Craftsmanship

I'm thinking about my dad today, who has been gone for 10 years now...

The best gift I ever received was a wooden oven that my dad (a carpenter) hand-crafted for my 4th birthday. It had knobs that really turned, burners made out of coffee can lids, and a door that would open and close so I could put Bingo the Cat inside to "cook" him a little (hey, I was only 4!). It was a thing of beauty and I loved touching the wood--sanded to silken smoothness, with every corner and edge rounded to perfection. And thus began my appreciation for fine craftsmanship and artistry... Thanks Dad!

Many years later the tradition would continue when he hand-crafted this exquisite Sam Maloof-inspired child-size rocking chair for my son Chris who was 1-1/2 years old at the time (he's 23 now!). Some of the wood in this chair is from an old Chinese elm tree from our family home that was cut down when I was 11!

I have the pleasure of being the keeper of the chair until Chris has a place of his own where he can display it. It is a thing of beauty and I love touching the wood--sanded to silken smoothness, with every corner and edge rounded to perfection.

Thanks Dad!