Monday, December 26, 2011

Batter Up


Here is one of 2 versions of Baseball Frames which can be modified if needed.
tomhuhn@comcast.net

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Friday, December 2, 2011

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Good Old Days


I remember as a little boy coming in from a hard day playing outside and having to go into the house through the laundry room at the back of the house. In the laundry room was a laundry tub that I would have to take a bath in before I could go into the house but I don't remember having any frogs in there.
tomhuhn@comcast.net

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Dream Car


One of these was a Dream Car for me in my earlier years. The closest I ever got was a 1958 Austin Healey that I put a small block chevy into and it was a lot of fun to work on.
tomhuhn@comcast.net

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Acorn Frame or Plaque


We have many Frame Designs as well as Plaques and this is one sample

Contact me at;

tomhuhn@comcast.net

Monday, November 21, 2011

Water Your Plants


Flowers can be added to this one, most any type of flower.
tomhuhn@comcast.net

Amazing Story of Faith

This story is from a man, Lenny, from my Woodworking for the Blind E mail list which has about one hundred Blind woodworkers on it.
Here is the newest story that I posted on my web page. It has been an interesting few weeks to say the least.
Written November 2011
Hard to believe, falling down the basement steps is one of the best things that ever happened to me:
By
Leonard A. McHugh

On September 14, 2011 I fell down the basement steps. The basement doorway is immediately to the right of the doorway from the kitchen to the dining room. We were getting ready to go on a shopping excursion with some friends. I already had Toga, my Freedom Guide Dog, in the van when I decided to go back into the house for some extra strength pain relief for another of my frequent headaches.

While in the kitchen, taking the pain relief medication, I heard the lawn care guys in the yard. Karen was upstairs so I quickly ran into the dining room to let her know that the workers were out back. I did not realize that the basement door was open and I ended up going on a slight angle. Instead of entering the dining room, suddenly there was no floor.

I do have an electronic door warning device that recently stopped working. It was to be replaced in the next day or so. I went face first down the steps. As I was bouncing off the steps I tried to grab one of them to slow or stop my rapid descent. I had a mental picture of what I most likely would encounter when I stopped gliding down the steps. At the bottom I have a large metal woodworking table and visualized myself hitting that table and breaking my neck. Fortunately I only hit my face on the floor.

Now laying there with blood gushing, I yelled for help. Karen actually heard me falling down the steps and was on her way. I must have been a horrific sight for her. She went running to a phone to call 911. Then she yelled what is the number. Seeing me in that state covered in blood lying on the floor she momentarily could not think.

Now waiting for the ambulance I started checking myself out. I was able to move fingers, hands, arms, toes, feet and legs. I immediately thanked God that there was nothing more serious, I did feel the bones in my nose break. I did not know that I also fractured some bones around my eye and in my cheek. I really kept my sense of humor and upbeat attitude. Why get upset, I could not undo the fall. I had to put it past me and focus on my complete recovery.

I never could stand pity and always hated self-pity in anyone. I do not like sympathy because of my blindness however I do expect empathy.

When an ambulance is dispatched a policeman also is automatically dispatched. When they arrived I told them what happened. When it went over the police scanner, the Chief of Police, a long time friend, quickly called his son, another police officer, to go and check on me. He then quickly called my sister who is on city council to let her know what happened. He did not want her to hear it from a stranger.

I can only imagine what my friends thought when they arrived for the shopping trip. It had to look like a major crime scene. In front of my home there was an ambulance and two police cars. And the ambulance crew carrying me, drenched in blood, out of the basement. The only thing missing was the crime scene tape around my home and the news vans.

As I mentioned, I never lost my sense of humor and upbeat attitude. When I arrived at the hospital they asked if I was allergic to anything. I responded “basement steps”. Everyone around me stopped for a moment to laugh. I, after explaining the fall, I started joking that first she pushed me then changed my story to saying isn’t dinner ready yet? And she hit me with a frying pan. One emergency room worker had already stated that it looks like I was hit with a frying pan.

I ended up with 26 stitches in my face and had to see an ear, nose and throat specialist as well as an ophthalmologist because of the fractured bones around my eye. He had to make sure that some eye muscles were not trapped in the breaks. If so another surgery would be required.

The next day I had the doctor appointments. The ENT surgeon told me that next week he will be able to reconstruct my nose. He had to wait until most of the swelling went down. At the same time he would correct the sinus problem that bothered me for as long as I can remember.

Years ago I had some serious neck surgery and was afraid that I did some major damage in that area. Actually I did a little. I had pain in my right arm and could not lift it with any signs of black and blue marks there. Two days later I turned my head and the pain in my neck was at a very high level. Here the vertebras were popping back into place by them selves relieving the pressure on the nerves immediately allowing me to lift my right arm.

I did seek medical attention for my neck but so far everything is healing on its own. After about eight weeks the pain in my right arm totally faded. This was after the pressure on the nerves in my neck was relieved. There were also black and blue marks with the pattern of the steps imbedded in my left arm and leg.

On Sunday, four days after my fall, I went to church. I must have looked like something directly from a Frankenstein horror movie. Every one was concerned and I was immediately placed on the prayer list. Actually I was blessed with having people praying for me in at least seven states and two additional countries. I strongly believe in the power of prayer.

Anyway back to the church service. Our pastor, whom I consider a good friend, knows my sense of humor. After I explained what happened, he jokingly said, this is possibly an improvement to my looks. Each week he could not believe how fast I was healing. He said that it was as if he could watch the heeling process take place in front of him.

Here is some advice for anyone who may have to go to the emergency room for some stitches in your face. Please ask for an experienced doctor, surgeon or plastic surgeon to come in to do the sutures. In my case a physician assistant did the repair. Around my eye and above my nose he had the skin piled and folded over. I did require another surgery to have that repaired. If done properly the first time I would not have required that second surgery.

As I started out saying this is one of the best things that ever happened to me. Immediately after the nose reconstruction surgery I was able to breath better than I ever did. I also had constant sinus headaches. Over my working career I lost many days due to severe headache pain. I also was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis since I normally suffer with five or six major infections every year. I am optimistic that these will also be eliminated or significantly reduced. I took hundreds of prescription medications for the sinus pain. The fall was about ten weeks ago and I have not had one headache in that time period. I suspect that will continue. I do not think I ever went more than a week without a headache.

When I was in the recovery room after the second surgery, I told the nurses that that fall was the best thing that ever happened to me. They were all laughing and the one made a great observation. She loved my upbeat attitude and my sense of humor. I told her about being allergic to basement steps. She believes that a good sense of humor is not learned but a gift from God. I can not agree more. I often stated that maybe I wasn’t given sight however I was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor.

Another good thing that came out of the fall is that I finally learned to slow down. My late father always yelled at me to slow down. I always walked very fast through the house, kind of like the preverbal bull in the china closet.

I installed an automatic door closer on the basement door, no more depending on battery operated warning devices at the top of the basement steps.

This home is about 120 years old, long before any building codes. The front porch is a high porch with two foot railings. On more than one occasion, I almost fell over the side railing. I designed and built a railing extension bringing it up to a 39 inch height. I had a helper help install and paint it for me. Last year Karen fell on the porch and almost went over the front railing. Over the winter I plan to bring it up to code height with flower boxes. They will add safety to the front railing height and give Karen a place to showcase her flowers.

the orthopedic surgeon that I went to see to check out my neck is very conservative. That is why I went to him. He did not want to even do an MRI since things appeared to be healing on there own. He did check out my neck with an examination and chose to just monitor the situation. I do not think that I even have to go back but I will for a final visit. Everything seams to be back to normal. I told to him that I often go into the basement because of a woodworking hobby. He did not want me to be using power saws. When I asked why, he said that he just does not think it is a good idea and does not want me doing that. The following visit I took pictures of some of my projects. He studied them and asked if I made them before I lost my vision. I told him that that was not the case and some were made last year. He pondered while studying the photographs and then stated that God really gave me a gift. He told me about a blind artist and that like him I could visualize a piece of furniture in my mind and transfer that picture to my hands and the tools. When I go back to the ophthalmologist I will again have to take the pictures. He has similar feelings about me using power tools.

The surgeon, who reconstructed my nose, gave me permission to resume woodworking. That is when I made the extension for the porch railing. When he did the corrective surgery for the bad stitch job, he was telling the staff in the operating room about my web page and that I made some beautiful furniture and cabinet work. He also was telling them about my beautiful guide dog. He also loves Toga. When I go to his office I remove her harness so she can socialize.

Karen had her waiting for me. Karen removed her harness so everyone in the operating room and recovery room could have a short visit with Toga. After the doctor told them about her they all had to come out to see her. When I came out of the recovery room Toga was waiting. She kept trying to touch my hand. Toga is trained not to get on furniture. I think that if she could have she would have been up in the bed with me. Obviously she knew that something was not right.

So as I stated it is one of the best things that ever happened to me. My sinus problems and headaches are cured. I was able to educate some nurses and doctors on the capability of blind individuals. I learned to slow down a little and made the home more blind friendly and safer for all.

The actual fall took about four or five seconds, seamed like a very long time of terror. When I was able to move everything I was so thankful and immediately put the fall behind me. I did not complain about the situation. A few of the nurses told me that most people would be complaining and feeling sorry for them selves, I believe that I gave them a little more motivation.

Prior to the reconstruction surgery, a request was made to allow two student nurses to observe the procedure. I told them absolutely and started talking about the rules of guide dogs. I never pass an opportunity to educate the public about guide dogs. I explained how important it is not to try and pet a working guide. I also told them that occasionally the medical profession is the worst to deal with blind individuals. On many occasions I arrived at the reception’s desk and was handed a stack of papers and told to fill them out. Sometimes a nurse will come out call your name and say follow me, hmmm! Where did you go? Eye doctors during an examine often will say look over there or look that way, ok where is over there or that way? After talking to them they requested that I would come to speak at the school. They said that the talk would help them all become better equipped to work with blind patients.

One after thought, I guess that I do have one small complaint. When the doctor corrected the bad stitch job, he could have tried to make me look about 16 years old, about the age that I often act. I often joke that when people ask how many children do we have, I say two and Karen says three. I do not understand why she can not count!!! This Christmas Eve I will turn 65 years old and I still do not know what I want to do when I grow up...

Friday, November 18, 2011

The Cat's Meow


Cat's are really amazing, many years ago while living in the foothills near Lancaster Ca. we had this young cat. One day I went out side and I heard a cat meowing and I looked all around (this was before I was Blind) and I couldn't find the cat but I kept hearing it. Finally I saw it on top of a telephone pole next to our house. I called the Fire Dept. and they didn't rescue cat's on top of telephone poles. I tried to get it to come down and I even took a big extension ladder and put it against the pole and that only went half way up. I went up the ladder and tried to call the cat to get it to come down but no luck. By now it was getting dark and I didn't know what else to do but the next morning the cat was at our house like nothing had happened. To this day I don't know how the cat got down, I have to assume in the night it clawed it's way down.
tomhuhn@comcast.net

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Fall is Here


This is a nice design for the time of year we are in now. Years ago when I was living in Oregon we had 3 apple trees and one year for some reason it was a real bumper crop. We had more apples than I had ever seen, I can't count how many 5 gallon buckets of apples I filled. We had a food dehydrater and I made dried apples till they were coming out of my ears.  tomhuhn@comcast.net

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Monday, November 7, 2011

Surf's Up


When I was a young man my second car was a 1953 Mercury Station Wagon. It was not a "Woody" but it had wood trim on the sides with some kind of fake wood grain inside the wood trim. Those cars back then were like tanks and would run for ever.
tomhuhn@comcast.net

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Roses and Geraniums


Do you have a favorite Flower? I can come up with a design for it in many forms. Roses, Geraniums, Daisies, Sun Flowers, Irises, Tulips, and many more.

Contact me if you have questions at;

tomhuhn@comcast.net

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Roses and Ribbons

T

his is just one of many many designs of all types of flowers and this one can be a picture Frame or Plaque.

tomhuhn@comcast.net

Monday, October 31, 2011

That's just Ducky


A wonderful sene that reminds me of days in the past when my vision was clear. In those days we mostly went Duck Hunting in California by a town called Mendota in central California. Going out at 3 am with waders on and caring a big pack with Duck decoys and food and drinks and ammo and walking for miles in the dark on narrow dikes. Setting up a blind and wading out in the water in the moon light setting out the decoys, ah now that was the life.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sun Burst Coaster


This design can be a Coaster or a Plaque or a Picture Frame. Have questions? contact me at;

tomhuhn@comcast.net

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Noah's Ark


There are several versions of this design. To see more of them contact me at;

tomhuhn@comcast.net

The Idea's of designs ar almost end-less.

Friday, October 28, 2011

The Shepard


The one who watches over us.

Have questions? Contact me at;

tomhuhn@comcast.net

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

Just Heavenly


A friend of mine is interested in this one. It is a rather Heavenly design of Doves and olive branches.

tomhuhn@comcast.net

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

Going to the Dogs

A welcome sign for the Dog lovers. We have most dog breeds available as well as other pets and wildlife. Contact me for more information at:
tomhuhn@comcast.net

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Gone Fishing

Are

there any Fishermen out there? Here is one for them.
If you have any questions contact me at:
tomhuhn@comcast.nettomhuhn@comcast.net

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The Wild Side

These

Ducks remind me of the days when I still had vision and hunted many Upland game birds.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Last Supper 3

One

more version of the Last Supper, hope you like this one.
You can contact me at:
tomhuhn@comcast.net

Monday, October 17, 2011

An other Welcome sign

A

Welcome sign with new designs on it.
On an other note, the Holidays are coming and at Christmas I meeting my 2 oldest sons in Oregon. My 2 sons are getting into a Hobby of bottling there own Beer and they both are going to make a batch and when I am there we are going to have a "Blind Taste Test" of the 2 Beers and I will be the Tester. This will truly be a "Blind Taste Test" do the the fact that I am actually Blind.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Holy Family Cross

This

is a new design of the Holy Family on a Cross. Fall is coming although we are still having some good weather and the Holidays are fast aproaching. I like the Holidays but not so much the cold and snow as I grew up in suthern California.

Friday, October 14, 2011

I Stand at the Door and Knock

We

are blessed with an order of some of our tape gun stands and some gypcy standsand I am always amazed at God's timing. Here is a new design of Jesus standing in a door way.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Welcome Home 2


One more design of the Welcome Home sign. This design can be modified to meet your needs.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Last Supper

A b

A beautiful carving of the Last Supper that we are working on.