24 July Twenty-fifteen

Friday morning here at the cloud. Still in the cooler part of the day. Very quiet as the sun rises & I make this day's plan.

Other ‘news’, only five (5) months until Christmas so YOU can figure out the shipping days left if that matters to you. Working with months, it becomes much easier than waiting until the count is in days, or, worse, hours,

So here are some of the things on the docket for inquiring minds.

Continuing the move into the upstairs master's suite. Still not finished moving around & storing winter items & other rarely used clothing. But the new bedframe & set up is dare I say luxurious.

Cooling the upstairs at night is most comfortable & we shall see what & how the winters upstairs will be. But with the Siberian duvet I am thinking this should be of little concern or consequence.

I managed to complete the gift Cross by Bill which is todays photo.

A weathered wooden picket cross with a white turquoise cross accented in the center,

I finally got a suitable pattern for the weathered wood & got a number of them cut out at Cal’s. It took three (3) tries but I got the process, procedure & pattern to go volume when the orders start rushing in. I had to make an adjustment to my first pattern, then a process / prep change only to have Cal make a brilliant suggestion. He made a cardboard pattern that was one of those 'why didn't I think of that?' moments.

Patty is headed west to the Land of Enchantment this weekend so I am looking at much ‘free’ time for projects. I am now more seriously considering the Saint Gabriel’s autumn art & craft show so I am thinking build inventory. Crosses, shorebirds & other smalls such as signage could recoup expense of the entry fee however I plan to also display or show larger items up to & including (completed, of course) A View from Dukes for possible order taking.

I am thinking it would be a fun thing to do, a good outing to work the booth with a more broad portfolio than just the ducks & who knows. It could be the 'break thru' career event.

In other news, fought a blistering battle with Macy’s this week. Not so much the store rather the ‘customer service’ end of the ‘Rewards’ / credit card. Frustrated by two calls to the Philippines, I went into the local store & after explaining in English to the store rep, who made called on my behalf, with the EXACT SAME result, got me some resolution.

The 'manager' that she escalated to would not give her his name, id or badge number & ended hanging up on her !

Long story short, late fees were waived (finally) so I settled up in the store. Then Sharon gave me $75 worth of Macy money coupons. (double !!). I told her I would write a short letter to Macy management regarding customer service & retention so today that must be checked off the list.

I really want to mow the lawn before it warms up too much. A bike ride as well today & a longer ride tomorrow morning so I can go most or perhaps all day with artistic endeavors uninterrupted.

That would be grand sandwiched with alternating dips into the lagoon. Stopping for a meal only if necessary and of course Mass at 5:00.

The book has now become a good read. Chapters are too long but there are sufficient break points to be able to put it down & pick it up with more ease. One can see how & why good writers produce good books.

AND FINALLY TODAY, my weight is dropping. Accounting for the water weight loss, it is bouncing below 82 kg (180) regularly. I would like to hit 80 kg & am curious if a stretch goal of 75 kg is attainable. The cultured homeless look I can live with from time to time but the holocaust look not so much.

OK. Time to drain the coffee pot & get after the tasking fore mentioned.

Have a great weekend.