Howdy From Big Sky Country!
I can finally say that since I got home Saturday night about 11:30. It was so great to see my wife, Rita, and my dogs.
I have been unloading and unpacking for only about half of the day the other half I spent going in the house to nap. I still will be a couple of days putting the shop back together and getting my life back in order here at home. It is great to be back in my own shop.
The images of the western country are just so easy on the eye to me. I just love the open country, mountains, and big sky.
LumberJocks Are Great!
I drove 15 hours a day for 2 days to get home. Omaha, Nebraska is exactly half way. I was excited to stop in Omaha and to meet one of the “Top Jocks” Douglas Bordner and his wife Pam. I also had the honor of a wonderful dinner, some great conversation, and an absolutely nice time. Doug (and Pam) is just as genuinely nice in person as on LJ.
I got to see his work in person too. That ought to make you guys really jealous – and you should be. He makes some nice pieces!
My favorite is his “Incense Box” that he has posted in his projects. (I would link you to it but my attempts are failing right now.) I just couldn’t help but cave in to my desire to touch his work. That sparked a conversation about the tactile experience that wood projects are, you can’t just look at them, you have to touch them.
His wife, Pam, is a talented artist too. I saw her practice board for pyrography. WOW! I think they need to do some collaborative work.
I have to admit at this point I am an idiot for having my digital camera packed away but Doug’s wife took a picture of us together. Maybe we can convince him to share.
Once again, thanks to Doug and Pam for making my rest stop a pleasure. I was able to drive the second leg of my journey well rested, fed, and energized from meeting a fellow LJ.
Peace, Love, and Woodworking
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
21 comments so far
Betsy
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1497 posts in 287 days
posted 177 days ago
Glad you got home safe and sound. Bet the fam was glad to see you back as well. Get some rest.
-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle
Napaman
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1359 posts in 468 days
posted 177 days ago
its always nice to get home…glad your safe…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...SING WITH ME: "Sum...sum...sum...summ...summ...summ...summertime..."
gizmodyne
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1410 posts in 481 days
posted 177 days ago
Home is the best. Enjoy it. Great adventure.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
Douglas Bordner
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2261 posts in 455 days
posted 176 days ago
Lumberjocks preparing to dive in. Nebraska Beef…it’s what’s for dinner; with oven-roasted winter vegetables in a goat cheese, balsamic vinegar, garlic and rosemary sauce, and Yukon Gold potatoes. Todd had water, I had the special Peter Oxley coffee with Spanish Cedar sawdust.
It was great to have you over, Todd. I’m glad you were able to get some rest on the couch. I was afraid we would have to pry you out of it after being stiffened up by 15 hours on the road. I get the feeling you will be heading back to The Cooper Residence in Ohio before too long. We will be sure and have the “You are special today” plate ready for you. Our home is the logical midpoint in the journey, and you will always be welcome.
Todd gave me a stack of re-sawn spalted apple lumber, that will be on the next project. What a great opportunity to talk about Lumberjocks, design, fine woodworking, finishes and my limping tablesaw. Glad you didn’t give away the secrets of my slovenly shop. You’re a true gentleman.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Douglas Bordner
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2261 posts in 455 days
posted 176 days ago
Whoops. I forgot about Pam’s apple pie in the dinner low-down. Have to make sure all the chefs get equal billing.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
rikkor
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6489 posts in 265 days
posted 176 days ago
What a great story. Glad you are home safe, Todd.
-- Maplewood, MN
Russel
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1027 posts in 330 days
posted 176 days ago
Todd it’s good to hear that you’re finally home. Enjoy your family. And I’m going to come up with a reason to go to Omaha. It sounds like people really eat well there.
-- If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a darn fool about it.
shaun
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356 posts in 296 days
posted 176 days ago
Glad to see you home Todd and that you got to enjoy some hospitality on the way.
-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!
Roger Strautman
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482 posts in 524 days
posted 176 days ago
First of all did the dogs remember you right off or should I have asked who greeted you first? LOL@!!!
I’m glad the trip went well for you and now a couple weeks for you to just do what you want.
-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"
Douglas Bordner
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2261 posts in 455 days
posted 176 days ago
Better give me the heads up Russell, otherwise it’s ramen noodles for three! LOL
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
MsDebbieP
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10984 posts in 551 days
posted 176 days ago
welcome home—in your 3d home as well as here in the 2d world.
LumberJocks sure are special aren’t they?? Providing pit stops. How wonderful.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Thos. Angle
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3246 posts in 353 days
posted 176 days ago
Glad you’re home safe, Todd. I think I need to find an excuse to get to Omaha. Pam’s cooking sounds great. LOL
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
Greg Wurst
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258 posts in 223 days
posted 176 days ago
Welcome home and get some rest. :)
Mario
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686 posts in 442 days
posted 176 days ago
The power of being part of an online community of friends. Nice post.
-- Hope Never fails
Douglas Bordner
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2261 posts in 455 days
posted 176 days ago
Hey Tom! I cooked the meal, Pam did the baking. And we’d do the same for you any day you name, old buddy.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Karson
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11555 posts in 791 days
posted 176 days ago
Todd: Great to hear you are back home. and nice to know that there is a friendly face about half way. All of the LJ’s that I’ve met in person are people that I’d love to have live next door.
But then we’d probably never be in the shop. Or maybe never in the house.
Thanks Douglas for your hospitality and if we are ever that way or you are our way lets get together.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
SPalm
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658 posts in 273 days
posted 176 days ago
What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. I love this web site.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Blake
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1811 posts in 265 days
posted 176 days ago
You guys sure make it feel like a community. Thanks for sharing the stories. I bet it’s good to be home, Todd.
-- Dust collectors suck.
dennis mitchell
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2802 posts in 705 days
posted 176 days ago
Gotta love it! Welcome home!
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Grumpy
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3852 posts in 242 days
posted 176 days ago
Glad you made it Todd. That was some drive.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Todd A. Clippinger
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2450 posts in 490 days
posted 176 days ago
Thanks for all the well wishing guys.
I still can’t believe that I got to stop and meet one of the LJ’s from so far away. So far away from where I live and from Ohio where I work.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com