Better Pioneer Photos. . .

A company of pioneers on the way to some kind of digging task just off camera.

Wrapping things up here this morning and early afternoon with two additional Minden pioneer photographs before switching off the beholder that is my desktop PC and boxing up the last few things here in Zum Stollenkeller for the load-up tomorrow morning and trip to East Lansing. These photos, and a few others, were taken, as usual, in my makeshift foamcore lightbox -- the next one, Lightbox Mk II, will be even better -- before I took it apart and stowed my lamps in one box or another. I'll be offline for the next several days, but enjoy perusing these two pictures of the recently finished two-company unit of generic pioneers who will one day serve in either the Army of Stollen, or the Army of Zichenau, as and when needed.

-- Stokes

Another company of pioneers about to fortify a defensive position. The gabions were a suggestion from Jim 'Der Alte Fritz' Perky (the man behind Minden and Fife & Drum) some months back, and a good one that was too. These scratch-built bits help add just a bit more variety and visual interest to the set-up.

Here's an RSM Painting Update

Here's a picture illustrating my (S-L-O-W) progress with the second company of Stollen's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers. You can see I'm doing things a bit differently this time, altering the painting process to keep it interesting basically. This evening, I'll do the white gaiters and, if that goes reasonably quickly, and time allows, the red breeches. Still lots to do, but I like the way these fine fellows are shaping up along side the completed 1st company that's standing in formation just off camera, to the left here. Until tonight then!

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!

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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