The View From Our Window
This giant invisible pumpkin is nearly ready for its concrete skin.
We’ve carved a lot of pumpkins over the years (and a LOT of concrete) but I don’t think we have carved too many concrete pumpkins. That is soon to change however, because the monster gourd on the back of this pickup is next on the menu.
Eighteen years ago I began construction of a little steam outline train engine that was to run around the perimeter of our small acreage. It was affectionately called the ‘grampa’ train. I insisted that it was being built for the benefit of my future grand children but most (including Janis) knew I desperately wanted a train. The engine was inspired by a large scale model train built by a friend of mine, Jim Wells from California. I had a blast working endless hours on the train. Eventually I got the little engine on it’s wheels and I pushed that heavy thing back and forth countless times while young Moth yelled ‘AGAIN grampa, AGAIN!’. A couple of years later the little 0-4-0 engine was briefly powered by batteries but electrical problems defeated our efforts in the long run. By that time my interest was sidetracked with a little model T truck inspection vehicle, complete with sidecar. I borrowed bits and pieces (including the wheels) from the train engine to complete that project. The steam outline engine was moved to the backyard for Henry and Juniper to play on. Last year we dragged it back to the parking lot with the hopes of refurbishing it and hopefully selling it as a stationary display engine for a future project. I designed it into a number of projects under consideration but for various reasons they did not proceed. Now, once again we have someone very interested in the engine and it may soon be refurbished with wheels and the many missing details it needs to at last be enjoyed by the public.
The long awaited parade day arrived at last this morning. The weather was perfect. Henry arrived early. We gassed up the little car, loaded up the candy and headed down the road, about six blocks to the start of the parade. Moth joined us, complete with their twirling banner. Moth would be the runner for our entry, making sure no one darted out into our path. Waiting for the parade to start seemed to take forever according to Henry but at ten o’clock sharp we were on our way. Henry had a blast waving to the large and seemingly endless crowd, tossing handfuls of candy to the many kids along the way. The highlight of the parade was about half way through where many members of our family and lots of friends lined the sidewalk in front of our house. Henry proudly showed off the ribbon we had won which was pinned to his shirt. A good time was had by all!
Custom Design & Construction
