iPAD Invasion

We are a little older than most people using the iPad but I gave Theresa one for her birthday. She was thrilled to get the gift but never seemed to take off in its usage. This piece of technical genius always interested me when I saw my grand children and friends using it for just about everything. It's a camera, email dispatcher and with the right apps, it can do just about everything.

After playing with the thing for ten days an offer came in from one of the grand children to help her out. Theresa accepted and yesterday they set the iPad up for real use. Theresa caught on fire and immediately bonded with her device. I stayed away from the session because I would have had too many questions and ruined the learning session.

It makes me very happy to see Theresa taking the plunge and becoming literate on another of our social media devices  It was not long ago when we really got into using our computer and it has changed the manner in which we do business. I can see this iPad doing the same thing for Theresa, especially when we travel and want a compact office on a 8" by 10" computer.

New Hobby

I have always been interested in boats of all sizes. Last year when I had some spare time and materials from the garage I built a couple of boats for fun. I designed the boats on plywood and developed a plan. For tools I used what I had and although they were primitive it is surprising how you can hide errors with good sanding.

I wanted to build a sword fishing boat so I began to think of the small boats anchored at Lockmans Beach in Cape Breton. With very thin one and two ply wood I managed to get a hull that worked. I used the plywood over ribs and decking from a cigar box to complete the hull and deck. A coke can was used for the props and white piping cut thin for the portholes.

I furnished the area below deck like the fishermen did and left the cabin roof unfastened so you can look in. I have a sail boat finished and it would be described as a island trader. Gaff rigged with three jibs up front made it look like you could really fly along with the trade winds.

My latest effort is going to be a motor cruiser when completed. After that I will have to find a new hobby and build rockets or airplanes or such. Working with your hands is fun and it helps the arthritis.