There’s been a bit of chest-thumping and associated complaints which have died out. I’ve been saving some good news to share, but I can’t wait.
I wandered over here from Breaktime a little while back and have grown to love the place. Get to see some great work, hear good tales, learn from many who have been there, done that. My major contribution has been listening and asking those same old ?s, with maybe a new one or two. Thanks for the response. Besides the knowledge is the warmth and friendship. Some complain that it’s not focused enough on woodworking. I look at a # of woodworking and construction blogs, but none feel as comfortable. And some of the critics with years of experience participate the least.
Anyway, the good news around here is friendship, generosity and welcome. In addition to the words of wisdom; I got together with Bill and he sliced up some cherry logs for us(yay! FREE WOOD!), another friend I met here was stunningly generous enough reading about my interest in dressing that wood that he sent me a Stanley #7 jointer plane. I’d love to tell you his name and give him the credit, but he contacted me off-list. For whatever the reason, I’ll respect his anonymity. Perhaps its best if you just know such generous souls hang around here. To continue; another well known character from here lives close to me. He has offered to show me his plane collection and I read in the last week he has a weakness for chisels. Sounds like fun.
Comes down to – I like this place. The people are great, beautiful work is being created, a wealth of knowledge is freely shared.
If you think this is bad, you shoulda seen me when I had a liver. I’m still Irish. Almost forgot; couple weeks ago I went into have some major plumbing done on my liver. Was a wee bit nervous. Last 8 mnths. have been a little rough (Doctors, tests, labs, doctors, hospitals, meds, doctors). Lucky to have family, friends, health-care workers all helping me). Things are good! Knots are good for the soul.
Have a great weekend and just be glad you’re not trying to dig mud out of a trench in the pouring rain.
Smile,
Pete
Replies
habilis, It sounds like you had a life changing medicak event happen to you?
I can really relate to that. A few years ago 2004, I had a tough battle with Colon Cancer. I beat the cancer and had to go in for surgery to remove what was left of the tumor after radiation treatments. It was supposed to be a real easy surgery, and home in 7 to 10 days, I happened to catch that Flesh Eating bacteria in the operating room. It was one of the people working in me that gave it to me. To make a long story short. It ended up 28 more operations, 3 months in ICU another month on a normal ward. Then two years of healing at home.
Those kind of events can change the way you look at the world around you. I know for me I appreciate things and people more. I realized how great my wife & family are. And it suprised me how many loving friend I have.
I still go back and visit the Nurses & Dr's that never gave up fighting to keep me alive. I enjoy life in a different way than I did before. I used to work 100 hrs a week, and ended up missing out on a lot with my family and friends. Now I go at a pace that I can spend the time just enjoying all that life has to ofer.
The people that I have mey through FWW. com have been some really true friends. They also share the same addiction as I have. We all need a daily fix of sawdust!
I enjoyed reading your post, Thank You,
Taigert
Yeah, in a lot of ways it's been one of my best years. Been better if it had happened 3 or 4 decades earlier. Youth wasted on the young and all that. A wake up call for sure, but overall way easier than most. Reminds me again that I've got it better than 99.999...% of any who've walked the earth.
Flesh-eating bacteria! I didn't end up with anything remotely as exotic or scary sounding. Just found out I've had hep C for yrs. Did a # on my liver, kidneys, etc. Fixing one problem caused another. Fluid was building up in my abdominal cavity. After they had to drain 14 liters in one go we decided to go with a shunt. Pretty basic they say, but I haven't had surgery since they took my appendix and tonsils before 5. And they get to the liver by going through the jugular. Glad I was asleep. Always hated plumbing, but without would really suck.I smell sawdust. Life be good.
Thanks to both of you for sharing what must have been very trying times. And you have emerged with 'spirits up'. Congratulations and best wishes.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
Hello, can realte. I lost my career as an RN/Paramedic in ICU and on a helicopter (that w as a rush and seeing those grotest things makes you not wanna drive and love your fami;ly for sure ..I agrre with you there1). As a HC worker for over 23 yrs I finnally went to see why I had such HAs and neck pain. Was a boxer and thought I was just paying for my youth mistakes. I was right had broken my neck twice didn't know it! My luck as it where ran out when the pain doc I trusted gave me too many shots in my neck over too short a time. He ruined the inner linnings of my spine and brain leaving me on high dose pain meds and incurable. He lost his license I lost my career. Where it not for wood, my family and memories I would't make it through the days I endure. I am with you on your plane ..we have a bond others cannot imgine. Keep the faith!
bowmkr,
I was a FireFighter/Paramedic, and worked in a Level One Trauma center in Chicago on my days off, Woodworking is what kept me sane.
But when I was going through hell, it was tough being on the other side. When you have been the care giver and allways taking control of the situation, looking after other peope. I was a place I had never been. I guess I was a pretty hard pt.
I went to one of the finest cabiney and fine woodworking schools in the country, to take my hobby and turn it into my proffesion. My only regret is that I didn't do it 30 yrs earlier. But it is what it is.
Taigert
Those kind of events can change the way you look at the world around you. I know for me I appreciate things and people more. I realized how great my wife & family are. And it suprised me how many loving friend I have.
T
Just finished 7 months of chemo and radiation with my wife battling stomach lymphoma. I'm "spullin' down" after the fire fight as we said in another time and place. It does change you priorities a bit. Lately, I've been back at the bench and it feels good. A little out of synch but hey...it could be worse. Hang in there somethins' bound to get better.
dan
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