Listen now | Although I also wouldn't mind a sandwich. “I’d like to run into those guys today, now that I’ve grown into a swaggering man-shaped edifice of beef and oak, and see who ends up crying like a baby.”
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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?
Thank you for the stellar read! Your project makes me think of every cut that I make on my mill. Exposing a grain and thinking to myself "well, this is beautiful'. Wanting to leave it as a pretty board and not cut it again. I appreciate your Donkey Thoughts :)
Hello Nick! So years ago I was watching Colbert and saw you talking about Minooka. I looked you up and realized that you and I had been in Kindergarten through Second grade together. We moved in second grade to Lockport. Anyway, I mentioned you to my dad and he said that he went to ISU with your dad and that your parents used to come over to play canasta, Euchre, etc at our house. I read one of your books and had flashbacks of you in second grade. I definitely remember you doing the eyebrow thing behind the priest at Mass. Here is my question, I'm wondering if you have any class photos or year books from Kindergarten through Second grade? I don't have any and I can't remember the names of my teachers except for Ms. Marcy in Kindergarten. But although there were 4 teachers per grade as I recall, I'm pretty sure I remember you in my class sitting next to Brad Sprague in Second grade and goofing off. I'm sure we were on the buses together. I was just on Tabler Road which wasn't far from Bell Road. I'm sure you remember the Teepee Hut - I guess they must have closed that years ago but it was the only place to eat in town as I recall. Anyway, not sure if you remember me but my last name was Steffes. If you have class photos/yearbooks, I'd love to get a copy. Thanks Nick! - Sheri (Steffes) Menelli - Also a grad of U of I - Go Illini!
A great read, thank you. The bullying on the school bus certainly resonated with me. I hail from Kangaroo Ground, Victoria which is on the rural outskirts of Melbourne.
Without beating around the bush, you were the gateway drug for me into many incredible writers such as (first and foremost) Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan and James Rebanks.
I do have a question for you: What do you think are the benefits in having and tending to your own garden?
Thank you for taking the time to read such posts from us folks.
My first woodworking (?) project was using birch limbs to lash together a log table at Girl Scout camp in Maine... probably in the mid 1960s. I am sure Mother Nature has composted it by now since the camp closed....
Hi there! Jennifer from Edwardsville, IL. Grew up in the same hometown as your buddy Jeff Tweedy- Belleville! I’m actually a librarian at the community college in Belleville!! And I’m sure I saw WILCO perform at Mississippi Nights on the landing in STL (or close by) while I attended college at SIUE in the 90s. Probably saw Uncle Tupelo locally too. Jeff’s bands and other local bands like Fragile Porcelain Mice were killing it around here back then. Great music scene. If you and Jeff ever venture this far south in IL, happy to meet you for a beer and some live music!! CHEERS!!🍻
Eric Brown from Dayton Ohio. I like to do experimental joinery (google "arrowhead joint" on Popular Woodworking.) My latest unusual woodworking involved making a fancy shave horse that actually incorporates a horse head and tail. I like different. So Nick, what are you building that is outside your comfort zone?
Hello Nick from Minooka. I am Don, hometown Farmville..as in NC. NOT FarmVille, the stupid FaceBook game that has robbed attention from countless small town Farmvilles across the land (not to mention making it impossible for me to type the name of my own hometown without overcoming spellcheck). My first woodworking project would have been something I did alongside my Granddad in his shop. Granddad, of course would never have given me a C+. Loving the Donkey Thoughts!
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?
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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?
Thank you for the stellar read! Your project makes me think of every cut that I make on my mill. Exposing a grain and thinking to myself "well, this is beautiful'. Wanting to leave it as a pretty board and not cut it again. I appreciate your Donkey Thoughts :)
Hello Nick! So years ago I was watching Colbert and saw you talking about Minooka. I looked you up and realized that you and I had been in Kindergarten through Second grade together. We moved in second grade to Lockport. Anyway, I mentioned you to my dad and he said that he went to ISU with your dad and that your parents used to come over to play canasta, Euchre, etc at our house. I read one of your books and had flashbacks of you in second grade. I definitely remember you doing the eyebrow thing behind the priest at Mass. Here is my question, I'm wondering if you have any class photos or year books from Kindergarten through Second grade? I don't have any and I can't remember the names of my teachers except for Ms. Marcy in Kindergarten. But although there were 4 teachers per grade as I recall, I'm pretty sure I remember you in my class sitting next to Brad Sprague in Second grade and goofing off. I'm sure we were on the buses together. I was just on Tabler Road which wasn't far from Bell Road. I'm sure you remember the Teepee Hut - I guess they must have closed that years ago but it was the only place to eat in town as I recall. Anyway, not sure if you remember me but my last name was Steffes. If you have class photos/yearbooks, I'd love to get a copy. Thanks Nick! - Sheri (Steffes) Menelli - Also a grad of U of I - Go Illini!
A great read, thank you. The bullying on the school bus certainly resonated with me. I hail from Kangaroo Ground, Victoria which is on the rural outskirts of Melbourne.
Hello Nick.
Thank you for your donkey thoughts!
Without beating around the bush, you were the gateway drug for me into many incredible writers such as (first and foremost) Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan and James Rebanks.
I do have a question for you: What do you think are the benefits in having and tending to your own garden?
Thank you for taking the time to read such posts from us folks.
My first woodworking (?) project was using birch limbs to lash together a log table at Girl Scout camp in Maine... probably in the mid 1960s. I am sure Mother Nature has composted it by now since the camp closed....
Hi there! Jennifer from Edwardsville, IL. Grew up in the same hometown as your buddy Jeff Tweedy- Belleville! I’m actually a librarian at the community college in Belleville!! And I’m sure I saw WILCO perform at Mississippi Nights on the landing in STL (or close by) while I attended college at SIUE in the 90s. Probably saw Uncle Tupelo locally too. Jeff’s bands and other local bands like Fragile Porcelain Mice were killing it around here back then. Great music scene. If you and Jeff ever venture this far south in IL, happy to meet you for a beer and some live music!! CHEERS!!🍻
Eric Brown from Dayton Ohio. I like to do experimental joinery (google "arrowhead joint" on Popular Woodworking.) My latest unusual woodworking involved making a fancy shave horse that actually incorporates a horse head and tail. I like different. So Nick, what are you building that is outside your comfort zone?
Hello Nick from Minooka. I am Don, hometown Farmville..as in NC. NOT FarmVille, the stupid FaceBook game that has robbed attention from countless small town Farmvilles across the land (not to mention making it impossible for me to type the name of my own hometown without overcoming spellcheck). My first woodworking project would have been something I did alongside my Granddad in his shop. Granddad, of course would never have given me a C+. Loving the Donkey Thoughts!
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?