Plane and Fancy

One of the first things that happens when boards come into the shop destined to become the project at hand is to plane those boards down to the desired thickness. So it was with some disappointment a few days ago that turning on the planer resulted in an uncomfortable silence in what is usually a very noisy machine. How could this be? That machine is only 25 years old or so. Truth is, we've been operating on borrowed time for a while now. After checking out the incoming voltage and connections, my son Jonathan and I figured the old motor had just given up. It began to look like the 200 board feet or so of lumber we hoped to have ready for next weekend would not get even the first step on their way to being the wall paneling we hoped to install.

Removing the motor was pretty straight forward although, weighing in at about 100 pounds, it was challenge enough. In the mean time, a great friend offered us the use of a smaller planer that he had in his shop. Today, Jonathan and I ran the boards through the generously loaned machine noting that though plenty wide enough, the amount the machine could remove in a single pass was considerably less than it's disabled big, motorless brother. After two passes through the borrowed machine, I checked my phone and the message from the motor repair shop was just what I wanted to hear. Just a bit over 48 hours after dropping the motor off, it was repaired and ready to be picked up. You better believe, I'll talk that repair shop up.

The planer is back in business and that loud noise it makes is somehow not nearly as annoying as it seemed to be. If it's possible for a siren-like 90 decibel noise to sound like music, that's what's happening now. Barring any other breakdown, we should be on schedule to have our material ready for the weekend. We will move forward assuming that will be the case. One thing that has been present in the whole situation is an attitude, on my part, of understanding that all our circumstances are under God's control. He wanted us to experience a slowdown and acceptance that all our plans must somehow fit into His grand plan. I'm grateful to be able to use the planer again and just as with His presence, I appreciate it a bit more.

Boxed In

Every once in a while, I get a request to build something for someone and over the years that has run the range from wooden spoons to log home houses. At this point, it's unlikely that houses are going to be in the realm of projects I'm willing to tackle. So it was a pleasure to say yes to a request for something that was relatively simple, yet still in need of some design considerations. Although making several of something once the design is workable, the idea of making just one of something, not likely to be repeated has a certain appeal. 

A long time good friend presented the opportunity to make a unique, although rather simple project. It seems the pastor of his church was planning to follow another call after serving in their church for twenty years. This pastor had a delightful twist to keep his congregation involved in his sermons. Each week he sent an empty shoe box home with one of his flock who was charged with the responsibility of returning the box the following Sunday with a mystery object inside that the pastor would somehow include in the day's sermon; quite a novel and challenging idea.

My friend wondered is I could make a wooden shoe box as a memento for the pastor to take with him as he moved on to the next place he would serve the Lord. The idea of a box with a contrasting lid came to mind. A wooden heart with an inscription from the congregation was another feature that hopefully will remind the pastor of the many lives he has touched. Being of Dutch heritage, I considered, only fleetingly, putting a pair of wooden shoes in the box as well. Maybe another time.

Although we recognize that being a pastor to a congregation is a calling from God, it is essential that we remember that we are all called to serve in one form or another. I truly believe that all sane people want to believe that their life has been lived with purpose. God created each of us with the same idea in mind. He has a purpose for our existence. Spend some time with Him and ask to what He is calling you.

Wood Shop Keeping

Sometimes the amount of time spent in the wood shop is disproportionate to the amount of woodworking that actually takes place. Today was pretty much a time like that. It was a matter of moving from one little maintenance job to the next. All the while avoiding the real reason for being there when I went there. Part of that dilemma had to do with the hesitation of attempting a new technique when there were some no brainers that could keep me from the one thing I really hoped to accomplish.

There was the matter of readjusting the motor mount on the lathe after replacing the drive belt. Then the rat's nest of power cords on some of the hand-held tools begged to be coiled up in such a way that a single tool could be picked up without being entangled in the cord of two others. Speaking of entangled, the roll of baling twine that used to dispense just like it should had gotten dropped and getting a length greater than a foot or two was a challenge. Oh, and the filters on the heater and dust collector had been ignored entirely too long.

All this stuff had to be done. But somehow it seemed like a couple hours had done nothing that would be considered woodworking. I have come to appreciate my wife's refrain that house cleaning is noticed only when it isn't done. Before heading home, I did tackle the job that I really wanted to do in the first place (gluing a thin applique of contrasting wood on another piece). Tomorrow will tell if that was successful or not. Maybe next time the finished item can be the subject of a post. In the meantime, be content with your situation, even it seems not a productive as you would like. I firmly believe that, no matter what's happening, God has you right where He wants you. Look around and ask Him what He would have you do there.

Alone with him and Him

Having people show up for "Out of the Woodwork", as I call the ministry that started several years ago when the guilt of how little the wood shop that my father left me was being used, is something that has convinced me that it was the right thing to do. Regardless of motives for showing up, most folks seem to genuinely enjoy being there. Not everyone does a lot of woodworking while there. Some come just to associate with one another and realize that some productive things are going on in this world that often leaves the impression that very little is happening in that category.

Today, I spent a couple hours in the shop. alone, at least physically, and moved the current project, or two, a bit closer to completion. Time alone in the shop has a very different feel in that there is no distraction and it's just me and the wood. The wood just tries to be wood and I try to make the wood become what I would have it be. It's in those times that I catch myself with a realization that there is a presence beyond me and the wood.

Time alone in the shop often gives a sense that I am not alone. There are spiritual visitors that are more apparent than when there are several people working there. Naturally, my father is one of those whose spirit I sense. "What do you think about what I've done with this space that you pretty much considered a private space in which you could escape the world?" is the question that forms in my mind.  I would like to believe that Dad is OK with what's going on. He gave it to me and did so with no great reservations or conditions.

It seems the analogy is clear. Our Father in Heaven has gifted all of us. Unquestionably, some have been bequeathed more than others. But all have been entrusted with what the Father entrusts them. As with all that is in my life whether a gift from my earthly father or not, it must be considered a gift from God. Jesus tells us, "To whom much has been given, much will be expected," Being a good steward of that with which we've been entrusted is essential. Hopefully, my father and my Father are pleased with what's happening at "Out of the Woodwork".

Mighty Who?

As agreed with my pastor a dozen or so years ago, I volunteer a few hours at church each week. Most of that happens on Mondays and Tuesdays. This has been good for me and hopefully good for the church as well. In addition to coordinating the small groups ministry, there is a good bit of minor maintenance stuff that occupies a good bit of the time spent there. The business of a little structured time has kept me from a stream of consciousness existence at least for two days a week. There are some other obligations on Thursday and Friday. So, jokingly, Wednesday is my day off and my journey to church Monday and Tuesday is referred to as "going to work". Everything we call work should be so rewarding.

This past Monday, my trip to "work" involved a funny, vibrating noise that I soon discovered changed pitch with varying speeds of the heater fan. In fact, at top speed, it seemed like the dashboard was going to come off. I put up with it (pretty bearable on lowest blower setting) until today (my day off if you recall), Armed with an assortment of screwdrivers and such I disassembled the necessary plastic parts to gain access to the recalcitrant heater motor. Because of where we live, what greeted me at that point was not too surprising.

Living in the woods has been a lifetime thing for me and I would not choose otherwise. However one constant in the arrangement is putting up with the critters that share the woods. It would seem a mouse had taken up residence in the heater system. building a nest with various parts of air filters and insulation material. Mice can get through such tiny holes that it's virtually impossible to keep them from invading such an inviting space. Although cleaning out acorns and replacing the cabin air filter is pretty much routine, the rascally rodent was never in there when I did this in the past. This time was different unlike the larger rodent who choose to come out last week, this little one stayed put and when the heater fan (think centrifuge) cranked up it did him in and, although small, his body was sufficient to really upset the balance of the fan. I can run the heater full speed now. But, hopefully, the larger rodent. Phil, was right and it won't be necessary.
 

Two Fire Night

Although we have an oil-fired hot water system that supplies the bulk of our home heating, we have always supplemented the oil by burning wood. That was accomplished for years with an old fashioned box stove that had been salvaged from a less than desirable storage situation. It worked, albeit with moderate efficiency. Since it was in the basement and warm air tends to rise, it did help limit the number of times the oilman had to show up.

Then a few years ago we replaced the old timer with a new air-tight model figuring that less wood would be required and it seemed a bit safer in that you could only see the fire through the glass door. The new, safer stove however had a shortcoming. The firebox capacity did not allow for the same amount of heat the old one did and the only really warm spot was in the basement in front of the stove. There has to be a better way.

A second stove in the form of a fireplace insert proved to be a good solution. We still buy some oil and appreciate the fact that going away for a day or two is not the problem it would be if wood was our only fuel. Our winters generally have been warmer the last few years and the stove in the basement rarely gets used. Tonight is different. The Polar Vortex, a term that had no meaning for me for seventy years is misbehaving and the temperature is supposed to be bitterly cold tonight and tomorrow. Tonight and the next couple nights as well will be two stove nights as we deal with this new, at least to me, creature called the Polar Vortex.

I am so grateful to have access to firewood and will plan to get a little more stacked up next year in case the situation repeats. Thinking that old  saw, "Money doesn't grow on trees."  should be revised. Thanks for reading and hoping you are warm wherever you may be.

Resting Up

Today was less than what I would call a productive one. Other than keeping the wood fire burning and opening the stuff that magically (almost) appeared from Amazon it was a matter of keeping my favorite chair occupied. There is some sort of bug going around and fortunately I, unlike many, have the option to rest up in hopes that my body, as it usually does, fights off the malady. I was so good at doing nothing today, it conjured up thoughts of running for congress. From what I see, some of those folks have figured out a way to capitalize on sitting still.

Tomorrow will be different. Some of that stuff Amazon sent will provide what's needed to make some repairs on broken equipment and, since it will be Thursday, there's things going on that will get me out of the chair. My Christian men's group starts the day with breakfast at the diner followed by some study of God's Word and sharing concerns. During the winter months, Thursday is also when I make soup for our church's weekly community meal each Thursday evening. The day ends with one of two regular weekly "Out of the Woodwork" sessions. Coming home after that will allow me a bit of time in my chair without the guilt I felt today.

To be fair, a good bit of my chair time today was spent reading a great book about the restoration of the American Chestnut tree. If you have a few minutes, (well, quite a few minutes) ask me about how that restoration effort is coming along. Any time spent reading can hardly be considered wasted. Right? There, I feel better about the day now. Thanks for the chance to explain myself.