My Patriotism is Softer and More Cuddly Then Your Patriotism

A fine relaxing holiday weekend. Excellent brandy, fine cuban cigars, multiple feastings and fine woodworking rounded out the menu of my ‘New Civilized’ mantra. It’s no Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, but I am always thankful for the simplest of pleasures and the company of good people.

I spent a healthy part of the weekend building a high-class workbench in the basement. Equipped with a new saw from the Depot and other necessary hardware, I was able to fashion a modest stage from which a great Winston Churchill type desk will be created out of imported endangered mohagany wood. It will be a thick thing of beauty, with a removable top and built in humidor. Maybe even a leather-covered panel. Whoa. The work bench still needs a few vices and grips before it will be ready for that task. Oh and I still need to outline all my tools on the ‘tool wall’. That shit will be more organized than a Montessori school.

I don’t have my Churchill Desk designs complete yet so this weekend I fashioned some oak radiator covers. Ok they’re really just radiator tops, but it’s a start. Baby steps.

The misses got all excited about recovering the Ottoman, which meant that a trip to the fabric store was necessary. Basically, I loath fabric stores. Am I missing something? Are there hidden fabric stores around town that are actually cool (aka contemporary and modern) or are they all just miserable places that sell 100,000 different patterns, all of which look like they were stolen off the beds of a Motel 6? Honestly, does the world need four aisles devoted to patriotic themed ‘American Pride’ textiles? Can’t there be one fabric that you would actually be excited to have in your home. Note: whoever is decorating their pillows and quilts with screaming American eagles, you need to just stop. Put away your sewing machine and go hire a decorator. Is this a Minnesota thing? The Fabric Store depresses me. Based on what I saw at the fabric store this weekend, everyone will be receiving some kinda ugly-ass patriotic fleece stocking from their grandmother this Christmas. So get ready!