Like Minded

I have been fortunate in my life to have worked and played with a very diverse group of people. All the way back to my days at Drake, I remember conversations about things that make us different - family traditions and experiences from our past. All these things make us different and and if we choose to learn from each other - make us better.

I carry a great deal of this experience with me daily, and it shapes the way I look at the things I have to handle. It makes the way I interact with people different than it would have been without these experiences. I've been listening to a book by Jon Acuff and he talks about the fact that sometimes, until you know the things a person has experienced, you can’t really understand the way they interact with you. This is so true, and maintaining a “lens” through which we look at others, based upon their history and not ours, is tough work.

And then ... we get a chance to spend time with people that are a little more like us. I got to experience this environment a couple of weeks ago at the annual “Weekend with Wood.” These people, all 250 of them, are my people. They love the things I love. They reflect back the way that I view a lot of the world, or at least the part of it about woodworking. Now, based on the group, and me telling you they were a reflection of me, evidently I'm a 75 year old male with some hearing loss.

That weekend was spent talking to people who not only love the same avocation as me, but in many cases they are much more accomplished at it. I spend time at these events learning from the other participants. Pile on top of all of that the wonderful speakers brought in for the event, and it was just about a perfect teaching/training/networking event.

What did I learn?  First and foremost I learned again, if something is not working, look to your process. So many times the process is the flaw. My case in point is around my rail and stile doors. I've gotten pretty good at these, which is a good thing, as I am about to tie in to Sara’s new kitchen, but there has been one ongoing issue I have not been able to fix. In the middle of one of the session, the crystal bullet fired into my brain. I realized the process I use has a couple of steps reversed. In fixing the order of process, my issue will be resolved. Worth every cent I spent.

I also convinced myself it might be possible for me to start working with items which are not straight. I've always said my woodworking is about straight lines and right angles. Well, what do you know! I may actually be able to add some curves and sculpture to my work. This opens up a whole new set of things I can produce. And now ... after all the times I've said NO, it might even be time to think about building chairs with shaped seats. Crazy, right?  I know.

Finally, I learned once again there are always more “toys” out there to add to the woodworking arsenal. I took my first class in CNC (computer numerically controlled) woodworking. This has been in the big commercial shops for years and was always something that amazed me. Now it is coming to the home shop for only about $6000.00 or (of course) more. To use the words of one of my children, “I Need That.” On top of this new home shop technology, I spent time around the folks from Epilog. They make a laser engraving system that is just awesome. If you are considering sending me something for Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, or Kwanza, please check out their website. This will make the things that you build much cooler by adding a little “bling.” https://www.epiloglaser.com/index.htm

I should have bought one of these years ago, but I needed a way to get to work and it was either a truck or a laser, and you just can’t drive a laser.

So, in this diverse world I love so much, I spent three glorious days with people that like to do the same kind of hobby work I do. I found it uplifting, encouraging and just downright motivating. My friend, Russell, is the first benefactors. He needed a project completed and I knocked it out more quickly than I usually do. I've included a picture - a desktop for the new standing desk he is putting in his office.

And finally, if you are a woodworker, wear your hearing protecting, darn it. Hearing loss is slow and irreversible. It would be nice if when I go back to Weekend with Wood in a couple of years we can all still talk to each other. Have a great day.