Happy Birthday to the Cat in the Hat

Please join me in celebrating 50 years of the Cat in the Hat. I know I enjoyed Dr. Seuss' work and chances are, you did too. By sending the Cat in the Hat a birtday card, click here, you help get the book out to children that don't have a book.

Here is an exerpt from the foxnews.com article:

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the book, Random House has teamed up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and First Book — a nonprofit organization whose mission is to give low-income children the opportunity to read and own their first new books — to create Project 236, a literacy initiative.

Haut said that like the literacy crisis that happened 50 years ago, today there is a crisis of children who do not own a book.

Project 236 works to end this crisis by donating a book to First Book for every birthday card that is sent to "The Cat in the Hat" and for every copy of the book that is bought, committing to donate at least 2 million books.

to read the entire article, click here.

Who is Keenan Wynn?

Ok, I was reading Wendy's blog, and it got me to thinking about Disney movies. As I was looking up The Absent Minded Professor, I noticed the character Alonzo P. Hawk. It stopped me. I had just heard that name over the weekend. So, to answer the title, Keenan Wynn played Alonzo Hawk in The Absentminded Professor. What other Disney movies also have this Character?

For Your Entertainment Pleasure...

I just wanted to call your attention to my video links down the right hand side. I've found some funny ones and posted them there. Sorry, if you were thinking something else. I've been spending time with my folks and haven't been able to get much done to put on here. I will be making a headboard for Theron today. While its not a sword or a cake (if you haven't already, you can stop by K's blog to see pics of the one I made yesterday), its still something I'm making. I'll get a picture up for you, Wendy. I can already see the comment asking where the pics are.

A Busy Sword Making Day

It's been a busy day of sword making here. I made one today for my six-year old's birthday using my latest production improvement.
You'll see the crossguard is thicker.
This technique keeps the blade stronger and provides better hand protection.
While I was at it, I made him a dagger and replaced the crossguard on Theron's sword. It was done it with the old technique, because there's no way for me to change it now.
Then we went into repainting mode. Shane got his whole set repainted in black and red, but used a metallic black on his sword.
Collin liked the look of the black and yellow contrast on this "kite" shield with his new sword and dagger.
Here is another shield in the standard "Heater" shape. I haven't repainted this one yet, because I wanted you to be able to see all the battle scars. They take a beating and keep on going.
Here is how I make the back. There is an adjustable strap that uses two rings and a web strap, and a sturdy handle for a solid grip. They are both bolted on so there's no worry about losing your shield in the heat of the battle.


Hopefully this gives you some new ideas on what is available. I look forward to hearing from you.

It's New, It's Cool, It's a Title!

Hmmmm...not sure why, but it won't let me add a title. (obviously, I got that fixed)

Interesting!

It's been a week since the last post, so I needed to refresh things. I'm working on a standardized price guide for the swords. I'll try to post it down the side like I did with the design features. Obviously, if you want something not on the basic list, I'm open to it, just let me know, and I'll work it up for you.

If something looks different on the chart from what I had posted previously, go with the chart. It's still a work in progress.

I just realized I can tag someone for the 8 intersting facts meme. Angie - TAG! I can't leave a comment though telling you you're tagged until you post at least a howdy. So, just make your first post the 8 interesting things.

Scars

Continued from Wendy's comments.

One of the three is from my sister. She claims she warned me to move out of the way of the swing. I remember it more of a threat..."If you don't move, I'll hit you." Another one is from diving over the toy box and getting caught on a hinge. I don't remember the third. I have one just like my son, Collin, in the corner of my eye. He got his last Thanksgiving Day, while I was home on my mid-tour. I got mine in third grade. I finally got called on to pass out the chapel program and tripped over my chair and whacked the desk behind and to the right. I got up and started going to the front to get the papers and the teacher said we needed to go to the Principal's office and I had no idea what I was in trouble for doing...tripping? Needless to say, it was to call my dad to go get stitches.

Then there's the scar on my foot from my previous post. And the one above my knee from sticking a knife into myself accidentally while on the way to a concert...and...and...

8 (hopefully) Interesting Things About Me

Well, I was tagged by my wife K to do the 8 Random Facts Meme.

Here are the rules:
- I have to post these rules before I give you the facts. got it
- Each participant (victim) posts eight random facts about themselves. that would be below
- At the end of the post, eight more bloggers are tagged (named and shamed). can't do it...unless I randomly picked victims, everyone I know has already done it.
- Go to their blog, leave a comment telling them they're tagged (cut and run). see above

I'll start with an answer to one of Wendy's questions left on a previous post.

1. I don't know what got me interested in swords and such, but I remember watching The Hobbiton TV around then. I've always loved the fantasy genre...even before it was a recognized genre.

2. Speaking of The Hobbit, I've read it 13 times completely through. The first time was in 7th grade. It took me about 2 days as I raced my sister who had to read it and was taking forever. I've also read The Lord of the Ringsat least 9 times, The Silmarilliontwice, and The Tolkien Companioncover to cover once.

3. I started making swords out of election sign stakes. I would use my pocket knife to put an edge on them and carve a handle. Obviously, they've evolved and improved over time. I would organize neighborhood battles and everyone had their stuff painted to identify them. My items were always solid gold. I preferred a long sword and shield, while my brother preferred a quarter staff painted gold, black, gold, black, gold.

4. One time I was running with a "knife" shoved down my sock and hit it on the car bumper and thrust it into my foot. I went to the Schlitterbahn the next day. Not a good idea. It got infected while I was there and swelled up huge, and I started running a fever and got all sick. Kinda sucked.

5. I really enjoy going to the Renaissance Festival. I really get a kick out of dressing up. My mom says I used to dress in costume for high school, too. Guess I did have a couple.

6. Speaking of high school, this year is my 20th reunion. Don't know if I'm going to be able to make it. We have a lot going on, but I missed the 10th and I would really like to go.

7. See that shield/crest by my name? I drew that while sitting at a conference about 10 years ago. I just started doodling and then refining my dragon. Next thing I know, I had put the crest together. I've been using it on everything since. I even sneak into work papers and presentations. Before the conference was over, I had drawn crests for over half the people there.

8. In keeping with K's number 8, when she met me I had long hair and an earring. Her hair was long then, too, and she had crimped it for the party. I liked it.

I could probably keep going, but chances are that this will come around again, or I'll need to post something new to keep my wife interested in stopping by my page. Hopefully that rambling didn't scare too many people and you'll be intrigued enough to stop by again and see how I've embarrassed myself, or maybe even decide you need a sword or five. I recommend arming the whole neighborhood for a birthday party. The kids love it and they keep playing with them for a long time. I could make some kind of volume party package. Let me know if you're interested.

Look K...completely clean...no talk about length of swords or how best to use them to achieve desired results.