Mary Diamond

I had noticed it, but wasn’t sure if it was on my end…

Looking good! Keep up the good work!

Ah, Lovely!!

Oooh, I like those!

Some years back, I purchased LED collapsible, flickering orange/alternating to bright white, lanterns from American Science and Surplus (sciplus.com), a fantastic resource for all the bits and bobs creative folk need. While they don’t seem to have them at the moment, Amazon has a similar lantern here: https://www.amazon.com/Lichamp-Lanterns-Collapsible-Flashlight-Emergency/dp/B08T9WLDSJ/ref=sr_1_8?crid=35CMCY0NVMHH7&keywords=Flickering+collapsible+lantern&qid=1689229069&sprefix=flickering+collapsible+lamgern%2Caps%2C219&sr=8-8 I bring it up because it is a neatly arranged tower of flickering LEDs, with significant brightness, at an affordable price point. It may be of interest as a drop-in unit for larger lanterns, or as a starting point for the more experienced electrical folk.

Eegads, Stynky! Owning a cello (which looks lovely in its corner of the front room) is not the same as playing. Purchased on a New Year’s sale whim, with full intent to learn *some day*, but that day has not come yet! As for the penny whistle - I believe the term would be “enthusiastic hack”. I know a few Irish songs, but still make mistakes every time I play, have yet to play along with others, and only practice when no one is around…

I agree, I love my Turkish towel!

I wonder what the plastic looks like when reversed, and finely sanded? Perhaps a quick and easy ‘mica’? Lightweight and less breakable would make me consider repurposing those panes.

Ah, FB Bagsley 😄❤️😊… you have my great admiration, as always, surprising and impressing with items just casually laying about…

And Braze and Stynky have passed this collectible addiction on to myself (rather like the Rob Gorrell Lantern Addicts Society - thanks, William 😁)… I had similarly tried the recorder in high school, but without a teacher (or YouTube!), I quickly became discouraged and set it aside. Braze and Stynky have been very encouraging, hence the “small” collection you see now (started May 2022, when I complimented Braze on his playing. Later that weekend, he gave me his penny whistle 😌). Top to bottom, in order of acquisition: Braze’s gifted penny whistle, my first Tony Dixon and my favorite; Killarney Music; Tony Dixon DX001 (so I wouldn’t lose/break the gifted one from Braze!); Tony Dixon DX005 (tuneable, in case I ever have the courage to play with others); and, last but not least, a Shush whistle, which I quite like. All in D.

Ahoy, Bryan, and welcome!

Lovely responses, as usual, Mission! I quite enjoyed hearing about the tattooing. And the William Snelgrave account is a reassurance for all who come new to the hobby - it is quite acceptable to wear clothes of the same cut, color and material as others. Differentiation can come as specialization is developed.

Thank you for sharing! I am typically a mosquito and biting insect magnet, so I am always trying new items.

An unusual sound, to be sure!

I would recommend to you ‘Kaempfer’s Japan: Tokugawa Culture Observed’ by Engelbert Kaempfer (1999 edited, translated, annotated by Beatrice M. Bodart-Bailey), for insight into the culture and trade with Japan. As MadPete and Stynky said, responses may take a while! Please do not get discouraged. Your contributions are thought provoking and with merit!

Might I recommend: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CMQJYU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details IMHO, it is better by far than others (better protection against a wide variety of little vampires), won’t eat your plastics, is safe for your fabrics, and is available in pump and lotions, as well as a spray to treat larger items (such as tents, jackets, etc.). 😊😄

I prefer more carefully fitted/tailored coats… gapping at the neck, bunching of the lower back, or poorly fitted/sloped shoulders, make me tear projects apart. I would offer that you could consider using a lighter/cheaper fabric as your mock-up. Once properly fit and the pattern adjusted accordingly, that initial mock-up can become your lining for the finished coat/waistcoat, stays, etc.

Ahoy and welcome, Master Wendell!

Truly, you do bring such interesting topics to bear! Please do continue 😊

Secret squirrel password?

I really like the waistcoat material, and waistcoat/shirt combination… great work, as always!

Well done! I had thought about this, and glad to see you run it out.

Ahhh… I’ve been known to travel in my riding habit, with my sea bag carrying my ultralight mummy bag and air mattress, change of clothes (mantua, shoes, et al), toiletries, while a basket serves as my carryon for small personal items and goods I didn’t care to have banged around. Very spare packing, and sleeping in a borrowed tent, but it can be done.

Beautiful! And well done.

😄 You won’t be disappointed 😊