By Vince:
One of my favorite sayings to Judy includes the words, “When we get old”. For instance, I will say, “When we get old I would like to fish more”. And her reply is always, “We are old!”
Last week was one of those “when we get old” weeks and I was thinking about doing some wood carving and it brought back some fond memories. About 25 years ago, when I was living in Athens, GA, I used to participate in a woodcarving group. Once a week, some elderly gentlemen and I would gather in someone’s basement and carve wood for a couple of hours. I was at least 20 years younger than the youngest man in the group. There wasn’t much conversation, just a bunch of older men and me, hanging out, playing with very sharp knives and trying not to cut ourselves badly enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. At the time, I thought some of the get togethers were a bit boring, but now, as I look back, I would really like to be participating once again. Isn’t it funny how things that once were boring look differently when life begins to slow down a bit? Anyway, I stopped going to the gatherings because I move from the area and we don’t have a similar group where we currently live. Now, when we are thinking about moving, I always look to see if there is an active woodcarvers or woodturners group in the potential area.
I have been looking for some of my old carving tools but I also have been looking at maybe adding a couple of more. Nothing expensive, mind you, just a couple of functional knives. I was looking at Youtube videos for some ideas and ran across someone who uses an older style fixed blade utility knife and another person who uses an old reshaped filet knife. This gave me a couple of things to look for if I ever get to go to a flea market again (right Judy?). Woodcarving is like any other hobby. One can spend a lot getting ready to make something or one can spend the time improving the skill with the tools one has on hand. For me, repurposing old or different tools to work is part of the fun.
Just something to think about for a time, “when we get old” and wives need more space!
Carolyn says
Good for you Vince. This sounds like a perfect plan. My husband is now making Whimsical houses. I’ll have to send Judy a picture.
Carolyn Sullivan says
This is the first yr since my retirement 7 yrs ago that I have really felt old. mostly it’s because of illnesses and injuries I have had (and my DH this yr) that have made me feel older. I can’t do things that I used to do.I can’t walk as fast as I used to
Judy Laquidara says
Yes, we are all getting older and we’ve also noticed there are things we can’t do as well as we used to could do but that’s part of life. Accepting that we are slowing down and our bodies are aging, finding other things to do to keep our minds busy and finding new ways to enjoy life — I think it’s all part of successful aging.
Rita E in AZ says
We both used to think that baseball was the most boring of all the professional sports – because it was so slow moving. Now it is our favorite sport to watch. I have speculated that because we are older and life moves much slower for us, baseball is the sport we can are best able to keep up with.
Diann Smith says
Vince I love woodworking too. Growing up my dad tried forever to get my brother interested but he never was. Me the daughter on the sideline saying that I’d like to do it. Finally I got chosen. I have several handmade solid oak and walnut pieces of furniture we made together under his direction and a whole bunch of memories of working along down in the shop and him always reminding me of the skill saw and the count your fingers thing before pushing wood through..ha. . I learned to make picture frames too. Great memories especially now after he has passed on. My brother has no idea what he missed.
Kathy C says
This made me think of
“When I get older losing my hair, many years from now
Will you still be sending me a Valentine
birthday greetings, bottle of wine”
Somehow the writer never did loose his hair, he still looks great.
Jean says
I always tell friends we have to invent a “new normal” for ourselves! Sometimes several times as the years progress! It’s all well and good!
-Jean <3
Vicky in Bama says
It would be nice if you are seriously considering moving to Missouri that you could get back into woodworking and include Chad. Make memories while you can. We all need to stay mentally and physically active no matter our age. More so as we age. Great idea Vince.
dezertsuz says
You aren’t old until you are 83. I have that on good authority. At 83, you are starting to get old!
Joyce says
My father’s hobby was woodworking, and he made a lot of furniture for my Mom and me over the years. The last several years of his life, he started wood carving. There was a wood carving group in our area, and he visited a couple of times. I think he would have gone more often, but it was difficult for him to drive at night, and they didn’t meet on a regular schedule. I did convince him to wear a filet glove on the hand he used to hold the wood, so he was less likely to get a severe cut. (He was on blood thinners, and I could just imagine getting a “I need to go to the ER, because I cut my hand” call.) He was very sad when he got to the point where he couldn’t carve any more. He also made his own handles for many of his knives and gouges, and of course he sharpened his own tools too.
DonnainKS says
Vince, I know a place that has an active group of carvers and woodworkers. There also is a lonesome fisherman there. Both would give you creative, social activities and give you a break from Judy! Speaking of her, the same place offers very active and creative knit and quilt groups! If interested, Judy knows who to contact. Oh, and it’s only a few hours from a certain little girl.
Judy Laquidara says
I’ve mentioned that area several times. In fact, I keep suggesting that when we go to MO, we take the route through there so he can check it out but so far, he’s not shown any interest. I’ll make sure he sees your comment. I think the biggest negative for him is that’s one of the states on most of the “not tax friendly for retirees” lists, as is Missouri!
Donna in KS says
True….but for some of us, it’s home and so far the descendants are all within a few hours. So we stay! and we pay!! lol