Day 3198 Cherry picking.

19th May 2026 

John was waiting in his doorway as I pulled up. I have this run to a tee, I can get there within a minute plus or minus.

He packed the few things he brings with him, and he fumbles with the seat belt every time.

It was a warm humid day again, although there were warnings of storms later.

He fumbled with the lock to the barn, he was in fact unlocking it then locking it again,  and mumbling something about the lock being stuck.

This is where I had to step in, finally the door opened, the top was still on the bench, but there was evidence that his sons had done a lot of machining over the week end. 

Today was under structure day. John went searching for pieces of cherry lumber, he always comes back with some other species, and a story of how he acquired it. But that’s John’s way, that what he remembers, and it’s good that he can. When he has found suitable material, I open my book to show him what we need to cut. 

We do the necessary machining, then refer back to my book for the cut sizes. As they are cut, John ticks them off, then we move on to the joints. These are simple half laps that I cut using the band saw, once these are done we try a dry fit, John then attacks the pieces with his sander. 

By the end of our day everything has been cut ready for assembly next week, but now it was time to load the sofa parts into the truck.

I had been dreading this, mainly because I knew they were longer than the available space.

But with the aid of bungees holding the back door in place, we set off back to his home.

The disadvantage of leaving the back door open is that it sucks in exhaust, so to counter that I have to have the AC fan blowing in my face, therefore to get the most effect I move the seat forward so my nose is almost touching the windscreen, not the best driving position. I had to tolerate that for the twenty miles to get back home.

Once I was back I had to find room in the garage, not easy with all the products I have going at the moment, but I hope that Randy gets the upholstery done soon.

Kelli also finished the bench, I took some pictures and it was posted, hopefully that will go quickly.