As an apprentice blacksmith my only interest in wood thus far was purely its burn strength. After spending the past few weeks helping my dear friend Jan I have an all new love and respect for this unforgiving material. If you make a mistake with metal you can fix it with a big hammer, not so with wood. Last week I picked up a beautiful piece of rough Christmas pear and used it to eradicate Jan’s mouse problem. Only after cleaning the gore off of the piece of wood and vowing only to use a designated piece of pine in the future was I forgiven!!

Jan, I can only hope that one day I will love wood as much as you do.