Birthday of Kristiano Rafael Yelverton

My brother's son Kris became a dad at 3:31am this Saturday morning.  

The big healthy boy was 9 lbs and 10 oz.  

My dad and Great-grandson

My mom and Great-grandson

Winter hike photos

Photos from a 'snow hike' today in snowy upstate NY.   We got 8 - 9" of snow last night.  It's cold, in the teens tonight.

By the Susquehanne River

Canadian geese on the river

Late night walk in the snow...

In a steady snow tonight, a walk to the river.

Several inches of light and powdery snow down and a steady fine snow coming down like a fog.  My brother created a little winter wonderland with Christmas lights in the back yard. The night sky had just enough light to produce a photo of the river that appears like an impressionistic canvas.

The scene was serene, silent, beautiful.

Today is my parent's 53rd Anniversary and our family awaits the birth of my brother's grandson, Kristiano Rafael.

Christmas in snowy NY - 2012

Christmas photos of the Yelverton clan.   

Yelverton clan - Christmas 2012

Tom's reconstruction of the Conklin house is amazing, and the old family room's woodburning fireplace was restored.  The floor is now heated with pipes as well.  Pretty cozy.  

We're bracing for a major winter storm on Wednesday night.  We could get a foot or more of snow.

Kris and Sabrina are expecting their new son any moment... Kristiano Rafael Yelverton.

I spent some of my Christmas morning on the track at my old highschool (after sweeping a lane clear of snow).

Too many presents!

Sweeping a path to sprint on

Cold on the bluff - Winter Solstice

Very windy and cold on the bluff this weekend before Christmas.  Some gusts reached 50 mph yesterday and there was an occasional snow flurry last night.  The combination of wind and rushing water from recent rains sounded like a roaring train coming from below the bluff last night.   It was truly ominous.

Below is a photo of my first Sewanee Xmas tree, complete with decorations, thoughtfully brought from FL by my Mom.   What would I do with out her?  I love her dearly.

Icicles on my bluff

My first Christmas tree in Sewanee, thanks to my Mom!

Beginning of the longest night of the year

Tribute: Saudade

Tribute to the victims and families in CT.  When I saw the President cry, I cried.  Upon hearing the news, I immediately thought of a young boy I once knew.

Back in the 'Boro from out of town.   Saudade?  It's a Brazilian thing...

Saudade: a unique Portuguese word that has no immediate translation in English. Saudade describes a deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for an absent something or someone that one loves. It often carries a repressed knowledge that the object of longing will never return.  Saudade was once described as "the love that remains" after someone is gone. Saudade is the recollection of feelings, experiences, places or events that once brought excitement, pleasure, well-being, which now triggers the senses. It can be described as an emptiness, like someone or something that should be there in a particular moment but is missing.

 


 I like this tune... but I really should stop recording pieces the same day I learn them!

Shakerag in winter

Ok, it's not quite winter yet... and it sure didn't feel like it this past weekend with temperatures in the upper 60sº.   A great day for a hike with John, Nancy, and the Nelsons.

Looking up to Green's View from the Shakerag trail...

Quintessentially Dixie...

Two photos from Franklin, Co. TN...

First is from Cowan, and the second... which I found amusing, from the Franklin Co. Courthouse.

A pleasure to register my vehicles in Franklin Co.  Cheaper, no waiting in line.

Please do not spit in this water fountain!!  No tabacca juice please...

6:55 am

An exceptionally warm Dec. morning, I was in bare feet on the bluff taking this photo of sunrise alpenglow on the ridge and fog in Lost Cove.  

From my deck...

There were 3 pileated woodpeckers in my tree this morning.

Birthday hike

Nancy turned 60 today.
We celebrated with an impromptu hike ... the 2 1/2+ hour hike took us from KA Point to Morgan Steep ... and them some.  Probably about 8 miles.  Pretty hard to do for me after a long track workout and a sore ankle.

I asked John yesterday if he wanted to hike today.

He said no.

Favorite tree

Nancy and John on the bluff

My furniture-making bent

I got a load of heavy oak barn wood from my  neighbor, Hans.  This stuff is old... at least 150 years, judging by the 19th c. vintage square nails in it.  There were 4"x 6"s, 2"x 8"s, and a 1" x 14".

I made 3 end tables, a long table/bench, a king bed frame, and the most labor intensive thing - a solid oak cutting board/kitchen island.   The kitchen island was a serious project I could not have done without Joe Smith's joiner and wood clamps.   I laminated four 2x8s together to make the surface.  I ripped the 4x6s in half to make super stout 4x3 legs.   This wood is so hard, I broke 3 lag bolts assembling it.  After sanding, I finished it with food grade mineral oil.

The big 1"x14"x12' made four tables.   Even though the table tops are sanded silky smooth, you can see the sawmill blade marks and an interesting green color.  

The king bed is actually situated the long way against the wall, so it is extra wide.  I fashioned smooth wide arms on both sides with sanded pine so it looks like a giant chair.  I left verticle wood on each side so I can add an integrated bookcase on each if I want to.

The view from this bed is tremendous, no need for a headboard.  The fireplace at the foot of the bed is idyllic.

I think this rustic barn wood funiture fits my Sewanee house perfectly.   Now, I can give my hands a rest and play some guitar.