random thoughts – Day 2,423 (Wednesday 11/4) – breakfast, brakes, buddies

Kiki in her own little world.

The day was full. And beautiful, with temperatures in the 70s. In November, in New England!

The Jeep had an appointment for rear brakes, so Mom followed me to the garage and then we decided to go for coffee which turned into delicious breakfast at Westminster Café. We were both admiring the weather and wondering to what degree we will be punished for it later. The weather can be erratic and extreme here and it feels like nice weather is often eventually followed by brutal weather. Moderation is rare.

Back at home, the wait for the call that the car was done passed quickly because I was working on the glass panel, which, in years of cumulative glass work, is the first piece I’ve ever made with the intention of keeping it. Well, at least until I make the larger one, anyway. Two pieces of glass were replaced with newly cut pieces to remove some gaps. As I was finishing applying solder to the second side, the call came that the car was ready for pickup. I called Mom to let her know, washed the piece to remove the excess flux and then my hands and walked next door to meet my transportation coordinator.

Glass panel, soldered.

Fun note, I have blown through a one-pound spool of solder in just two or three weeks. The copper foil method uses a lot more solder than when using lead rails and only needing to solder the joints. I wish I had tracked how many pieces I made with the spool. I need to start noting how much time and materials go into each piece, which sounds like a great reason to start a new spreadsheet.

The mechanic said my rear brakes were basically shot, but I didn't notice that the Jeep handled any better (or differently) with the new ones. My wallet certainly felt lighter, though.

After the car business was completed, I took a walk to the mailbox and took a couple pictures of the glass panel while trying to decide if I would frame it in zinc rails. The zinc rail decision needs to be made before I can attach hanging rings. That’s when I noticed I hadn’t applied the solder to the outermost edge in my haste to get to the garage. 

The evening featured duet practice where I also got to pet three cats and one stretched out almost in my lap and it was lovely. Kiki is not a lap cat and I am deprived of that type of feline affection at home. She might sit an arm’s length away from me and stare at me, but that is as close as she gets. Usually she is across the room or hiding somewhere.