Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde.

There, I said it. I had to text my friend Janet and ask her to explain it, since it's all I've been hearing about for the last few days. (Thanks, J!)

In a nutshell, there are times of the year that the planet Mercury appears to be traveling backwards. Things feel out of kilter.

One of the best descriptions I've heard is that feeling you get when you're sitting in a car that's not moving, but because something next to you is moving, you have a feeling of imbalance, or movement. I don't know about you, but I feel that way in the carwash, when my car is sitting still, with the brushes moving back and forth around my car. It makes me a little dizzy, so I have to close my eyes in a carwash.

On a more practical level, Mercury Retrograde causes us to feel out of sorts. It's not a good time to make any hard decisions, and for God's sake, don't sign any contracts.

Anyway, all of this might explain why it's been a weird week in the shop.


Yes, this is a piece of wood embedded into the drywall, right behind the radial arm saw. Luckily, the danger zone of this tool is behind it, where no one can get impaled.

And yes, this has been one of those "oops" weeks in the shop.


Nothing serious, but like I said, damn Mercury Retrograde!


Here is a warning for next year.


And finally, today would have been my dad's 83rd birthday. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I'd like to think that he is somewhere out there, watching the work I do, and feeling proud. Anyone who reads this blog has seen glimmers of his personality in what I write here.

Here he is as a young boy,

and as a sailor.

And finally, on his honeymoon. Stud. Muffin.


I miss you, pop. Happy trails.