[Paul_Guraedy]

Bill Matz is one of the few moose antler carving instructors and has written an excellent book on the subject. One of the places he has been teaching is at the Creede (Colorado) Rendezvous. One of the pleasures of spring, for Diana and I, has been the visit of Bill and Doris as they stopped over on their way out to Creede.

This year was no exception; but, did have a sad element. Although they plan to continue their visits with us, this will be his last trip out as an instructor. Time has taken its toll. Bill is giving up all teaching and is switching to elk tines for his carving pleasure. Moose antlers are not easy to carve (artistically, environmentally or physically). Bill says that arthritis just makes it too difficult. He has also found the acquisition of antlers and then traveling with them (they take up a lot of room) frustrating from both a logistical and financial standpoint.

My days pretty well start the same way. I take my coffee onto the porch, look out over the Ozarks and enjoy the sunrise. We have a large viewshed with no evidence of other people within sight or hearing. As the brightening light fills the porch, I start my woodcarving time. But this morning I sat meditating on the loss of a carver from a very narrow niche. I am saddened by the limitation time is forcing on a friend. But, at the same time, I am buoyed by the realization that old Mother Nature still abhors a vacuum. Bill has found a replacement for his moose antler carving with a passionate interest in banjo picking. Someone, somewhere, will step forward and fill the gap he leaves among instructors.

Balance will return. All is right with the world.

Attached are photos of Bill’s moose and elk carving.