GG's
Someone asked, relatively recently, whether I had posted
a BIO since they were unable to find one in the archives.
I was certain that I had, but I was unable to locate any
remnants of one in my own files. If I did, indeed, neglect
that mandatory duty, my apologies to all present, and former,
Galoots. And even if I did post one, it now needs some
updating as I have had some recent changes
in these Adirondack foothills.
I am now (as of about three weeks ago) retired from thirty
years of teaching, the past ten or so in a Middle School setting
imparting the ancient history of humankind to relatively
uninterested Sixth Graders (4 1/2 million years of human development in
about 8 months). One major topic in our studies was the development of
tools, why they were invented, how they were improved, etc. Didn't quite
get to the Stanley story (had to leave off at the Renaissance) but tools
did spark some good discussions.
I am not now a worker with wood. All of my ancestors (Mom was the family
genealogist) were woodworkers...some very talented. My most prized
possession is a butternut slant-front desk created around 1760. One
grandfather was a carpenter before he started a bakery (how those two go
together I'll never know), and I have his chest and one plane. My other
grandfather made a handsome five-drawer chest (now son Peter's).
Altho I don't work with wood, I am fascinated with the implements used in
that avocation. Wooden moulding planes, well-made, give me a special
thrill when I hold them in hand and imagine another, working on site or in
shop, creating windows, cabinets, chests, etc. for his just rewards, and
also imagine the care and precision, and pride, in his work. Perhaps I
imagine too much along this line, but I prefer to continue with that line
of thought.
So I have a collection of carpenter tools, in several chests and on several
shelves. Sandy, SWMBO, does not fuss about them provided she does not have
to dust them or stumble over them in the dark of night. She has become a
fun companion on the relatively infrequent tool searches we venture out on
(there are no large regular flea markets in these small towns of upstate
New York). Most of the time we make stops at garage sales and shops on our
way to a canoeing venture, or a hiking destination. Usually I can find
something I "need", but the $5 No. 1 has happened only once.
I love to work on refurbishing the tools. Not refinish, or polish to
death, or repaint. Just take them down, clean off the usual accumulation
of good working stuff, make sure everything works, and then put them back
together ready to work on my next project. Of course, there is no project,
but the tools don't know that, and THEY are ready. Now that I have
retired, I may begin to learn how to do some of the great things other
Porch dwellers have written about. I really am jealous of all who have
learned to create with their hands.
About fifteen years ago, I started a very small antiques business which has
continued over the years....still very small. A goal of mine for the past
seven or eight has been to enhance that business, concentrate mainly on
tools for users, retire from teaching and sell tools full time. I'm
working on that now, have a tiny retail outlet in town, and am reading much
more to learn about the tools I have and that folks may need.
So where do I see myself fitting in on the Porch? Well, I can't really
get too involved in the discussions relating to building benches, or making
mortises, but, when there are question relating to tools, especially older
ones, I'm all ears (or should I say eyes). I have not posted much TO ALL
over the past three years because I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the
collective wisdom out there. I have made my voice heard privately, when I
had something I felt was appropriate to share. I expect to continue in
that line.
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Walt Lane Member: EAIA, M-WTCA
3 Pewter Lane {Galoot - Maroon Cap}
Johnstown, NY 12095 (518-762-8259)
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