32 Comments

First of all, I love this, and will always pay for more Nick Offerman. But cannot pay for this podcast until Nick obtains a proper microphone. The sickening sibilance on each word is just not good enough.

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noted. sorry to sicken so. with my sibilance.

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Perhaps a little harsh on my part in a desire to use some alliteration. :) Nonetheless your normally mellifluous tones sounded a little tinny to these ears on this recording.

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I will aim to do better.

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Bravo! Liked the post. Reminded me of a project I made in a summer school woodworking class. Do we all start off with a Mom Project? Being a bit short in the creativity department, the instructor sketched out a pleasing carved bowl design on a pine plank that I subsequently carved, sanded, stained (I agree with you on staining philosophy and practice), and finished. Good enough to pass the course. Pleased Mom. Keep 'em coming, the blogs. At the risk of losing some fan base, us woodworkers would love some woodworky stuff.

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I asked Nick Offerman, woodworker~writer~actor, a question and he answered it using threads of thought inspired by the best in his fields: Hermes, the comedian; Arachne, a most creative weaver; and Athena, the warrior Goddess (who also hates bullies). Today, I'm feeling like ANYTHING is possible. Did you see that rain, hail, lightning, and 'thundersnow' on the 15th in the LA basin/Orange County? Zeus is rooting for us all, buddy. Keep a-writin' and I will too.

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Like you, I have my own first projects. I thought they were crude but after listening to you, I see them changes into what they were. Part of my imagination and a gift of love to my Mother. Listening to a nice guy like you is the best way to start my day! Thanks from Phil in Tucson, Az

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Thank you for reminding us to be kind to our younger selves. Looking back at past work has made me cringe, and I'm trying to be less judgemental of my own growth. I appreciate it! Jessie - Lombard, Illinois

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Thank you for a brilliant read, Mr Offerman. It sparked a recollection of sweating over the construction of a timber stepladder in my own high school woodworking class. I too received only a marginal passing grade for my pure-hearted toil. Yet, almost three decades later, my humble stepladder continues its courageous life as a pantry aid in my elderly parent’s home. I imagine that’s an achievement far out of reach of IKEA’s soulless modern-day flat packery, and the like. So damn short-sighted teachers, and the donkeys they ride in on.

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I have a big sturdy wooden table and two benches that my dad built back in 1984. I know because he carved his name and the year in the bottom of it. It was our family's dinner table for years. After a while they got another table and - much to his chagrin - dad's creation was relegated to a basement somewhere. Dad passed away two years ago and now I have his old table. It's a family treasure in my opinion. Unfortunately dad wasn't the best at finishing wood. It has a thick, shiny layer of clear varnish/lacquer/whatever it's called and you can see brush marks. I know it's possible to turn this table into something beautiful but I have no idea how. Thoughts?

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I remember my first woodworking project too. In 6th grade, every student made a "recipe holder" which consisted of clothespin (to hold the recipe card) glued to a triangle of wood that was nailed to a square base.

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Darn it hate when buttons get pressed before their time to get pressed. Alright .

1) that beautiful clown and saying are classified as decoupage .

2) omfg The bullying thing , you described my childhood from age 10 to beyond. Hated school failed gr11 had to threaten quitting school to go back to my old school . Life sucked then 😭🤣😭 😳 TY for sharing Nick. Love the picture of you and the bottle do share who drew it.

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Disregard the quest for artist name his name is underneath the drawing.

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Is this a good place to leave questions? Fingers crossed: I know you’re passionate enough about Wendell Berry’s work to have helped bring out a film to tell the world about him. For someone who’d like to go further down the rabbit hole, who would you recommend reading next?

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Thanks chief!

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I’m years late to this party, having just joined Substack, but I’m compelled to thank you for this. I too have enough optical awareness to identify that Monsieur Clown is intentionally tilting his head for the sake of a good time.

My father was alive when you wrote this, but I doubt he ever stumbled across it. He was an Illinois boy as well, when a college professor attempted to gaslight him into believing there are fewer colors in this world than my father knew to be true. That happened in either the late 60’s or early 70’s. Tony may have picked up a pipe wrench after that and joined a union, but he never left that memory or his paint brush behind.

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Just discovered this, and loved it. Such a beautiful clown, such great writing accompanying it. Thanks Nick!

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This reminded me of building a Snow Speeder out of a block of wood when Empire Strikes Back came out. It was ugly, but it didn’t matter. Thanks for this post, it unlocked something I’ve been chipping away at for months

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I am Now cracking UP 😂 I am supposed to brine a turkey 🦃

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I am from Smiley 😊 Face Town / Worcester, Ma and once upon a time at a Solid Dound : Wilco event in North Adams / I could hear your voice - I said to my sister in law there / don’t turn around, it’s just a regular person - HAH , Well I loved puzzling out Lincoln inthe Bardem is what I loved listening to -

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