[tnartist05]

I stopped a few wks ago at a yard sale. There was lot of plywood tables on saw horses. I always walk fast through the whole area at 1st,to make sure I see something that I might like before anyone else picks it up. Course it was just me there at this time.

Under a table I spy'd a card board box with some old pots & pans but the end of a board was stickn up also,I pulled it out,it was a really old dried out drift wood ,totally white where it had aged.

I turned it over and in crude penmanship done with a pencil was the word,free. I then started ckn out all the other tables and on the ground,I was picking up alot in my hands when I heard a voice, SON,get you one of them there boxes to put your stuff in. I did,finishing I walked over to a small tree where this old man was sitting,course over alls and a long sleve shirt even thoug it had to be 95 or better,really hot.

I started taken things Id picked up out of the box I had items from 25 cents to maybe $1.50 but I had guessing 10 items then the drift wood. I saved it for last,Sir how much is the old wood??

I seen you tree'd that olde board when you came into my yard,he replied. I found that drift wood several years ago at Little Wibur close to the dam. I said,I know where that is.

How long have you had this olde board,I asked him? Let me see,its been in my salt shed for several yrs,{ I knew he salted his hams in the salt box in there & hung them up.{done that a few times with my granddaddy.}

It was a few years before I retired? When did you retire I asked? AWwwwwww??? when I was 72 yrs old, How old are you now sir?? 84 yrs old.

How much do you want for this olde board,its "FREE" he replied,why is that? I figuredddd if anyone wanted that olde board they would like it like I do and should have it. Let me pay you something for it OK?

NAaaaaaaaaaa~ what will you do with it son?? I told him,I carve a little and will carve one of two things on it?? What?? either a coon or squirrel, BOY I bet that will look good son. I told him,well I'll just try.

I paid him for what I bought and then he ask me where are you from,I told him from the other end of the state in West Tn, Memphis.

He said,I know'd you wasnt from here? I said how did you know sir??
You got out of your truck tooooo fast & walk way too fast. No one here walks that fast. I just smiled and told him,I will bring this board back soon and let you see it ok! I'd like that, he smile with out a tooth in his head{LOL}

I dont like doing any type of work on the Lords day{Sunday} but Sat.night I sanded and oiled this olde dried board to least bring out some wood grains in it and carved it yesterday,finished painting it this morning.
WHY?? We have to take our trash off to a dump,no pick ups in the county and I will past that old mans house today, I will stop and show him this coon,plus offer it to him.......... for FREE.

Hes relief carved & painted, 6 x 17 inches.

And this is my coons tail{alot of hunters love to tell tails} Your thoughts or comments are more than welcome...... Tn~

[wood-whittler]

forrest,

looks good i am sure the old fellow will be pleased with it, any idea what kind of wood it is?

bart

[tnartist05]

Originally Posted by wood-whittler

forrest,

looks good i am sure the old fellow will be pleased with it, any idea what kind of wood it is?

bart

I just got home from the dump and visiting the old man. Can you belive it,he wouldnt take it back!! I told him,heck you have had this old board along time,I wanted to carve something on it and felt you might like it. Oh I do son,but you worked hard on it and I gave it to you and I dont take something back once Ive given it to someone. STRANGEeeeeee But I kinda knew what he was talking about. He said,you got children? I said,yes sir,one son,2 daughter and so far 3 grandbabies. You save that coon for one of them...ok

When I die somone will take the coon and sell it and who knows where it will wine up at,he replied. I thought to myself,if I had just found this olde board and carved it,I would sell it very soon this fall or least try too--lol

I told him,sir give me your name and on the back I will put it and where you live here, on upper shell creek in Roan Mtn,Tn and you gave me this board.

He liked that idea! So I wont sell this board.

Bart I dont know what type of wood it is really,had hard and soft spots in different areas in it.

Im going to apply some type of finish on it in a min. Thks Bart and Im glad you liked this coon-carving Tn~

[bghebert]

Great story tnartist05, before I reached the end I thought, wouldn't that be perfect if you carved it and gave it back to him. So you did, perfect.

you'll be rewarded in so many other ways.

[bghebert]

you offered anyway

[Micky]

Love the coon and absolutely adored the story. Made my day.
micky

[Banjo]

Awwhh, loved the coon tale. Your carving and painting is just beautiful. Every thing on the coon is perfect...the eyes, the tail, the little feet! Well done!

[tnartist05]

Originally Posted by bghebert

Great story tnartist05, before I reached the end I thought, wouldn't that be perfect if you carved it and gave it back to him. So you did, perfect.

you'll be rewarded in so many other ways.

I sure tried to give it back to him but too,kinda understood why he wouldnt take it.

I still like thoses neat chain saw carvings of yours! Thanks again, Tn

[tnartist05]

Originally Posted by bghebert

you offered anyway

Yeap but I understood why he didnt want it back. Thks for your input.

[tnartist05]

Originally Posted by Micky

Love the coon and absolutely adored the story. Made my day.
micky

Well,its just how things happen and as everyones knows on here,old Tn has way too much time on his hands! LOL Gald you liked the coon and how he came about, Micky Thks' Tn~