”
“Whoa, David, are you saying our food is no good?”
“Hi Cheryl. No, not at all. I just mean why would you pass up the opportunity to come inside and wait for your food. Much like Dan does. He takes food home, but after a refreshing hour or so at the bar with you and me for company.”
“Okay, that’s better. I’m taking the liberty of serving your usual. I don’t want to compare badly to Curley.”
“Never can happen, Cheryl. Curley is a great backup, but you’re the best.”
“Aww, thanks Dan. I like you guys, too.”
“Cheers, Dan.”
“Cheers, David. How was your week?”
“It was good. You know I still have a few clients that I work with in retirement, and I met with one of them and pocketed a nice commission. How was your week?”
“Pedestrian by comparison…”
“As always, but you seem to enjoy it.”
“As I was saying, a little yard work, I did some woodworking, I wrote another story for the Thursday Doors Writing Challenge and I had a small victory over technology.”
“A victory over technology? You? That sounds like the choir shooting the minister. What, pray tell, did you do?”
“I had a coupon for eye drops, but the scanners at Target refused to accept it.”
“Shopping with coupons? Aren’t you taking this fixed-income thing a little too seriously, Dan?”
“David, these eye drops cost more per ounce than gold did when we were children, and the coupon was for three dollars off two boxes.”
“Three dollars each, or off the total if you bought two boxes?”
“Off the total, but still worth it in my book.”
“Mine too, my young friend. I thought you were fighting over six cents off a roll of paper towels.”
“No, I might let that one go. Fortunately, customer service at Target is eager to please.”
“I read the story you posted on Monday, is that the one you’re talking about?”
“No, I have another one for this coming Monday.”
“You’re really getting into this challenge, aren’t you?”
“I am. I used to be afraid of short stories, but I find them easier to do during this challenge.”
“I’m surprised you can say anything in just two thousand words. You normally use more to tell me about getting your oil changed.”
“Well, that usually involves a visit to Great River Park and breakfast at Maddie’s.”
“Yes. Let’s shut that down before it starts. What woodworking did you do?”
“I managed to get the components of my garden bench rough cut and ready for joinery.”
“I trust you’ll be bringing all manner of tools to bear on those pieces during that process.”
“Actually, I’m going to cut the joints by hand.”
“Do you guys want another round?”
“We do, Cheryl, and what’s that smell coming from the kitchen?”
“They’re baking the eggplant slices for eggplant Parmesan—it’s a weekend special. You want to try some?”
“I’ll pass, but it smells delicious.”
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, Dan. Did you say you were cutting things ‘by hand?’ with all those machines?”
“Yes. The pieces are curved and the joints at odd angles. It would be hard to set up for machine cuts, and not worth the time for one-off items.”
“I believe you meant two-off items, Dan.”
“Huh?”
“Well legs, arms, tops, bottoms—they come in pairs, right?”
“Not pairs, David. Mirror images.”
“Ah, I get it. Like making two left feet.”
“A mistake I have made more than once, yes. And since I have no wood to spare, it would spell the end of this project.”
“Apart from your antics, did you read about the all-electric tugboat?”
“I did, David. I’m surprised you found that article.”
“My client owns a fleet of tugboats.”
“Of course he does.”
“Remarkable technology. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I would, but it is sad in one respect.”
“What’s that, Dan?”
“The copyright on Steamboat Willie expired last year. I was hoping Disney would re-release it in modern form.”
“You think this precludes that?”
“Lithium Ion Willie? I don’t think it works.”
If you’re interested in the bench building process, skip through the slideshow below. Otherwise, the regular gallery is below that.
Front leg blank is on the band saw ready for cutting 
The extension fence needs some holes for the clamps 
The leg will run along the fence extension giving a nice straight cut 
The fence extension allows the curve of the leg to pass 
A fence extension was required to allow for the curve 
The front legs are rough cut 
Top to bottom: Front leg – Back leg – Arm – Front rail – seat rails – crest rail
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.
No Facilities 
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