Times are changing!

Good to have a little time for my blog! Every time I think I know what is around the corner for me things change again. I was all set to retire from Lawson Army Airfield at Ft Benning Ga. But it seems the Army wants to keep me a little longer!
 For the people who don't know me yet or haven't read my bio. I'm an Air Traffic Controller working in Airfield Operations. I have been working in aviation since I was 18 and now I'm 56. I must admit I'm getting a bit burnt out! Don't get me wrong, I still love the work but the shift work is taking a tole on me. I look forward to retiring from ATC and the DAC workforce sometime in the next year or so.
 The things I love most in life at this point are. Time with family/friends. Working in my shop and sharing the knowledge I have gained over a lifetime of "being handy" in the workshop. I hope to start putting more "meat" in the blog in the next week. first article should be out this week teaching you how to make bird feeders. Till then...God bless you all!
       

Things to come!

Some of the things you will be seeing more of in future posts. This is a bird feeder made from a reclaimed lamp, mason jar and a old plate. I'll be showing you step by step how to turn things you find at yard sales, thrift stores and even your own home into treasures.

This is an old rolling pin I found at a yard sale for a dollar. I carved a "Wood Spirit" and now it is a treasure in someone's home. I don't know whose home because it was stolen from our booth (A19)at Front Porch of the South in Columbus Ga. 

Question: If you steal a Wood Spirit will it bring you good luck or bad luck?

 

This is a what I call a Potters Bench. Made from reclaimed 2x4 lumber destined for the landfill. This simple bench would be great sitting next to your grill on the deck or as a small work bench.

This is a Walking Stick I made for a friend. Making walking sticks can be very satisfiying and as simple or fancy as you like. Don't be intimidated by the Wood Spirit! I will be showing you how to carve one. It really isn't that difficult and your friends will be blown away by how "talented" you are!

Thats it for today! I just wanted to let you get a look at some of the things I love to do.

I'm Back!

Sorry it has taken so long to get started on my new Blog. I had great intentions but life tends to get in the way sometimes. I will be retiring on November 30, 2012. That is, retiring from my full time, making money so I can have a house to live in and food to eat, job! I'm looking forward to spending most of my time with family & friends. Doing the things I love most in life. Like fishing and kayaking, Making old things new and new things look old! I will be posting lots of photos of things that come across my workbench. Most of the projects will be geared to show people how to use reclaimed and/or re-purposed materials to make things people love again. I will have a lot of projects for the home and yard. I don't claim to be a expert on anything! I speak two languages fluently (Redneck & Hillbilly) A little bit of what some people might call English. For about the last 30 years or so I have been talking to airplanes & helicopters. And yes...they talk back!

Bottom line is this. If you're looking for a polished and slick blog with correct spelling, grammar & punctuation just move on down to the next blogger. You won't find that here. What you will find is a lot of useful information about fun and useful projects almost anyone can do. And you will be keeping things out of the landfills.

Day One! Welcome to my world

Welcome to my first ever blog! My little baby daughter girl fixed this up for me for my 56th birthday! I keep telling everyone I'm just handy. But family and friends say it is a bit more than that. The truth is I'm getting older now. I have learned a lot over the years. I would be proud to be able to pass on some of what I have learned to people who enjoy working with their hands and keeping things out of the landfills! More to come!

Keep the sunny side up!

-Will Choate