12th October 2017
I feel cold. It came on today, but I’m not sure if it’s a “cold” or just cold from standing in a cold place.
Kelli’s dad, Dave took me to meet “Smurf” his friend who milled lumber. Why do you call him Smurf? Partially expecting a reply ” because he’s blue” but no, ” he has very large feet”
We drove for miles, or maybe it just seemed like it. Dave drives to the speed limits, whether they exist or not. Insects hitting his windscreen do not die, they just get a slight concussion.
Smurf’s place is close to Spring Lake in the wilderness. There are so many places like this, miles from anywhere, no good if you’re frightened of the dark.
When we got there he was cutting up some tiger maple into two inch thick planks.
He had a good business sawing up trees using a rig he had built himself using an old chassis from a school bus. He is able to take his rig to places to cut on site, or for demonstrations. He used to work at Herman Miller as a Millwright in the early days, keeping the factory going.
I enjoy being around people who can build amazing bits of machinery, even the device he made to sharpen his blades was ingenious. His barn is a wonderland of stuff, shelves laden with tins and tools, I think his bench still had the same things on it from the last time.
It was a good day out, and a rest from furniture.
Oh, by the way, his feet weren’t that big.
On the way back Dave had to stop off at a meat factory to collect some pork, not the place I felt comfortable at, so I waited outside freezing my ass off, so it’s a hot toddy tonight.
Another Lifetime to go 