Sign up now for a
Free Email Account &
your own Online
Writing Portfolio!
Username:
Password:  
Blog Calendar
<<     February     >>
SMTWTFS
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
26272829
Complete archive | RSS

More Blogs

Sponsored Items

Click Here To Bid  

Read a Newbie
Badges
Testimonials
Tell a Friend
Know someone who'd
like this page?

Email Address:

Optional Comment:

Who's Online?
Members: 430    
Guests: 1843    
   
Total Online Now: 2273    
Writing.Com Time

Tuesday
February 14, 2012
9:14pm EST


  >> Book >> Biographical >> ID #1028995  |   Show DetailsPrinter Friendly Page Tell A Friend
Today is the first day of the rest ....
What I am thinking and my adventure at Writing.com
Rated:
13+
by
Avg Rating: (31)
<<< Previous | Back to Entry List | Next >>>
Entry #437455, added on 07-01-06 @ 12:29 am EDT
   Entry Access Restriction: None.
My Dad's CarvingsEntry #437455
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **
Hmmm ... I guess from the size of these boots (about 3-1/2 inches tall), that handmade cowboy my dad made must have been more like 20 inches tall ...


         I mentioned he was an artist.  I didn't know he was when I was a child; I just thought he could make things ...  He really could make or fix almost anything and what he couldn't do, it seemed like my mom could.  He was the oldest of eight children though, and he quit school when he was thirteen to help make a living for his family.  Times were hard and it was the depression; being an artist wasn't something many people in those days got to do, especially if they had to ply themselves at manual labor.

         He never seemed to resent or regret all the hard work and if he ever wished he'd had the chance to be an artist for a living, he never mentioned it.  In fact, he never talked of art at all.  He spent his life working at hard physical labor and driving a bulk cement truck for Halliburton.  When he got caught out on the job, which happened a lot, he would pick up a stick and whittle. I was young when he brought home a "box" which would puzzle and amaze me for the rest of my life. 

         Carved from a single piece of wood, it was a little oblong box with four corner "posts" and a ball inside of it.  On the top was a carved loop.  The ball, though it would turn freely inside the box, wouldn't slip out of the box.  Getting it out would have meant breaking the delicate posts of the box.  I thought there must be a trick to it, so I asked him to do another one; a bigger one--I suppose I didn't believe he could do it twice.  Below is a picture of the next one he brought me.

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **


         Seems like kids are never satisfied and I loved the new box, but I asked him why he didn't put the loop on top of the second box.  He said that was as big as the piece of wood he had was.  The answer made sense to me and I let it drop, but it wasn't long before he brought home a third box, bigger and better than both the other two combined.  This one not only had the loop at the top but also a chain with four links all carved from what had been a solid piece of wood.  His carvings are still a source of wonder, awe and amazement to me.  The man was an artist!

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **



© Copyright 2006 Chalaedra (UN: chalaedra at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Chalaedra has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
<<< Previous | Back to Entry List | Next >>>

Log In To Leave Feedback
Username:
Password:
Not a Member?
Signup right now, for free!

All accounts include:
*Bullet* FREE Email @Writing.Com!
*Bullet* FREE Portfolio Services!