I finished building an airplane in my carport this week after working on it for eight and a half years. Our neighbors and the school kids that walk past our house have been watching the slow progress for so long that many of them were sure that it would never be finished. 

 So to celebrate, my wife and I hosted an airplane open house a few weeks ago. We posted flyers around the neighborhood and invited everyone for hamburgers on the grill and for a chance to take a look at the airplane up close. About fifty well-wishers stopped by to congratulate us and admire the finished product, and lots more in their cars slowed down to stare at the airplane in our front yard and to honk and give us a thumbs up.

The airplane is at the Grand Prairie airport now. There are still a few minor things that need to be finished up, but I hope to be flying it next month.