Mom and dad were making barn pegs (wooden nails) to hold the mortise and tenon timbers together. See those thick dark pieces of wood in the background? That's white oak and dad takes them to the radial arm saw and to the jointer and then to the bandsaw before he comes out with these clean-looking sticks that you see below.
Mom and dad still have a couple more steps before this stick is an actual peg that they can use for the barn project!Later on, we helped dad make chicken cutlets in his workshop!
You're probably wondering why dad is cooking in his workshop, right? Well, nine months before dad had his heart transplant he had a device implanted in his heart called a Jarvik heart. This device helped to keep dad alive!
It is surgically implanted right into your heart and a cord comes out of your stomach and connects to a battery that keeps the heart pump going 24/7! Mom says that it was a VERY interesting experience and one that she would not want to repeat again and she wasn't even the patient - dad was!
So you can imagine that this cord that comes out of your stomach must be kept clean and sterile and all times because infection could have killed dad!
So dad and mom had a role reversal for many jobs around the house and one of dad's jobs when he was up to it was to cook dindin!
Dad loves to cook! He makes the best spaghetti sauce and delicious soups and one of his specialties is chicken cutlets! And he loves cooking in his workshop because he has a 10 foot long bench that serves as his work table and this equals tons of room!
We're ready and waiting dad, send them down!
So that was our day yesterday! Supervising peg making and helping dad cook chicken cutlets is hard work but very rewarding!So until next time...................
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
We know all about that role reversal thingy! Our mom used to work very long hours and our dad did all the cooking except for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYour dad is very brave! We can't even imagine what he went through! He's also very lucky to have found a perfect donor before it was too late. We had a neighbor who was on a heart transplant list. Mom used to visit him every day, but sadly, he never found his donor. We are sooooo glad everything turned out well for your dad!...and your mom too!
Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches
I guess you are not allowed to chew on those nice sticks.
ReplyDeleteThe chicken cutlets look yummy. I'm glad you got some and so glad your dad got his transplant. Having a cord stick out of him must have been weird. Sounds like you two had an excellent day.
Your friend,
Niamh
We're so happy that your Dad was given this wonderful gift of life.
ReplyDeleteAnd those chicken cutlets look extra special - we'd like a few.
XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java
OK, I am not sure what having a pipe coming out of you has to do with cooking in the barn, but whatever yields yummers foodables is OK with me.
ReplyDeleteI see you have the old cutting wood action at your house too. Always cutting wood. Cutting, nailing, cutting, nailing (or in your case pegging).
Slobbers,
Mango
Well guys anyone who can cook like that deserves every consideration when it comes to keeping him alive!
ReplyDeleteWe can only imagine what a nightmare time it must have been when Dad had his Jarvik heart!
Well done to everyone for keeping it infection free........not to mention keeping the battery topped up to top up the Jarvik.....thank goodness he now has his new heart!
We were worn out just thinking about it - if you can't manage all of that chicken let us know.
love
Martha & Bailey xxxx
You guys are great helpers in whatever job needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteWe are truly impressed...our dad does most everything else around the house, but the only things he can cook are grits, oatmeal and cream of wheat. He does a good job on those, so we don't give him too much trouble.
ReplyDeleteWe are glad that your dad has his new heart - and we pray for him and all transplant miracles.
gussie
JAzzi here,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you want to be in the gift exchanges. Do you want to be in it together or seperately? I am thinking seperately but thought I better check just....to make sure
LEt me know
Thanks
Jazzi
Waouw your Dad is a "Chef" in the kitchen....not like our VĂ©ronique...poor girl....she try to do her best but...pfffff...
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having a great week-end !
Kisses, Faya & Dyos
What a good dinner after a hard days work.
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
Those chicken cutlets look yummy! Wish some of the men in this house knew how to cook!
ReplyDeleteWe were only reading about Jarvik hearts in our national newspaper yesterday because a 38 year old woman in Dublin has had to be fitted with one permanently because she is unsuitable for a heart transplant due to other complications. We were just thinking how difficult it is going to be for her (and she has four young children) to live with this device permanently. The article was making the point that usually this device is only an interim measure until a transplant can be done!
Well done to your Dad on his great recovery.
take care
Clive and gang
Think he'll come over here and cook, too? Mom is feeling uninspired.
ReplyDeleteB
We are so glad you take such good care of dad. See there is a reward in the end...
ReplyDeleteBig Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
after all that dogervising I think a chicken cutlet was worth it. it is the wonders of modern science that they could keep your dad alive until they found him a new heart....so even with the hassles of keep everything sterile, it was well worth it, because look how much love his new heart has to share with everyone!!!
ReplyDeletechicken cutlets sound yummy.
ReplyDeleteMy mom likes to cook in the barn- just for the heck of it!
Very interesting story you told.
I am sure it feels better now for your dad, not having tubes sticking out
love
tweedles
WOWWOOOOOOO!!!!
ReplyDeleteLook you had a wonderful day with your dad!!!
We can't imagine the terrific moments you and your mommy had when your dad had the surgery to his Jarvik hearts!!!!!
But now he's with you.....and we're soooooooooooooo happy!!!!!!
And OMDDDDDDDDD!!!!
He's a great great cook......that chicken cutlets looks soooooooooooooo yummyyyyyy!!!!
if you can't eat all of them we'll be very very happy to help you!!!!
Wawwawwaawaaaaa!!!!!
and after an hard day of work you had your dindin too???!!!!
WOWOWOOOOOOO!!!!
Lucky lucky friends!!!!
Take good care of your dad ok??
We're sure you love him a lot!!!!
HAve a wonderful weekend dear M&M!!!!
WE LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUU!!
Tons of love and kisses!!!!
Hello~~
ReplyDeleteWow!! Snoopervising the chicken cutlets, now thats a job that I would enjoy!! Now....where do you guys live? I will be there just to "help" out next time!
Droolin in IL
Jazzi
Now, barn pegs and chicken cutlets seem a pretty natural combination! And who woulda thunk that Dr. Jarvik would inadvertently get the Dad-person hooked into becoming a Master Chef! We asked our dad if he'd go through that if it meant we could get some chicken cutlets...well, he was polite but pretty firm!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Buster, Sephie & Bailey
We don't know a lot about all this wood stuff you are doing, but those chicken cutlets look positively delicious - yummers!!! So glad to see you two got to taste them too.
ReplyDeleteWoos and happy weekend, the OP Pack
Another post to make my mom leaky today...
ReplyDeleteThank Dog she's an organ donour!
Woo have some furry special pawrents!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: But WOO knew that already!
Hi, Maggie and Mitch!
ReplyDeleteI think it is very interesting what your mom and dad do with the barns!
Sure is nice to know you dad is so well nowadays!
Chicken cutlets?? Sounds delicious!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
What a wonderful day filled with hard work and delicious food. Chicken cutlets are pawesome!!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Teddy Bear
Your Dad's & Mom's barn conversion work never fails to facinate me.
ReplyDeleteLove the cooking, & so happy your Dad is there to do it for you all.
And, Maggie, who could refuse you a chicken bit with that paw raised.
Love, pats & pets
Blue
Hi Maggie & Mitch!
ReplyDeleteThose chicken cutlets look delicious!
It´s great to know your Dad is so well nowadays!
xoxo
Thor
Your dad is a walking miracle! Please lick his nose for me, OK?
ReplyDeleteAnd... if one of those chicken cutlets should just HAPPEN to come my way......
Tail wags,
Storms