I botched the build a little bit, but thankfully not so much so that it can't be salvaged.  

I was so attentive to gluing the ends of the planks to the stems cleanly that I didn't pay enough attention to the middle of the form.  I realized about four planks later that I was not flush, and the only thing I could think to do to get back on course was to flip the planks on their sides to make loose contact with the form.

Once I got to the relatively flat bottom of the boat I flipped them back to the correct position.

Hopefully once I've finished sanding I'll have a boat shape made of wood, and that's all that counts.

I didn't take a picture before I started sanding the outside, which is going to be insanely more difficult because of the plank flip.  I had to stop sanding because I was making a dust storm in the air in the house; once it warms up outside I'll resume work in the garage.

I dread having to sand the inside.  I suspect I will need to glue additional stripwood or quarter round into the deepest steps so that I don't sand through the hull.  Or perhaps a combination of  sanding the highs and wood filler in the lows would be better.  I'll decide once I get the exterior sanded and can remove it from the form.

There have been many horrific catastrophes throughout my lifetime. None have touched me as I was touched this morning, watching, on the TV news, Notre Dame de Paris in flames. 

 I believe that the me of 10 years ago would have acknowledged  that it is a building of historic and cultural significance, but that it is just a building. However, nine years ago I visited Paris and laid my hands upon her walls. I have stood in the light shining through the rose windows. Today I am in tears.

 I am not a spiritual person. When I visited Notre Dame, which was the most magnificent work of art I think I will ever experience,  I touched my hands to her stones and felt love pour into me. I felt the love of craftsman who toiled with care for centuries to make her beautiful, I felt the love of parishioners, worshipers, visitors. She is truly magnificent.

The only thing I have to ask of you is this, don’t underestimate that which is incomprehensible to you.  Have love in your heart.

It’s been almost three months since I’ve written a post.  Time flies.  I’ll catch you all up...

I started looking for a new career af the beginning of the year. Most good positions in my area are filled by word-of-mouth, not many are posted. Those jobs that I found posted had a very long list of responsibilities, with a very small salary (like, a quarter more than starting wage at McDonald’s small).   I finally decided that if I had to accept that significant of a cut in pay I would also take a job in line with that, so accepted a position as a cashier at a grocery store.

Fortunately, before I could fill out my new hire paperwork, a word-of-mouth opportunity came my way.   I am now with a company I like, in a position I fit into well.  It’s the same type of work I did at my last job (purchasing and accounts payable) but in a completely different industry,  with different regulations, and using different software, so I’m busy learning all sorts of new things.  It feels good to shift my brain back into gear after a few months off  :)

I’ll be back in my studio soon.