Beautiful work WHD. Wish you were close at hand as the appointment time for even for crap tradespeople around here is months out. for an estimate!... lol, it has been my experience that assemblage of the first piece of imported furniture is always an ultimate challenge!🤣
I have followed you from that first 4th of July and must say have always enjoyed the political posts less than all your other (eclectic) ones. So keep it up when you have the chance! 🤗💚🙏
I recently worked on enlightening a die-hard Lutheran that "all the sephirot are equally holy" (including Malkuth) and that when Creation was finished the Lord saw it and proclaimed it very good. Meaning, the material world (often contrasted wrongly with the spiritual especially by Xian modern gnostics like her) is a place where we can enjoy doing and being with things that are holy. She was objecting to the many passages in the Jewish Pentateuch which describe in excruciating (for her) detail how the Tent precursor of the temple was to be made. I might have opened a crack in her "material world is lesser" mindset. Maybe. Bezalel, I appreciate you, at least. May you continue to be blessed!
As above, so below, Kether and Malkuth. Malkuth is called The Kingdom for a reason. Neglect any sephiroth or path between is to not climb the tree. To achieve the kingdom of Heaven is to first embrace the kingdom of the Earth.
As a craftsman and a writer you should aim for Tiferet. God felt truth was so important, he made sure it was stated in the second line of Genesis.
'And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.'
In esoteric terms, Water as an element was the symbol of emotion, healing, empathy and compassion (also chaos in the Jewish tradition). This line doesn't mean we shouldn't be compassionate and caring, but it does mean that truth (and the Beauty which derives from it), in all its forms, is of higher importance.
I for one am looking forward to the first drop of 'Live Not By lies' on the Angel Studios app.
Have you got a lathe? You've got some lovely wood in that part of world for wood turning. I particularly liked your skirting.
Much apreciated Geary. As to the Tree of Life, I have begun a many years long practice of meditating on the Sephiroths and paths. You are right about Tiphareth. Also, I am Cancer, so water and the moon have a great influence on me, which lately I have been meditating on as well.
I simply love and appreciate that you and the skills you possess are making a difference for the people in your immediate surroundings. Talk about decentralized power! THIS is it in ACTION!!
Nice post, William. I like your focus on writing about the things you are impacting in the real world, and I also appreciate how you take pride in your work. I think your Substack will continue to grow based upon this writing focus.
Thank you NF. That was much of the original purpose of this substack, to show how the study of the esoteric relates to the mundane. I strayed from that a bit, focusing so much on the Progressive menace, but I am refocusing on that original mission, and I appreciate your friendly words.
My grandfather took the jobs that few wanted to do, I did that as well. I think that is engrained those of us who solve problems. Many can’t figure out where the motivation comes from until they are aided by our skills. That’s the source of value.
Americans know there is dignity in work, wherever there is work that is still dignified. It was only after tptb sent a lot of dignified jobs out of the country that bullshit jobs, mental illness and despair proliferated.
Get rid of illegals and H1B, and jobs and housing would be plentiful, there would be much less mental illness, drug addiction and despair.
Excellent article. I have tried my hand at several similar projects over the last 50 or more years. Some came out pretty good and others not so much. But it's a learning experience.
At age 75, I still look at any problem to see if I can fix it myself before calling an "expert" or even the maintenance people at the various apartments or condo I have lived at for over 10 years. It sure helps to have some decent tools.
A pal of mine just pointed out your fantastic substack. Thank you! Master craftsmen are a disappearing breed. But those I know, are equally astute to yourself. Hmmmmm....
Thanks to your pal, and welcome. And thank you. I think I have some of what the men who taught me had, the dignity and self-respect of being (mostly) self-sufficient. America used to be about that. I think it is coming back.
FYI, I was a master craftsman working in the Surfboard and polyester chemical industry for 22 years. I have a large amount of respect for those who have the skillset to do what you have. Thanks again for sharing your work and perspective on the grind!
Fascinating! I have never made a surfboard, lol. I do have an old cedar strip canoe I have been meaning to refurbish, but I really need a proper shop for that. You would also probably appreciate the 15.5’ Northstar solo canoe I have, that weighs 32lbs.
Admire your skill. You are providing a valuable service for people and that is admirable. Funny how everything has gotten so specialized. I find the varied topics you write about interesting.
Thanks David. A guy once said to me sort of mocking, oh, so you are a jack of all trades and a master of none. I deadpanned, I am a jack of many trades and a master of some.
You're welcome. I do electrical work. However, have also worked on many other construction projects and remodels. Some of these and myself individually were projects for people who didn't have a lot of cash but needed something done. You're a good guy for doing that also.
I really don't know you from Adam, but the lyrics to Boucher's, Another White Dash," come to me frequently: "my heart is full of rubber bands that keep getting caught on things." Mine are caught on you as well. You're like a brother from another mother.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post Mr. Duncan. As a 61 year old with very similar experience in carpentry and remodeling, it was a delightful and somehow comforting read on a Sunday morning, propped up with pillows and a purring cat. Your account is a reminder of the satisfaction of honest, skillful labor in service of others, something my father taught me through countless examples.
Sometimes it seems like everything is gamed these days, calculated for maximum, selfish extraction. In contrast, the way you describe a day in the life of an honest working man restores a kernel of hope. Maybe it’s ok that people like us didn’t take more remunerative paths in life after all, chasing dollars and status only to wake up one day feeling betrayed by our culture and especially ourselves.
I can only hope this gentle accounting of yours reaches the eyes and hearts of our childrens’ generation and reminds them that there is nobility in good, honest work.
Thank you Bryan for those very thoughtful words. I hope for the same. I met a young man on that rental site, working with his electrician grandpa, who gave me hope that his generation has not lost the idea of the dignity of work.
How many circular saw blades did you go through cutting that ipe? I did a deck with it once and couldn’t believe how hard that wood is. I swear I saw sparks a couple of times (and no, it wasn’t an embedded nail!).
I burned up most of a brand new 12”. There were not even that many cuts, as all the boards extend the full length.
20 years ago, I built a much larger deck with Ipe. I still have some of that scrap in storage. I still use a practice sword I made from the scrap. It is so hard and fine you can sand it to a sharp enough edge to cut skin.
Thank you! Yes, they are a boomer liberal couple, retired from Edu, but old school liberal, and quite handy themselves, so they are very proud about their stairs and will take care of them.
Great read. Sounds like you are very multitalented, and this particular skill is in so much need. I used to follow my father around the house and garage while he did all of this sort of stuff after his usual job as a printer. I hope and pray for a new American Gold
Thank you Jill, and your Dad sounds like a good strong man I would like to have known. I too hope for an American Golden Age, turning within and healing the damage of Neoliberal globalism, making men men again.
Enjoyed this view into your life - and I know well how difficult it is to find help with my old house, (let alone skilled help) always in need of something. I have no doubt you'll have more work than you can get to. :-) Best.
Beautiful work WHD. Wish you were close at hand as the appointment time for even for crap tradespeople around here is months out. for an estimate!... lol, it has been my experience that assemblage of the first piece of imported furniture is always an ultimate challenge!🤣
I have followed you from that first 4th of July and must say have always enjoyed the political posts less than all your other (eclectic) ones. So keep it up when you have the chance! 🤗💚🙏
Much apreciated Annie. Yes, always that first piece. And there is always one screw or bolt….
And I hear you, as to politics. I prefer eclectic too.
I recently worked on enlightening a die-hard Lutheran that "all the sephirot are equally holy" (including Malkuth) and that when Creation was finished the Lord saw it and proclaimed it very good. Meaning, the material world (often contrasted wrongly with the spiritual especially by Xian modern gnostics like her) is a place where we can enjoy doing and being with things that are holy. She was objecting to the many passages in the Jewish Pentateuch which describe in excruciating (for her) detail how the Tent precursor of the temple was to be made. I might have opened a crack in her "material world is lesser" mindset. Maybe. Bezalel, I appreciate you, at least. May you continue to be blessed!
As above, so below, Kether and Malkuth. Malkuth is called The Kingdom for a reason. Neglect any sephiroth or path between is to not climb the tree. To achieve the kingdom of Heaven is to first embrace the kingdom of the Earth.
Good to hear from you Clark.
As a craftsman and a writer you should aim for Tiferet. God felt truth was so important, he made sure it was stated in the second line of Genesis.
'And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.'
In esoteric terms, Water as an element was the symbol of emotion, healing, empathy and compassion (also chaos in the Jewish tradition). This line doesn't mean we shouldn't be compassionate and caring, but it does mean that truth (and the Beauty which derives from it), in all its forms, is of higher importance.
I for one am looking forward to the first drop of 'Live Not By lies' on the Angel Studios app.
Have you got a lathe? You've got some lovely wood in that part of world for wood turning. I particularly liked your skirting.
Much apreciated Geary. As to the Tree of Life, I have begun a many years long practice of meditating on the Sephiroths and paths. You are right about Tiphareth. Also, I am Cancer, so water and the moon have a great influence on me, which lately I have been meditating on as well.
Welcome to my substack and glad to have you here.
I simply love and appreciate that you and the skills you possess are making a difference for the people in your immediate surroundings. Talk about decentralized power! THIS is it in ACTION!!
Good to hear Jacqueline. More of that in Minnesota and Canada!
Nice post, William. I like your focus on writing about the things you are impacting in the real world, and I also appreciate how you take pride in your work. I think your Substack will continue to grow based upon this writing focus.
Thank you NF. That was much of the original purpose of this substack, to show how the study of the esoteric relates to the mundane. I strayed from that a bit, focusing so much on the Progressive menace, but I am refocusing on that original mission, and I appreciate your friendly words.
My grandfather took the jobs that few wanted to do, I did that as well. I think that is engrained those of us who solve problems. Many can’t figure out where the motivation comes from until they are aided by our skills. That’s the source of value.
Americans know there is dignity in work, wherever there is work that is still dignified. It was only after tptb sent a lot of dignified jobs out of the country that bullshit jobs, mental illness and despair proliferated.
Get rid of illegals and H1B, and jobs and housing would be plentiful, there would be much less mental illness, drug addiction and despair.
Yes - we replaced learning skills with feeding neurosis.
Excellent article. I have tried my hand at several similar projects over the last 50 or more years. Some came out pretty good and others not so much. But it's a learning experience.
At age 75, I still look at any problem to see if I can fix it myself before calling an "expert" or even the maintenance people at the various apartments or condo I have lived at for over 10 years. It sure helps to have some decent tools.
Thank you Crixcyon, and welcome. Yes, tools and boots, do yourself a solid and buy the best, for physical and mental good health.
Glad to hear you are ever willing to at least try to figure it out, for yourself. Only functionally useless people leave everything to the “experts”.
It is a good life. It is good to make, and maintain things.
A pal of mine just pointed out your fantastic substack. Thank you! Master craftsmen are a disappearing breed. But those I know, are equally astute to yourself. Hmmmmm....
Thanks to your pal, and welcome. And thank you. I think I have some of what the men who taught me had, the dignity and self-respect of being (mostly) self-sufficient. America used to be about that. I think it is coming back.
From your lips to God's ears.
FYI, I was a master craftsman working in the Surfboard and polyester chemical industry for 22 years. I have a large amount of respect for those who have the skillset to do what you have. Thanks again for sharing your work and perspective on the grind!
Fascinating! I have never made a surfboard, lol. I do have an old cedar strip canoe I have been meaning to refurbish, but I really need a proper shop for that. You would also probably appreciate the 15.5’ Northstar solo canoe I have, that weighs 32lbs.
Admire your skill. You are providing a valuable service for people and that is admirable. Funny how everything has gotten so specialized. I find the varied topics you write about interesting.
Thanks David. A guy once said to me sort of mocking, oh, so you are a jack of all trades and a master of none. I deadpanned, I am a jack of many trades and a master of some.
You're welcome. I do electrical work. However, have also worked on many other construction projects and remodels. Some of these and myself individually were projects for people who didn't have a lot of cash but needed something done. You're a good guy for doing that also.
Thank you dear William for writing!
Very welcome. Thank you :)
Wish you were in my state. I sure could use a handyman!
The decks are gorgeous!
I really appreciate your writing.
Thank you Amking. Best of luck finding someone useful, to help you with your projects. And thanks for sticking around.
I really don't know you from Adam, but the lyrics to Boucher's, Another White Dash," come to me frequently: "my heart is full of rubber bands that keep getting caught on things." Mine are caught on you as well. You're like a brother from another mother.
:)
I thoroughly enjoyed this post Mr. Duncan. As a 61 year old with very similar experience in carpentry and remodeling, it was a delightful and somehow comforting read on a Sunday morning, propped up with pillows and a purring cat. Your account is a reminder of the satisfaction of honest, skillful labor in service of others, something my father taught me through countless examples.
Sometimes it seems like everything is gamed these days, calculated for maximum, selfish extraction. In contrast, the way you describe a day in the life of an honest working man restores a kernel of hope. Maybe it’s ok that people like us didn’t take more remunerative paths in life after all, chasing dollars and status only to wake up one day feeling betrayed by our culture and especially ourselves.
I can only hope this gentle accounting of yours reaches the eyes and hearts of our childrens’ generation and reminds them that there is nobility in good, honest work.
Thank you Bryan for those very thoughtful words. I hope for the same. I met a young man on that rental site, working with his electrician grandpa, who gave me hope that his generation has not lost the idea of the dignity of work.
How many circular saw blades did you go through cutting that ipe? I did a deck with it once and couldn’t believe how hard that wood is. I swear I saw sparks a couple of times (and no, it wasn’t an embedded nail!).
I burned up most of a brand new 12”. There were not even that many cuts, as all the boards extend the full length.
20 years ago, I built a much larger deck with Ipe. I still have some of that scrap in storage. I still use a practice sword I made from the scrap. It is so hard and fine you can sand it to a sharp enough edge to cut skin.
The stairs look fantastic. Hope the homeowner takes care of it.
Thank you! Yes, they are a boomer liberal couple, retired from Edu, but old school liberal, and quite handy themselves, so they are very proud about their stairs and will take care of them.
Great read. Sounds like you are very multitalented, and this particular skill is in so much need. I used to follow my father around the house and garage while he did all of this sort of stuff after his usual job as a printer. I hope and pray for a new American Gold
Thank you Jill, and your Dad sounds like a good strong man I would like to have known. I too hope for an American Golden Age, turning within and healing the damage of Neoliberal globalism, making men men again.
Golden Age where men are strong, skilled, and sensitive men like he was. He lived to 100.
Enjoyed this view into your life - and I know well how difficult it is to find help with my old house, (let alone skilled help) always in need of something. I have no doubt you'll have more work than you can get to. :-) Best.
Thank you Kathleen. I have to admit too, there are some potential clients and jobs that for whatever reason, I just don’t persue.