The Watsonian, words + images delivered to you by Watson. A visual documentation of design inspiration, travel, and projects from the Humans at The Medium Control Design Company.
The Humans built a deck. The deck is a flat surface capable of supporting my weight, it is similar to a floor, but it was constructed outdoors, and it is elevated from the ground. As an extension of the outdoor living area the space is used daily for dining, lounging, and working. The Humans dug thru piles of wood over at True Norther Cedar in Superior, Wisconsin to obtain perfect planks of Northern White Cedar. Recently, our good friend Zack started up a mill in Wisconsin: Fox Walk Log & Timber. Local support peoples. Beyond linseed oil, they left it left untreated so it may naturally weather to a beautiful silver gray. Build a deck HERE.
Greetings. Yours truly is honored to be sponsoring a couple back to school giveaways on two critter friendly blogs, Pawesome and Modern Cat. They are both great sites, be sure to check them out and sign up to win some free Medium Control Goods.
Ever find yourself biking down the road noticing the trees are dead calm, but it’s still very windy on the road? Elementary answers from our new ‘HOW AND WHY: Weather’ book discovered HERE.
“Hell Yes”
The Humans declared as they tried out their new adventure kit, secured by YAKIMA. When the Humans are not working, they are playing outside, simple as that. Yakima has provided years of a solid product that has brought many trill rides to life. Years back they got their first Yakima bike rack: the “holdup.” They can literally load their bikes in a couple minutes or less. After a long trek and being cashed, this is quite handy.
Find out about their first holdup rack and how some crazy lady crushed their first rack HERE.
The Humans ventured up to Ely, Minnesota otherwise known as the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Right around berry pickin’ time Ely celebrates with their annual Blueberry festival. The Humans got up early just in time to wait in line for the “all you can eat” Blueberry Pancakes. Then in an effort to work-off the buttery goodness the Humans spent the rest of the day walking around town and kayaking Fall Lake, in the Superior National Forest. As a side note, if you have never been to Ely go soon, it is one of those neat little towns that makes an everlasting impression: Zups, Outfitters, the Chocolate Moose, and people who love the woods…Explore Ely, click HERE.
Finally, yours truly in action. Well, I did actually get myself up here but the Humans only managed to capture my graceful departure. Thank goodness my stealth leaping skills shall remain secret.
Larger HD version of the video can be viewed HERE.
Beware, garden protector on duty. The Humans decided it was about time to start growing their own veggies, so they built a raised garden. In an effort to keep the garden consistent with other Habitat projects the Humans used untreated Douglas fir 4×4’s. To properly drain the garden the Humans stapled down a mesh bottom filled it with peat moss, and then soil. The raised garden makes it easy to tend and keeps most of the critters away. Get organically dirty HERE.
The Humans stepped out on the town last night. They ventured over to the Glensheen Mansion on the shores of Lake Superior to listen to the Jim Melde Big Band. While listening to the tunes the Humans strolled through the garden and walked the brick lined paths down to the rocky shore. The best part about the Glensheen lies in its imperfections, cracked bricks, tended gardens which are still slightly overgrown, and a lingering past. The Humans had a feeling that if no one visited the place for a few months the creeping vines could easily take over and only whispers of frolicking individuals would remain. Â After the concert the Humans ventured downtown for scallops and wine at Zeitgeist Cafe Arts. Enjoy a summer evening out, click HERE.
While spending time at the Cedar Lake Cabin the Humans found this vintage PIT game on the shelf. The vibrant orange bell and agricultural graphics clearly had to be photographed and shared. Enter the PIT, click HERE.
The Humans trekked out for an evening in the woods at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. After a break in the rain the Humans made the almost two mile hike along the shore, down some crazy stairs, past a waterfall, over a bridge to a soggy patch of grass and a private rocky Lake Superior cove, “Crazy Bay.” Starting a fire with only downed wood after about a week of rain was a challenge, but like myself, nothing was going to stand between the Humans and their food. Dinner was served on the private beach under the rising moon. Go outside by a big lake HERE.
We recently designed and developed a website for a new film by Jennifer Arnold: A SMALL ACT
( asmallact.com ). An incredible story of good karma.
Tune in tonight to watch A SMALL ACT on HBO or check out the future HBO Showdates:
JULY 15 (12:30p, 12:30a)
JULY 18 (11:45a)
JULY 20 (9:00a, 7:30p)
JULY 24 (4:00p)
HBO2 PLAYDATES
JULY 14 (9:45p)
JULY 31 (9:30a)
HBO3 PLAYDATES
JULY 25 (4:50a)
Read the film’s synopsis and check out the website design HERE.
The Humans ventured down to their hometown of Annandale, Minnesota for the Fourth of July weekend. They told me I would have loved the classic three season cabin they rented on the shores of Cedar Lake. Plywood walls, old flip open single pane windows, eclectic furnishings, and the best part a screened in sleeping porch. Pictured above, the bikes sleeping quietly at 3:25a. Step into the cabin, click HERE.
Summertime = peach blueberry pie. I spent the entire pie production time pacing circles in-between the Humans feet hoping for delectable delicacies to fall from the sky… all I ended up with was flour on my head. Make someone happy, make a pie, and for the sweet details, click HERE.
A Minnesota Forester:
“I’ve lived in the woods all my life; I learned how to cut and peel popple as a kid, helping support the family. I knew the names of all the trees and many of the other plants, and where they grew. After high school I went to a very good forestry school, and when I graduated I still knew next to nothing about the forest. I knew nothing about what makes the forest tick; and I know damned little more now, but I’m learning some of the questions we’ll have to answer if we’re going to grow the timber we need. I knew that we can’t just keep cutting and shoving seedlings back in the ground, and expect to come back in thirty years and cut again. This forest is one of the most complicated things in the world. Every part of it affects every other part. We’ve got to find out what things affect the soil, and what the function of the different plants is, and the function of the birds and animals, and the ground water and surface water and the sun and the snow and what really happens after a burn . . .
It has been an unusually rainy June and the yard is insanely green. I demanded that the Humans let me out (under their watchful eye) for my favorite treat, fresh grass - so good. Check out some serious grass mowing HERE.
As much as I enjoy spending my time perched up high, even 300 foot cliffs make me weak in the knees. Palisade Head is a rock formation within Tettegouche State Park on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Humans recently hiked around Palisade and peered over the edge for a few of these knee tingler shots. Take a look, but don’t fall HERE.
Once the Humans framed up the walls the Spaceship really started to take shape. They ventured over to Walsh Windows and picked out a few new discarded /odds n’ ends windows. Walsh Windows were used throughout the Habitat. These windows are built in the Midwest and ready to battle the harsh elements. The windows were purchase early in the design phase which helped finalize the design and solidify dimensions. Sort of a non-traditional building method but it works for a tiny Spaceship. Tip for saving cash: try contacting local manufactures to see what is taking up space in their warehouse.
Medium Control Goods hit the road this past weekend. We have been noticeably absent from our daily ranting due to the churning wheels of production. The Humans were busy designing and building a 6×8′ booth that would display all their new bags, metal prints and t-shirts. After a long week of late evenings I sent the Humans packing so I could get some rest while they headed out to sell some goods. They told me the show (thetalentshowmn.com) held at the rau+barber studio was a great experience and everyone was excited to see all the new Watson goods (of course). Thanks to all who ventured out to the show - we appreciate it. Enter the booth HERE.
Via Wiki :: Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I to honor dead Americans from all wars.
Constructing the Spaceship. With the foundation in place the Humans framed up the Spaceship. They learned about proper framing, got to use the nail gun, and how to build headers. At the end of the day they had framed up a micro habitat building.
Lost is found. The Humans finally watched the season finale of Lost and every episode leading up to. They enjoyed the thought provoking series, questioning time, space and afterlife. Most of all the exploring aspect of the unknown and impossible. It’s nice to think outside the Earth.
WATSON SPOILER
You may wonder how I am able to talk to you all… Well it was time we revealed the secret. For each post I venture into my own personal Hatch. It is here I relate my stories of exploration on Life. Travel on my friends, enter the Hatch HERE.
Land of the extremes. We received word Minneapolis was going thru an abnormal heat wave, reaching tropical temps with insane humidity. Which brings on the comments “it’s too hot”. While it’s crazy to think only a few months ago we were experiencing a 100Âş difference. And at the same time people below the equator are having their fair share of winter. Makes you think and appreciate the multiple climates we live in - cherish the change.
This artwork was inspired by our Lutsen Chair Photo from the “Plastic Views” collection. The photo was taken on an extreme day at Lutsen, MN; lots of snow, lots of wind. This painting / drawing version of Lutsen Chair depicts the actual weather of the day. Sometimes 1/60 of a second does not capture the true ambience.
The Humans recently picked up the full 1970’s Family Circle DIY Encyclopedia set. The books looked like they had been on the shelf together for many years. Probably never even opened because the inside still looked brand spankin’ new. The volumes contain not only good design but amazing modern ideas worth trying. More from these beauties later…
Plans to reality, the Spaceship has landed. After picking a prime location in the woods and transplanting many small poplars, the foundation was ready. Well sort of… after wading in mud for a couple of days the Humans had to have a couple cubic yards of pea rock hauled in to create a solid ground foundation. Next, the decision was made to build on stilts, which provides Pepe Le Pew with a secret hideaway. I do admire Pepe’s lovely coat but the Humans have a different opinion about him. Anyway, Kristy’s dad with his carpentry expertise helped the Humans with the critical first stages.
