Peter Models the Completed Mountain Parka!

Friends, today is the first day of fall (Happy fall!) and my parka is finished.

You can see me model it here.

I think it's a pretty good facsimile of the classic 60/40 mountain parka, though I can't vouch for the fabric being a 60/40 (cotton/nylon) blend like the original.

I added the final finishing touches -- six gripper snaps -- yesterday afternoon.

I'm so glad I ordered two packages of these, because neither package had six complete sets like they claim. (Both had only five of the button tops along with varying numbers of the other pieces -- as many as eight). How difficult is it to count to six?

Anyway, all six snaps went in perfectly. It took time to measure and mark carefully on both sides and to cut the tiny hole in the fabric, but once I did, hammering them in was very straightforward.

Once again I was able to avail myself of my trusty mallet, purchased more than twenty years ago at the flea market when I was playing "Rancid Harry," the village leper and handyman, at the New York Renaissance Festival. All I have left from that experience are my memories -- and my mallet.

This morning was very fall-like (cool, mid 50's), so it was actually great to be wearing a parka during our photo shoot.

Did you know this classic mountain parka -- designed in 1968 -- has a cult following in Japan? (You can read more about the original design here.)

Anyway, it's great to be finished with this challenging project. Onwards and upwards, I always say.

Have a great day, everybody!