Galen

2012

2012-01-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

Item: The year 2011 is in the rear view and looking ahead to 2012 you can find me at a new and improvised blog spot.

Take a look at this :

www.galensplace.blogspot.com.

The Cow Jumped Over The Moon + Worrells Merchants signs

2011-12-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

Item: The "Cow Jumped Over The Moon" whirligig is back on the bench following the Christmas rush and is shaping up to be some fun. Here are the basics and the art department has added the base colors as well. This windmill is a new departure into a five blade star design and seems to want to turn with just walking around wind. See more on Etsy at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/. No two alike mind you. Stay tuned and take a turn at AM 880 for some good seasonal music. http://den-a.plr.liquidcompass.net/player/flash/audio_player.php?id=KIXIAM&uid=136
Here is a merchants "OPEN" sign by Whimsy Two furnished to the new shop opened by Barry Ruffin and named Worrells Nautical Oddities which features such and brass items and polishing services. This location is next to the proposed Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum Park.

Christmas Squirrel Aggrivator

2011-12-19T14:04:00.000-08:00

Item: We had a Christmas request for a special Uncle and it was to make a "Squirrel Aggrivator" A.K.A. as the squirrel hurler. So checking with production in the manspace and with the art department this one got underway. Here is the rundown with 1) The top screw to hold the 1/2 ear of corn 2.) The bracket to mount to the fence post or tree 3.) The counterweight with marbles Rob got in Germany 4.) paint and finish 5.) Squirrel dedication 6.) At the test cell
Take a look and see more at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ with no two alike not seen on TV not found in (all) stores and quantities are limited!

Rush - Model 11 number #39 Marble Chase

2011-12-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

Item: The Christmas rush found Model 11 marble chasers needing replenished so it is time to make some sawdust and alert the art department. This number #39 features an extra bedizened whirliwheel on the right side made out of some 11 mm small marbles pieces and a front table made from some moulding discarded from the Prof. E.B. Holloway house as Barton College cleared it out. Here is #39 on the bench in the Manspace and the art table at Donnas Art and finally completed (it may be in time for a Christmas delivery). See it at www.whimsytwo.etsy.com. This model approximates a 1/3 scale of the standard old fashioned marble chasers of yore. Not found in stores but the x-box of it's day!

The Cow Jumped Over The Moon whirligig + Vollis's Star

2011-12-13T18:15:00.000-08:00

Item: The next whirligig idea is the "Cow Jumped Over The Moon" theme. The base will be a milk bottle and a new version five blade windmill is in the works. As usual things are backed up in the art department and I believe Donnas-art has a face planned for Mr. Moon and who knows what for Mr. Moo himself. See more at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.

George and Elka had some German toys to show me with some potential for a hobby horse whirligig.

Jim Taylor had an idea about getting this star ready for Christmas and hanging it on the building. Wouldn't that look nice with a spot light on it for the Holidays.

Turtle Teeter Totter Completed + Puzzling

2011-12-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

Item: The "Turtle" Teeter Totter toy is complete and back from the art department for final test and is works fine. See the video. This one is a new departure with a side mounted swing arm that eliminates the wobble factor. But how about the WOW factor from Donna's art department. It was worth the wait and always fascinating to see her designs. This one is for a special friend and person for Christmas. See others at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.

Also finished same day as Jen's Birthday was this fun to put together puzzle by Gibson. These pieces were unique in shape and a big surprise how some of the shapes would go together. Try a Gibson.

Artist Stretchers + Turtle Teeter Totter marble toy

2011-12-06T18:49:00.001-08:00

Item: Renowned painter Amy Longenecker-Brown decided she was not going to paint a large canvas so this 45x54x1.5 artist stretcher went back into the shop for some stiffer corner bracing after seeing what Juan Logan uses at his studios in Durham. It should support even 10 oz. stretched canvas now.

Donna got started on the Turtle Teeter Totter marble toy and got her colors sorted out and this is how far she got. Stay tuned and look for more at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/. (This one is specially built for someones Christmas gift).

Model 11 - #38 Marble Roller Vintage Toy fininshed

2011-12-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

Item: The Model 11 munber #38 is complete and made it through final assembly and test on the bench after coming back from the art department. These are about 1/3 scale of the old fashioned rail to rail drop down versions of the kind made by the plain people and Amish when they made their own toys for their "younga" wee ones and still do (what'saxbox). Not found in stores, not seen on TV, no two alike, and quantities are limited. Look for it at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.
Also finished up over the Thanksgiving holidays is this studio puzzle of "The Village Bakery". Normally we can snap our fingers at some of these but the window became the biggest obstacle and last to puzzle out.

Turtle Teeter Totter stage 2 & 3

2011-12-01T15:55:00.000-08:00

Item: Here is the status of the Turtle Teeter Totter (#7) as it is on the shop bench for form fit and function. All the components are done and seem ready for test. This is a new departure to a side mount with more pivot arm to steady the action on the arc.

Now things can get a bit ticklish as it turns to timing, balance and fine tuning adjustments. Sanding a little bit here and a little bit there and dialing in the weight and counterweight plus the arc of the turtle and the lift of the top valve along with it's weighting. There, it should be good to go allowing for a few coats of paint. See more of these at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.

Now comes the fun part. When I leave something on the art table it's always special to see how Donna will complete each item in the art department. We will return when she gets it underway.

Turtle Teeter Totter marble toy + 50K Derby Run

2011-11-29T15:12:00.000-08:00

Item: A blog friend had a Chritsmas request for a marble teeter totter with a turtle theme so it is time to head for the Manspace and make some noise and dust. Here are some of the basics for the turtle totter to get started. Stay tuned (the art department is holding up production anyway) After a 50K run this sand pit in the sand hills looked to be the go to place to cool hot tired feet among the runners. (It was sure good to see this one cross the finish line).
After 31 miles running a visit to Pinehurst for a breif repast at Dugan's seemed like a great idea but after a big Thanksgiving dinner at the Newmeyers with Chef Rob it was just too much good eating. Tums at night help!
The dynamic duo at the NC Museum of Art and a visit to the Vollis Simpson whirligig following a tour of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Repair and Conservation Project in Wilson, NC.

Juan Logan Studio, Durham, NC

2011-11-24T08:35:00.000-08:00

Item: Juan Logan is participating as a contributing artist at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Project in Wilson, NC and Joe Justice and I had the privilege of visiting his studio and seeing how his artist stretchers are built. This is an eye opener. It is also a glimpse at a big stage top tier working studio and mediums and a close up the life and times of the person. Apropos to this story is the puzzle pieces that are central to artist and revelations to his large scale installations. Here we are on Hood St. in Durham with Juan Logan.
Take a look at this. Juan found this at Boone's in Wilson and it is the beginning of a mystification. This item is numbered on each end and the center groove might have fixed it's position in a machine or jig used for production. I'm thinking some kind of form or pattern for a mold for the like of a British Colonial "Steampunk" style pith helmet seen below.

Model 11 - Marble Roller Vintage Toy

2011-11-21T19:15:00.000-08:00

Item: The model 11 is out of stock so it's off the the Manspace to make some sawdust (next year it will be the model 12)? This is an individual marble chase version and has turned up as a turtle, a bee, and a lady bug when the art department completes it. A Whirly Wheel is planned for this particular one when it goes in to Donnas Art. I can't wait to see what she has in mind for this model 11. Not found in stores, not seen on TV, no two alike and quantities are limited. See more at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.
Here is the base with catch borders and takeaway table slanted to the front coming off the last rail and the uprights are in place. This is an old fashioned version where the marbles drop from rail to rail on the descent and how the drop through is made with a 3/4" forstner.
The exit and first rail are in place and some early paint on these initial parts for accessibility as we begin the stack up.

Jackrabbit 5 Finally + Whirligigs

2011-11-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Item: The Jackrabbit whirligig is on final and signed #5 and soon out for delivery. With some adjustments and functional wind tests we can check Mr. Jackrabbits behavior and turn him loose on the porch or patio. Just delightful for Whimsy Two to build and to see Donna's art too.
Jackrabbit when boxed up for shipping should fit into a 20" long x 15" wide x 14" high box. The windmill goes onto the post and the rabbit on the pivot arm.

UNC Childrens Hospital Chapel Hill + Joe Justice

2011-11-18T20:48:00.001-08:00

Item: Joe Justice talked about the UNC Children's Hospital's version of a big ball marble roller like the one Whimsy Two had at the NC State Fair and we stopped in to see it on the way to Donna's sisters place in Chapel Hill on Friday night. It is something to see with one on the first floor and another on the second floor at the cafeteria. Take a look.

Donna found fabric for a stool that Joe Justice built and gave her. She has finished covering the top and here is the result. Thank you very much Joe.

Zynique's Open House + Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Project

2011-11-18T04:26:00.000-08:00

Item: Pass the word for the Open House at Zynique's Creations and Work of Art Studios which will open on Sun. Nov. 5 from 1-5 at 123 Barnes St. in Wilson along with the others on the block and nearby. Look for door prizes, refreshments, pillows, scarfs, jewelry, art work and the art supply section and a layaway and custom order plan at this newly opened store and studio location downtown. See you there.
Vollis Simpson got happy with reflectors on the "Reflector Box" base legs and with so many to clean and position on the new wood this system seemed to help keep a record of what went where. As the strips and partials on top and individual pieces were changed we traced them on the old posts which will be stored at the museum for future reference.

Jackrabbit 4 Whirligig + Vollis Simpson

2011-11-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

Item: Mr. Jackrabbit is making his way through the art department which seems to be holding up production but doing nicely on the project. Donna is once again adding the artist touch to complete the "Jackrabbit". Look for more of Whimsy Two at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.

Working at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Repair and Conservation Project is an occasion to notice the materials that are used in the creation of his whirligigs and some commonality such as the stainless steel tail vane seen on the top one at the Library and the apparent bread or food molds seen on the second on which is at the Paul Berry Park. Where did they originate from?
Here is an interesting photo of some hands made by an artist for Vollis who's handshake at 92 is still one that is not soon forgotten.

Jackrabbit 3 Whirligig + E. B. Holloway Cherokee

2011-11-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

Item: The Jackrabbit whirligig is coming to life and the major components are ready for assembly and some articulation to work out his jump. The lift lever and pivot are done and the orbit to provide motion is next on the windmill. Than the art department will complete the Jackrabbit and with some call letters on the bottom vane it is ready for final test.

Next door neighbor Professor E.B. Holloway departed this world on March 26, 2011 and with him went his archive of over 11000 books he had in his house and garage. The removal task was reduced to some boxes going wholesale to the curb where this one was rescued out of. It and another are military annuals of 1930 and 1936. Here is one 175 years old with a tale to tell about the "Immigrant Indians" who were not at all that but were being moved onto reservations in the new territories. This is the Kansas/Nebraska plan. On today's map the few remains of these reservations would fit under your thumb.

Jackrabbit Whirligig 2 + Vollis Simpson

2011-11-10T18:51:00.000-08:00

Item: The Jackrabbit whirligig is back in the shop for some more layout planning after spending the day in the art department with Donnas Art. The platform is ready and with some articulation and a stand base we can give it a whirl after Donna completes it. Look at the Lazy Fox on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ for a comparable whirligig.
At the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Repair and Conservation Headquarters there is also some ongoing audio oral history preservation taking place. Here Melanie Merz from Seattle is in town in association with the Southern Folklife Collection project recording stories. (Tonight Vollis Simpson is in Raleigh with Gov. Bev Perdue for dinner at the mansion and his big state honor ceremony at the History Museum and will be wearing his first tux no less.)
There is something about our corner that seems to invite people meeting people. Here's another such encounter. Time to chill with AM 880 KIXI (Also of Seattle) and finish this update.

Jackrabbit Whirligig

2011-11-09T17:06:00.000-08:00

Item: The "Jackrabbit" whirligig is a special request for Christmas from a friend of Donna's on Facebook. This Jackrabbit will bound over the world and through the airwaves when it's ready. Here is the fan on its stand and the Jackrabbit is beginning to shape up. Stay tuned for progress on this Christmas whirligig.

Wilson Whirligig Festival 2011 + Vollis Simpson

2011-11-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

Item: The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Repair & Conservation headquarters hosted a Friday night reception to kick off the festival week end. This event and the presentation to the public for the next two days were well put together with participation by the NC Arts Council, Barton College Art Department, the visitors center and headquarters crew for a steady stream of visitors.
Vollis Simpson and family attended and the Sapony Creek blue grass band provided musical entertainment for the reception.
Barton College and Tony Tilley also furnished a catered spread for the event and everyone enjoyed the food and libations.
2011 Wilson Whirligig Festival Saturday was clear and chilly and Sunday was gorgeous and the sun from the sky light lit up the "Big Star" whirligig and a whirl of activity at headquarters.
The crowd on Sunday included these two onlookers and about 450 visitors to the repair and conservation headquarters and Vollis on hand to greet the crowd and always ready to chat. Saturday was probably double that many and too many to count at the shop.
The official 2011 poster maker is busily painting in another element of the festival which now includes the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Repair & Conservation crew at work. What a surprise this is. The Whimsy Two "Whale & Mermaid" whirligig is the Blue Ribbon winner at the festival. Happy Day and another genre heard from in whirligigs. What could be next for the 2012 festival. Stay tuned.

Wilson Comm. Coll.- Udeshi Hargett + Whirligig Festival

2011-11-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

Item: The Wilson Community College presented violinist Useshi Hargett at the Delmastro Auditorium with accompaniment by pianist Everett Godwin, Horace Raper percussion and pianist Christopher Brantley who also performed a composition of his own. A big screen photo slide show backdrop by hubby Mark Hargett put a special touch on the program. Delectable refreshments were furnished by the Jarman House and in the midst was Lynn Wagner with her tireless support and a nice poster/bulletin she put together. With 7 other events in Wilson tonight the town still turned out and enjoyed the show! Thank You very much Wilson Community College Foundation for an enjoyable evening.
Things are in readiness at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum.Park Project for the Whirligig Festival and the www.whimsytwo.etsy.com "Whale and Mermaid" is completed for the competition. Below is what is planned for a space in the back of the project to show off some of the night affectation of the Vollis Simpson whirligigs.

Zynique Creations 123 Barnes St., Wilson, NC + Whirligigs

2011-11-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

Item: Shopping for something unique in Wilson is as easy as 1-2-3 with Andrea at 123 Barnes Street in Wilson NC at her new location aptly named Zynique Creations. With a store and art gallery and art supply center and collaboration of studios in the store and resident artists Zynique Creations brings new life to downtown Wilson, NC.
This shop has things not seen on TV, not found in stores, not all alike and supply is limited with all of Andrea's items available and local and worldwide representation. Looking for a great gift - find it here - Zynique Creations + Work of Art Studios on 1-2-3 Barnes St. Wilson.
supporting local artists and available in the store are art supplies and with these and artists stretchers available in Wilson its a time and gas saver for painters. Call it a walk near the park or several nearby - eatery's as well.
Here is the Gallery room and to get a closer look you may have to visit and make some observations of your own on the paintings hanging here on exhibit. Many local artist are represented in the Art Gallery.
So Andrea here is a little whirligig to add some interest about town and add to your next phase after years of making and painting. Keep those wheels turning in your mind.
Could this little item next be found at Zynique.

Lazy Dog whirligig + Vollis Simpson Museum.Park Project

2011-10-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

Item: The Fox & Dog #4 whirligig is done and sure enough - "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" on this porch item. That phrase has every letter in the alphabet and useful as a keyboard exercise. It's on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ for sale and now at the Wilson Arts Council gift shop. Not found in stores - not two alike - not seen on TV - supply is limited. There are two sides to the story and on one side is the fox and the dog on the other side of the fan post.
Preparations are underway for the Whirligig Festival coming up in Wilson Nov. 5-6 and this cross beam is part of the fifty footer called "V Simpson" which itself is fifty feet in the air on a post. This part of the whirligig fits cross ways on that piece an is another 35 feet wing span.
Another Vollis Simpson whirligig has arrived at the shop and it's the "Dive Bomber Duck". Here is the sheet metal roof and cross beam plastered with more reflectors for night time viewing. this makes about 12 that are in the building plus about 50 or so of the smaller ones that are seen on the left.

E. B. Holloway, Adirondack chair

2011-10-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

Item: E.B. Holloway was a History Professor at Barton College for 32 years and lived next door to us in a two story house and garage full of books. The house is empty now and his daily tea kettle whistle gone silent. Barton College is emptying the contents and on a rainy Wednesday placed this stack of stuff on the curb for trash pickup. Neighbor Suzanne helped me pull them back inside the garage before they got soaked and ruined. Found in the boxes were some critters and mouse nests and book seller catalogs and newspapers from his home town of Milford CT where he is buried. But there is also hand painted Gettysburg PA map on plywood marked Edward B. Holloway -1/28/43 which would have made him 18 and possibly this is a senior HS project. Gettysburg, PA was a small town in this map but large in history. There was an old broken chair and some duplicate books and a serial of Political Science annuals with a range of topical paperbacks. And in the stack emerged some of his life. Mr. Holloway was so intensely private that we hardly knew him. Now here we find some traces of his life. He came to Wilson about 1962 and lived in a small apartment on Vance St. near to the Atlantic Christian College / Barton College. He retired in 1994. He had an early address at 281 Gulf St. in Milford, CT. (he saved a realtor listing of that property at $8,500.00 in 1939 - he was 14)and a possible brother Franklin A. Holloway is listed as treasurer in the 325th. anniv. service for the Church of Christ Congregational Church. There are notes in his meticulous handwriting from the Yale Library and other notes for future reference. Stay tuned we are not done yet. The Adirondack Chair you see in the garage picture comes in a box from Ace Hardware. Actually this is a good deal for $49.00 and a good fold up design. I drilled the pins and looped them to the arms so they don't get misplaced when folded. The instructions are good and everything well marked.

NC State Fair 2011 Competition Winner Report

2011-10-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

Item: We are honored and it's confirmed. There is a first place blue ribbon on the Whimsy Two "Carnivale" marble chaser at the 2011 NC State Fair. The Duchess is convinced that it is the art that made the difference but I'm not so sure about that myself. The blue ribbon sure looks dressier than last years red ribbon though! Oh well - who can argue - Thank you very much Donna for your completing this in the art department http://www.donnas-art.blogspot.com/. Let's enjoy it and our visit to the fair on Food Bank Day. (Hey Jen!)
This is the grand champion for 2011 in the Hobby building. It's the bench in the middle left but I can't tell what it is. It's gorgeous.
Here is a featured showcase of artisans and it's astonishing what is going on in the creative world as seen both here and in the Hobby building of the NC State Fair. Just no end to it.
This is the best in show painting at the State Fair. How about it Amy Longenecker Brown? Would it show off well at the Met?
This booth was compelling but just reading the ground might reveal some indications that these do not seem hand carved at all as their banner says. More like mass produced??
We found the best seat in the house at the fair!

BONUS: Found at the NC State Fair was a tin sign from B & B Antiques with a place for it in the Manspace. It reminded me of my tractor pulling days at Stauffer Diesel. This is the old way before the more recent tractor pulling weight transfer sleds (Stauffers also built) and just before men would stand beside the track piling on stones to a sled as it passed to add weight. It's a Farmall M (Like Grandpa Stauffer had on the farm) and a John Deere G which you may recall seeing at the end of it's run pulling a sled would seemingly be defeated by the weight but coming to life again and than lunge valiantly forward for at least two or more strides. I may put more of these in the Manspace from the fair next year.

Quick Brown Fox whirligig + Vollis Simpson Museum.Park Project

2011-10-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

Item: Here is a status report on the "Quick Brown Fox" whirligig now found in process at the art department. Donnas Art has gotten the basic color scheme figured out and the windmill fan is a design from the first year of the Whirligig Festival in Wilson and the blades are salvaged from an old mini blind Next will be the detail painting work and than I have to work out the articulation. Look for it on www.whimsytwo.etsy.com soon.

It looks like another phase is underway at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Project with the addition of another new project person joining the effort. We are probably at about two o'clock on the countdown to completion and the clock is running. There will be more positions and parts and partners for everyone in the community to come. Here is my mission last week while sickly with the flu. It's a spread sheet for visitors and on Friday I did some data mining from the temporary sign-in board to see how it works. Joe Justice furnished a tripod which will hold the new top just completed in the manspace.
Paul Berry Park is two blocks away from the Vollis Simpson Whriligig Museum.park and is full of whirligigs. The tall two story white house on the left of the picture is on Moss St. and is being rehabbed and brought back to life in the historic district by a Belgian family.<>

The Quick Brown Fox whirligig + The Kite Runner

2011-10-12T18:26:00.000-07:00

Item: All the letters in the alphabet are found in the phrase "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" and it's useful as a typing exercise. It came to mind for the next whirligig to come out of the Manspace while we were visiting the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh. Here is the layout and brass pivot rod passes down the body of the log about nose height and the tin arm will swing the fox above the slotted dog when attached. The windmill will be unique with a basic pattern borrowed from the first design for the Wilson, NC Whirligig Festival.

Here is a book with a glimpse of Afghanistan life through the Soviet occupation and remains plus adjustments to life in the USA for ex-patriots of that country. Moving.

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Farm Life Museum + Whirligigs + NC MOA

2011-10-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

Item: The "Carnival" marble roller is safely deposited at the NC State Fair for the Hobbyist Toy Division competition and we find the fairgrounds is otherwise in a state of bedlam just getting ready.
After the fairgrounds we stopped at the NC Museum of Art to see the new building and there are some good impressions on the outside but on the inside the art shows off well and especially for a large dramatic installations like the one shown below made from found objects by a South Africa artist who pieced it together
Saturday Oct. 8 found Whimsy Two setting up at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly where we enjoyed a beautiful day and met some other vendors and visitors. It's a small world when the Jensons showed up from Lancaster County and Daniel from Octorara HS (near Longeneckers Pharmacy). The Whale and Mermaid whirligig needed a base and some cement cast in a flower pot did the job.

Whirligigs + State Fair Entry Marble Toy

2011-10-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

Item: This is the Whimsy Two 2011 entry for the NC State Fair - Toy Division competition and goes up to Raleigh on Friday. Donna has completed the art work and it looks like fun for the kids and lots of fun to build too. Ding Ding goes the bell coming off the last rail.

Look for this one at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum on Saturday Oct. 8 in Kenly, NC. The improved and lightened fan makes a whale of a difference so now it works just fine.

This one goes to the Arts Council of Wilson benefit coming up for the holidays.

Here is a base for the whirligig Mr. Minshew made for Danny Price as seen at the Vollis repair and conservation shop on Barnes Street.

State Fair Marble Chase + Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum.Park Project

2011-09-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Item: Donnas Art has added the theme for the "Carnival" marble chase destined as the 2011 entry for the Toy Div. at the NC State Fair. Below is the whirlywheel cut out on the jig saw which will go on the top end and for extra interest the marbles coming off of the last rail will ding on a bell set in the corner. The third photo shows the almost assembled wooden toy not seen on TV, not found in stores, one of a kind and of course quantities limited on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/

Oh My. At the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum.Park Project the reflectors came off of the "Sawdog" all at once and hopefully they find their place on the whirligig again. Surface Preparation now and possibly next week some coatings and paint.

Vollis Simpson Whriligig Museum.Park + Andrew Johnson 17th.Pres.

2011-09-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

Item: Here is the Whirlibug whirligig pedestal base being guilt in the manspace. The fan arrangement puts the blade assembly above the table top but a small base will add some interest to the whirligig. This is a "Sunday Whirligig" made to set outside on the patio, porch or veranda and enjoy on a nice breezy Sunday afternoon. Look for it on WhimsyTwo.

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum.Park Project in Wilson, NC got a boost with some recent funding and added 7 more to the teams working on the whirligigs. The "Saw Dog" is going ahead with some surface treatment and should be completed with coatings first.

Andrew Johnson born in Raldigh, NC became the 17th. president of the United States and the only one to hold all four kinds of office attainable under the constitution, legislative, judicial, military, and executive both V.P. and President. He never spent a day in the classroom in his life and educated himself. Passage of the Homestead Act was his. An early life apprentice obligation took him into the tailor trade and as president he endeavored to stitch the United States together again after the Civil War and was misunderstood. An acrimonious congress tried impeachment and by one vote failed. Voted out when U.S. Grant became president Johnson was not done yet. Back to Tennessee He directly got elected again to the senate (and the same room where the impeachment trial was held).

Marble Chaser + Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum Park

2011-09-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

Item: Underway in the manspace is a wooden rail and wooden corner version of a marble chase toy. Getting the rails on this model takes careful fitting to make the joints and pin them together. This one may go into the NC State Fair Competition, the Arts Council or make a good platform for a Christmas toy with a theme. The art department will get this next before the stack of rails go in place and I can't wait to see what Donna does with the artwork to complete it. See it in http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ soon.

Now we are talking. The Vollis Simpson Whirligig MuseumPark Project has captured the attention and patronage of a rather impressive list of arts foundations who are backing the concept in Wilson, NC. and this should put some giddy up in the project.

Here is what the "Reflector Box" whirligig reflector blocks look like. There are 72 of these and about 500 pieces of reflectors put on with nails. One bolt holds the block in place and a bracket from old road sign material is wired onto the frame. Vollis used a variety of nails which have split the block as it weathered. Ironically our effort to observe, record, conserve and rebuild and restore each block back to the original exceeded the approach Vollis used when he put them on but Vollis making all of the components and the whirligig was still a big undertaking.
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Marble Chaser + Whirligig MuseumPark

2011-09-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

Item: A Christmas marble chaser with the Batman theme is on the horizon so it is time to make some saw dust in the Manspace. This model will have wooden rails and wooden curves on the ends and will be fast and hard for kids to keep up with. Look for it on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ in time for the holidays. Not found in stores, seen on TV, no two alike and quantities are limited.
Here are the initial steps with the base ready, corners cut on the router table, and two cuts on the band saw. Next comes the locating holes for positioning on the 5/8 in. round posts.

At the Vollis Simpson Whirligig MuseumPark Project the Reflector box is going further with the reflector blocks treated with a linseed oil bath for durability and ready to go. Clark is going down the rows to photograph color coded dots for position assignments. Brad is transferring the reflector panels and the process is shown on the story board and another photo station will record each block as it is completed as it comers off the bench and again when put back in place. (Danny found a whirligig that an old friend made for him and placed it in the shop! Nifty).

Leviathan Mermaid Whirligig + Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum Park Project

2011-09-04T06:48:00.001-07:00

Item: The Mermaid and Whale whirligig is taking some tweaking and fine tuning and the articulation on the spout and tail needed some attention. A key hole is enough access to bend the end of the push rod 90 degrees and keep it engaged to the mermaid lift because with enough wind a whirligig can thrash itself to pieces. Here is a photo of the progress on this gargantuan creature. A ship keel silhouette feature now adds some interest.

At the Vollis Simpson Whirligig museum Park Project the reflector box base is disassembled for cleaning and will go out for a hot dip galvanized treatment next. Clark is on the pressure washer here.

Cock Of The Walk - Whirligigs

2011-09-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

This majestic bird found it's way into our neighborhood and strode up and down and imperiously across 900 Broad St. to visit on both sides. Folks turned out to watch the spectacle and in the morning we anticipated old foghorn leghorn to sound off with his morning cacophony. No such luck but I believe I did hear such at approx. the 700 block on my bike ride back from the USPS.
The Whale & Mermaid will need some extra fan blade surface to move the double crank so with some fan blade extensions made of tin can material there may be enough to turn this whirligig on. The carrier grove is cut in with a Dremel tool and the foot of the tip will be pinned in place..

COLORED - Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum Park Project

2011-08-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

Item: Discovery and the beginning of a mystification. Today I had some x-tra paint in the bottom of the bucket and I noticed the old lavatory painted last week had a board showing on top that could stand some paint. Once up there the dust and dirt was so nasty that it had to be an accumulation over a long long time. Who knew how long. Underneath the dirt was this sign -COLORED- in porcelain enamel. My head exploded when I turned it over. How did it get here and how long ago. This old building has some story but I would like to hear this one. Who scuttled this sign tossed onto the overhead and when and what was going through their mind at the time. The building we are working in has been an old mule drayage depot. Mules were kept in the back corner. Than a depot to load rail cars drawn through a pit in the ground and top loaded. (A railroad car remains in the pit and buried to this day). So this may have been a public place or a work place. Museum curator Jeff Currie shows where a silhouette exists that may have fit the sign. We are thinking it could be from the forties or fifties. This project is enjoyable for such a discovery!

The airplane now sets on a display stand and at the reflector box a process story board is getting ready to change out some reflectors and put on new linseed oil soaked blocks.

So we are all shoook up here in Wilson after the quake. This mantis was on the hood of the car when we came out of the movie "The Help" at 10:30PM. We had to evacuate the matinee. We almost had this critter into our hedge but he helicoptered off as we paused to spot a little fawn near the rec park. Signs and wonders? It's shaky.

Whirligigs + Vollis Simpson Whriligig Museum

2011-08-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

Item: Progress on the Whaleigig and Whirlibug whirligigs continue in the shop and art department and here are some pix. The whale tale now moves and the whale spout riding mermaid is operable and with the art department. The bugs windmill will get some polka dots on the windmill circles.

There is more preparation for space to bring in more whilrigigs from the Vollis Simpson home sight to the whirligig shop. Cleaning, painting and Brad busy at work putting in concrete patch repairs on the floors in the additional space in the warehouse.

On Thursday the whirligig shop at Barnes St. had visitors and participants in the museum park to give direction and guide the project. The shops crew, NC Arts Council, US Parks Dept., Arts Conservators, and Wilson Downtown Development Corp., and the NC Museum documentary crew were on hand and on Friday spent a day with Vollis Simpson.

Two Years Before The Mast, Whirligigs, Leviathan

2011-08-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Item: It looks like a leviathan theme with the mermaid riding it's water spout will just about encompass the activity for this whirligig. The first photo shows the whale cut outs made from a treated lumber 6" wide board. The second photo shows how the space between the boards will allow the mermaid to rise and at the back the tail will turn and wave.

While at sea on picking themes for the whirligig, the summer heat put me inside reading the book "Two Years Before The Mast". This is a young Harvard student taking a Boston merchant ship assignment in the forecastle (before the mast) due to poor eyesight and the book that came out of his journal. In his early twenties on a voyage who's object was to gather 40,000 cow hides on the coast of what is now California but was than Indian and Spanish-Mexican occupied and ranched, he returned in his early forties to find that in San Fran where in 35 was on board house and in 36 one adobe house (plus the Presidio) now in 1859 were over 100,000 population because of the gold rush. The old "Salty Dogs" of sails and and halyards and ships made of wood and men of steel were no more.
Turning from "Salty Dogs" to the whirligig known as "Saw Dog" at the repair and conservation shop here is some progress for the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Project. The sawing men and dog with the wagging tail is now mounted on a roll around fixture so it can be rolled out and displayed outside. And more work on the facility with the pressure washer to remove stains and mold and mildew in the display area

Whirligig + Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Project

2011-08-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

Item: With the Whirligig invasion of Wilson and here on Broad Street in the Manspace the ideas are flying and coming out of the Library downtown too. Here is a book by Lunde on building some. The second photo shows an original idea for the drive shaft to be indexed to the windmill hub in a groove. This will be supported on two blocks of wood with the cranking lever between the two. The third photo shows how the fan hub is cut out on a band saw. About now is time to think of the activity for the whirligig which is exciting. Maybe a mermaid riding the whale blowing a spout of water or a cat head waggle tied to a tail wobble or flying pigs or ma on the pump handle. Who knows. Stay tuned.

Time out in the Manspace for a little heat relief. This is the temperature in the back yard on the infrared today. Squash is out and a baby melon is coming while the cherry tomatoes, strawberries, tomato plants and potatoes are thriving. The birds seem to have captured the blueberries and the peaches.

Work at the Whirligig Repair and Conservation center continues on 5 of 29 Vollis Simpson whirligigs. Here is the "Reflector Box" at the stage of recording and cataloging each block which is to be replaced and the 6 reflector/tin panels put back on with new stainless hardware. For more on the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Project click here Wilson City Video.
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Bugs Whirligig + Vollis Simpson

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

I got tickled by these little creatures when the art department made a stop at Micheals and got it in my head to make a whirligig bug promenade with them. The windmill is made from a box of old wooden nickels that I had on hand and the bugs are interconnected with wire linkage to make them tippy toe on their path. Donna has this to add the art and I can't wait to see how she completes it.

Here is the next Vollis Simpson whirligig to be repaired and conserved for the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Project in Wilson, NC. This is the Reflector Box which is a loose designation used in the whirligig shop for the item. Each block will be cataloged for dimension, panel position and location on the whirligig and than have a new block and stainless hardware to complete the installation. There is a base and more whirligig pieces on top and sides of this one. Stay tuned and check this out for now - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcR7U2tuNoY

Whirligig Cats and Dogs + Whirligig Park news

2011-07-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

Item: Whimsy Two is Getting ready to change some items at the Wilson Arts Council and add this new Whirligig. We may as well get on board in the Manspace and make something or other on the theme of a Whirligig. Here is the cats meow Donna has completed in Donnas-Art. Hot diggity dog let's go to Dick's Hot Dog Stand for lunch.

Last week was busy at the Whirligig shop. First the Wilson Downtown Development Corp. announced new funding for the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park complete with dignitaries and comments by Mayor Rose and directors and NC Arts council and Vollis and Jean Simpson in attendance and TV and newspaper folks. Than I find myself in again in the Wilson Times Wednesday local news and in the Arts & Living Life section of Sundays Raleigh newspaper. Here is the photo gallery http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/07/15/1347093/refurbishing-the-whirligigs-071711.html.

I'm already thinking about the movie and the book!

Whirligig, Vollis Simpson, Bon Appetit

2011-07-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

Item: Here is the progress on the whirligig see-saw cat + dog project in the manspace. It took a fishing swivel and a rubber band to dampen any snap action at high speed. It gets a pedestal base and possible a weather vane type tail. Than I can't wait to see what the art department does to complete it. Look for it soon on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ !

Still tying on reflectors with safety wire at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Project. There are over 1200 of these. Almost done with about 90% wrapped, double wrapped and figure 8 over the crimped on reflectors of the Christmas Tree whirligig.
Bon Appetit. Cuisine these days lean to tomatoes, squash and potatoes from the garden.
We are sending notes to granddaughter Madison at camp. She leaves hers on the wheel. Suprisa!

Whirligigs + Vollis Simpson

2011-07-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Item: Just in production at the manspace is a whirligig project for post or pedestal mounting and here is the windmill concept to power the whirligig. I'm thinking that this could be a theme of some kind and whimsical in nature. With the center hub and arms cut at 45 degrees to hold the blades and the support post done here is the progress so far.

Work continues at the Wilson Whirligig Park Project with the Wilson Downtown Development Corp. and here is one of the features typical for a Vollis Simpson whirligig that can make the mind go and the imagination swim after a while.

Painted Tray, Indian Tray, Madison

2011-07-03T07:44:00.001-07:00

Item: Next out of the Manspace an item for Donna to do a painted tray in the art department. I can't wait to see how Donnas Art completes it.

Here is how the Indian Chief marble chase turned out - awesome. Fun too. There is a Thunderbird, a buffalo, and a spear plus a metallic chief badge off of the last rail. These rails track left and right on the descent too. Not seen on TV - the X-Box of it's day. Kids love em.

We had a special visitor for a few days last week - Madison. Too cool for school.

Indian Chase, Vollis Simpson Whirligig Project, Wrens

2011-06-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

Item: Upcoming for the Whimsy Two Etsy shop is the Indian marble chase with some art that escapes the form. That's a term heard on the Antiques Roadshow about a hand carved walking stick so here is an attempt to add some figures for a marble chaser to include the Thunderbird, bison, and an arrow head (yet to be made in the manspace). And there is a ding from the metallic badge off the last rail. No two alike, not found in stores, not seen on TV - the X-Box of it's day. I think the Indian logo that Donna's Art did in her art space is awesome.
Work at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Project in Wilson Downtown is making progress. The building got some paint but not the whirligigs. Here are two bicycle items. The large one has the rear wheel power the pedals and legs in reverse order from a windmill at the back. The Velocipede powers the pedals directly from the wheel.

Is this an Orchard Oriole as the Dutchess prefers or a Varied Thrush as Ol' Red suggests?
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Jimmy Courson Coast Guard armada in Bellhaven, NC

2011-06-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

Item: Found in the book Signs and Wonders - Outside Art Inside North Carolina is James W. Courson and his life long affinity for the Coast Guard working boats in the sounds and inland waterways of Eastern North Carolina. The Coast Guard part of the story caught my eye since my tour of duty at the nearby USCG Airstation in Elizabeth City forty years ago which made a nice match for our 40th. anniversary. Finding Jimmy in Belhaven, NC proved fortuitous since locals mentioned that he had a bout with cancer and had moved to another place with a suggestion to look for him on his bicycle. That is where we found him. Pedaling across the West End. Jimmy was not put off one bit and simply asked if we would like to see them and we followed him to his shop. He has had some problems with his health and lost an eye but none of his enthusiasm for his hobby and facts about his boats. It takes some practice to listen but Jimmy could talk about his collection as long as anyone would care to visit.

Jimmy takes his boats to the canal for testing and sea trials and this one appears to be an ice breaker with a helicopter landing pad on the stern.

Here is a wall full of these Coast Guard creations on the R.H. wall and some of his bicycles. More are found upstairs over the garage. Everything is neat and orderly.

Jimmy takes us inside to the Captains Quarters. More Coast Guard awaits that he calls his museum and a further model collection and recognition for his efforts along with the magazine and articles in books about him.

Then Jimmy trades hats and takes us to a back porch for his RR model railroad layout. This is a treat and the town that he built eclipses the train track layout. Too much fun for one lifetime.

Thank You - commandant of the James W. Courson Coast Guard armada and train layout world tour and I have a feeling that Jimmy and this passion are not done yet.

Jim Butt House - South Mills, NC + Edenton NC

2011-06-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

Item: While doing some research for the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Project at the Wilson Library - this book is found and Vollis Simpson Whirligigs featured on the cover. But inside are some other interesting stories of creative characters in North Carolina. one is Jim Butt and his dream house in the book Signs and Wonders - Outsider Art Inside North Carolina for the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh.

Here is what we are looking for in South Mills and the story in book already suggests that the place is in a deteriorating condition. Donna was captivated by the story so we headed for the Elizabeth City area through thousand acre farming territory.

In this direction to the Coastal Plain of eastern North Carolina are wide open spaces with farms in the thousand acre magnitude.

What we actually found was a referral by the locals to talk to the man behind the barber pole. Floyd Albertson proved to be a valuable resource on Jim Butt who in fact helped him build this barber shop. Floyd says that Jim was genius but misunderstood. In fact when folks in Perquimans County where Jim had farms and timber lands held his feet to the fire about a bootleg liquor still illegally operating on his land he moved to Camden County and bought a place in South Mills. On this same spot is where Jim started to build his Dream House. Floyd recounted that Jim was schooled and intelligent and knew Bible lineage back to the ancients. Jim often walked with Floyd to the nearby church and had a quick step. Floyd often found Jim at home and already at work on his house on his return.

Here at the corner of Swamp Rd. and Bass Lake Rd. is the sight of the Dream House. Floyd tells the story of the house being a magnet for the high school age kids to congregate for fun and mischief so that the place was demolished. Nothing remains
This is the bridge Floyd spoke of and beyond it in woods still remain some scattered concrete monuments that I was not suitably dressed to invade the underbrush for. Maybe this winter.

Also found in South Mills: The Dismal Swamp Canal and a story of the battle for it during the Civil War.

The Dismal Swamp Canal still sees traffic from visitors boating through it from US, Canada and beyond on the inland waterway system.

On the way to the Jim Butt house is Edenton, NC. Found in Edenton: A Jazz festival at the waterfront and the trolley running on time, a nice downtown, and history. See more at http://www.visitedenton.com/ . Here are some images from the town.

View of the gardens at the rear of the Cupola House from the cupola on the top via the spiral staircase.
Gardens in front of the Cupola House in Edenton, NC and more found at http://www.cupolahouse.org/

View to the river from the cupala (Widows Walk) at the top ot Cupola House in Edenton.

The fence that the art department is now requesting for the front of 806 Broad St.
The Coast Guard is here with a buoy tender for the Cape Fear River area.
The oldest house in Edenton, NC and well guarded from pirate landings.
Some Edenton waterfront property - some offered through Sotheby's Realty.

Dove Cote + Spider

2011-06-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

Item: The dove cote now has a cedar shake roof and is soon ready to go in place. Donna is adding the final coat of paint this morning and than it is on the wall and visible from her art space studio window. When I get my replacement Makita 9.6v right angle drill (favorite cordless tool of all time) the brackets can be added underneath for more support.

Here is a visitor in the Whirligig shop last week. It's a big one. Maybe 1.5" long and covered with floor and concrete dust. Taking his time. Moving toward the "Saw Dog" whirligig. Looking for a place to spin a web. What kind is it - maybe in the cobweb class??

Whirligig Park, Vollis, Bonhoeffer, Frontpage

2011-06-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

Item: Tuesday morning news in The Wilson Times about the Whirligig Project and dedication of the Vollis Simpson photo wall on the Whirligig shop finds me front page above the fold no less. (GMA has not contacted me for an appearance??)

Two days and two events at the Whirligig Shops finds me about worn out. Here is the dedication of the photo wall at the shop sponsored by two local law firms and Alan Thomas shows Vollis Simpson the next (nighttime) photo due on the open space of the wall.

Here the Downtown Development Corp. Pres. Henry Walston gives some opening remarks. Betty McCain made an appearance along with the other participating civic groups in Wilson. Mayor Bruce Rose is missed.

This bus tour came from a Museum Curators convention group that met in Raleigh and came to see the Burk Uzzle studio/loft and the Whirligig Park.
Here are the official event shirts for staff during events at the shop. It's the new official Wilson logo.How could a nation state like Germany be lead into the clutches of a megalomaniac. Here is one story of the secular state religions part in giving sway to the national socialist system that was hard to resist and giving way to fear than precipitating something else to believe in. As our belief tree gets shaken in this century will humanitity alter.

Dove Cote 2 + Vollis Wall Photo

2011-06-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Item: The Mourning Dove Cottage dove cote that the art department put in a request for is reaching completion. The perch for each entrance is done and the scalloped skirt and roof ribs and primer are fixed. Donna wants to paint the cote and than the cedar shake roof goes on. A finial will top it all off.
http://www.donnas-art.blogspot.com
Here is what the wall of the Whirligig Shop wall looks like with the Burk Uzzle photographs put in place on Friday last. Two more spaces to go and these will be updated over the 3 year Whirligig Park project in Wilson. Six panels make up the Vollis photograph in the center and panel is of the remarkable hands of Vollis. Burk spent an entire day getting the lightine just right for the signature photo.

Donna had a sale on this http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ rooster tray this week. Her tray paintings seem to do well.

Dove Cote + Whirligig Shop

2011-06-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

Item: Donna decided that what would complete the "Morning Dove Cottage" is a Dove Cote. So look for me in the Manspace and take a look at where the project is so far. The roof will go on next than some scalloping on the skirt at the bottom and the entry perch should complete it along with a finial on top I suppose.

It has been a while since I have used my safety wire skills at the Coast Guard Air Station in Elizabeth City, NC but this may take a while to safety wire over 1000 scraps of sign reflectors that Vollis Simpson originally tied on with copper wire. This is the "Christmas Tree" Whirligig that Hurricane Floyd pushed over and needs some conserving.

These six panels will go on the side of the Whirligig Shops and compose one large photograph. The framing will eventually hold more panels that will add interest to the project and show progress and totally fill in the whole side of the shop.

Here is the final installation of the six panel set of Burk Uzzles photograph. Burk Uzzle has opened a studio/loft in a converted store nearby in downtown Wilson. <

Boxed Artist Stretcher + Vollis + Pigeons

2011-05-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Item: This is the size of it after boxing up for shipment. This artists stretcher for daughter #2 stands this tall at the car and taking it to FedEx will be at 30 mph on the top of the car. (I'm not sure it will go across the bridge to Amy's place).

Here a crew is working on the "Vollis" Whirligig with bicycle wheels that had to have the axle and bearings replaced. The cross member fits lateral under the mainframe and has triple arms and that rotate and wheels that also turn. Lots of action on this feature.
Here is Pidge - the mystery visitor to the Whirligig barn. It would walk around us and when it lit on a railing I managed to get under him with my gloved hand where it stood until we got outside. Than not taking flight it seemed like I had found a fast friend. I spoke with Skip Walston a local racing pigeon enthusiast who confirmed it was a young bird off of a nest nearby and with some water and bird seed it would mature and fly on it's own. (Now I'm known as the birdman around here).

Plinko + Artist Stretcher + Vollis

2011-05-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

Item: The Plinko board is ready. Daughter #2 Jennifer stopped in at the house and painted the logo for the Food Bank and the 50 pegs are back on the board and the clear coat applied. Next the Plexiglas goes on and we can give it a trial run with some Mount Olive pickle jar lids we have in our hands.

Here are some manspace random photo's of building the big stretcher for Amy in NYC. It is ready to go and than comes the realization that when it is boxed up and ready we will have to carry it on the roof of the car to FedEx for shipping.

So here is the dilemma for the day at the Whirligig shop downtown. Drop one of these stars from the Whirligig weather vane tail while cleaning and changing hardware and try to remember how was it oriented before. A photo helped get them back in place.

Paintings - Houses and Artists

2011-05-22T17:21:00.001-07:00

Item: Time out in the manspace for a house painting day at my favorite nephew in NC's place in Durham. This went well with what he described as a hot dog roller and a brush dual effort. We got the job about 90% done and he is finishing the high part here and will only have the same to do on the other side. Front, back and sides are done.

Now this is for the artists out there in the world that themselves go to the canvas to paint something and daughter #2 in NYC is going to go big with a 45x54x1 1/2 inches and will be getting this artist stretcher to put her canvas together. I can't wait to see what comes next. Look for her website coming soon.

Plinko 3 + Vollis Simpson

2011-05-19T13:28:00.001-07:00

Item: The Plinko board is about ready and here are the colors. The pegs are temporarily pulled out for Daughter #2 to do the logo and lettering for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC. and than it is time for a trial run. So far it looks like fun and soon the Mount Olive jar lids will go plink-plink-plink all the way to the pockets at the bottom.

We are back at the Whirligig Park shop today and working on the big one that has V Simpson on the top banner board. Things are shaping up and hopefully there will be one ready to put in place at the Wilson Whirligig Park in July.

Plinko 2 + Mini-Marble Chase

2011-05-16T18:58:00.001-07:00

Item: The Food Bank Plinko board is progressing and here the pegs are in temporarily and there are 5 pockets at the bottom and the side kickers will go on next. With the stand worked out and the plexiglass in place it should be ready for the art department and than final assembly. Two Mount Olive pickle lids will make up a disc for the game. Than it's Plinko time.
These are #35 Minni-Bee and #37 Mini-Frog marble chase old fashion toy with a drop down from rail to rail. The art department came up with the cute critters at Donna's Art table. Kind of fun and not found in stores. Find these in the Etsy shop http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.

Plinko + Whirligigs

2011-05-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

Item: Daughter #1 has a project for the Foodbank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and it is a Plinko board to be used at festivals and foodbank events for prizes. The peg board is temporary to try out and arrive at a pattern that will suit a Mt. Olive pickle jar lid. The pegs are cut to length with a jig on the bandsaw. The frame will not remain because of weight and a narrow and shallow frame will be part of the finished Plinko game. A plexiglass front will cover the peg area.
The WCC "Certified" conservitors are back at work trying to reconstruct the Vollis Simpson Whirligigs for the planned park in Wilson. This 40 ft. tall Whirligig called "Christmas" was pushed over by hurricane Floyd and will need some replacement parts but is likely to be the first on on site.
This is the Whirligig named "Vollis" because it has the Vollis Simpson name on it. This one is very long and heavy with many features.

Marble Chase + Duckling Chase

2011-04-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

Item: Here is #34 - a mini-marble chase with candy cane tubes for rails. This one fits on the shelf or desk top is good for individual use. Look for it on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ and others that are available. Hand made (him) - hand painted (her). Not found in stores. Not seen on TV.

Now for a chase of another kind - not to distant from a wild goose chase!

Mama duck showed up at neighbor George & Elka's again this year and animal control made such a production of their removal last year that George called me to gather them up because although his back yard is good cover but it is also owned by the dog, menaced by the local cats and a hawk visitor. Before long the neighbors were involved chasing from one side to the other of properties and in and out of garages and back and forth beneath the fences. Neighbor Lorie found a pond owner for them but in the meantime here are some tips. First - if you can let them be and begone in a few weeks -OR- line the recycle bin with saw dust, add a heat lamp, feed with corn meal, grass seed and clover heads and a pie tin of water. Just ducky and fun to see them splash.

Old Fashioned - Marble Chaser + Mint Tea

2011-04-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Item: Here is an "Old Fashioned" marble roller such as Uncle Paul was given for his children in 1945 by their minister. This was the X-Box of it's day and today - not found in stores, not seen on TV and no two alike. Quantities limited too! Find these wooden toys on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ to find one to you liking.

So while we are being old fashioned how's about some meadow tea. We have these spreading nicely in a patch by the fence. Bring the kettle to a boil and toss in some tea leaves. Turn off the stove and let sit for 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup sugar or more to taste. Refrigerate and pull out the pitcher for an icy cold tumbler on a summers day

Wilson Whirligig Project . begins .

2011-04-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

Item: Today is day one in the Vollis Simpson whirligig project in Wilson, NC. If you think we are having fun - try this video for Les Machines from daughter #1 on a visit to France. Here are some of the crew figuring out how to proceed and the front of the Saw & Dog whirligig and the middle drive train and what it would look like at night.

At the end of the day we found that the tail did wag the dog and it was a fun challenge to figure out the orbital -to- linear linkage that would make that tail wag. Doyle Sinclair got it and UNC Proff Juan Logan did the link. Also a big Thank You to Glen's Automotive and Eastern Hydraulics and Wilson Iron Works for you help.

NRA Activist + Balzac Bio

2011-04-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

Item: Here behind the local gun shop evidently lurks an activist. The candid camera finds him tearing down the targets off of the range.

Graham Robb writes about Balzac in this book and describes a writer who poured his life into an ink well and spilled it out in letters from his pen as an observer of people and society in Paris and Europe. When his ship came in Hugo already had his eulogy which was interrupted by the dull thud of earth as it dropped in on the coffin. His legacy was nearly lost as fragments were turned into fish wrappers at the local grocer and to creditors but most was saved by a collector. A good book about a gregarious writer living life way to large.

Whirligig Park, Wilson, NC + 103 ACC Drive for sale

2011-04-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

Item: Time Out! Production in the manspace comes to a standstill for a Friday session on Whirligig conservancy and repair that will be part of the gear up to get the Whirligig Park in place next year. The Downtown Development Corp. with the Wilson Community College conducted the training with 15 in the class and 25-30 participants on hand. The initiative is supported by the US National Park Service, NC Arts Council, Wilson Visitors Center, Wilson Downtown Development, Barton College, Wilson Community College, Arts Council of Wilson, and Wilson Chamber of Commerce and others including Bridgestone/Firestone, and Barnes Motor Parts. A huge undertaking, good folks involved and good company with the attendees.

Just in case you feel like Wilson, NC may be just the city to move and relocate to - here at 103 ACC Dr. is the best deal in town and unless I'm seeing wrong it is priced at $125,000.00. Try asking here for sure - www.chessonagency.com

Edward B. Holloway - Wilson

2011-03-29T02:56:00.000-07:00

Item: Our next door neighbor Mr. E.B. Holloway died on Saturday 3.26.2011 and we will miss his presence. He wrote his obituary out to five lines. He was 85 and will be interred in his home in Milford, CT. He was professor of history at Barton College for 32 years and still served as archivist there. He had degrees from U. Conn and Penn. Son of John Holloway and Beatrice Peacock Holloway we hardly knew him and now I feel like I could have been more neighborly in some ways as few visitors found their way to this door. So it is still not to late to be neighborly to others nearby who are elderly and forgotten or unknown. Begin.

Mantis Egg-Case

2011-03-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

Item: Found among the clippings from the hedge being trimmed back hard was this Praying Mantis egg-case. It's either one cut in half by the shears steely blade or two egg-cases. This reminded me of the book on J. Henri Fabre an early observer of the insect world. Out of doors and into nature there lurks another world - the insect world. Suffer us not to endure it as an inhabitant. Better to observe a lifetime as Fabre did for 92 years the first 60 in penury.

This pecan shaped case will hold up to 400 eggs from a very fertile female and of course you may recall what happens to the male. If it survives mice and birds through the winter and what awaits them when hatching (the ants) a few may survive the competition among themselves to plunder locusts etc. I'm going to shelter this nest and try to witness the eggs hatching in the garden. Can you spot the egg-case in the hedge?

A place called Mount Joy - Sanford, NC

2011-03-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Item: This week end found us in Sanford, NC at Mount Joy Place - a subdivision that Donna's Sister Darlene and hubby Denny Naugle are putting together in Sanford, NC. So it is time out of the Manspace and time on the saw. "Timber" keep the hardhat on! Look for more on what is available at www.mountjoyplace.com

This is the artist rendering that Donna put together as an ideal for some of the house plans that are available from the builder involved in the project. It is featured on the sign at the entrance.

Here is the lot assignment for Mount Joy Place which has an asphalt drive, underground and city water in place.

Here is the prettiest view overlooking the lake on the Davenport property as seen from Lot 1 the homestead parcel.

Red Rocket scooter + Flying Pig marble toy + Helprin book

2011-03-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

Item: The Red Rocket salvage roller blade induced Amish scooter is done and ready for some trial runs by Madison. This is a vintage scooter style made at home from found materials version. I can still see the Amish kids leaving the one room school house using the pendulum full leg swing to propel themselves home in the Intercourse, PA area.

The "The Flying Pig" teeter totter marble toy is back from the art department and Donna has completed this toy nicely. This one has a trough to catch the flyer's and a side feed for some added interest. It may go to the Wilson Arts council gift shop and look on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ for other marble toys from the manspace.

Here is a good book for a buck from the Wilson Library first floor book sale shelf. (Beats going to the Strand in NYC to find a good story).

Amish Scooter - Manspace Projects

2011-03-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Item: Around the Amish country the entertainment amounts to making your own. When you find an old roller blade skate and cut it apart and put the wheels under a board you have usable transportation. This one is a throw back because the kind the Amish use today are more sophisticated and with bicycle wheels for better roll out. Here is an attempt to fashion an old time Amish scooter from a discarded roller blade. (Madison will have to do the trial run on it). The second photo shows some Amish youngsters scooting home after school. All of the 8 grades that they will attend are in a one room school house.

Donna asked for some garden markers so here are a dozen or so. She is happily planting away and got some seeds from a blog friend Maybelline's Garden in Bakersfield, CA. to plant.

There are a few playful squirrels in the neighborhood who like to give this feeder a whirl. But last week someone ripped it off the tree and it a good guess is a PETA activist. I often wondered why a PETA person would ever have a pet because wouldn't that be pet slavery? Just asking.

Hey, we could have a doggone good time styling on the go buggie too!

Cat Walk - Rev.2 + Garden

2011-03-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

Item: This is the second revision for Shimmer's cat walk. Hanging carpet strips were Rev. 1 by way of Ms. Madison and these steps will be Rev. 2. and spaced on the ramps for footholds. Shimmer may master the path yet.

The garden is coming along and more tomato cages are ready. The pile of roots came out of the two raised beds. Potatoes are in the mounded area of the back box. Let's see what happens next.

Painted Easter Eggs + Dachshunds

2011-03-04T07:32:00.000-08:00

Item: Holders for donnas-art painted wooden Easter eggs. The holders are made for 5/per as well as some individual pockets. these will go to the Arts Council of Wilson gift shop and some can be found on the Whimsy-Two Etsy shop. I have two favorites seen below.

With some improvement in the weather finally this project is installed. It's a porch post repair piece which now has a pedestal under it against moisture. The repair piece is laminated 2x6 cut to size and skirted to fit and fitted shoe moulding at the base.

Well - now seems like a good time to join these two birds on the couch.

Cat Walk - al fin

2011-03-01T19:29:00.001-08:00

Item: Shimmers cat walk is installed on the head end of Madison's bed. Now let's see if that crazy kitty can scale this incline to new heights to find Maddy in her aerie.

the incline to the first platform is just a warm up for the next slope to the top station. Carpet covering should give some claw leverage and Shimmer does trees standing straight up don't ya know. We await the reports.

This was a multitask day and beyond the ramp installation I found a rocking chair leg to re glue and a photo frame to Jerri-rig and took two storm windows to Hudson's hardware for replace the panes and reinstall and than limbs and pine cones to pick up and pine straw to rake off the front of the property and so made myself useful while the girls were having a hen party.

Catwalk, Tomato Cage, Doxie

2011-02-26T10:03:00.000-08:00

Item: Shimmer needs a route to the top bunk where Madison can be found so here is version one of a cat walk. This one will go in two stages with an incline to the first station and a second incline with a swerve to reach the top platform which will hang from a 1" cross tube of the top bunk. With some carpet to cover the path Shimmer may just figure this cat walk out.

The garden is being planted and pole beans, onions, and strawberries are in. Here is what the 2011 tomato cage will look like and seven go in the back raised bed.

Here is faithful companion #2 shadow Doxie dog Dachshund Riley making sure it is done right.

The "Flinging Pig" marble flinger + Valentine

2011-02-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Item: When pigs fly has begot when pigs fling. Here the little piggie deftly places marbles in a trough or not. Like the government some may get lost. Here is how far we got and it's not done yet because a sidetrack for a marble magazine looks in order. This little piggy is going to market on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ soon.

Here is something to like. My Valentine baked a cake for v-day (think of x-mas) and it's hmmm good. Thanks b-mine!

Blondie & Dagwood completed marble roller

2011-02-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

Item: The Blondie and Dagwood marble chaser came back from the art department and this is what Donna completed the theme with to go along with the natural blonde finish of this marble roller. Look for it on www.whimsytwo.etsy.com.

Here are the top rail details and it has wooden corners and candy cane tubed rails. This one runs fast and smooth all the way down to the last drop and than ding-ding it is time for an 8 O'clock coffee. Aahhh, Good to the last drop.

Doggone if this is not just way to cool for school!

Blondie and Dagwood theme marble chaser

2011-02-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

Item: Since this one is going to be an all natural blond wood finish so why not make a tribute to Blondie and Dagwood with it. It's out of the shop and over to the art department and I can't wait to see what Donnas-art does with the Blondie theme. If Blondie and Dagwood have not lost all of their marbles by now this may be the place to turn loose on it. Look for it on http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ soon.

Here goes Mr. Peanut out for delivery to Michigan. Fedex may have to get out the snowmobiles to deliver from Ohio. With the big snow storm who knows when Mr. Peanut will arrive.

Blondie & Dagwood Marble Roller + PM Thatcher

2011-01-31T05:45:00.000-08:00

Item: This one reminds me of Blondie with an all natural blonde wood finish and Dagwood can't be far behind so #32 may prove that blonde's have more fun. Here is how the progress on the Blondie marble chaser is progressing after the weekend. The art department may add a Blondie and Dagwood theme painting on the base. Can't wait to see it finished.

This memoir of Maggie Thatcher is a good read and a glimpse of the future for the USA. In the book you find that Britain is fifty years ahead of the US in being bureaucratic to the point of paralysis and not bashful about party affiliation. Communists/unions, socialists, liberal, labor, conservative parties said so. Unions ruled since industry and hospital, education, banks were nationalized. During a year long coal strike that put the economy on a three day work week the Chancellor of Germany asked Thatcher during a meeting of the ECU why GB could not sit down with the union and iron things out. Maggie had to explain that to do so they would need the space of about a large size football(soccer) stadium to fit all of the union interests into.

Peanuttier 1 + Candy Cane marble rollers

2011-01-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

Item: The Peanut marble chaser is back from the art department and it's nuttier. Donna has added the nutty art to complete this number #29. These are one of a kind not seen on TV or found in stores. No two alike and supply is limited. Look for it on our Whimsy Two shop on Etsy.

Mr. Peanut has round tube corners with openings to see marbles pass and wooden rails plus a kicker at the end. Monocled Mr. Peanut sounding off.

So here comes #31 and the Teeter Totter pig in the shop is about to come on to Donna. Take a look at the bottom photo to see where this candy cane rail project #31 is going.

Norma Rae - Union, Roanoke Rapids, NC

2011-01-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

Item: Last night we watched the 1979 movie "Norma Rae" with academy award winner Sally Field and found it has a connection here in Roanoke Rapids, NC. A Triumph says the cover for the movie. I suppose it was. Now maybe not so much. The J.P. Stevens Co. is big and today part of WestPoint Stevens. In the Roanoke Rapids mill worked 800 employees and the textile mills in the area supported 5,000 total jobs. Sally Field has probably never been here but Bill Clinton in 2008 visit says that we can bring jobs back here. Current unemployment is 12.8%(U-6 19%) and 18% are below the poverty level. Population is 16,190.

Thank goodness for Wal-Mart. There is not much in town anyway. On the I-95 exit is Starbucks and a Harley dealer and Cracker Barrel and some lodging. Sort of. Nothing to compare with Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Jobs are in China that send items here. Local law enforcement writes tickets on the interstate for income.

Through this gate and up the steps to the tower entrance was where the Amalgamated Clothing Workers began organizing efforts in the Carolinas after plants closed in New England states. This one closed as well and jobs are now offshore and in Haiti. This union affiliation is now S.E.I.U.. What academy award movie could come out of this town now?

Here is demolition on the old plant and more to follow on the additions. The Dominion power plant next door is also coming down.

Throughout the town from north to south on the presidents streets and pretty much following the railroad tracks are found this kind of housing all the same like a factory town would seem.

On the north end of town is the river and Canal Museum and what you see in the backdrop of the picture is the kraft paper mill. It and a power plant in nearby Weldon are the big corporate employers. The top five wage employers are the schools, county/city, medical and corrections.

The state has stepped into the neighboring county with an $8.4M initiative. This is the NCCAR facility and "This baby ain't walkin" yet.

Easter Cameo + Galileo + Snyders of Hanover Solar Energy

2011-01-12T12:37:00.000-08:00

Item:

The Wilson Arts Council called to say the award winning John Deere "Hit or Miss" marble chaser has sold and indications point to an Easter feature at the museum and gallery gift shop. That got things moving in the Manspace. (Galileo himself built a 60x telescope in 24 hours in his own space surely Galen's manspace can do so much.)

Here is the first idea for an Objed d'Art at the museum. This submission is an egg shaped panel and stand to be painted in the studio of Donna-Art and I can't wait to see it when she completes the item.

So what's out there and how much is yet unknown. Ptomely wrote. Capernicus wrote. Aristotle wrote and the Bible was written and against these there were certain issues fixed for a long time.

Than Galileo looked.

What he saw in his first 60x look at the Basilica in an act and irony in which religion inspired science with an artistic image. Further he saw that which was not on any page. Things moved in the sky and in learning and religion and art yielded to scientific experiment which gave proof of things. Than more writing (Including this book which is a story on the life of Galileo). Much has been written since and we are not done yet. Take a look around!

If Galileo had been thinking ahead he may have discovered solar energy in addition to sun spots and fashioned some solar panels for energy like these being installed at the Snyders Pretzel plant in Hanover, PA. Surely Pope Urban VIII could have no inquisition on such?

Peanut.tier - The Mr. Peanut marble roller

2011-01-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

Item: The Mr. Peanut marble roller just got nuttier. This one is for having fun for peanuts. You can loose your marbles and make parents nutty all at the same time. Next stop is with the art department and donnas-art than look for it on the Whimsy Two shop on Etsy. The additions are the eye openings at the corners for an eye popping affect as marbles pass them and the metallic landing plate for and x-tra ping-zinger as marbles come off the final rail.

Now listening to the Hollies streaming from AM740-Toronto. Yep the snow is gone and that would be puzzle number five that you see we finished during the snow event. It took so long that Donna passed out at one point!

Snow Daze - Puzzling Christmas

2010-12-29T07:41:00.000-08:00

Item: Christmas in New England seemed appropriate for the Holidays. That's us. Daughter #2 visited from NYC and family joined in for the feast. Christmas dinner was great and everyone got home safe. Than the snow came in the night. Next day nothing moved. We froze and have been for several weeks here in the sunny south. We stayed by the fire. Very puzzling.

So it looks like back yard lounging and outdoor activities are on indefinite hold as are flights to Newark, NJ for Amy. Thursday looks like the rescheduled fly days and to resume life as we know it before the horrors.

Here's an idea. Put the puzzle together that we got for Christmas. Usually this is a January antedate for boredom but that found us in the present trevails. One led to the next and we find ourselves on number 5. Oh well it will be 60 degrees on Friday.

Marble Teeter-Totter Toy (Piggie) + Armand Hammer

2010-12-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

Item: Progress on the teeter totter marble toy little pig. This little pig will go to market on the Whimsy Two Etsy shop but first it needs some fine tuning and a stop in the art department. Think this little pig may get a trough.

Biographies and autobiography collaborations seem to have led one to the next. Mitchner begot Pickins begot Hammer begot Thatcher. It's interesting to read about the intersections in each of these lives. Ironically each one does not mention the other in their own story. Irregardless this story is a page turner about ambition and means to do some heavy lifting in Hammers own life and among nations.

While T. Boone Pickens looks like naked aggression for the get, Armand Hammer learns to give to get from a young mans trip to Russia to a gift of Pissaro art to Venezuela yielding an oil field concession for Occidental. Occidental go oil in Libya but helped with water.

Pencils making and pushing paid off. Whiskey, cooper, cattle, horses, art, fertilizer, oil, water, artifact dealing, and dispersing the artifacts of the Czars and William Randoph Hearts billion dollar collection. One thing led to the next says Armand -the bigot's- and always the best returned the most in every effort. Here was a big life.

Marbles Teeter Totter Toy Pig

2010-12-19T13:33:00.000-08:00

Item: In process at the Manspace is another little piggy teeter totter marble toy and there are some other things going on around the space while we await the spring thaw. Here is how far I got on the pig. The marble boundry came from an idea that I saw on a 1944 classic marble chaser given my aunt and uncle Paul Hollinger when they got married by their Rev. Henry Becker. (See below)

Than a big ol' limb came out of the tree in front of the house and nearly took out Vollis Simpson's whirlygig so it took some repair on the post mount in the manspace and it is back out in front of the house.

How many times have you heard the check is in the mail. Well it came today. This is the check for the Red Ribbon winner at the State Fair which was the John Deer "Hit & Miss" themed marble roller. Money in the bank - $12.00.

Figure this one out. I think it is and Anglia English Ford along about 1950 or so. Daughter #2 may be looking for a car since the oil won't keep on the dipstick on her Jetta and wants a conventional car without all the stuff. Here seems like a conventional one. By 2050 we may have a PC or "Peoples Car" from GM government issue like this one. VW was a folks wagon recall.

If you happen to be looking for some reading material try catching up with Boone. Interesting

Intercourse + Paradise, PA "Lost"

2010-12-14T10:11:00.001-08:00

Item: Let's not dwell long in lamentations for this little village. The irony remains. Past visitors would flock to Intercourse to see Amish folks leading a life far removed from western culture familiar to foreigners. Now the Amish seem to be just in the way of all of the tourist attractions and visitor traffic. The clatter of horse hooves has been replace by the clatter of coin at the souvenir merchants.

Jack Rutt was the insurance man in town and he started it. At least it seems like this is the first "Gift Shop" location for tourists I can recall in town. Jack asked me to build a scale model Amish carriage for display. Good pay for a youngster. On this busy key cross road and intersection interchange the beat began fifty years ago. 1961

If there be any justification for the town and name association it would be to rename it to "Kitchen Kettle Village". This actually turns out to be a highlight for a visit here anyway. Only a helicopter pad for Manhatten is missing. A peer group of my youth spent many a day and time here with the gracious Burnley family who have built from a jam & jelly kitchen to a virtual empire here. Even an entrepreneurial aura for the neighborhood youngsters germinated here. The tide of tourism began here and a rising tide lifts all boats. You will like it here.

Lapps Buggy shop was always a place to earn a few dollars in assembly of one Amish carriage item or other. Abner Lapp would engage his peers to come and spend a few hours to help along the Amish buggy production. Souvenirs are plenty today - buggies not so much - nor the nearby leather shop or the PA Dutch scene 3-D carving artist A.B. Zook had a shop across the street.

This is the old Hess Mill location when it held the corner along with the bus stop and Intercourse post office. We had a good time crawling all over the mill and attending open house activities for the farmers and waiting for the bus and picking up the mail after school. When Norm Smoker saw this as a good location for a hotel he was right but what to do with the post office?? He talked my Dad into selling and bought our property across the street but he could not convince the US Postal Service to allow the move there. Forty years ago this was a bold leap into tourism which encompasses the town now. Intercourse vanished.

This is our little house on Queen St. in Intercourse which was destined to be a post office when the new hotel took over the Hess Feed Mill sight. The big tree remains and memories of a great little town to grow up in and a great community. Now it joins the legion of tourist attractions here and the Longeneckers vanished too.

"A new broom sweeps clean" - Amish saying

2010-12-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

Item: The Duchess wondered what her daily routine would be like if we were Amish. One thing may be an enterprise at home rather than working away. Look what is just beyond the Pequea Valley H.S.. If your old broom is not sweeping too well there is this place located outside of Intercourse in Kinzers just off Rt. 772 on the way to Gap (Paradise is just over the hill). Amish don't allow photographs and it would have been of interest to see the machines that are powered manually to make a whisk broom a light or a heavy broom. It takes about 10 minutes to finish one downstairs and upstairs you can hear other operations in process to prepare the stock materials. Contact Moses F. Stoltzfus by mail for wholesale or retail at 39 Pequea Valley Road, Kinzers, PA 17535 or if you are in a hurry call 717.442.8411 for a price list but I'm surprised that Moses has a phone contact and it may be an "English" neighbor answering for him.

The livestock needs attention and the poultry ("Yard Birds" in NC). Everything in Lancaster County is so orderly. For dinner tonight one of these birds may lose his head and have his feathers plucked and wind up in hot water.

There is the wash to be done. Wash day is Wednesday and it's an all day affair. Here is the dryer - as many wash lines as you can rig. Gardening in the foreground needs some attention in the mean time.

The other thing to do over winter is get the tobacco down out of the barn and into the tobacco cellar for moisture in the leaves and than into the stripping room to pull off the leaves and size them and bale than and put them back into the tobacco cellar until spring when the buyer comes for the Burley tobacco market used in chew, cigar and pipe tobacco.

Going to Zimmermans Hardware in Intercourse could take half a day and cost half a days wages because for the Amish it's one mule pulling a one row plow all day to make a dollar and that has to go a long way.

I suppose there is a lot for an Amish family to do at home within their circle encompassing everything but TV, radio, fiction, periodicals, Facebook, X-Box, wrestle mania, McDonalds, and "Farmville" for them is waiting just outside every morning. All of these may be new today but forgotten over time just as a new broom sweeps clean.

Lady GaGa, Obama and Borat might be welcome but unknown as Henri, Chou, Che, Achmed, Ivan or Gupta and "Saturday Night Live" is not entertainment. In these large farm homes and as seen in Photo above of Moses F. Stoltzfus home can be found accommodations for elderly relatives and parents too.

PA Dutch Country + Strasburg RR

2010-12-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

Item: The little engine that could - you know about that childrens story. Also consider the little dutch girl that could. With just a little wagon Amish cargo can move and sometimes a 100 ton locomotive just gets in the way.

The little Amish girl rides to the side with one leg in the wagon and the other propelling along her and the cargo with the wagon tongue to steer. I think I can - I think I can (she is never a doubt for her). She knows she can, and will - until faced with ol" #90 at the RR crossing. She awaits (lower right side in the photo).

There goes the Strasburg RR tour train now, down the line to the picnic grove. It's a 30 min. pull to get there and just as long for the steam locomotive to push back down the track to the Strasburg RR Museum.

Here is the Red Caboose Hotel and restaurant which is nearby the Strasburg RR and doggone if it has not grown since just about the six caboose cars to the restaurant's left side bought at auction by Don Denlinger was it's beginning. You can have lunch here and choose from one of the many RR cars for motel accomocations while in Strasburg if you care to.

We'll have to mention the Red Rose Trolley that will get you into and around Lancaster, PA and the Red Rose city if you are in the PA Dutch country.

Amish Freightliners + F.U.B.U. in Intercourse, PA

2010-12-02T04:33:00.000-08:00

Item: The classic Amish Freightliner, one horsepower + ATV + bench seats + spring suspension + drum brakes + 12V DC lighting + GPS of sorts (the horse knows the way) + tilt windows + rear view mirrors. This rig is the model where one make fits all. In the future of the USA we may not have a Chevrolet but a GM or government model in this fashion and if it gets the job done we will have a national car. The YUGO comes to mind and the VW. Ours may be the PC (Peoples Car) made by GM (Government Motors). Why not. Maintaining one of those would be a whole lot less complicated and the nation would have commonality of parts and OPEC free plus cruelty and chemical free.

This is the main location for W.L. Zimmerman store and the hardware store is in the next block. Think of this as the Wal-Mart back in the day and this store outlasted all the others including Kauffmans in New Holland (nie-hollant) as well as others in Bird-In-Hand, Blue Balls, Paradise and at Gap. An auction took place in the sheds behind the store with Ronald Kling calling and gaveling the sale. I made a dollar running the sale sheets and spent it right there and still have an old trunk from the sale at the house.

This is Amish F.U.B.U. hotspot with Amish appropriate goods for making their own clothing and other necessities in the Amish culture. It's "For Us By US". Think of China Town in Philadelphia or NYC. This is it.

Don't mind this rig. It's a bus.

Going to school (in Intercourse. PA)

2010-11-30T05:23:00.000-08:00

Item: Here is a photo that Mom had of Grandpa Longenecker and my dad in the middle with the big hat and Donna thought there was a good resemblance with me and I kind of saw it with dad as well as with my brothers and so I kind of agreed until Donna said no, it was the old mule "Whitey" that she was referring to. What in the world.

But what's a body to do in the Pennsylvania Dutch area. This was the one room school house I attended in Leacock Township where third and fourth grade took place and Mrs. Etter wanted my brother and I to do the Beechnut chewing gum twins skit in the school play. Now it's a bit of a library for the town of Intercourse.

Than on to P.V.H.S. and the school looks about the same in front but built up in back. Pequea was grade seven through 12 at the time and where I graduated with the distinction as the recipient of the "Industrial Arts Key Award" and a good appreciation for literature and reading. The Principal was Arthur W. Eshelman (not Eshleman) and is distantly related as is about everyone in Lancaster County somehow connected and he retired that year with the personal observation still rejoined to this day that "It is not always a case of juvenile, but parental, delinquency which causes many many of our problems".

Here is a scene commonly encountered in the Pennsylvania Dutch country. School is out at the one room Amish school house where education is from grade one through eight and done. No TV at the house, more literature or newspapers or magazines at home where they are kept from the confusion and corruption and no toys just chores. Here as in all schools though, it is time to load up and get out and scoot on the next-gen scooters seen below.

Thanksgiving + Intercourse, PA

2010-11-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

Item: Thanksgiving travel to Lancaster County PA + Intercourse PA + Mount Joy PA and all points east by the Strasburg Railroad. These brooms are made by Moses F. Stoltzfus 717.442.8411 in Lancaster County and Donna wants to sweep leaves at the house when we return to Wilson.

Whimsy Two spent Thanksgiving back in the home territory and did a general sweep around Intercourse but the first thing we noticed on our travels to PA is that there are still a lot of leaves on the trees in Wilson, NC and hardly any at the Mason Dixon line in MD.

Travel for us "English" in the Jetta diesel seems appropriate but travel in the other world's "Amish" mode and here is a common sight. It's the next-gen Amish scooter with a bicycle wheel chassis rather than the old pair of roller skates nailed to the under side of a board. In line roller blade skates are common with the Amish boys and girls as well.

Here is deal on buggie transportation in and around Intercourse. Buggies move slow and leave ruts over time in the roadway.

We found this transportation scenario at the RRX crossing just before the Red Caboose Hotel area. Notice the cars waiting and the Strasburg RR steam engine and last car passing a little Amish girl who we were following while she sat one leg in her wagon and pushed her way along with the other and steered the wagon handle. She had some giddy up too. She is just to the left of the phone pole before the RR gates

Marble Chasers for Christmas + Texas

2010-11-23T14:57:00.000-08:00

Item: It's break time in the shop and time for some Zoomer AM740 Toronto radio. Things are heating up for Christmas and the "Tortoise & Hare" #23 marble chaser is headed for San Jose, CA (not sure which will arrive first) plus the "Big Red" #25 is out for delivery today and required a bicycle carton to pack it up. I suppose the bicycle bell precipitated that. This is the the way it was and no assembly required.

Next up is the "Mr. Peanut" marble roller with some assembly progress pictured below. The tilt indicator, preparation of corner tubes which will eventually be tan, and arm pattern and cut out done on the band saw. Think of it as not only loosing your marbles but going nuts too.

Say, here are some stories about something else that is BIG - Texas - and a page turner to read.

Artists Gallery Shop - Arts Council of Wilson

2010-11-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

Item: The new Artist Gallery Shop in the Arts Council of Wilson building is newly open so that Whimsy Two may not be "As seen on TV" or "Not found in stores" but lately can be found in a shop.

Gallery Director Amy Hughes has put together a very nice space filled with a delightful mix of artists and artisans. You'll have to see this shop.

So there is a space for some Amish toys with the "Hen & Eggs" and the "Hit & Miss" John Deere marble roller (Red Ribbon winner at the 2010 NC State Fair) installed here along with a tray from Donnas-Art. Look for other similar items on Whimsy Two Etsy shop. No two alike. Limited supply too (Thnx. Maxine)

Those gift baskets on the counter are a stunner and may be creations for the annual Bankers Holiday benefit? Vollis Simpsons whirlygigs are found here.

Finch Pottery Open House

2010-11-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

Item: Second Sunday in November is open house at the Finch Pottery. This year was a beauty and a good turn out of vendors and crowds. Among the 70 booths were the familiar and some new ones and overall the items looked much better this year. Lisa Sowers at LAS Pottery says that everyone is getting getting better. One that Donna also liked was the Theresa and George Glisson booth.

Here is a view of a booth. This is the LAS Pottery display.

Here a demonstration is underway for the RAKU Kiln method of firing pottery. Finch Pottery has a full calendar of study, learning, co-op, and circle of potters here on an ongoing basis to further pottery interests. Last week end we met a couple in Wilson from York, PA participating in a Finch pottery seminar.

In the Dan Finch Pottery Studio building which is festooned with curiosity's gathered over time at the farm and blueberry crops and pottery. Here a potter shows how it is done and the most requested item which is a 9" bowl. Granddaughter Madison got a try at the wheel last year and made the Wilson Times newspapers.

Here is the wood fired Anagama Kiln and this is the loading end which tapers to the rear and drafts heat from front to back. Keep your calendar open for 2011. It's an annual event we look forward to each year.

Garden Bench request - Veterans Day

2010-11-11T17:44:00.000-08:00

Item: A bench for a garden space request from Donna's Art. On a day of remembrance and just before Donna went off on a Girl's day out she gave explicit instructions about what she wanted for this space. Here is what she got.Veterans day was set aside and some saw dust flew in the shop. I had some old yellow pine heart wood left from the Y2K - 2000 garage door installation that gave the rustic look the Duchess wanted. (She makes me forget all about my first wife).

Taking the material at hand in hand and making the dimensions work from the result on the table saw it makes four side pieces and two top parts. Here they go into glue and clamp stage for joinery. This is Amish ingenuity at highest utilization meant but everyday use.

Some cutting and assembly and the sides are going on at this stage.

Here it be in it's element. Hope this is what she has in mind.

Oh I almost forgot Veterans Day. Here is a swarthy shallow water sailor who turned into an Airedale and went Coast Guard aviation - if that counts. A good experience looking back

Dutch Door - Manspace Project

2010-11-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

Item: A dutch door seems like the answer to Doxie dilemma we found the other evening. Somehow this frenetic canine duo found the phone line to the Internet chew worthy and cut the line. My Tech-Bro David was able to help me with connections and in the morning CenturyLINK got the IP set up.
But who knew the direction this day would take. Remember the one door that I replaced by a full window door. Why not cut it down to a Dutch Door and fit it here to replace the child screen that has been repaired and defeated before. There you go. A day sojourn into the manspace. The hinges and door knob were used on the other door so with some chisel work and hinge fitting and door hanging and jamb drilling we are good. How's about top shelf. The first one is too small and with some fitting and cladding to add another board on the top this should look better when Donna gets the painting done. Theory being that containment to the kitchen space should be contentment by the beastly boys. Thank You - Ceasar the Dog Whisperer.

Here us another job jar sidetrack. A wasp nest under the studio window A/C. No bee bites to report and task completed.

Remember to take some time to read this book to understand the recent POTUS trip to his home and where his heart really is and appreciate how this president seems somehow so un-American with an affinity to other worlds.

Whirlygig Festival - 2010 Wilson, NC

2010-11-07T08:32:00.000-08:00

Item: The 2010 Wilson, NC Whirligig Festival is today and while it is not cold enough for icicles there was a frost warning last night.
The Downtown Committee has kicked the Whirlygig Park initiative it up a notch and with some hometown participation, Visitors, Arts, University and even National Parks groups this park is shaping up. Here on Goldsboro St. is the future park site.

Going on today was the annual official painting for the Whirligig Festival by a juried artist, the competition for wannabe whirli-builders, vendors, kids park and lastly the stage bands. To the right stands the Wilson Greenlight building which has captured the imagination as municipalities move into the providing broadband internet, WIFI, TV programming, Telephone all wrapped up into one. Wilson also has an energy department for the city. Costs are high as other programs for citizens are tacked on.

Bernie & Pet Conveyance

2010-11-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

Item: Bernie the wondering dog and his doggone sweet ride.

Donna (Whimsy One) has been busy with a pet portrait and that put Whimsy Two on the bike to Chelsea Drive to visit Jim McGuie Wood Carvings & Sculpture jmcguire356@nc.rr.com on a filed day. Jim will be at the Whirlygig Festival with some Christmas items.

Doggone if Bernie the constant companion didn't turn out with his posse and conveyance, jumping on and off as a speed bump or two might appear on the trail.

Anyway, look for Donna's art at www.donnas-art-petportraits.blogspot.com

Tray Side - production run

2010-10-30T15:06:00.000-07:00

Item: Looks like time for a production run in the shop. These will be the tray sides for the painted panels that Donnas-art has been painting and can be found on Whimsy-Two. With a bit of set up on the saw to cut the side and than on to the router for a bead on each edge and some sanding these are ready to go.

It's a light day today in the shop but a heavy heart for Daughter #2 who is without her constant companion Sanford tonight.

Not found in stores. Not seen on TV.

Foodbank NC State Fair + Whimsy Two Marble Toy ribbon winner

2010-10-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

Item: Foodbank of Central & Eastern North Carolina was Thursday at the fairgrounds

so that made a double reason to pick

that day to visit and check up on the

activities and what color ribbon was for

second place in the Hobbies and Crafts

toy division.

Daughter #1 is web sight and data

base director at the foodbank and she did a web site

entry at the NC State Fair and got a third place win.

The Foodbank day admission is two cans of Food Lion label food which is put in foodbank truck and taken to where Jen can be found.

It was a blue sky day and plenty of fair food. Same price as last year just less of it.

Fiddle pickin at the Folk Festival and pig racin at the Harley Davidson - Hog raffle. Tractor pullin this eenin.

Visiting the garden and flower area you can't keep mum about this vista.

The 800 Lb. gorilla in the room is actually an 867 lb. pumpkin. Larger is better.

Here is the NC State Fair Red Ribbon winner from Whimsy-Two. It's the green and yellow on the second shelf. Surprisingly the John Deere classic hit or miss marble chaser toy was not in the center of the room with a spot light on it! It also occurred to the casual observer that there may be a bit of ribbon inflation here much like grade inflation in schools and in chess where there are a growing plethora of Grand Masters. Hey it beats Honorable Mention or an attendance award. Notice the toy truck behind my swelled head. It got the Blue Ribbon and the talented folks embodied in this building is still and all overwhelming. (There's Whimsy Two right there-next)

Here is the Best in Show. It's a 1/4 inch fir strip built canoe by an 80 year old man.

Dolley Madison - a diary more than ice cream

2010-10-22T05:23:00.000-07:00

Item: Here is a book off of the dollar shelf at the library. It begun with a visit by the author Rita Mae Brown to Montpelier which was the home of James Madison (Jemmy) a 5000 acre plantation now owned by one of the Dupont descendants - now just horsing around the property. The book is built around diary and writings from the perspective of Dolly Madison.

Dolley described the times and war of 1812 as living on the continent of despair, the belligerents included the British hoping to limit their loss of colonies and hold territory west of the Mississippi, Canadian US territories, the New England money states, the Mid Atlantic states to rally the nation to the capital in D.C., the Southern confederation reliant on slaves for the plantations and the Western river rimmed states driving off Indians/keeping slaves. Dolley felt it was like living in Bedlam during the fourth administration.

The British burned the nations capitol and won the battle but lost the war as the nation was galvanized and united from the war of 1812 and Jackson's success in New Orleans.

Dolly Payne a Virginian was born in Guilford County, NC (Greensboro area) a Quaker on her mothers part and outlived the War of Independence relocation's to VA/Philly/D.C., loss of her father and husband/child to yellow fever, other children, shunning by the Quakers by a marriage to Jemmy 17 years older - the fourth president (deceased), the war of 1812, Montpelier sold, mortgage of their Washington property to the Astor's of NYC, and sale of presidential and personal papers. She cold not outlast her precious only son John PayneTodd's dissipation, prodigality, drinking, spending, debts and jail visits. She got the Washington Monument built.

James Madison died in 1836 (Dolly 1849 at 81). He helped build a nation and UVA. In the end he could not escape getting lost in reinventing his legacy. James Madison Univ. and Madison Square Gardens are a part of his legacy.

Hemophilia Walk Medalist - NC State Fair Winner - NC Early Voting

2010-10-19T05:37:00.000-07:00

Item: The 2010 Hemophilia Walk took place in Raleigh at Lake Crabtree on the airport exit and after a grueling trek I found I was a medalist for the effort but just reading the ground and looking around at the others apparently everyone got medals! It was a good time and Granddaughter #1 commented that she enjoyed herself too. Lunch and many vendor goodies were a part of the event. Thanks Dar and Denny for putting us in the walk in a frenetic late entry.
NC State Fair winners are posted and in the Hobbies and Crafts Division of Toys it looks like the Whimsy-Two John Deere Classic "Hit and Miss" entry got a Lavender ribbon for second. We will be there and witness that on Thursday.

NC Early Voting in Wilson got started last week and Donna & I held our noses and pushed the buttons. Wilson has a dicey Sheriff ticket that could turn racial and win or loose for all of the hopeful candidates for our part in the results we are likely to see jury duty.

Spitfire - wiggly marble roller toy

2010-10-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

Item: This is just out of development and the new concept is to use curved rails which turned out to be a challenge. I'm still doing some fine tuning to get the timing right when the marbles drop to the lower offline rail.

Naming this one could be a challenge. Spitfire - Comet - Mule Train - Dragon - Fireworks all come to mind and once that is established I can't wait to see what the art department does with the theme and paint over at Donnas-Art.