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The Woodworker

3/23/2015

6 Comments

 
Picture
Allan, my husband, has always been interested in wood working. He built many pieces of furniture in our house, remodeled most of the rooms, and added on the garage and enclosed back porch. For several years, the table saw and various other tools in the garage lay dormant as life events took different paths. But last spring, with retirement looming in the near future, his interest in wood was revitalized and reinvented.

Slowly, new tools began to appear in the garage/woodshop – a lathe, a circular saw, a tool box on wheels. A woodworking magazine became part of our regular mail delivery. A new hobby had caught Allan’s interest – pen making. He researched on the internet and visited various suppliers in the area. Soon boxes of small blocks of zebrawood, olivewood, and blackwood arrived. There were acrylics, too. He was proud of each new accomplishment as he experimented and learned from his successful and unsuccessful attempts.


As summer turned into fall and became winter, our house was filled with an excess of sixty pens, wine bottle stoppers, even an ice cream scoop. Before he retired at the end of December, he presented each of his co-worker with a hand-turned pen, and just about everyone we know received a pen or bottle stop for Christmas. Several of our friends suggested Allan start a new business, but he isn’t interested in selling his creations. His joy comes in the giving.

 


6 Comments
writekimwrite link
3/22/2015 10:46:14 pm

What a creative and artistic endeavor for your husband. I am sure his colleagues will treasure their hand turned pens. "His joy comes in the giving." That is a lovely compliment and the nicest part of the story.

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Judy C.
3/22/2015 10:56:11 pm

It seems when our guys retire they need something to do (which is a good thing!). Mind puts his efforts into the gun club, shooting and reloading. But he still does some occasional woodworking - when I give him a nudge to be creative.

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Lynn
3/22/2015 11:55:33 pm

I think it's so important once retired to have some interests/hobbies. My husband is in to cars...

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fireflytrails link
3/23/2015 01:08:49 am

My husband is doing the same thing, only a few steps behind. His retirement isn't for a few years, but he is filling the garage with woodworking tools already. I love that your husband made so many treasures for his colleagues to give as he retired. You have described this so well, I can see the tools and the products in my mind's eye so clearly!

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LibraryDragon link
3/23/2015 01:41:48 am

I have several hand turned pens that I cherish. They were made by our friend Ted. He passed a year ago. The pens are truly a work of art. I am glad your husband has found something he enjoys.

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arjeha link
3/23/2015 05:36:40 am

Allan found something he is passionate about. Good for him! Hope he has many happy hours pursuing his rekindled passion. If he ever changes his mind about selling, there are many great craft shows. We have one across the street from our house every September.

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