Looking back at 2007

With the New Year just starting, I was looking back at last year. There were a lot of things for me to think about. When it came to woodworking, 2007 was an incredible year for me. I don’t think I have ever been more excited and energized about woodworking, and that is saying a lot.

The first big event was finding Lumber Jocks, thanks to Marc over at The Wood Whisperer. Ok, I guess finding Marc’s site kick everything off. I think 2007 was a big year for woodworking on the Internet, at least it was for me. I discovered so many new sites, it would be hard to list them all. I used to spend my free time watching reruns of The New Yankee Workshop and Wood Works. Now I spend most of my free time keeping up with the woodworking sites I’ve found.

The next big change in my woodworking adventure was the discovery of how useful and powerful hand tools are. To this I have to give credit to a couple of DVDs I got for Christmas in 2006. The DVDs were from Rob Cosman and David Charlesworth. These two guys were the sparks that lit a fire in me when it comes to hand tools. David showed me how powerful a hand plane can be. Rob made me believe I could develop my skills with hand tools. I learned that the sound of a sharp chisel or plane iron cutting through wood is one of the sweetest sounds there is. Christopher Schwarz has also become a big influence for me. He has been amazingly helpful, by answering all of my email questions. I know these guys have to have busy lives, but they still find time to answer emails from someone who is just learning. I think that says something about woodworkers. I don’t think I have had that experience in any other area.

Another big discovery was James Krenov. I had heard of James Krenov before 2007, but I had never read his books. Reading his books, this last year, changed the way I looked at woodworking. It’s longer just about completing a project, now it’s about the process and the journey.

It was definitely a busy year for me. I read more woodworking books in 2007 then in any year, by a long shot. I have just as big a stack of books waiting for me in 2008. I’m also planning to take a couple classes in 2008, which I hope will keep me moving forward in my adventure.

I have to thank Martin and all of the other Lumber Jocks that make this site a fun and exciting place to visit. A special thanks goes to my amazing wife, Jo. She has always been my biggest supporter. She keeps telling me I can do anything I put my mind to.

So here’s to another great year in woodworking.

-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/