
Cut this simple puzzle as a gift. Eliminated one of the cats in the pattern, which originally had another small cat within the one on the right. The one is was going to only has two cats, Waylon and Willie. I also added the tail to the mouse.

Cut this simple puzzle as a gift. Eliminated one of the cats in the pattern, which originally had another small cat within the one on the right. The one is was going to only has two cats, Waylon and Willie. I also added the tail to the mouse.
Wanted to create a background for my computer to celebrate Spring and found this photo from Damariscotta Lake in Maine where we literally watched the ice leave last Spring. Missing that scene for sure out the window, so on the computer is the next best thing.

To use this yourself right click on the image and select “save image as…” to your computer. Then just install it as wallpaper to your desktop as usual. Remember to click on the Backgrounds tab at the right to see the others available.

Yes, I play a little uke… my Ohana Sopranino! It’s a Ohana SK-21A, the smallest of the standard sizes for the ukulele. It has a solid cedar top with solid rosewood back and sides, whose dark color sets off the cedar nicely. It’s held here by our “forever” Gio who says it’s a perfect size.


I’m often finding things to photograph to use as a desktop background. This wall is in a cemetery in New Castle, Delaware. It leaves space for folders and toolbars and as all the photos I choose turns my computer into an interesting scene to work against different from the usual panoramic landscapes that usually distract more than inspire. To save the full image to your computer click on the image to open the full file in your browser and then right click to copy it to your computer. Click on the BACKGROUNDS tag at the right to see all that I post. I’ll add more.

Made this little wooden Spinone from a sketch I made patterned after some graphics I found. Gave it as a gift so I have at least one more to make. Coincidentally I bought the sassafras at Exotic Lumber in Frederick, MD while we were at the Spinone National gathering last year.

Uke ten is a banjo… and a ukulele. My vintage Dixie Banjolele from the 1950’s. All metal. Got this one at the Bedford Banjo Shop, a great place for more than banjos actually.
More information on banjoleles is found with Uke four which was my first here.

My newest press in every sense. A Craftsmen Superior made of aluminum sometime in the 1970’s according to the company in Framingham, MA where you can still get parts today. The feed tables are slightly bigger than original and made by me out of red oak.
No, it isn’t a beatles uke, although George Harrison was known for playing one and promoting them as an instrument everyone should have and play as he explains in a letter on this page which also includes some video.

My ninth is one of my favorites, a Martin OXK. It sits in my library on a little shelf I made out of scrap wood that slides under some books and keeps it near at hand when I’m sitting at my desk. (Everything in my tiny library is near at hand from everywhere else in the library.) The review here pretty much sums up why I like it.