Dear LJ’s…
Sorry that I have been so distant…as we celebrate 3 years of this site…and I have been a regular for two of those…I realize the last two months I have been out of the “LJ Loop” and not active in the shop at all…
Lately I have been getting the itch…and so today when my wife asked me to cut a board to put a cake on i jumped at the chance and got out there…
It felt really good to set up my shopsmith and make those cuts…
This has been a tough start to 2009…there is a reason that I have stayed away…my dad passed away in January after a large stroke…I got the call that he had another stroke (he had had many in last 7 years) and so after a couple days…when we knew he was not going to make it I got a substitute teacher and flew down to be with my family.
It was a tough time…very emotional saying good bye, but I am really glad that he held on long enough for all of us to say what we needed to say…he passed away peacefully a week later…
SInce then I have tried to concentrate on teaching…and my kids and wife…and the shop has not beckoned…at first I tried to keep up with all my “buddy posts” when my e-mail would notify me…but then just got too tough to keep up…so I am sorry to all my “buddies”...
well…this weekend I hope to get out and make some more cuts…I finally feel very caught up with grading and teaching…you’re never done as a teacher until june…but I can breathe again…
So…LJ;s…on this 3rd anniversary—-thanks for being here…cant wait to re-touch base with all of you and start drooling all over those great projects…
Your Buddy,
Matt
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
7 comments so far
Betsy
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2386 posts in 789 days
posted 268 days ago
Matt – sorry to hear about your Dad. I did wonder where you got off to. My condolences to you and your family.
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
Beginningwoodworker
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4123 posts in 566 days
posted 268 days ago
Matt sorry to hear about your Dad.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Obi
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2191 posts in 1130 days
posted 268 days ago
Sorry about your loss, my friend. And the economy will turn. Eventually.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
Mark Shymanski
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1555 posts in 606 days
posted 268 days ago
Sorry to hear about your father’s passing.
June is just a few short months away! Ahhh summer holidays, one of the things of teaching I miss the most ;-)
-- ...it's rennovation time!!!
Shopsmithtom
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407 posts in 1088 days
posted 267 days ago
Matt, sorry to hear about your dad. You have my best wishes as you move forward in your own world, the one in which you’re the dad. Take time with your family, but don’t forget to take time for you. Cut another board, turn a pen, make a little sawdust. Savor every moment. -Tom
-- Accuracy is not in your power tool, it's in you
Douglas Bordner
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3421 posts in 957 days
posted 267 days ago
Sorry to hear about your loss, Matt. Be patient with yourself.
God bless,
Douglas
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Napaman
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3482 posts in 970 days
posted 267 days ago
thanks everyone…I think today lived a little bit of everyone’s advice…just got back from the park with the kids…and now time to go make a pen…or something…hopefully something to post a bit later…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...