We all enjoy your "rambling," Nick. And I completely agree- it's an incredible experience to learn from wise mentors who invest their time and effort in you. It's also incredible to go to new places, whether for work or play, to learn and enhance your life.
Side note, I ordered an autographed copy of Where the Deer and the Antelope Play from your woodshop, and it came in this past Friday! You probably heard my squeals of delight all the way in LA or wherever in the big wide world you were. 😂
This is Joe, Bozeman MT. Nick, thank you for providing a rich answer to my question! I can relate to some of your journey. I worked at a lumber company in high school, built houses for awhile, helped make cabinets, apartment renovations and re-construction in Chicago, antique restoration, and some furniture making. Many of the books you listed, I read and passed onto others. The one thing I wanted to learn and required me to be a duck-out-of-water was wood sculpting. Before I started my journey, I began losing the use of my right hand and other symptoms become worse due to multiple sclerosis. Now, I dedicate most of time to writing, cleaning out the cat litter boxes, and sewing my robes to become an ordained Zen priest in the Soto school. Thank you for your Substack ledger Donkey Thoughts. I have more questions, but I will save them for later dates. I cannot wait to hear more responses to muleteer questions. Keep rockin!
Nick, I do have a question. I thought I could wait; however, I cannot due to a bit of morning impulsiveness powered by caffeine and steel cut oats. Growing up in Ohio along one of its waterways, I had a secret garden, an escape from the outside world. On the banks of a robust creek, under the branches of a large birch, I took respite in a hollow that allowed me to hide books, baubles, and curious
things. The screen of the enclosure hid me from passersby on both banks. To see me in my pod, a person would have to climb a tree that leaned over the creek and look down at an angle. I spent many summers, falls, and winters reading Twain, Dumas, Shakespeare, FBI stories, Christie, Milton, L’Amour, etc. From your last video, I gather your domicile and shop are part of the respite idea. Question: What was the respite, or varying places of rest, of your youth?
You famously compensated Jimmy DiResta with a canoe you built in exchange for filming your woodworking DVD. Do you often barter? Any particularly odd or amusing items you have bartered with or for?
Oh my goodness, I was cracking up about the Suburban with power windows!! Lombard IL has a car show on Saturday evenings during the summer, and my kids were so impressed with the "old style windows like Grandpa's truck" :D
I'm so glad I took time to listen this morning. This is my style of storytelling --- like your books/audiobooks, I feel like we're sitting by a fire when you answer these questions.
My question for today is: do you have book or song lists, like a mixed tape, that you could share with the group? For example, you bring up Wendell Berry very much (and your suggestions have taken me down a deep rabbit hole) --- have you thought about compiling a list of 5 of his works (or some Wilco songs), including a summary of what they meant to you, or like a book club guide with questions to prompt the reader to think a bit deeper about the subject?
Not sure if the question makes sense, and happy to clarify if needed :) Hope you're well!
What you said really hit home with me. I like the idea of travel but not the actual travel if that makes any sense. Usually after about 3 days I start missing my home, dog, shop etc.. I never thought of spending time learning new things as travel but maybe it is. I worked for most of my adult life at the University of NH which offered courses in furniture design/making that I was able to take while I was working. I was fortunate to have an excellent teacher named Lee Schutte that truly inspired me to become a good furniture maker. One of Lee’s teachers at RISD was Tage Frid who came to our final class and critiqued our final class project. So even though I didn’t actually travel I can draw a direct line from myself to Lee to Tage in my learning journey. Steve, South Berwick Maine.
Was wondering if that angered, torturing look that you wear is real or a costume (though it does complement flannel). Not exactly the persona that my granddaughter would be drawn to...
You mentioned that you like to stay home during your downtime and make meals. Also you have said that Megan is a wonderful cook. So here's my question, do you guys (notice the 'you guys', I'm from the Quad Cities, Illinois) ever make any meals together and if so, what are your specialties?
We all enjoy your "rambling," Nick. And I completely agree- it's an incredible experience to learn from wise mentors who invest their time and effort in you. It's also incredible to go to new places, whether for work or play, to learn and enhance your life.
Side note, I ordered an autographed copy of Where the Deer and the Antelope Play from your woodshop, and it came in this past Friday! You probably heard my squeals of delight all the way in LA or wherever in the big wide world you were. 😂
This is Joe, Bozeman MT. Nick, thank you for providing a rich answer to my question! I can relate to some of your journey. I worked at a lumber company in high school, built houses for awhile, helped make cabinets, apartment renovations and re-construction in Chicago, antique restoration, and some furniture making. Many of the books you listed, I read and passed onto others. The one thing I wanted to learn and required me to be a duck-out-of-water was wood sculpting. Before I started my journey, I began losing the use of my right hand and other symptoms become worse due to multiple sclerosis. Now, I dedicate most of time to writing, cleaning out the cat litter boxes, and sewing my robes to become an ordained Zen priest in the Soto school. Thank you for your Substack ledger Donkey Thoughts. I have more questions, but I will save them for later dates. I cannot wait to hear more responses to muleteer questions. Keep rockin!
Nick, I do have a question. I thought I could wait; however, I cannot due to a bit of morning impulsiveness powered by caffeine and steel cut oats. Growing up in Ohio along one of its waterways, I had a secret garden, an escape from the outside world. On the banks of a robust creek, under the branches of a large birch, I took respite in a hollow that allowed me to hide books, baubles, and curious
things. The screen of the enclosure hid me from passersby on both banks. To see me in my pod, a person would have to climb a tree that leaned over the creek and look down at an angle. I spent many summers, falls, and winters reading Twain, Dumas, Shakespeare, FBI stories, Christie, Milton, L’Amour, etc. From your last video, I gather your domicile and shop are part of the respite idea. Question: What was the respite, or varying places of rest, of your youth?
Nick,
You famously compensated Jimmy DiResta with a canoe you built in exchange for filming your woodworking DVD. Do you often barter? Any particularly odd or amusing items you have bartered with or for?
Thank you in advance,
Charles
Portland, OR
Oh my goodness, I was cracking up about the Suburban with power windows!! Lombard IL has a car show on Saturday evenings during the summer, and my kids were so impressed with the "old style windows like Grandpa's truck" :D
I'm so glad I took time to listen this morning. This is my style of storytelling --- like your books/audiobooks, I feel like we're sitting by a fire when you answer these questions.
My question for today is: do you have book or song lists, like a mixed tape, that you could share with the group? For example, you bring up Wendell Berry very much (and your suggestions have taken me down a deep rabbit hole) --- have you thought about compiling a list of 5 of his works (or some Wilco songs), including a summary of what they meant to you, or like a book club guide with questions to prompt the reader to think a bit deeper about the subject?
Not sure if the question makes sense, and happy to clarify if needed :) Hope you're well!
Love,
Jessie H.
Lombard, IL
Hi Nick,
What you said really hit home with me. I like the idea of travel but not the actual travel if that makes any sense. Usually after about 3 days I start missing my home, dog, shop etc.. I never thought of spending time learning new things as travel but maybe it is. I worked for most of my adult life at the University of NH which offered courses in furniture design/making that I was able to take while I was working. I was fortunate to have an excellent teacher named Lee Schutte that truly inspired me to become a good furniture maker. One of Lee’s teachers at RISD was Tage Frid who came to our final class and critiqued our final class project. So even though I didn’t actually travel I can draw a direct line from myself to Lee to Tage in my learning journey. Steve, South Berwick Maine.
Hi Grandpa Dick here,
Was wondering if that angered, torturing look that you wear is real or a costume (though it does complement flannel). Not exactly the persona that my granddaughter would be drawn to...
Thanks, Nick, for your ever-fascinating substantive, down to earth verbal meanders. What a great way to start the week!
Kim, from Loveland CO
You mentioned that you like to stay home during your downtime and make meals. Also you have said that Megan is a wonderful cook. So here's my question, do you guys (notice the 'you guys', I'm from the Quad Cities, Illinois) ever make any meals together and if so, what are your specialties?