December 1993

ALL HANDS

My sister has bugged me viciously to get this out to my "public", but she'll probably have to fill in many of the gaps between when most of you last heard from me and now. I've crisscrossed much of the East Coast, spent a couple of months this summer black-smithing for the South Street Seaport in NYC. It has some handsome ships and needs my services for its restoration work, but doesn't know it, and hasn't made the best use of its personnel or facilities. I lived in crew quarters on the old Ambrose Lightship.

At the end of August I headed north to retrieve my car in Maine and scooted back to NYC to pick up my gear. Dropped in on Stan, but my treasured white wagon finally died by the roadside, with all that valuable junk in it too. Rented a car to get North, and before long was driving a ten-year old AMC from my Burlington (MA) mechanic. Another outlay I hadn't expected to float this year.

I had a tentative date in Ithaca, NY with Steve Landau, much interested in the working of Iron. It turned out not to be a prospective school, but his own furniture making outfit. Great woodworking shop. Forge OK too, but as usual, first job was to make a set of tongs to hold the work. Steve was my host for a couple of weeks, as well as student - and an easy learner - though it's too early to know whether he's got it in his fingers too. I enjoyed the time spent, all honest work at the fire, and satisfactory production. We'll see if he's learned enough, or whether there's more for me to teach next year. Some trouble with car boiling over, a bitch of a thermostat to get into place.

Thence to North Carolina for a visit to Tom and Diana, taking a lady I'd bought at an auction - an adjustable dress form with an adjustable frame that will easily convert to a forge or anvil horse. Q. Was I in danger of being in violation of the Mann act, carrying her across state lines without her consent?

En route my parking and napping place alarmed someone - the owner perhaps - called a patrol that was easily satisfied, but suggested that I wait in the sheriff's office. So I was warm in a comfortable chair with light and restroom handy. Why didn't I think of that before! They even fed me, maybe prisoner's lunch, but perfectly edible, tuna sandwich and a cup cake.

I did a brief bit of instruction to an acquaintance of Tom's who's set up a forge in the woods, all in a homemade geodesic dome, made of the slender trees that were clearcut for the building.

A very long haul back from NC, but there were numerous naps and stops at the side of the road. Suddenly many troubles with my new car, apparently all stemming from a manifold. Broken? Gasket? Noises and flashing lights, brakes and stalls. It runs fine over 50, is a nuisance in traffic. Noises getting louder. But the horror story really started after I got to Wilkie's where we are isolated and needing assistance from a, neighbor is a personal failure. Regrouping myself for the flight to FAR, I did some maintenance on all my gear, got a new master cylinder for the car which had lost its brakes a couple of times. Engine was definitely failing to start nicely. I found that it was stalling every time took my foot off the accelerator. Raising the idle helped some, but it drifted right back into recessive behavior. Master cylinder man wouldn't touch it. Must be a broken manifold. Next guy said no it's the emission system, broken pipe, available only from AM dealer, nearest in Augusta. Thanks I have to catch a plane to PR. Wilkie's truck seemed safer. But no, the clutch bollixed up as we were backing it up. AMC or nothing. We went and it did very well. Got my bus in Portland, chainsaw and all. Jared met me to pick up his chainsaw and me and all my gear. All's well that ends!

So now I'm back in Ensenada where it's warm. Why don't you come clown for a visit? Mail is working. Immediate problems with water supply and motora seem to be controlled. Many frustrations, but did manage to order a new front roller for the sander on the phone. Another major triumph is getting the lawyer - who was supposed to get after EPA about my next door neighbor's illegal wall building that cuts off my breeze, but has done nothing - to return papers and a $500 advance to me! Actually I'm exploring the possibility of selling the house here, and finding a site in a warm part of the US to set up a mobile home. Any ideas of good places, or good vehicles to buy? RSVP.

Rosa brought me monster piece of turkey on Thanksgiving, along with yams, salad and rice pudding. My health is generally as good as can be expected. Lots to be thankful for.