Hello Joanna Takes and Don Werden, as well as all old-timers-
I fought with your system for some time to allow me to re-register for the forums here, and finally had to register all over again as a new user. I like your new format, and will spend some time catching up on everyone and reading messages.
My woodworking took a back seat for over a year, due to foster parenting and a heavy work schedule, so now I'm ready to get back to it after my twelve-yr. old has been reassigned to a new family, bless his heart. We did build a birdhouse together, but his interest wasn't in woodworking, so it was put aside to deal with other things.
This spring, I'm excited to expand my little shop from one-half of the garage to occupy the full floor space of a double garage (my 88-yr. old mother is finally selling her car) so I'll be busy Re-Organizing. Hmm, I wonder if it's time to upgrade from my Jet mini-lathe? I'm not sure it's in the budget this year, but it sounds good!
I hope everyone has been well. Give me some time to get caught up around here, and I will be diving right in. I'm excited to be back.
-Barb Siddiqui

Welcome back, Barb! Look forward to hearing more about what you're doing.

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Sincerely, Joanna Takes
senior editor, Woodworker's Journal
moderator, Women in Woodworking

Welcome back Barb. Things have become so slow here that I don't check this forum very often anymore.

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Barbara

Well Barbara, we'll just have to 'liven' it up some, won't we?
I read somewhere that you had a pelting storm but managed to save the baby rabbits. So, are you sawmilling log (is that a legitimate verb?), turning bowls, or raising rabbits, or all three?

Now that it's warm, I'm intending to get back into woodworking with a full heart. How about seeing a few pictures of what people are working on? When I get a few things moved, I'll post a photo of my new garage shop space. It will be So nice to have the jointer moved near the tablesaw so my work flow can be centralized. I'm effectively doubling my workspace, and the possibilities seem endless right now. I suppose, within a year, I'll feel like I need more room again. But the expansion feels good for right now.
-BarbS

I am still running the sawmill. I don't do flat work any more, just round.

The rabbits are wild. The mother had made a nest in what used to be a flower/herb garden. We had about 1" of rain (along with wind and hail) last Monday. The nest was under 6" of water. Dan and I put the babies who were wet and out of the nest into a crate with a towel so they could huddle together and dry. We then put the babies and towel into a big flower pot on its side near the hole. The mother would come and nurse them. On Thurs. they were apparently old enough to hop off with her. We first discovered the babies when our dog did several weeks ago. They were mole size and of course had their eyes shut. It is amazing how fast they matured.

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Barbara

Welcome back Barb, nice to hear the shop is expanding!

Ralph

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www.consultingwoodworker.com

Hello Ralph- I've seen you in print several times over the past few years. Glad you've had time to write helpful articles.

What a storm you had! And now it's been 90º? Good for you guys, saving the babies. I'm surprised your dog let you! I'll have to go hunting your various profiles to see any new round work you've been turning. When I think of you now, it is with the Wii caption: "swing, batta' batta' Swing!"