The pace is quickening around here. Two things are causing our increase in activity. Spring is one of them. It is more pleasant to be outside. It was a mild winter, but the sun is now higher in the sky and it makes everything more cheerful. Second, we are only 10 days away from the first class of the year.
Evidence of that new pace arrived this morning. A truck load of prime red oaks logs were dropped off in out log area. Kevin is already scheduled to be here next Tuesday with Ol’ Bessie, his tractor with the four foot hydraulic log splitter. While he is here, he’ll take the air conditioning covers off, because we will soon need to run the units. After that, Don and I will begin the enormous task of cutting that wood into chair stock. That job will not be complete until May.
****
Monday, Don will be back and he and I will finish the pair of Square backed chairs we are making. This opportunity to do some chairmaking together has been fun. We hone out skills and Don’s wife gets a pair of chairs she really likes. I got a kick out of showing him the joint I had developed for securing the arm to the stile. It is one of those neat tricks that gets the juices flowing.
****
The group that will be here starting March 26 are the old regulars. I already decided I will poll them to find out how many Drilling of the First Hole ceremonies each has attended. This year is a bit different in that the Square backed chair has blind leg holes. We won’t conduct the ceremony until I drill the first stile hole.
****
I know I haven’t been posting here. However, this winter I did complete book seven of the eight-book teen adventure series of I have been writing. I have also written the first two chapters of the final book, with plans to finish it before fall. I have been working on this series for four years and although I love it, I am looking forward to completing it and making it available.
****
Good news for those of you who have been wanting a copy of Sandpaper Sharpening, the video I did years ago. I am having it transferred to DVD and expect it to be in stock next week.
****
Here’s a first. Sir Ron Tatman is beyond a doubt the first Windsor chairmaker to sponsor a race car. I received this email from Sir Ron .
“Jill and I are one of the sponsors of this super late model race car. It is a long story which I will try to condense. I have always had an interest in dirt track stock car racing and attended many races when I was a teenager. The contractor who built our house and the addition of the sun room showed us a video of his daughter driving her race car. I was hooked and have enjoyed watching the races and helping as part of the pit crew.
Staci Warrington who drives the car has accomplished much in the process. She is the first female driver in Delaware to win a late model feature race. More importantly she has had the opportunity to attend Project Podium which in addition to a racing scholarship educates young female drivers in the business of racing and in how to better market racing and themselves. Staci attends Salisbury State University and along with a summer job which is related to her major stays quite busy. She is currently 3rd in points in a very competitive class.
These cars are powered by engines producing more than 750 horse power and complete a one half mile lap in 19 seconds or for an average speed of over 90 mph. Driving skill, set up, and strategy are an important part of the game.
Because I have two daughters of approximately the same age I have been even more connected to this project and take pride in the achievements of my daughters and their peers. I have witnessed a young racer improve her racing skills, confidence and her ability to professionally present herself. This combined with the achievements of our daughters has been a very fulfilling ride. Most people don’t realize how windsor chair making can lead to so much.”
****
Our server had problems for several months with certain email addresses. As a result, large blocks of my monthly essays bounced back. Earthlink was a big problem. If you did not receive the essay about Gardner’s Big Chair, the Chairmaker’s Deed, or the Herzogstuhl, drop me an email and I will send them again. If you are on the list, you should have received the Romani Toy Chairmaker today.
****
To receive my monthly eLetter of essays about chairs and chairmaking, that are in addition to this blog, join our mailing list by emailing me at mike@thewindsorinstitute.com Help us spread the word about this blog. Tell others.