Archive for March, 2014

Lloyd & Co.

Thursday, March 27th, 2014

Lloyd Johnston was back at Willowbank this week, teaching the new group of first years.  Seemed a good reason to venture out to Queenston for a visit.

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I think the school is slowly but surely figuring out the logistics of blacksmithing with a group this size (the new forge studio, when complete, will obviously go a long way to addressing this).  At one point they had seven forges going this session.  I believe they gave up on one of the small forges after a time – but were managing well with six.

It’s always fun to see who Lloyd has brought with him.  Every time he’s come in the last two years, he’s brought another smith with him to assist.  And they’ve all been just great!  I’d sure like to meet more of Lloyd’s smithing friends, and hope he continues bringing new people with him when he visits.

 

Guinness

Sunday, March 16th, 2014

On Friday, our family said goodbye to a good friend…

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Guinness Frederick Blythin

Guinness, our American Cocker Spaniel was our first baby.  We got him as a puppy, about a year before my son was born.  He was a faithful companion, and the best friend two small children could hope for.  He kept watch any time any member of our family was sick. When my wife was expecting our babies, he would keep her company in the middle of the night when she would get up for midnight snacks, and was there every time a baby needed attention.

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Guinness went from being a happy, healthy dog to one very sick pup in the matter of only a few days.  Despite having very good veterinary care, including a trip to the intensive care unit at the Veterinary College at the University of Guelph; there was nothing to be done.  We will miss him terribly.