A Little Life Moment

Irish · #1 03-04-2008, 10:24 AM

I am waning (waxing?) poetically here. So, if you aren't interested there are some really great threads over in General Carving that you will really enjoy reading ....

I think everyone has a few little life moments when you know that you have or haven't made the grade ... I have.

Those moments seldom involve the 'BIG' accomplishments like getting married, giving birth, opening your own store, getting that promotion. I'm talking about those very little interactions between people that barely take 30 seconds to occur yet change your perceptive about yourself and your place in life.

One of my first 'little moments' came when I was in my teens and my uncle who owned a machine shop offered to take my brothers on as summer apprentices to learn welding. Neither of them were interested but I sure was. As a burgeoning artist learning to weld could have ended me up as a sculpturer instead of a pattern artist. But when I asked if I could apprentice that answer was a quick "NO" from my uncle and my Dad. That's when I realized that there are different rules for girls and boys ... and the girl rules often started with "NO".

Another "little moment" came when after showing my Dad my first carving, which was a feather done in scrap 2"x4" with a kitchen paring knife ... AHH!, my Dad actually purchased a carving tool set and basswood for me as a Christmas present. That may seem small to you but in a world where MEN do woodworking and women do the dishes it was huge!

The day Dad died my Mom placed his carving tools in front of me and said that Dad wanted ME to have them. They were the only possessions that he specifically taged for any of us kids. I still cry when I think about it because to me it meant the Dad felt I was worthy of following in his footsteps in carving.

Well ... why, Susan, are you boring us all with this prattle??? Well, I say, because I had one of those "little moments" last night. My beloved Michael collects designer knives. He loves plotting, planning, considering and down right stalking his next purchase. And he loves pulling out the rest of his collection to compare new ones to old ones, deciding where the new ones will fit into cases.

Yesterday a package arrived with four new knives, two about 10" to 12" long blades and two pocket knife styles.

So he's looking at them closely ... fingering the loot as we would say ... when he notices that one of the large ones still had a tin edge burr. AHHH!

AND THEN!!!

He hands the knife to me and asks ... "Can you give it a few licks on your strop?"

Michael knows how to sharpen. He's a cabinet woodworker! He's done woodworking for eons! He actually doesn't flinch when he turns on the table saw, router or band saw!!!!

But he handed his new prize, barely out of the box, to me to sharpen.

THAT is a little life moment!!!

Susan

RussL. · #2 03-04-2008, 10:29 AM

Ms. Irish,

You've got a good eye for living, as well as for doing artwork.

All the best,

RussL.

Thor · #3 03-04-2008, 10:36 AM

Susan, you are a joy.
Keep looking for those moments.
thor

snickerbocker · #4 03-04-2008, 10:48 AM

Susan,
I have had the same moment when Phil trusted me to sharpen for him. Ahhh! It is good to be me.

squbrigg · #5 03-04-2008, 01:15 PM

Thank you Susan, that is a good one!

Your story reminded me of something ........ didn't you tell me at one time, that your Dad had given you a special piece of wood, and that you hadn't been inspired yet as to what to carve from it? I forget what kind of wood it was, perhaps Butternut? Have you ever been inspired to use it yet? Just curious. Or am I just confused? ( I confuse easy these days)

Bob

Irish · #6 03-04-2008, 02:24 PM

Hey Russ, Thor and Vicki!

Vicki ... that's the right word ... trust! He gave me a moment of trust, without hesitation or discussion or even any instructions on how he wanted it done. Just pure trust.

Bob, It's English walnut about 4" - 5" thick, 24" high by about 18" wide. And it is still uncarved. Unfortunately and fortunately our businesses have grown so much plus my Mom is now living with us that every bit of space that we have is filled with either storage for her or business for us. Literally I am out of carving room as it got sacrificed to the boxes and furniture for Mom.

So it waits until we find some place to move.

Susan

Mottles · #7 03-04-2008, 03:41 PM

Thank you, Susan Thor is right you are a joy.
Kathy

Kenny_S · #8 03-04-2008, 03:58 PM

AMEN!!! Sweet story and the honor so deserving.

oldmaninthewoods · #9 03-05-2008, 02:00 AM

susan to be able to give and pass something on is what life is about my grand daughter is three years old and my new grand daughter is three months old my hope is that they will have ever chance as any boy when Shellby is here I away that time to try and teach her as much as i can she a little small to be playing with carving knifes right now but ive given her a set of water colors we set at the table and paint togather i know it not much but if i can pass on some art talent carving are wood burning could be next i think just as much about her as i would a grand son mabe more cause she,s my frist grand baby and iam sure your father felt the same way cause no matter now big they get there still your babys

decoycarve · #10 03-05-2008, 07:41 AM

Little things mean a lot to me. A hug instead of a handshake, special walking sticks when I blew my knees out. The guy that got me into carving selling me his carving box full of tools for $10 before he passed a way. His wife and daughter asking me to finish a piece that he started. I carry on OLd Joe's Legacy If we meet and you state you could never carve and show an interest, Your getting a knife, a piece of wood, and your first carving lesson. Every time this happens I look up and Say, Ol Joe we hooked another one.
Sue,
What is the signifigance of the numbers beside the garage door?
Goody