| Project by trifern | posted 339 days ago | 715 views | 3 times favorited | 37 comments | ![]() |
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It all started one blustery day. I was released from my mothers arm and I twirled through the sky. The man called me junk, the little girl called me a helicopter. She twirled me over and over again. That night she tucked me into some warm soil.
I quickly grew legs and shot up towards the sun. The little girl nourished me and talked to me regularly. One day I caught the man’s eye. He reached down to puck my feet from the soil as he mumbled ” damn weed.” The little girl came running over, pleading my case with tears in her eyes.
Over the years we grew together. Many years I provided shelter, a place to climb, someone to talk too, a back drop for portraits and numerous other happy occasions.
One night, out of no where, a storm blew in from the south. I fought it’s brutal breath with all my might. After awhile I grew weary and could not fight any longer. The mighty wind brought me to my knees.
A few days later the little girl, now an elderly lady, came out and paid her respects. Then a man sawed and chopped on me for hours. He explained to my dear friend he would not charge her if he could keep me to burn as firewood. She said he could have all of me except my heart. The man looked perplexed, but did not argue. With a couple of swift cuts, he left my heart lying there as if I was a piece of junk.
The next day the little girl and her sister loaded me in their car. They drove me far away. They handed me to a nice man they called Trifern. She told him to make me into something that other people might enjoy. I heard her whisper as Trifern carried me away, “You’ll never be a weed or a piece of junk to me, you’ll always be my treasure.”
Trifern skillfully trimmed away some of my fat. He not only found my heart, but found the very character of my soul. He even carved out a ring and glued purpleheart dust into it. He called it “The Circle of Life.”
So here I am for all to see. I can’t wait because Trifern promised me a family reunion with a little girl!
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.






























37 comments so far
Russel
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1769 posts in 690 days
posted 339 days ago
An absolutely great story and a fantastic piece. Your creativity continues to show in your words and work.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Dick, & Barb Cain
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6381 posts in 1051 days
posted 339 days ago
Very nice turning.
You get the story telling, or poetry award.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Michael Brailsford
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210 posts in 345 days
posted 339 days ago
beautiful.
-- Michael A. Brailsford
Bob O'Brien
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11 posts in 365 days
posted 339 days ago
Exquisite turning and great tale!
-- Bob
TedM
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1737 posts in 484 days
posted 339 days ago
”...but found the very character of my soul”
Beautiful story, beautiful piece
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
teenagewoodworker
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2374 posts in 519 days
posted 339 days ago
very nice story! you should send that to a magazine! i’m sure they would be very impressed! and the great turning is a bonus :)
Napaman
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2820 posts in 828 days
posted 339 days ago
fantastic!!! I love the ring!!!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...sanity...has arrived...JUNE-JULY-AUGUST...
brianinpa
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1325 posts in 474 days
posted 339 days ago
Nice job all the way around. What do you have in mind for the family reunion with the little girl?
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
odie
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1537 posts in 591 days
posted 339 days ago
Looking good … show-off.
-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)
ChuckM
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107 posts in 418 days
posted 339 days ago
Many woodworkers are full of talents far beyond the circle of woodworking; you’re one of the shining examples.
-- The time I enjoy wasting is not time wasted
CharlieM1958
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6680 posts in 970 days
posted 339 days ago
So, just wowing us with your exquisite turnings wasn’t enough anymore? Now you’ve gone and proved you are a talented wordworker as well.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
lazyfiremaninTN
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527 posts in 704 days
posted 339 days ago
That story reminded me of Shel Silverstien’s “The Giving Tree”. That is a wonderful story and BEAUTIFUL turning. Keep up the good work.
-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"
Woodhacker
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1151 posts in 474 days
posted 339 days ago
Joe…Great Story! I enjoyed reading it :) And I love the design of this bowl and you did a fantastic job with it! (as always)
Thanks for the post.
-- Martin, Kansas
woodbutcher
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214 posts in 917 days
posted 339 days ago
trifern,
Very nice turning. Thanks also for the story-for I never would have known how the purple heart ring got there. Great job, keep up the story telling and woodworking!
Sincerely,
Ken McGinnis
-- woodbutcher north carolina
Douglas Bordner
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3316 posts in 815 days
posted 339 days ago
Misted me up. Good platter too…
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
ryno101
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203 posts in 416 days
posted 339 days ago
Fantastic… Thanks for that. Nicely said.
-- Ryno
GaryK
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9429 posts in 739 days
posted 339 days ago
That’s a great looking bowl! Nice wood choice.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
frank
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1437 posts in 957 days
posted 339 days ago
Hellooooooo Trifern;
....eloquence is in the words you write,
fluency is that feeling you convey through your wood,
consummated with the story of a wood-wright,
and then articulately your ‘wood art is under-stood….
And then I pause….not only has your work conveyed the character of this wood’s soul, but your use of words has conveyed the image of the spirit of wood….and so it is with honor that I count my-self to be one of those who knows your talents, just as I also congragulate you on this in-deed beaut-i-full piece of turned ‘wood art’ you have brought forth!
Thank you.
GODSPEED,
Frank
-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/
Grumpy
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12048 posts in 602 days
posted 339 days ago
Speechless Trifern, speechless.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Scott Bryan
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16268 posts in 573 days
posted 339 days ago
Trifern,
This is another beautiful piece that, as usual, displays your unique style and excellent craftmanship. I loved the story too by the way. Not only are you a woodturning artist but you can write as well!!! You are indeed a multi-talented individual.
Thanks for the post. I enjoyed sharing this.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
cobbler
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211 posts in 542 days
posted 339 days ago
I love the depth of the story. It brought back the thoughts of
how I feel about trees.
Thanks for sharing.
P.S. Great bowl!
-- ''Carry on my wayward son''
Russel
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1769 posts in 690 days
posted 339 days ago
Trifern, I showed this to the Mrs. and she would like to post a link to this over on GardenTenders … Is that okay with you?
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
trifern
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7776 posts in 518 days
posted 339 days ago
Wow, I am truly humbled by all the kind remarks. I typically am a man of very few words. There simply was a story screaming at me the whole time I worked on this piece. The little girl collects what I think is called granite ware, so I added little pieces of ash and turquoise colored box elder to the purple heart. It kind of resembles that “blotchy” look.
Russel, tell the Mrs. I would be honored.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Terry
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65 posts in 385 days
posted 339 days ago
I have to tell you good folks something. It has been less than a year since Joe came to my house for a turning lesson. Joe I am turely amazed at how rapidly you are progressing. I believe we have a natural talent here. Your bowl is great and your eloquent narration is splendiferous.
Terry
-- When the chips are down that means the buffalo is empty.
Tim from Iowa City
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165 posts in 351 days
posted 339 days ago
Great story. Wonderful piece of art.
-- Tim from Iowa City, IA
eklectic
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19 posts in 521 days
posted 339 days ago
This story is truly from the heart! Thank you so much!
And the “The Circle of Life” really emphasize the story!
You have, I believe, the true heart of an artist!!!
-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss!
MsDebbieP
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13437 posts in 912 days
posted 338 days ago
sigh….....
(beautiful work and story)
and here’s the discussion over at GT.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
PineMan
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52 posts in 345 days
posted 338 days ago
Very nice looking bowl.
-- I never started a project I couldn't screw up.
dennis mitchell
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3703 posts in 1066 days
posted 338 days ago
I found this on GT. Great posting!
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
trifern
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7776 posts in 518 days
posted 338 days ago
Once again, thanks for all the kind remarks.
Russel, please tell the Mrs. I am honored to have her write a forum about this post.
Terry, I’ve had lessons from one of the best. I think it’s time you showed the rest of the Lumberjocks the stuff your made of. You have some wonderful turnings, furniture and scroll work.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
jockmike2
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5707 posts in 998 days
posted 338 days ago
Joe, that was the most eloquent prose I’ve ever read. When did you take that up, did you learn it in College? I am amazed, not just the poem but your work has taken on a whole new look. What up dude? Very, Very good. I’m stunned buddy. Congrats. Put that in a contest of somekind.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Dusty56
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2769 posts in 439 days
posted 338 days ago
BEAUTIFUL BOWL , BEAUTIFUL STORY BEHIND IT : )...... I don’t know which I like the most ! Thank you for the inlay tip as well…this is heading straight into my favorites ! Will the story continue after the reunion ? Can’t wait …..you’re an excellent writer as well as woodworker , Trifern….God bless you
the link to Greenthumbs comments is well worth following , MsDebbieP , thank you : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belongs to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
SteveKorz
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2007 posts in 465 days
posted 337 days ago
BRAVO!
(clapping in the background)
Very well done Joe!
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
jeanmarc
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1750 posts in 467 days
posted 337 days ago
Very nice looking bowl.
-- jeanmarc manosque france
itsme_timd
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663 posts in 582 days
posted 334 days ago
How amazing, a great story and a fantastic piece to go with it. I can visualize the whole process through your writing and the bowl. WOW!
-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA
Grumpy
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12048 posts in 602 days
posted 333 days ago
Good luck in the contest Trifern.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
trifern
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7776 posts in 518 days
posted 333 days ago
Thanks Grumpy. I was hoping to get at least one vote. However, since I can’t vote for myself and the looks of all the other great projects, I’ll settle for the satisfaction of having competed.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.