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MY GOOD FRIEND, LEON
found this box in a dumpster years ago ,
it was originally a transit box , for a surveying instrument .
Leon fixed it up , and used it for many years as his feather box for his native american church things .
leon was a vietnam vet , and when in chicago earlier in life was part of one of those comic playhouse deals there ,
he and john belushi , were a pair , and did the circuit and drank like two fish together ,until john got a chance to go on saturday night live ,
leon was getting married , and passed on this .
leon had heart problems , and refused to see the VA hospital , because some returning vets had told him that the VA sucked , so he never did ,i ran a prayer service for him 5 years ago , and convinced him to go get some help .
he did , and for two months he was the happiest guy in the world , they were even going to fix his hearing .
he went to the hospital for his heart , routine surgery , the surgeon told him , if he had come in 6 months before ,
he could go fishing the next day , but he couldn't guaranty as things stood at that time ,
leon had 3 open heart surgeries , in 3 days , he never made it . bless you brother !
i got to run his memorial service too , and 4 years later , another friend ran one in the lakota sioux way .
this box and all leons things were voted to be given to various people , the box had a cracked top ,
i couldn't repair it simply , i routed 2 groves into it to span the tear on ,one side , and inlay-ed the 4 primary colors of that tribe into it . black, red ,yellow , and white , and the other to balance the top out ,
and added a aromatic cedar inside top and bottom to it , to cover the tear in the top from the inside .

tomorrow night i am going to another good friend and wife's , home and life prayer service , where i had worked for 4 years , helping them build and fix their property up ,
kieth is a surveyor , and we had voted that leons box should go to him , he doesn't know about it , so when i give it to him , on behalf of the church , it will be a surprise .

the fifth picture is some of leons paintings , this one is 4' across , and is the largest one he made ,
his wife gave me this as a thank you for the service i had done for them , and his memorial .
the box itself is philippine mahogany , box jointed corners , factory made im sure ,
my inlay strips are walnut , redheart , yellowheart , and holly ,
the leather handle and the hooks , i don't know if they were part of the box , or added by leon later ,
i cleaned and sanded it , and sprayed minwax poly on it .

thanks for looking , be safe !

Gallery

Comments

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You constantly amaze me with your skills. You also have a good heart. I sure wish I lived the next mesa over and across the arroyo…

Jack
 

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A very special box from a very special person. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom
 

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God bless Leon and God bless you for your love of others and just for being who you are.
 

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If more people had your attitude and outlook, I think the world would be a better place.
(I know I wish I had a chunk of your talent.)
 

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David, every time you write like this, I wonder how many lives you have touched. You will be remembered well, my friend. If love could keep a person alive, you would no doubt live another couple hundred years…
 

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The painting is great, and the inlay on the box is great, I really like the way you work in colors.
 

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Good job for a great cause DAvid.
 

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David, this is a wonderful tribute to your friend Leon and Keith.
 

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thanks all ,

'and the beat goes on ' !
 

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A Fine Tribute to your Friend Leon's Life and Spirit, David… Good Man…
 

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Another amazing box!!!
David, you are incredible.
You are to story-telling what Degoose is to video!
I love reading the history of your work.
The inlay is beautiful.
Ellen
 

· In Loving Memory
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To be your friend.. is to be part of a greater life experience…
Thank you and thank you Ellen.. I have never been compared in quite that way.. I like it…
 

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As indicated by the painting, it appears Leon, like yourself, was a great talent. I don't know which I like more, the stories, or projects. Thanks for posting my friend.
 

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A very noble thing done, David. By a very noble man.
 

· In Loving Memory
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A touching story David. I believe that you have found the right way to live life, which is to share others joys and sorrows as a supportive friend rather than just being an observer.

I like the box and the spiritual inlays you've added to it. If it was a surveyor's box I could see the strap handle being an original part of it. In my minds eye I can see the surveyor walking across a field with the box slung over one shoulder and carrying his tripod in the other hand.
 

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David…. You sir are a poster child for how we all should treat one another. Sounds like you and Leon both where for the better knowing one another. Not only do you help inspire us with your work… You also inspire us with your heart. Very good stuff David and I sincerely mean it….
 

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you all are a great audience ,

mainly because you all have good hearts too .

my most important trait in people .

thank you !
 

· In Loving Memory
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David:
Another moving story showing your love for others. You are a Prince my friend and I, like many, are in awe of your humanity and the goodness you demonstrate. You inspire us all. God bless you David.
 

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AND THE LORD LOOKED DOWN ON HIS CREATION ,

AND HE WAS PLEASED .

AND SAID ,

" HIS LUMBERJOCK FRIENDS TOO , LET THEM BE BLESSED ALSO ".

and they are , and the sawdust flows like manna !
 

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Patron, you never cease to amaze me, it is a wonderful story and you have done a wonderful deed. You have been truly blessed and you share that blessing with others, no one could ask anything more of life than that.
 
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