There was a conversation going on about table saws It is clear to almost everyone that this piece of equipment is the center of most shops. Admittedly, if you are a scroll sawyer, or a turner, this is not the case, but for the rest of us, it is. The actual conversation was around what you have to move to be able to work in your shop. I remembered working on an armoire for Sara while living in Lees Summit. In order to get anything done, I had to pull two cars out of the shop, and then get out equipment and material before I even started to work. It seriously took me an hour to get started and an hour to tear down at the end. That was with good weather. If the weather was bad, it was more of a challenge as I had to get the place warmed up as well.
Now, I come to the shop and am ready to work the minute I walk in the door. Heat is automatic in the winter thanks to a setback thermostat and I am considering air conditioning. My equipment is dialed in so measurements are accurate since I don't have to move things. I have the space needed to work on a teardrop trailer for my sister. Even with a trailer sitting in the shop, I still have plenty of room to work. Listening to these other woodworkers describe the things they had to do to be able to work made me realize how truly fortunate I am.
Then, while I was thinking about woodworking, my mind floated to a bigger place. I know we all face challenges each and every day, but it struck me how blessed I really am. Even though as a family, we really didn't have much when I was growing up, my sister and I really did not know it. The community we were born into and the family we were part of overcame the lack of tangible wealth. The community, and our family made up for it all. We did a lot with a little.
Jaye and I had college educations, because my mother truly believed that if someone was willing to fill out enough paperwork there was a way to go to college. We both had student debt when we came out but we dug in and took care of that as soon as we could. I went into the workplace and thought I would work at my first job until I retired. This wasn't the case, but I have been lucky as I have been able to be a "broken field runner" in the workplace. I have been able to learn things and pivot into a new job/career using all that I learned.
I guess all of these things came pouring in around me while I was thinking about my shop because of the world we find ourselves in today. In large part, the Sigourneys of the past are gone.Places where people are extended family. Places that take care of each other. They are much less common today than they used to be. One of the places I have the opportunity to work in right now is Neola, Iowa. I think Neola is much like what I am talking about. That community has been able to raise money and get projects done unlike many other communities their size. If you have never stopped in there, you should visit.They have some amazing things going. And their HooDoo Days is a celebration to be experienced.
Anyway, I got a long way off track there, but I know much of what would help this country right now is if we were more like Neola or Sigourney. If we knew our neighbors and those around us. If we took the time to try to understand. If we walked a mile in their shoes. I didn't grow up in a perfect place, but when I cross the Keokuk County line and start waving at people, just because I might know them, I know I was blessed to learn all of that. So, tomorrow on the way to work rather than yelling or honking at someone, I am going to wave and start my own little movement.
Why don't you join me?
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