educational enthusiasm

Today, I continue working on small walnut chests of drawers as shown in yesterday's post, and also work on the Carnegie Library Birthday party woodworking extravaganza. I'll be moving work benches to the library meeting room and meeting with my co-conspirator in the event.

In addition, I am gathering my notes and photos in a powerpoint presentation on sloyd which I'll co-present with Miguel Gómez-Ibáñez and Paul Ruhlman at the Furniture Society Conference, Boston, on the 18th.

Much of all this boils down to what can be expressed as a "show of hands"... "educational enthusiasm," which is expressed through the hands, and which is captured by the hands, and brought close to engage the heart, by the hands. The raised hands shown in the photo above, expressing "educational enthusiasm" are at North Bennet Street School in their new program partnership with Eliot Middle School. Miguel said that one of the things that kids enjoyed the most in their new partnership was their tour of the school. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a dark room, and then open your eyes to a whole world of possibilities? That is what it would have been like. Creative and productive capacity within reach! Most kids don't know that such worlds exist.

The Washington Post, seven decades past Rosie the Riveter, seems incredulous that women could and would want to build careers in the trades. My sister Sue would not be surprised. Her husband is a noted author and university professor, so if there is a tool belt worn in the house, it is on Sue's hips. She built her daughter's play houses (both outdoors and in), as well as doing all the repairs and gardening, and takes great pleasure in it all. Any question what's happening here? Look at the photo above and see who's hands are up.