Sawdust and Soul
Over the past fifteen years I have carried on a lively conversation about woodworking with my good friend John de Gruchy—he in South Africa’s Western Cape, I in the mountains …
A Southwestern Turning
When we were visiting in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in February, I got to know Rich Spellenberg, who is a fine woodturner as well as renowned botanist. Indeed, if I …
Who’s Your Imbongi?
I have long been interested in the South African tradition of the imbongi. The figure of this classic Xhosa “praise singer” accompanied my thoughts as Nelson Mandela returned to his …
Lectern and Table for BU School of Theology
I recently completed a table and lectern for the newly renovated Walter Muelder Chapel at Boston University School of Theology. Working with Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore and Professor Carl Daw, …
Turnings in Profile
I have been spending a lot of time lately reworking the poems in a collection I am calling Turnings. I have been sending it out, in various versions, to publishers …
Collaboration in Time and Space
Two events involving my son Eric coalesce to begin our new year. The first involves his trans-Atlantic collaboration with my god-daughter Anja Decke to put on a multi-lingual version of …
A New Table
This table was commissioned by the District Superintendents of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church to honor their Bishop, John Schol. The pedestal of walnut and cherry creates …
A Wedding and an Anniversary
June brings weddings and their reverberations in anniversaries. This year I participated in helping to plan and lead a lovely wedding for Sarah Osmer and Gabriel Vinas. Sarah we have …
Raising the Quilt Square
Over the past few years, in nearby Yancey and Mitchell counties, the Toe River Arts Council has made and installed over two hundred painted quilt blocks on barns, stores, and …
SweetheARTS Exhibition
The Haywood County Arts Council is hosting a delightful exhibition this month of pieces created by couples who engage in artistic work. Each couple has also prepared a one-page story …
Flared Cherry Bowl
I recently completed this cherry bowl from a tree on our property. I made it for a good friend of many years in Atlanta. I wanted it to represent an …
A Table for the Roundtable Gathering
The Roundtable Worship Gathering has met at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville for over six years. I finally got around to making them a table! While other communion tables …
Good Stock
I recently received an inquiry from Pamela Hanson, who asked if I knew of a poem that could be read at a memorial service for her father, Roland Hanson, who …