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.

Testing placement for the footings.

Digging and initial framing.

Screwed.

Built and supported like a tank.

True North Cedar Inc. Good people, good wood.

The Humans went with hidden fasteners for barefoot bliss.

Verifying the last plank goes on perfect.

Lounging test one = approved.

Herb relaxing.

Yes, the Humans enjoy the deck as well. They left the sidewalk side of the planks untrimmed from the mill, which gives all the linear aspects an organic contrast.

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.

The Walker Field Day went off. Big thanks to the Walker for inviting us and to all who stopped by - much appreciated.

Show pictures viewable HERE.

Local Artist Mart :: Cargill Lounge

Up the stairs to the mart, find us on the corner spot.

Bags, coasters and shirts were on the menu.

Kristy, chief of sales.

Goods surrounding our new vintage and fully functional Smith-Corona Typewriter (adjustable tracking and leading - very happy recent estate sale find).

Eames coasters standing tall.

Couple new designs released: PEDAL and REEL

Medium Control Goods has been invited to the Walker Art Center to take part in their Field Day Event.
Stop by tomorrow (Thursday), pick up some goods and check out all the events.

WALKER OPEN FIELD
Thursday August 19th
2-9p FREE

walkerart.org
mnartists.org/fieldday

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.

Water doesn’t heat as rapidly as the earth. When air over the land rises, the cooler air over the water comes in to take it’s place. This creates an onshore breeze, and as you know, it’s much cooler nearer a lake or the ocean than the city. The land is heated by the sun and it becomes warmer than the water. The land heats the air above it and this warm air rises. Cooler air from nearby water moves in to take it’s place and creates a movement of air called an onshore breeze.

During the day, it is the land which heats faster than the water. But when the sun goes down, it is the land that also cools faster than the water. When the warmer air over the water rises, the cooler air from the land rushes in to take it’s place. This creates an offshore breeze.

THE BEAUFORT SCALE
Many years ago, before modern weather instruments were used, a man named Sir Francis Beaufort made up a scale to describe the force of winds by the way they acted over land and sea. Here is a form of this scale. Scale numbers indicate wind strength.

Here is the earth sliced in two, with bands drawn to show the different climates. One side shows the plants that grow and the other side shows the animals living in these different climates.

HOW AND WHY icon design.

It’s hot in the Midwest today. Luckily Lake Superior acts as a giant air-conditioning unit for Humans and Animals alike. Enter the cool calm HERE.

No surfing today.

“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.

Driver's side adventure kit.

When folded up it also can act as a shield. The Humans where stopped on interstate 35 for an accident ahead, when a large car rear ended them at 60 mph. The impact was severe, totaling the Jeep. Luckily, they were able to walk away with only whiplash. However, the Yakima rack basically saved their lives, acting as a external rear bumper. Without the rack the car would have creamed rather far into the Jeep. It is an amazing rack and as soon as the hitch was on the car they purchased another holdup rack.

A big thanks to Yakima for the fun and also for keeping us here.

Flatbed loaded and off mister jeep goes - thanks for the fun ventures. The little SX4 will do you proud.

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.

All you can eat blueberry pancakes, with forks that can't keep up.

"MPLS FO LIFE BITCH" As you can see by the use of "FO" they are serious. Disgruntled teenager in fear of Ely taking over Minneapolis.

Infamous Ely State Theater signage and it's crazy characters.

FOOD MARKET, ZUP'S

Nothing standing in the way of this guy and his ZUPS.

Nifty wrench logo found in Ely garage sale.

Edwards Oil Logo, Industrial Lubricants & Home Heating Specialists.

Kayak break on Fall Lake, read time.

Fall Lake 360 pano, view WIDE AND LARGE 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.

Fir 4x4 detail. Four corners, four posts, four by four.

Basic structure established.

Wire mesh to hold the peat moss / soil and drain well.

Garden and gargoyle in place.

No that was not a statue, it's me, Watson The Protector. Critters beware. Believe it or not, I got myself up here. Those that know my balancing skills, this is quite a feat.

Planted and ready for action.

Swiss Char and all it's blood red veins - a vampire's delight.

Garden in action. Small, but packed with: snow peas, sugar peas, garlic, potatoes, peppers, swiss char, cauliflower, broccoli and cherry tomatoes.

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.  After the concert the Humans ventured downtown for scallops and wine at Zeitgeist Cafe Arts. Enjoy a summer evening out, click HERE.

The grand-scale wooden arched doorway

Between the gardens and the lake, goes the music.

Listeners

Blurry past of riches and murder.

Glensheen natural spa

Resting on the warm rocks, listening to the tunes.

Photo above featured on MPR’s “Mn Today”
mntoday.mprnewsq.org/scenes/68

Evening lake tour peoples, resting on the zero horizon.

Zeitgeist Arts Cafe: New Scallop Entree. Perfect evening ender.

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.

Box Cover. Frenzied Trading Game; with Wood Allen as the leader?

Box Side A. "The special bell signals the opening and closing of trading."

Box Side B. Parker Bros coming thru again.

Great playing cards: Corn 75, Flax 40, Hay 50, Rye 70.

More cards: Barley 85, Bear "kill all," Oats 60, Bull "kill all 2," Wheat 100.

RING ! Trading time peoples.

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.

Tent with lake 20' due east.

Kristy the firestarter

Dinner prep

Beach dinner: vegetable red curry with peas over rice and pita bread.

Crazy Bay moon rise

Clean up

Packs packed and ready to rock, split that is.

Here you can see I, Watson The Cat, journey to places near and far.

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.

Short synopsis: When Hilde Back sponsored a young, rural Kenyan student, she thought nothing of it. She certainly never expected to hear from him, but years later she does. Now a Harvard graduate and a Human Rights Lawyer for the United Nations, Chris Mburu decides to find the stranger that changed his life. Inspired by her generosity, he starts a scholarship program of his own and names it for his former benefactor.

The top students in Mukubu primary school are in the exact same situation as Chris once was. They are bright, but can’t afford to pay school fees. With the creation of Chris’ fund, these students have new hope. But the program is small; how many will qualify for a scholarship?

Using a strong narrative, the film interweaves seemingly separate lives into a cohesive whole. With clarity and grace, A SMALL ACT, bears witness to the ripple effect a single action can create.

Home Page

The Film / Trailer

Filmmakers

Photo / Video Gallery

Press

Screenings

Order

Take Action

The Story Continues

Host A Screening

Visit: asmallact.com

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.

Screened in sleeper

Lakeside deck

View from dock

Stairs were build in 1951

Framing square dock

Nicely worn cedar

Diving dock

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.

2 pounds peaches, pitted and sliced
1 pint blueberries
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons butter, cut into bits
1 egg, beaten with a drizzle of water
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Move the oven rack to the bottom third of the oven.
Divide the dough in half and set one half aside; cover it with a towel or plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a 10-inch round. Loosely drape the dough round over the rolling pin and transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Press the dough over the bottom and sides of the pan. Trim the edges to about 1/2-inch.

Toss the fruit with the sugar, lemon, and cornstarch. Pile the fruit into the pie shell and dot with the butter. Roll out the reserved dough to a 9 to 10-inch round and lay it over the fruit. Trim, and crimp the edges. Cut 2 or 3 (2-inch) vents in the top of the pie and brush with the egg glaze. Put the pie on a baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden brown and the juices are bubbling up through the vents, 50 to 60 minutes. Cover the edges with aluminum foil if they brown too fast. Cool on a rack before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Flour chaos

Fruit stacked in, ready for top crust.

Baked. Human ready.

Everyone have a swell 4th of July weekend.

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 . . .

“I went to a field meeting out here to see a new control plot planting. It was all very neatly done, the trees were planted in nice straight rows, and it was all fine and far as it went; but I got a little tired of listening to everybody congratulate each other. Finally I said, ‘Well, now what has really been done here? What do we know about this plot of land? I don’t even see any pits dug, to see what this plot is like below the surface. After all, the most valuable tool a forester can own isn’t a typewriter; it’s a blunt-nosed shovel.’

“One of the head men stepped up and said, ‘ Who in the hell are you?’ And I said, ‘I’m nobody. My name is Mr. Nobody. But I love the forest.’ ”

–

A recent book ( The Face of Minnesota, Szarkowski, 1958 ) the Humans picked up at an estate sale. There is always something to learn.

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.

Eating grass with force

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.

From the top, South bound.

Rocky cliff bottom, 300' below.

Climber (left middle) spotting her partner.

Part of the the Good Son was filmed here, Home Alone was not.

Fisher People.

Ludicrous amounts of Lupin

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.

Walls to Windows documented HERE.

The sheathing begins with OSB board.

Exterior walls up, door and window openings knocked out.

Wrapping the house against the elements.

The Humans wanted to utilize large windows on the Southern face to obtain free lighting and make the small space feel spacious. The picture window was placed practically within the tree so I can keep an extra close eye on those birds.

Window flashing complete. The high western window allows sunset lighting into the space, creating a gold aura... Which I am in the process of trying to harness this gold and sell at our local pawn shop.

Window ready.

Eastern / Entry side.

Testing rocket launching.

The Humans acquired more vintage camera bliss. Check out their new Kodak Instamatic 104 / Outfit and it’s amazing graphics HERE.

Box Cover. Kodak Instamatic 104 / Outfit. All film leads down.

Box side. "Uses New Flashcube" No. A104S

Camera Detail. Made in U.S.A.

The 104's logo

Flash cube and logo greatness

Red, Purple, Yellow Blue Arrows point to the "New Flashcube"

Viva La Kodachrome

Don't Waste Film On These Extremes

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.

Back wall / booth entry

Check out / booth interior. If you look closely you can see my warrior physique on the laptop screen.

Bags, Metal Prints, T-shirts. SUNDAY, Sunday, sunday - Buy the whole seat but you only need the edge!

Bags for Humans. See a bag you want, available HERE.

Signage

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.

Remembering and enjoying the beautiful weather.

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.

Check out the framing process HERE.

Framing Lumber

Window wall framed up

Three walls framed

Four walls framed. Door entry view.

Rain day, framing protected - work goes on.

Inside view thru the windows to come.

Securing the ceiling joists.

Framed up and ready for the sheathing...

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.

Pre Deployment

Mission accomplished. Exit Hatch.

The stories continue...

India Ink + Watercolor on Birch plywood

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 100º 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.

Detail, layers of weather.

Detail, linkage

Captured weather in a controlled environment.

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…

Details found HERE.

Family Circle Logotype

Volume 12

Colorful wealth of Do-It-Yourselfer's.

Design when Family Circle still had graphical taste.

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.

Check out the foundation process HERE.

Location picked, 15 small poplars transplanted, boots - very muddy.

Pea rock added, lots of pea rock.

Foundation materials

Framing the floor

Checking level and dialing in footing locations.

Floating floor insulated, check.

A long day, a good day.