avatarK. Barrett

Summary

The author reflects on the unexpected reoccurrence of "woodworking" in their life, reminiscing about personal experiences and family history related to the craft, and expresses gratitude for the talent and memories it has provided.

Abstract

The article "Woodworking Is the Word of the Day" by K. Barrett is a personal narrative that recounts the author's recent encounters with the theme of woodworking. It begins with a phone conversation with the author's mother, discussing the father's new venture into maple syrup production and the shop class's involvement in welding and bench-making. This conversation triggers memories of the author's own high school woodworking project, where they took on a supervisory role, leading to amusing shop antics and ultimately a cabinet that the author's mother still cherishes. The day's events take an interesting turn when the author receives a message from the editor of a woodworking publication, inviting them to write for the platform. This serendipitous occurrence prompts the author to reflect on the woodworking legacy in their family, from the grandfather and father's collaborative projects to the construction of a family hunting cabin filled with handcrafted pieces. The article concludes with the author expressing appreciation for woodworking as a source of joy and a tribute to their late grandfather, acknowledging the craft's role in creating lasting memories across generations.

Opinions

  • The author views woodworking as a meaningful and joyful part of their family history, not just a practical skill or hobby.
  • The author believes in signs from the universe, interpreting the repeated mention of woodworking as a significant coincidence.
  • There is a sense of humor and self-awareness in the author's recollection of their high school woodworking project, where they admit to providing entertainment through their antics.
  • The author values the talent and artwork of their family members in woodworking, describing their creations as "stunning."
  • The author feels a sense of connection and nostalgia for the woodworking craft, which is deepened by

Woodworking Is the Word of the Day

It came by surprise but it stayed for a smile

Photo-K.Barrett, author

I wish I was going to tell you that woodworking became the word of the day because I just completed the most magnificent woodworking piece to ever be seen. Well, that is not quite the way the story goes.

I was on the phone with my mom. We were talking about my dad’s new maple syrup adventure. He is having the shop class do some welding on his boiling pan. My mom told me that the shop class makes benches by request. You only have to supply the wood.

I laughed, and recalled, that was kind of like my woodworking project when I was in high school — we only had to supply the wood! We laughed. I took more of a supervisorial role of “my” project that year. I am sure I provided plenty of entertainment in the shop with my crazy antics while my project was being completed. I think it turned out to be a pretty fair deal for everyone. Especially for my mom— she still has the cabinet. And, actually, my teacher did require that I at least learn to operate each of the machines that were being used. I did get a little bit of experience (in woodworking and supervising).

So that was the first time woodworking came up today. And, that was the first time in many years. Then, oddly enough, it came up again —today.

I recently started writing on Medium. I got a private message on a poem I wrote. I saw that it came from the editor of a woodworking publication. I believe in signs from the universe. This was a sign and woodworking officially became the word of the day. I checked out the publication and it looks like a lot of fun. They added me as a writer. I am looking forward to writing with them. (No…it isn’t only about woodworking…I might write about supervising.)

The word of the day made me reminisce about all of the woodworking that I have seen in my family. My grandfather and my father have been working in the woods and building things together ever since I can remember. Years ago it was a family project to build our hunting cabin. I remember my parts were to drive the four-wheeler dragging the logs and then to hammer nails for decking. Inside that cabin, there are so many amazing handcrafted woodworking pieces — chairs, stairs, and tables. They have so much talent — stunning artwork.

With covid restrictions, I missed my winter trip to visit the cabin. I am glad woodworking became the word of the day so that I could take this moment to think about these times and their talent. These trees have given three generations of memories.

Woodworking as a word — came by today as a surprise, but it stayed for a smile.

Thank you for reading! Love to all of the woodworkers out there! Your art is appreciated. This piece is in memory of my grandpa. :)

Woodworking
Gratitude
Thankfulness
Words
Wisdom
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