a simple lamp shade
now illuminates the stair landing
made from oak sticks
(left over from the parquet floor installation)
and a little mulberry paper
standing in front of dad’s milling machine
making 32 (near) perfect cuts
for 16 lap joints
provided precious time to commune
with his (tool and die maker) spirit
as well as his father’s (cabinet maker) spirit
smell the oak shavings
and well oiled steel
see
the roots of the mighty oak
clawing the damp earth
paper drying on felts
in a far away land
the soul of the matter
create usefulness
mindfully
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Another sensitive example of living with awareness! Our family line is so important. There’s much that goes on in the subtle realms with our ancestors, both blessing & detracting from our earthly lives. Honoring our line is vital activity.
Then there are the other ancients we share space with on Earth. They are our kin too, the oaks, redwoods, whales & elephants…all One in the Dreamcatcher of life!
I very much enjoyed this. It makes me think of the toolbox I have that belonged to my father. I rarely use most of these tools. They are meant for projects more involved and exotic than I am likely to ever undertake, but they are all there, each with their own feel and story and sense of worn purposefulness. It is more of a treasure box of memories than toolbox these days.