The heavy guitar

 Oh hi elder Rivera,

So how was the week? Around here, not much has changed. Monday mom was home for the holiday, which was nice. We just did normal stuff and I worked on the guitar a little bit. I messed up the glue up so I hat to recut and reglue. My side of the garage is looking like a messy workshop. I’ll have to clean it up soon. I also went to grandmas to patch the drywall in the laundry room. I fixed the hole, but none of the drywall in there is finished, I’m not sure that I’ll get to that. I do want to fix the dent in her wall next to her bed. I fixed it once after grandpa had a fall, but then he fell again and I need to redo it. She also needs a bunch of work done on her little car, Big O wants to charge her $2700. I’m going to see what I can do so she doesn’t have to pay them for all of it. She offered to pay me, but she doesn’t know how it fulfills me when I’m feeling so useless. 

Tuesday night the elders came over. Mom had made this delicious tortellini casserole for dinner. I sent them home with a big serving and a chunk of her homemade crunchy bread, they were very happy. It was transfer day for them. We have a new elder from Philadelphia who’s brother served in Ben’s mission just after Ben was there. I really like these elders. I probably project a little too much of you in them though.

Thursday was uncle Justin’s dads funeral. It’s always comforting to hear the testimonies of faithful members of the church testify of the plan of salvation. I think that is one of the truest expressions of faith. Death is hard, and so much worse if you just believe that nothing comes after. After the funeral Artie took aunt Patti and I for hamburgers. He drove us in his new Tesla, and it’s cool. I didn’t think I really liked them, but this changed my mind. 

Thursday night ben and I glued up half of his guitar body. I’m glad I’m doing mine first to make all the mistakes, his is going more smoothly. And the mahogany he bought is much lighter that the oak from the old kitchen table that I’m using. I think I’m going to go all in with super heavy wood for mine, if it makes it to a finished guitar it will have to be played sitting down. I also printed out a full sized template.

Friday mom was off again because of parent-teacher conference. It was a nice day with her. She took me to lunch at cafe Rio, it was good. We went shopping for our Treats In The Street activity on Saturday. We bought stuff for scones and hot chocolate. In the afternoon mom was studying for her test and I went outside to make the guitar template. I glued the print outs to a piece of 1/4 inch MDF, cut it out on my bandsaw, then sanded it to the line on my oscillating sander. I love using those tools, now I want to make more stuff. I have this idea for a wall mounted table for the hallway to our bedroom to put a charging station in. If I start it before I get a job I’ll make it out of some of the cedar lumber I have. If I start after, I want to try mahogany or walnut. That night I went to the temple for an endowment session with the ward. I realize how much I love our ward members. I also flush with pride at the end of the session when I get to see your mom. Here smile and face give me such joy.

Saturday mom got up early for her test. I went outside to the garage to start cutting out my guitar body. It was going really well until the bandsaw blade broke. What a shock! It was my fault. Your supposed to release the tension when it’s not being used. Well, I forgot to set the tension before I started, so I’m amazed that it made it as far as it did in that hard oak. I also cut up a bunch of firewood that I got from Home Depot for the Treats in the Streets later.

About four I drove around the ward to pick up camp chef stoves, and a fire pit for the party. I came and grabbed mom for the oil, dough, and other stuff for the party and we went to go set up in the pavilion at the park. I Didn’t bring any kindling so the fire wouldn’t stay lit, even with uncle Tim quantities of lighter fluid, so all of that went for naught. Otherwise, the party went great. The weather was nice, the scones and hot chocolate were delicious, and we had a great turnout, including two non member families.

Today I slept in embarrassingly late. For some reason, Sundays are the only day I can sleep late. I was even late getting to ward council. I volunteered Ben for a talk, and spilled the beans on his acceptance to Yale…I know, I know. It was Michael Batchlor’s and his sisters missionary farewells, it cool to see all the missionaries from our ward. We had my family over for dinner tonight. Mom and ben made Philly steak sandwiches, they were good. After uncle Aaron and all of the priesthood holders in the family gave me a blessing, I think it was very needed and I’m grateful.

Well, that’s about it for this week my kid. I love you and look forward to hearing from you tomorrow.

Pops