The Toy Store in Mount Horeb

There's a hardware store in Mount Horeb that has a small section of fine woodworking tools. Its the only time I've ever seen Two Cherries chisels at a Do-It-Best. My guess is that they are catering to all the troll carvers that don't want to drive all the way to Madison. I like to stop there when I'm passing through and buy myself a toy. This time I picked up a little Kunz spokeshave. I had to regrind and polish the chip breaker to keep it from clogging, but after this and a quick sharpening, it worked beautifully. It turned out to be the perfect tool for shaping the profile of the stick shuttles I've been working on.

Many Hands Make Work Light

A call for volunteers surprisingly yields a Saturday crew of 5. Touching up paint, installing light fixtures and laying out the kitchen floor in the ongoing renovation of the upstairs apartment. Grilled beer brats for lunch and the mood is festive. This is how work should be done. With friends helping the drudgery fades away and the work becomes enjoyable. Bartering labor for labor, I head over to Julia and Annushka's to help rebuild the corner skirting. It feels good to be working on someone else's place for a change.