Farewell Jeffrey Scott Middleton

Thinking of my friend Jeff Middleton tonight. Met him at Eastern Jr. High School. He was always a leader in school. Very Popular, friendly and congenial. He had honest emotions and shared them with his friends.

We were roommates at UMASS Amherst. Amazing amount of memories that keep seeping out. He left to do community work in Springfield, then started his career at the GE in Lynn.

He was a groomsman in my wedding and I was one in his to his great wife, Kathy. Godfather to my first born, Ryan. Jeff had a grounded love of life with a great sense of humor and a serious reflective side. You could disagree with him and still very much respect his outlook and I knew he felt the same about others.

Like many friendships, we drifted our own ways and saw each other sparingly. Last saw him at Phil Freeman's Funeral and it was sad that such an occurrence had to happen to see him again.

About two weeks ago, Jeff was on my mind all morning as I was working on a construction job. Very weird.... in fact it creeped me out. So I called him during a break and left a VM telling him to call me as soon as he could. I was worried and not sure why. Jeff got back to me the next day and gave me shit for leaving such a voicemail. We had a great conversation for about 45 minutes.... covered a lot of ground and dug up a lot of great memories. It was like old times again.

I hung up satisfied that he was OK. But I guess he was not. Jeff dropped dead this morning in his kitchen of heart failure. His wife, Kathy witnessed the horror. My sincere condolences to Kathy, his daughters, Kryssi and Mari.... and his mother, brother and sister.

There is a sad void in the world of Jeff's family and friends tonight. Rest in Peace Jeff. You will be missed.

Electric Smokers

Was considering buying a smoker and did a little research. Hope this helps.

Mechanic in a Bottle

This stuff is literally unbelievable. Before you bring your lawnmower for repair, pour a bottle of this in the gas tank. Cranks right up.

Lathe

Why would anybody use a wood lathe?






Seems like a lot of money to make spindles and wooden bowls.
Yet I really want this.

The Powermatic Choice

Who has a spare $3,000 to buy a bandsaw? If I did, I would give this one a close look.




A Beauty

Juice Fast

This is the juicer that I bought. Expensive, but robust and will make your juice fast routine a permanent fixture of a healthy lifestyle.

Dream Shop

Best Bandsaw

Chest for the Grandkids.

Very Cool Blanket chest.  Going to make a few of these for the Grandkids.

Morning Ideas

Book Idea - a year of mornings at Grace Oliver.

VAR - complete tool kit in crafted box.

Panel Ripping kit - Kreg Straight edge and ripping jigs, Makita Circular saw, Ripping Blade
Dado Routing Kit - Porter Cable, Dado Gig, Clamps, Bits
Pocket Hole Kit - Milwaukee Driver, Kreg Jig, Bits, Clamps

Vision and Deep Pockets

Starting to get some "Noise" at the 70 Nanepashemet house.  Vision and Deep Pockets are a wonderful combination.

Rain is putting a damper on the Deck Project.  I had hoped to get the primer and a coat of finish paint on the exterior posts, but now will have to back off.  Time to get the attic utility hatch done.... and I can always put another coat of polyurethane on the stair case.

DAY TWO

Day Two of the SAVERS Program.

My body is sore from yesterday's break out run.  Last year I couldn't jog across the the street....yesterday I went two miles.

I'm 65 years old.... don't feel like packing it in.  I am going to live and act like the whole world continues to be a new opportunity

This morning, I will finalize the Florida transfer, then head over to complete the EasyRail holes at 70 Nanepashemet.  When the holes are done, will get to the Post Office,  call Catacutta for the Fireplace stone and head back to set up the deck posts for primer spraying.  Then back to the office until 5:00 when I leave for Andover for a deck estimate.