Was visiting my sister for some shopbot time and she reminded me that it was Fat Tuesday. That magical day of gluttony before the start of Lent. During childhood I found that Lent gave me an opportunity to better myself spiritually by "giving up" candy for the 40 days of Lent. That worked during childhood and I feel deep in my soul that I need to continue some of that tradition, but just can't manage it. Anyway, In Northern Ohio there is strong religious base and a strong eastern European base as well. I went to the local Giant Eagle food store and sure enough there was a big display case devoted to Paczkis (Poonchkies), doughnuts filled with a jelly filling. Well, I didn't buy any (dieting), and Cyndi pointed out another Northern Ohio factlet, that Kiedrowski's Bakery was named the Best bakery in the United States for 2011 - a considerable honor I'm sure and they ship across country.
Ohio was having a bad spell of rain, cloudy dreary days and I was glad to be coming back to sunny NC.
The fablab is always a creative place and a friend named Matt gave me a new idea for cutting labyrinths. Id been having an exasperating day at the shopbot with several ruined pieces because of programming variations on my part. He is a specialist in the Epilog laser that Cyndi uses to etch her glasses and suggested using the laser to do the cutting. He produced a sample piece by adhesing 2 quarter inch thick pieces of acrylic together in just a few minutes. It has some possibilities, but truth be known the Epilog laser is the most used machine in the lab and I would not be able to get on it. The idea is pretty neat though and would allow multiple colors and the fine granularity in the bottom could be etched on the acrylic by the laser.
Kathryn and I were in Orlando after a winter cruise. She is in a bucket-list mode and has always wanted to do hang-gliding. As you know, Orlando is flat. There is a great place (found by a groupon), called Wallaby Ranch. Check out the website for a fantastic video. They tow you up in an ultralight to about 2000 feet with your instructor and then launch you. The ultralight is shown. The whole things takes maybe 20 minutes tops and here is Kathryn suited up and ready to go. If you happen to be in Orlando for theme parks, this is a neat place to visit. Ten or so cabins that can be rented and bring your own equipment. If you're certified, it costs $25.00 to be towed up and you can hang out at the rock wall, communal food area, or pool.
Read a fantastic article on "piddling" in the latest Southern Living. Gives one pause to decide if you are a piddler or an action person - doesn't seem to be much overlap.
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