Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Sticks and Stones

Actually, it was just sticks, sticks and more sticks.

Two years ago, we got our hands on a truckload of hardwood trimmings from a local company -- for the amazing price of $21. Hardwood, out here in Colorado, is practically the same as gold, but burns much longer than the pine logs we normally buy. 
     These trimmings varied in size and width, but most were in 5-foot lengths. We've been hacking away at the pile sporadically, but it's continued to take up much of the space in front of the garage.

     Until Saturday night, that is.

See the messy pile of sticks behind Charley? Ta-da...

     The Brick and I spent hours sawing tidy-sized pieces, then bundling them. Now we have nine large bundles for firewood here or elsewhere. The bonus: it's extra space, behind our 5-foot chainlink fence, that's both safe and usable. Now we can pull the trailer back into the fenced area, and gradually start transferring things into it.
     The irony in all this: I'd thought our neighbors were wishing we'd get the trailer out of their yard, where it's been most of the summer. (We had to move it to get access to our Large Orange Friend.) Turns out they don't want us to move it for a few weeks yet. They have extra family coming into town, and are thrilled that they can stay in the trailer while they're here!
      It seems little thanks, considering how much Tim and Elle put up with us. Elle even brought over squash and zucchini from their garden. 
     Good neighbors are a treasure.

Origins of Art Nouveau. This affects all sorts of design trends...including fabric.  (From Painting Class)

Twenty of the world's most valuable stolen treasures. (Fortunately, at least half have been recovered. A few have been stolen more than once.)

Some very silly (and funny!) signs, tools and such.

Dorset buttons -- how to make them, where to use them.  (From Craftstylish)

More odd things happened on 9/11 than just 9/11.  See what you've forgotten, too.  (From Listverse)

The Google Manifesto: conform or perish.  (From Financial Samurai)

IMediaEthics -- a great source for checking truthfulness in the media. (This started as Stinky Journalism, specializing in outing doctored photos.)

Bits and pieces from the 'Golden Age of Steamships' - mostly architecturally-speaking. (From Messy Nessy)

Ten famous people who almost bought it -- in strange ways. Johnny Cash, almost disemboweled by an ostrich??  (From Listverse)

Ever heard of Parabo Press? This photo-processing site gives you 25 free photos, if you'll kick in for shipping. The prices are really reasonable, too: $20 and $25 for poster-sized 'engineer prints' in color or black-and-white, of a photo of your choosing. 100% back guarantee, as well. Use the code KYYHCX , and you'll save $10 on your order. (I'll get a little, too.)

Have a good week.