The brass pipe lamp is nearly done except I can't decide on the base. Every piece I try either looks too small or takes up half the table. Had it sitting on a scrap board while I measured a round one, and my wife said she liked the scrap. Of course she did. The thing I hadn't spent three afternoons considering. Turned it around and there's a mark along one edge but the rest is solid. I can cut that off, only then the shape changes again. Put everything back on the bench before dinner. The light works. All this thinking is about what it stands on, and apparently that can occupy a retired man indefinitely.

A guy I trained years ago stopped by with his son, said they were nearby and wanted to say hello. Boy's looking at the trades and his father told him I taught him how to do things right. Naturally I reminded him about a fitting he put in backwards. Still good to hear it. They stayed in the basement looking at tools and I showed the kid the old ones that aren't worth replacing. After they left I told my wife the boy had a decent head on him. She said I'd been smiling all afternoon. Well. Most visitors don't want to see the pipe threader. Made a change from talking about the weather.

Sat through the grandkid's school show on a chair made for somebody who weighs forty pounds. My knees were practically up by my ears and there was no room to stretch them without kicking the woman in front. Got up afterwards slower than I intended. The kid came running over so I stayed upright and let the knee settle while he explained his costume. Outside I walked a little before getting in the car. Felt better once I could take a full step. My wife said next time ask for an aisle seat. Next time I'm bringing a folding chair and charging admission to sit in it.