While some of us have been lounging on the couch studying our belly buttons, Larry has been busy carving. He recently sent Jude pictures of his latest creation: "The Prisoner."

This stick is carved from maple, which is a hard wood. Larry said the stick was very difficult to carve. First he used a hammer and chisels to shape it.  Later, to get into the tight places and to speed the removal of wood, he used a Dremel tool.  He wanted to try making a carving within a carving. He also wanted to try his hand at carving chains.  He says the chains broke fairly often when he first started carving them, until he acquired the skill to make them without breaking.  The bricks carved on the lower portion of the stick are painted a streaked grey, to make them more interesting and realistic.  The chains are painted a metallic silver covered with a diluted mix of red and brown to simulate corrosion and rust.  The stick is finished in clear lacquer. The Prisoner took 7 months to complete and is Larry's 25th carving.

Underside

As for the future, here is what Larry has to say, "I abandoned the idea of doing 'Organs.' I found better ideas. The one I'm working on now will be called 'Grasshopper'."  Jude thinks she can picture that one! But wait..."Grasshopper" in the singular? Whoa! Would it be like "The Big Worm?" A Big Grasshopper? Whatever it is, it's sure to be an interesting work of art!

Remember the song you made up one summer, Larry? It went something like this:

"Grasshoppers! (air strum) Grasshoppers! (air strum)
They have such sticky feet, they stick to Judy's shirt!"

Perhaps this next stick is meant to be a surprise for Jude for providing your inspiration. Huh? huh?