"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, March 25, 2016

Dylan, the Triduum & Fr. Tom


My Slow Takes

1. Its Saturday evening and I’ve just finished watching the NBC Evening News. Dylan Dreyer did a weather update and I noticed that she was still in the same dress she wore on this mornings weather segment. Before I continue, I want you to know that Dylan is a beautiful woman and does an excellent job with providing weather. That’s one of the reasons I watch “Today.” Now, at the same time I need to acknowledge that Al Roker does an excellent job as well. But in a national survey of who is more pleasant to watch, Dylan, Al or me, Dylan would have the highest percentage of votes. Anyway, what am I writing about? Dylan had the same dress on this evening she had on this morning. Usually a woman would have changed dresses within the ten hour time period. Dylan did not. From my vantage point she still looked as fresh at 6:30 PM as she did at 8:00 AM. Isn't television wonderful?

2. I completed some more miniatures this week. Photos here.

3. The Triduum is a beautiful time of the year. We are blessed that this year our granddaughters Eryn and Hailey will be baptized, confirmed and receiving Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil. Dee and I are the Godparents. 

4. This is from Wednesday’s, “Your Daily Tripod.” 

“Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil was the chaplain of the Sisters of Mother Teresa killed in Aden. He was kidnapped and is now assumed to be in Jihadi hands. So far, nothing is known about his fate. The Rector Major of his order addressed the Salesian Family asking for prayers for the victims of sectarian violence.”


5. Apple combines Cookie Monster and Siri to bring about a terrific Sesame Street moment. Dee and I laughed and reminisced about watching Cookie monsters back when our sons were growing up. 


6. Dee and I wish all of you a blessed Easter.


7. Barbara Fairchild - The Teddy Bear Song


Kelly ("This Ain't the Lyceum,”) is not hosting this week, her laptop died. She will return April 1,2016. You can still read some "old" takes at her site.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Frontier Women

Briartun men and women worked close together during the 1750's. Farming was the main source of livelihood. Milking, planting, weeding and livestock care was shared. If the men were called out to chase down marauding French and Native allies, the women took their turn defending the villages and farms. 

The figures shown below are two women of the village guarding a small cart filled with provisions. Abigail and Elynor are familiar with their muskets. Anyone attempting to steal from them would have to consider the consequences before doing anything. The figures are from Old Glory Miniatures and are part of their French and Indian War range.


I'm working on the horses for my wagon collection. Pictured below are the horses and a dowel sided bag wagon. Some basic base coating has been done and next will be additional colors, shading and wash to finish them. The figures are from Hinchliffe Miniatures.  


Friday, March 18, 2016

Charles, Rovers & Guinness



My Slow Takes

1. The Richmond Spider basketball team won their second round game but lost to Dayton in the quarter finals. The VCU Rams went all the way to the playoff game but lost to Saint Joseph’s. Details of the Atlantic 10 tournament here

2. I completed some civilians over the weekend. Photos here.

3. Palm Sunday is this weekend. It is also the Spring Equinox.  Have a blessed day.


4. Deacon Charles Williams was on team for my Cursillo weekend. He is a warm, kind-hearted, soft-spoken man and had a great impact on my spiritual journey. In February he was one of the clergy awarded the “2016 Keep the Dream Alive.” Read the article at “The Catholic Virginian.”


5. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. Dee, Lucy and I joined our friends for Guinness, great food, good music and laughter. Okay, Dee and Lucy don’t drink Guinness.


6. Irish Rovers - “Old Rocking Chair.”


7. Irish Rovers - “Star of the County Down.””




Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum,” where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Briartun Villagers


I completed some miniatures last weekend. They will be part of the villagers that live in Briartun. The photo shows them standing around a small cabin that will probably be used as a farm house.

Starting on the left is Thom Gilman, the local blacksmith. Watching him shoe a horse is his apprentice Salem Poor. Thom is well known for his skill in producing farming tools, cooking utensils, weapons, chains and keys.

Next to them is Page Whitley, a farm hand who works for farmer Ira Bell. Ira is next in line, standing next to his dog Rusty. Ira's farm is one of the larger ones in Briartun. It provides the local wheat as well as some beef and chickens.

All of these figures are from Hovel Miniatures.

The figure on the far right is Donald Bates who is a local wagon attendant. He hires himself out when someone needs goods transported to other villages. This figure is from Hinchliffe Models.

I purchased the figures years ago and never took the time to paint them until now. Next on the list are a couple more civilians and then a series of horse drawn wagons.




Friday, March 11, 2016

Early Spring & Folk Music



My Slow Takes

1. This week our weather transformed into a beautiful warming trend. I’ve been cleaning up the yard, trimming bushes, and trees, cleaning up leaves and putting down spring fertilizer. Life is good. Thank you Lord. 

2. The yard work has taken me away from my historical figure painting. I’m a little behind schedule but hope to remedy this come the weekend.

3. Daylight saving time is Sunday March 13. The days will be longer and I will enjoy the late evening sun.  


4. Dee and I watched the PBS production of “This Land is Your Land.” It was folk music from the 60’s. Music that is great for listening, and if you know the words, singing. There were some great artists that brought laughter, some sorrow and an appreciation of the simple things in life. This week I am sharing three such artists, Tim Hardin, Judy Collins and the Smothers Brothers.

5. Tim Hardin - “If I Were a Carpenter Hardin”


6. Judy Collins - “Black is The Color of My True Love’s Hair.


7. The Smothers Brothers - “Miriah”




Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum,” where Kelly is hosting more takes.