Well, it has been too long since I updated this so I will pop in here today and say a couple things. 
First, my dad has been back home for a week today, and he is still very weak but glad to be home anyway. The doctor said the spot in his lung is a little bigger, but not a big worry yet. Not that they would operate anyway, but something to be aware of.Second, I finally had enough energy to fire up my torch on Sunday afternoon and make a few beads. I swear this weekend I am doing nothing before I spend a few hours on the torch each day. I really need to get some things made for a couple of exchanges I am in and some things to sell as well.
I made a couple of cats (as usual) my favorite one cracked, darn it, but the other one is cute. I also made a couple of new things I hadn't tried. I got some tools called Tapley's Tongs and they make perfectly shaped lentil beads. I had longed for something to make those lovely lentils and it worked perfectly. I need to experiment a bit and see which sizes I will use the most and sell the others. I also tried making an alien, actually two, but one is not for public consumption. The last thing I tried which was new was a little focal bead with some cute blue bugs on it. The first cat I attempted is now known as the cat gone wrong since the bead release broke in the middle of shaping it. Anyway, I will let you come to your own conclusions.
