Martin's Collection

[Martin]

Than one crazy story Martin. The backsplash looks amazing. A wonderful tribute to your wife. The Hill story and the King Print are awesome as well. Some very nice and one very important addition to your collection.

Thank you.

[bookworm 1]

Thank you, I am very pleased with how it turned out. A little side note on its journey to me. It was made in central Poland. The maker shipped it via UPS and charged me $25 for shipping. It made it from central Poland to Vancouver Washington in three days. On the second day of the journey UPS notified me that tariffs were due and gave me the option to pay them online. I paid them. On day three the UPS driver showed up at 3:30 PM Pacific time . Stood on my porch with the item and stated that he could not give it to me unless I paid him the amount due. I explained that I had paid online and showed him the receipt. On the top of the receipt it states 'You may need to present this receipt for the driver to deliver the item.' I tried to give him the receipt and he explained that unless it is identified as paid in his handheld he could not give me the item. He showed me a phone number on the handheld device that I would need to call. I called the number while he waited. They close at 5:30 PM eastern time, so they had been closed an hour. He then said he would be back tomorrow and that I should call the number in the morning. So I called in the morning and they said that they could see it was paid but sometimes it takes a while to make it to the delivery outlets. She then stated that she could force it down but it still may take a day and as it was now Friday I may need to wait until Monday to actually receive the item. I explained that this would not be acceptable and that I need assurances that I would receive the item today. She then explained that if when the driver arrived it was not cleared I could call them again. I am now in groundhog day and explained to her that she would be closed when the driver arrived. She then suggested I call the local UPS office and make sure they have the update. Great solution "please give me the number to the Vancouver Washington UPS." "We here at UPS do not know those numbers but you can look it up in the website." So I looked it up and found an 800 number for the Vancouver UPS and called. After about 20 minutes on the phone with the first person I then waited on hold for 20 minutes for the local office. I finally reach someone and am told that they can see it is paid but they could not assure me that I made it to the drivers device and again stated that Monday at the latest I would have my item. 40 minutes in my patience was now wearing thin. I explained in very clear terms that I will not wait until Monday and that she needed to get me to someone who will guarantee that the item will be delivered today. She did get the message and asked if she could put me on hold while she tried to contact the Vancouver UPS. While on hold I decided to check and sure enough the local UPS offices all have the same phone number so I have still been speaking to someone at UPS HQ. Another 10 minutes on hold, I have now been on the phone an hour, she cam back on an said that the manager of the Vancouver UPS would be calling me within the hour. 10 minutes later a call comes in from a blocked number and goes straight to voicemail. It is a message from UPS stating very clearly that "The driver has been told this invoice is paid and will deliver your package today." So at almost 5:30 PM I hear a very light knock on the door. Assuming it is UPS I rush to the door. I was at the door within 5 seconds of the knock. The driver appears to have knocked and run because he is already around the garage and out of site. But the package is leaned up against the wall. Ok so it was not a "little side note" but a rather long diatribe. My first experience directly dealing with tariffs and my takeaway is if you have a package coming with tariffs due wait and pay the driver directly!

Than one crazy story Martin. The backsplash looks amazing. A wonderful tribute to your wife. The Hill story and the King Print are awesome as well. Some very nice and one very important addition to your collection.

[Martin]

Wow, Martin! That's gorgeous and a great tribute to your wife. Thanks for sharing something so personal and meaningful.

Thank you, I am very pleased with how it turned out. A little side note on its journey to me. It was made in central Poland. The maker shipped it via UPS and charged me $25 for shipping. It made it from central Poland to Vancouver Washington in three days. On the second day of the journey UPS notified me that tariffs were due and gave me the option to pay them online. I paid them. On day three the UPS driver showed up at 3:30 PM Pacific time . Stood on my porch with the item and stated that he could not give it to me unless I paid him the amount due. I explained that I had paid online and showed him the receipt. On the top of the receipt it states 'You may need to present this receipt for the driver to deliver the item.' I tried to give him the receipt and he explained that unless it is identified as paid in his handheld he could not give me the item. He showed me a phone number on the handheld device that I would need to call. I called the number while he waited. They close at 5:30 PM eastern time, so they had been closed an hour. He then said he would be back tomorrow and that I should call the number in the morning. So I called in the morning and they said that they could see it was paid but sometimes it takes a while to make it to the delivery outlets. She then stated that she could force it down but it still may take a day and as it was now Friday I may need to wait until Monday to actually receive the item. I explained that this would not be acceptable and that I need assurances that I would receive the item today. She then explained that if when the driver arrived it was not cleared I could call them again. I am now in groundhog day and explained to her that she would be closed when the driver arrived. She then suggested I call the local UPS office and make sure they have the update. Great solution "please give me the number to the Vancouver Washington UPS." "We here at UPS do not know those numbers but you can look it up in the website." So I looked it up and found an 800 number for the Vancouver UPS and called. After about 20 minutes on the phone with the first person I then waited on hold for 20 minutes for the local office. I finally reach someone and am told that they can see it is paid but they could not assure me that I made it to the drivers device and again stated that Monday at the latest I would have my item. 40 minutes in my patience was now wearing thin. I explained in very clear terms that I will not wait until Monday and that she needed to get me to someone who will guarantee that the item will be delivered today. She did get the message and asked if she could put me on hold while she tried to contact the Vancouver UPS. While on hold I decided to check and sure enough the local UPS offices all have the same phone number so I have still been speaking to someone at UPS HQ. Another 10 minutes on hold, I have now been on the phone an hour, she cam back on an said that the manager of the Vancouver UPS would be calling me within the hour. 10 minutes later a call comes in from a blocked number and goes straight to voicemail. It is a message from UPS stating very clearly that "The driver has been told this invoice is paid and will deliver your package today." So at almost 5:30 PM I hear a very light knock on the door. Assuming it is UPS I rush to the door. I was at the door within 5 seconds of the knock. The driver appears to have knocked and run because he is already around the garage and out of site. But the package is leaned up against the wall. Ok so it was not a "little side note" but a rather long diatribe. My first experience directly dealing with tariffs and my takeaway is if you have a package coming with tariffs due wait and pay the driver directly!

[Brian861]

Wow, Martin! That's gorgeous and a great tribute to your wife. Thanks for sharing something so personal and meaningful.

[Martin]

So here is the copper art I had made to honor my wife. She was a very proud Irish woman (Maiden name: Gallagher). I had him place Celtic knots surrounding a Celtic Tree of Life.
Celtic Knots have no beginning or end and often symbolize the never ending circle of life. The Celtic Tree of Life often symbolizes a gathering point and protected space.
IMG_1045.jpg

[Martin]

Love those framed pieces! Very nice!

Thank you.

[Martin]

They look great!

Thank you.

[Sock Monkey]

Love those framed pieces! Very nice!

[mhatchett]

They look great!

[Martin]

Great choices on both, Martin! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, really pleased with how they turned out. May hang them this weekend.

[Brian861]

Great choices on both, Martin! Thanks for sharing.

[Martin]

Did not mention that I also took a print from Alan M Clark in to be framed as well. This is the cover image from the CD release 'Stephen King: A Primary Bibliography of the World's Most Popular Author'.
I do not recall if I bought the print from CD, alone or as part of a special or if I bought it directly from Mr. Clarks website. It is signed and numbered. I chose a frame that I though completed the art and did go with museum glass on this one:IMG_1024~photo.JPGIMG_1029~photo.JPGIMG_1026~photo.JPG

[Martin]

Was able to pick up my Lake Champlain story today and really like how it turned out.

Chose a black weathered wood frame that I thought fit the print well. Did not use museum glass as it would have dramatically increased to price for something this size. Overall very pleased with it.
IMG_1023~photo.JPGIMG_1025~photo.JPGIMG_1027~photo.JPGIMG_1030~photo.JPGIMG_1031~photo.JPG

[MikeStegs]

This sounds like it will be a very special tribute, and I would also love to see how it turns out.

[Brian861]

Thanks, Martin. Looking forward to both pieces.