Moments
At the end of each day, I try to reflect on what happened that day. What did I learn, what mistakes did I make, and what happened that I will do better next time? I find that each day is made up of different moments mostly insignificant with a few poignant ones sprinkled in. Most of these moments quickly fade away, but some stay with you.
We were in Tampa Florida last week for another woodworking show. Last year as we prepared to leave for the same show, a moment occurred that changed my life. I slipped in my own driveway and broke my leg – I was out for the season and stuck on the couch for the next three months. Then I learned to walk again. Apparently I became a member of a very large club of folks who have slipped and broken bones and lived to tell about it and are now their own weather forecasters. I think it is going to rain shortly.
One of the greatest joys I have is hearing from folks who get this newsletter and have overcome cancer, illness, accidents and other challenges to emerge victorious on the other side. In Columbus Ohio the previous week we literally saw supernatural intervention on a highway exit ramp. Imagine snow and ice and very slippery well below freezing driving conditions. After stopping at a traffic light at the end of a freeway off-ramp the light changed to green. As I entered the intersection with wheels spinning on the icy roadway, it was obvious that the oncoming traffic was distracted and was not stopping. We were looking at an imminent broadside T-bone collision in a tiny rental car on an icy road in the middle of January. It wasn’t going to be pretty. I slammed on the brakes and stopped, Janice screamed. Then as the other driver looked up from his cell phone (I could very clearly see his face he was so close) he stopped on a dime, on ice a couple of feet from us. You don’t have to explain that to me. I am grateful for divine intervention whenever it happens.
Our hobby of turning wood is inherently dangerous. The opportunities for injury with large heavy lumps of wood spinning at hundreds of rpms can do serious harm if they fail or become dislodged. One brief moment of inattention or failure to use the proper safety gear can affect us for a long time, perhaps for the rest of our lives. Use face shields, stand out of the line of fire when turning fast spinning bowl blanks, practice tool presentations which avoid catches and keep your tools sharp; sharp tools are much safer tools.
Moments of opportunity are fleeting. When you have a chance to encourage someone with a positive comment, do it immediately. An unspoken word of encouragement is useless and you might have been the one sent to uplift someone who needed to be encouraged. You never know what another person is going through and you might be there to help them overcome it because wherever you go there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message:
Psalm 138:3 MSG The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 MSG Go to work in the morning and stick to it until evening without watching the clock. You never know from moment to moment how your work will turn out in the end. Before the Years Take Their Toll
Romans 7:21 MSG It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up.
This week's show is in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thank you for a wonderful 2017.
Show Schedule Here
Reminder:
During the show season we travel each week from January through March. I can check my email morning and evening and answer your questions in a timely manner. The phone is a different story. Please use email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the best results.
This Week's Sale
How-To DVD's
Your Choice
Single Title - $12.50
Any Three Titles - $29.99
Any 10 Titles - $89.99
This sale is for First Quality DVD's
Free USA shipping for all domestic orders over $50. For orders less than $50 a flat rate of $7.99. I simply cannot afford to continue shipping the smaller orders for free.
Just so you know, here is a partial list of the items we make right in our own shop in Atlanta, Georgia, USA:
Amazing Doughnut Chucks, Amazing Bucket Caddy, Universal Setting Jig, Quad Setting Jig, Golden Mean Calipers, Indexing Wheels, Laser Cut Kits and Inlays, Gluing Guides for Laser Cut Kits, Made By Medallions for your work, Gouge SetUp Blocks, Angle Gauge SetUp Blocks, How-To DVD's 100% produced and published in-house
Special prices for Club Buys
If your club is interested in putting a Group Buy together, CBN Wheels for example 10 or more, Laser Cut Kits 50 or more, Turners Laser Guides 10 or more, Amazing Doughnut Chucks or Longworth Chucks, I can provide very special pricing. Drop me a note at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Made By Medallions Identify your work
This year, mark your treasures with a professionally created wooden "Made By Medallion" available in 1" and 1-1/4" disks with your name and information. Cut from 1/8" Baltic Birch, you simply drill a shallow recess with a Forstner bit and glue it permanently in place. Those who receive your treasure know exactly who made it and if you wish, how to contact you.
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Including Bottle Stopper Designs - 50 Plus classic designs. Free PDF.
Amazing Doughnut Chuck™ Instructions
ProGrind Instructions
We have bundled several of the most popular documents into one down-loadable zip file for your convenience. Still no charge.
