Lula by Keith Black - 1:120 Scale - 1870s Sternwheeler Supply Boat for Floating Pile Driver

[Keith Black]

6 hours ago, Keith Black said:

More later regarding that at a later time.   

 I may as well get into this....... five years ago I had a stint put in my abdominal aorta while undergoing an operation repair an aneurysm that at the time measured 6.4 cm. I've been going for Ultrasound testing annually since the operation with the aorta measuring 5.9 cm every year till my last visit on Tuesday. They think and I stress thy think I've developed an endoleak and the sack is currently measuring 6.4 cm, so we're back to where we were five years ago. 

 

 I have a CT scan scheduled for April 30th to verify the above. I might not have a leak or I could be about to blow? They almost lost me on the operating table five years ago and now, here we are five years later and I'm five years older and I sure don't heal any faster now.  If I do in fact have a endoleak I will require surgery, when that surgery takes place is anyone's guess but I would hope it would be sooner than later. I won't know anything for sure till the 30th. 

 

 Having said the above, I've put Lula on a fast track to get as much done as possible prior to the 30th and that's while doing things around the house to help ensure Maggie's current and future welfare. I wouldn't have said anything but future actions regarding Lula might lead some of you to scratch your heads wondering about my motives behind certain decisions.  

 

  Keith

[vossiewulf]

Sorry to hear that Keith. Hang in there.

 

[Cathead]

Keith, thanks for the update. I know it can be hard to share stuff like that and it's thoughtful of you to worry about US! Certainly the "it's your model" rule applies and no comments were intended as criticism, just ongoing discussion of the modeling process. It is and will be a fantastic model! I know it'll be extra hard on you trying to prepare for Maggie's welfare while you're under the knife, so hang in there. We're all pulling for you.

[Glen McGuire]

Dang, Keith.  Prayers for you and Maggie.

[wefalck]

Keeping fingers crossed ...

[LJP]

You are in my thoughts.  Your health and your wife's welfare is what is really important.

 

Take Care,

LJP

[FriedClams]

Stay positive and strong, Keith.  You're in my thoughts and wishing for the best possible results of your upcoming scan.

 

Gary

[Paul Le Wol]

Keith, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Keith Black]

14 hours ago, BANYAN said:

Really looking good Keith.  Agree with Eric re the 'wooding' of the view forward - still looks ()no pun intended) great though

 Thank you, Pat.

 

13 hours ago, vossiewulf said:

Sorry to hear that Keith. Hang in there.

  Thank you, Vossie

 

12 hours ago, Cathead said:

Keith, thanks for the update. I know it can be hard to share stuff like that and it's thoughtful of you to worry about US! Certainly the "it's your model" rule applies and no comments were intended as criticism, just ongoing discussion of the modeling process. It is and will be a fantastic model! I know it'll be extra hard on you trying to prepare for Maggie's welfare while you're under the knife, so hang in there. We're all pulling for you.

 Thank you, Eric.

 

12 hours ago, Glen McGuire said:

Dang, Keith.  Prayers for you and Maggie.

 Thank you, Glen.

 

6 hours ago, wefalck said:

Keeping fingers crossed ...

 Thank you, Eberhard.

 

3 hours ago, LJP said:

You are in my thoughts.  Your health and your wife's welfare is what is really important.

 Thank you. LJP

 

1 hour ago, FriedClams said:

Stay positive and strong, Keith.  You're in my thoughts and wishing for the best possible results of your upcoming scan.

 Thank you, Gary.

 

 Thank you guys for you kind comments and thoughts. 

 

 

The pilot house is ready for trim which I hope to get added today leaving the lettering transfer and hanging the rear PH door. 

 

 

 

 

 

  Thank you to everyone for your support.

 

    Keith 

[Keith Black]

8 minutes ago, Paul Le Wol said:

Keith, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thank you, Paul.  

[Knocklouder]

Back on the list you go, both of you with a note do not remove from list. Thoughts and prayers my friend,  you have made my journey easier and I hope HE makes your journey easier as well. All the best my friend.  

Bob  M.

Edited Friday at 03:16 PM by Knocklouder
Typos

[Keith Black]

16 minutes ago, Knocklouder said:

Back on the list you go, both of you with a note do not remove from list. Thoughts and prayers my friend,  you have made my journey easier and I hope HE make your journey easier as well. All the best my friend.

 Thank you so very much, Bob. 

[JacquesCousteau]

Very nice work on the pilot house. Sorry to hear about the medical issues, hope all goes well!

[Canute]

You're both on my prayer list Keith. I'm in a similar boat with wife being the sick one right now. I'm under a watchful waiting period with my leaky aortic heat valve, too.

[kurtvd19]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from Mary and me.

Take care,

Kurt

 

[Keith Black]

2 hours ago, JacquesCousteau said:

Very nice work on the pilot house. Sorry to hear about the medical issues, hope all goes well!

 Thank you, Jacques.

 

2 hours ago, Canute said:

You're both on my prayer list Keith. I'm in a similar boat with wife being the sick one right now. I'm under a watchful waiting period with my leaky aortic heat valve, too.

 Thank you, Ken. I'm praying for both you and your wife. How long has your aortic heart valve been leaking and are you going to have surgery?

 

46 minutes ago, kurtvd19 said:

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from Mary and me.

 Thank you, Kurt and please tell Mary "thank you". 

[tmj]

Best wishes and prayers to ya Keith! 

[Keith Black]

51 minutes ago, tmj said:

Best wishes and prayers to ya Keith! 

 Thank you, Tom.

[berhard]

Hi Keith, I've been quietly following your build and enjoying watching all the details you have added. Sorry to hear about you issue, I hope all goes well and wish you a speedy recovery.

[TBlack]

Keith, dear brother, I’m going to read into the fact that the CT scan isn’t until 4/30 means we’ve got some swingin’ room. Stay positive. It’s the not knowing that’s the worst part. We’re all with you!

Tom

[Jim Lad]

Hang in there, Keith. remember, if it does come to surgery, the surgeons have had another five years' experience to make them even better!

 

John

[Keith Black]

3 hours ago, berhard said:

Hi Keith, I've been quietly following your build and enjoying watching all the details you have added. Sorry to hear about you issue, I hope all goes well and wish you a speedy recovery.

 Thank you, Bob. 

 

2 hours ago, TBlack said:

Keith, dear brother, I’m going to read into the fact that the CT scan isn’t until 4/30 means we’ve got some swingin’ room. Stay positive. It’s the not knowing that’s the worst part. We’re all with you!

 Thank you, Tom. 

 

12 minutes ago, Jim Lad said:

Hang in there, Keith. remember, if it does come to surgery, the surgeons have had another five years' experience to make them even better!

 Thank you, John. 

[Keith Black]

Thank you all for your kind comments, thoughts, support and especially your prayers.  

 

 This evening was the last I'll be working on Lula for awhile. I need to direct my attention to getting the house and Maggie squared away for the upcoming events. My youngest sister is coming up from Arkansas to be here should I need surgery to help Maggie and to help me during recovery so I need to get a bedroom ready for her.

 

 

 The inspiration

 

 and Lula the pile driver tender. Unfortunately I missed capturing the quirkiness of the original Lula though I think I was able to replicate a little of her spirit. The necessary enlargements of the engine room and the pilothouse (because of the stove) eliminated the quirkiness that I was originally drawn to. To carry out the task of a tender Lula had to be redesigned but I tried to minimize that. Maybe someday, Lord willing, I'll try to build Lula the car ferry. 

 

 On the forward wall I placed the levers as close to the windows as possible where i could add "New York" below Lula. For whatever reason the letters wouldn't transfer. Seven little letters, after two hours I threw in the towel If I try again I'll need to order another sheet of letters. 

 

I still need to add a bell and steam whistle to the front of the pilothouse. I need to add railing and two more lanterns, attach the dinghy, and add weathering/grunge.  

 

 Lula and the pile driver, a tender love story. 

 

 Thank you again, guys. i consider each and everyone of you as family and you make my world a better place.

 

   Keith 

[JacquesCousteau]

Really fantastic job! To my eyes, at least, it still has plenty of quirkiness (in a good way). Hoping that all goes well for you!

[Knocklouder]

Your on the top of my list, the wind is out of my sails. I don't know the correct trem but that's it.  Stays strong my friend and hurry back . All my thoughts and prayers. 

Bob M.

[Glen McGuire]

6 hours ago, Keith Black said:

Lula and the pile driver, a tender love story. 

 

You are quite the matchmaker, Keith!  I'm sure it was love at first sight!

 

A masterful job on both Lula and the pile driver.  I will miss your updates, but I pray that the scan results are favorable and you are back to finish up Lula and the Tennessee very soon.

[Rick310]

 Beautiful job Keith!  Lula seems perfectly matched to the piledriver!

Best wishes and prayers for a quick recovery!

Rick

[Cathead]

6 hours ago, Keith Black said:

Unfortunately I missed capturing the quirkiness of the original Lula

OK, now, here I'm going to up and say that you're flat-out wrong. That's a delightfully quirky little vessel, all the more so because she's truly quirky in that she's unique. Rather than just replicating another vessel's quirks, you made her your own. 

 

Cambridge English Dictionary: "Quirky: unusual in an attractive and interesting way". That's the very definition of your Lula.

 

In all your prep work for the upcoming surgery, how long have you budgeted for training your sister to finish detailing and weathering for you? Not to mention keeping up with MSW on your behalf. Priorities are priorities, you know.

 

6 hours ago, Keith Black said:

Lula and the pile driver, a tender love story. 

I keep expecting to see a strand of spaghetti running between them...

[Desertanimal]

You and Maggie are in my thoughts. Best of luck with these issues! 
Chris

[FriedClams]

7 hours ago, Keith Black said:

Lula and the pile driver, a tender love story. 

 

They are indeed a handsome couple, and I concur with Eric that Lula is "a delightfully quirky little vessel."  And dripping with charm I might also add.

 

It's good to hear your sister will be visiting for support, but hopefully you won't need surgery, or perhaps a simpler solution/procedure is recommended. Try to stay positive, Keith - I know, easier to say than do.

 

Gary