SJPS

Hand drill, circa 1925. It is smooth like butter.

On Sunday I traveled back in time. I went back to a place where I allowed myself to relax by doing something that had nothing to do with work or being productive. I built a little cedar bird feeder. We did not need the bird feeder and you can easily buy one pretty cheap. Instead, I went and bought a couple of boards, made up a design and crafted the structure together.

Usually if I am not working, or doing something work related, and I want to turn my brain off I turn to facebook or maybe a video game. I realized these activities had robbed me of a forgotten joy. I grew up in my grandpa’s workshop. My dad had a great one too in the basement. I was never very good but got to the point where I can make a decent shelf or table. I was usually alone, experimenting with how stuff worked.

Hand planer, I have no idea how old it is. It knows a lost craft.

After I got married, I would always set up a little shop wherever we were. I had simple, ancient tools that were handed down to me. Some belonged to my great grandpa John. I could feel his echo in the hand plane. I spent many Sunday afternoons making birdhouses, little shelfs or whatever I felt like. My soon to be grandchild will use the changing station I built for when my daughter was born.

Small hand planer. Superior craftsmanship.

This Sunday in the shop, working on an un needed project was wonderful. NPR was my woodworking soundtrack as it has been for many years. The feeder came out pretty good. A few angles don’t quite match but overall I am happy. Cedar fills the air.

I love prepping with my work gear. Camera menus, balancing gimbals, figuring out why a signal does not work as it should, all of that is part of my work and I obsess over it.

DJI Zenmuse X5 camera gimbal. Circa 2016.

Many nights are spent testing and prepping for a shoot. It is a similar feeling to the woodworking but it has a mission specific purpose. Yesterday was a rediscovery of a leisure time that I had let fade. I am glad it has returned.

The final product. Now we shall wait. The birds will come, the birds will come.