Busy (If Short) February
By Scott Kruize
Recall I sometimes slip into fantasizing how Mr. Peabody's WayBack Machine would make for an interesting visit to my persona, back Then -- as I could tell him something about modeling Now... and test his credulity and imagination.
The picture shows about half of what I put out on display at the Museum of Flight, Friday afternoon this Presidents' Day weekend. The NorthWest Scale Modelers do this every year, in part-payment for the privilege of meeting there free.
Could I tell myself back Then that his modeling would continue for many decades, and that eventually, his/my models would display in a major museum for hundreds of visiting patrons to see? Not just mine, but a couple of thousand models, from a hundred other modelers?
Our fellow member, RocketMan (Tim Nelson) organized these yearly displays, until in a state of advanced burnout, managed to transfer it to the NWSMs' resident legal mind, Jim Bates. That is: Jim took Tim's place as Adjutant to the mysterious, never-seen, but totally dominating General Savage. His Order Of The Day, relayed by Tim many times to us as Display Day approached, was very simple:
“BRING ALL YOUR MODELS!!”
The closest I came was during the 'Maximum Effort' of 2012, bundling up more than a hundred accumulated builds. That year set a record for the number of models put out on display. I had to ask Tim the exact number: 3,030!
Other years had more modest contributions, built around some self-composed Theme, giving me an excuse to select some -- not all -- of my models, explained to Museum patrons with carded printouts. This year shows a variety of subjects... casually dabbled with, and that I could contrive to relate to some sort of 'First!'
Six were light stick-and-tissue flying models (“Balsa Modeling is Not Dead!!”) and 30 static-display items. A worthwhile if modest contribution to the overall display, which this year was no slouch at 2,128 by 101 modelers. It included a dozen that weren't ready this time last year. I enjoy writing the explanatory placards so the Museum patrons have some idea why the items are out... and with the hope one or another will inspire new modelers to join us.
This big annual event is in February which is just as well, since this time of year in the Northwest it’s mostly cold, dim, and soggy. Not to belabor that point, knowing column readers live all over the country, and the world, encompassing places where weather extremes of heat and cold, deluges and drought, freezes and windstorms make Washington's conditions 'balmy' by comparison. Nevertheless, we natives are always glad when things start looking up in the Spring.
It's ironic, 'faint praise' to note that February's the shortest month, and will delay Spring arrival minimally. Join me mentally in reciting that mnemonic poem that starts “30 days Hath September”. Here, in Lakewood, near Tacoma, I learned one version with its ending describing February's exceptionalism. My wife Sandra is from the East Coast, namely Levittown, and she learned a different version in Catholic school, attended through graduation from high school. Anyway, she didn't like either ending. Since keeping her serene and content is something for which I may spare no effort or expense, I'm compelled to try my poetical talent, feeble though it may be, to come up with a new ending. Here 'tis:
...Excepting February, alone...
Which stays but 28 days here -- added to by 1 in each Leap Year
Whichever... though we're in the slightly longer Year, we don't have to endure February for very long. But SAY! -- Our build areas are still indoors, eh whot? Well, let's use however many such days to:
Build What You Want The Way You Want To And Above All Have Fun!