Just Enough Time to Draw a Breath. . .

The desk of an 18th century gentleman. I like the absence of a keyboard and computer screen although the three-cornered hat might take some getting used to.

Although summer vacation began for the Grand Duchess and I with the close of May Term last Friday, May 31st, things have been rather busy here at Stollen Central lately. Soldier painting has taken a backseat for a few weeks, and I've been hard at work churning out a couple of articles. Finished the first one this past weekend and sent it on to the parties concerned. Now, it's time to begin the next, a working draft of which must be done and sent off for consideration by midnight this Saturday the 8th. Whew!

And then there is the translation project. . .   which I plan to do during our upcoming three-week visit to Mexico since the publisher would, ideally, like it finished and submitted by July 1st. Keep in mind, I've been asking for months to have the materials forwarded to me and about a deadline, but it wasn't until very recently that I was sent the documents in the original language (Norwegian, of course), and almost as an afterthought, the July 1st date dropped in my lap. Why in the heck didn't they send me this stuff back in December or January like we discussed originally? So now, it looks very much like our vacation will be a working vacation of sorts. Isn't that the way?

No matter. It will still be nice to visit with good ol' Mom and enjoy the sounds of Spanish all around us in the city, delicious Yucatecan food, and trips to the coast for late lunches. And then there is the swimming pool at Mom and Step-Dad's home Casa de Mariposa. So, I suppose I shouldn't complain too loudly. We leave on June 11th and will be away until the end of the month. And by then, I should be seriously ready to paint some more figures.

Especially since the recently shared photographs over on the Fife & Drum Miniatures blog of French artillery by Minden Miniatures and some Valliere 4pdr. cannon by F&D have given me the itch once more to pick up a paintbrush. Haven't decided what I might tackle just yet, but there's plenty of time in the interim. And plenty of unpainted metal and plastic here in Zum Stollenkeller. Not like I need to purchase anymore of THAT for the time being. See you in a few weeks everyone!

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Keepin' an Eye on the World Going By My Window . .

'The Nap at the Palace' by Jose Triado Mayol N ot much in the way of hobby-related activity happening here in the Grand Duchy lately. Sigh. And no surprise there really since there are only so many hours in the day, only so much mental and physical energy to spare, and you sometimes simply just have to give in and know when to say, um, "When!" A glass of wine and/or evening yoga by the hearth with the Grand Duchess (who has practiced for over 20 years), and then off into la-la land. Zzzzzzzzz. More immediately, I'm recovering, mentally speaking, from a grueling Friday in which I was involved with three (online) conference sessions, one right after the other, followed by a 90-minute meeting at the end of the day. Also virtual. My brain has been mush ever since, so an easy, completely unproductive Saturday watching intermittent snow fall outside (no accumulation however) and drinking coffee while the visiting handymen completed some repair work down h...

And It's the End of September!!!

Saxony's Ploetz Cuirassiers, an illustration lifted from the Kronoskaf website, which has thus far guided my spectacularly glacial painting of 30 28mm Eureka Saxon cuirassiers purchased all the way back in October 2016. A gray, cool Saturday here in Mid-Michigan with rain in the forecast. The Grand Duchess is away at a conference, so it's just "The Boys" here at home. The Young Master (almost 15) has retreated to his room for something or other following breakfast while I have stolen back down here to Zum Stollenkeller (masquerading as my office) with a second mug of coffee and both cats comfortably ensconced nearby. Enjoying the late morning and still in my pajamas! Not much planned for today beyond designing a couple of promotional flyers for workshops my department is presenting (small parties we will throw?) in October and November. With maybe a bit of on the next podcast script. More important, I am toying with the idea of returning for an hour or...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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