I'm back sawing again

[jeff...]

Well after a good long vacation / wedding - I'm back sawing logs again. Everything started up after being down for 2 1/2 weeks . Blades still sharpen the same way and the mill still cuts the same way. Walnut logs are still nasty to saw but make beautiful lumber. Yep everything is pretty much the same, even that bobcat, who doesn't like to start up when it's cold, started in it's usual way. The chainsaw still screams out as it spits out chunks and chips. Yep all is the same, except I really didn't know how much I missed sawing, till the blade hit the log. I think I may have a new found viger or at least forgot what I was missing, yep I really like to saw. Love to hear the blade sing it's song as it heads through the log, love the sound of the mill motor and feel the vibration under my feet. Oddly I even kinda like getting beat up with the bobcat to (no suspension). And the hand numbing vibration of a screaming chainsaw in my hand. All in all I can't envision myself doing much more. It's when the boards start falling off the mill, is when it's a relaxing moment. Take a quick look at God's handy work, every board is unique just like God planned it. Quickly make sure it doesn't have any defect and wished it were mine, but it's not. Stack it on the pile, for someone else to admire or maybe not.

If you haven't made logs into lumber, you should try it at least once, seriously. Now I can understand why a few sawyers I know are so old they can hardly walk, but can run a saw mill all day long and smile doing it. Yet others buy a mill, saw a few logs and never try it again. It's a love it or leave it passion. I suspect it's the hard work of log and lumber handling that pushes people away, maybe it's being covered in wet saw dust that people don't like. But for me all my worries and stress just melt away, all pain leaves my body and my mind focuses on the task at hand. Time flies when all your left with is a sliver of God's creation and a machine to try and make a log into something useful for someone else to enjoy.

Some may understand what I'm saying, others may not - it doesn't matter none. We all have our passions, mine just so happens to be in difficult to handle thousands of pounds logs, high horse power motors and sharp blades

Thanks

[RandyJ]

Welcome back, Jeff!
There are few things in this world, as satisfying as seeing the result of your hard work. You should be proud of what you do!
I haven't had the pleasure of seeing your wood in person, but the pictures are beautiful.
I hope you continue to enjoy what you do, and become very successful at it.
Good luck,

[FredP]

I understand!!!!!! sure miss the old mill grand dad used to have. I'll never forget those simpler times.

[Jim M.]

Jeff,
I think about all those who never get to have the joy of working with mother earth's treasures and it makes me sad for them. Some of my greatest joys were growing up farming, summers fishing the Chesapeake and working with my grandfather in his woodshop. Getting your dirty hands is a lost art. Jim

[JimmyC]

Jeff, it's good to see that you're back in a good place mentally. Vacations are great but sometimes if you are away for too long you get to thinking. And we all know too much thinking is not a good thing, we do our best thinking surrounded by tools and wood .

Welcome Back,
Jimmy

[jeff...]

Originally Posted by twodognc

Jeff, it's good to see that you're back in a good place mentally. Vacations are great but sometimes if you are away for too long you get to thinking. And we all know too much thinking is not a good thing, we do our best thinking surrounded by tools and wood .

Welcome Back,
Jimmy

Actually vacation made me stiff - amazing what they body does when it has time to relax. Found out I need the physical activity that comes along with sawing. It's good exercise...

[Ray Martin]

Jeff,

Welcome back from vacation.

That is a beautiful testimony to working with wood. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Ray

[lottathought]

Welcome back....
Gotta say...
You sound like you enjoy what you are doing.
That makes coming back so much better...and puts you in a club all too few people are a member of.