Mar 10, 2022·edited Mar 10, 2022Liked by Nick Offerman
Nick, My name is Eric and I have the great fortune of being the new director of the WoodenBoat School, part of WoodenBoat magazine here in Brooklin, Maine. Love the recommended reading!
If you are ever up this way feel free to reach out for a visit. I've been enjoying the Donkey thoughts!!
Wow, hello Eric, and thank you kindly! I have been a huge fan and student of your publication and school for a couple of decades, and by gum I'll bother you as soon as I can navigate my way there.
Hey Eric, I grew up a few towns over in Penobscot. Such a beautiful part of Maine. Congratulations on your new position! I remember driving past the Wooden Boat School as a kid and being confused because I thought it was a weird name for an elementary school. Guess I wasn’t the brightest bulb. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to attend a class at some point. Cheers!
Mar 10, 2022·edited Mar 11, 2022Liked by Nick Offerman
Thank you, dear Captain, for hoisting our sails and heading us into meaningful waters. You point to significant features of the landscape ~ manners ~ Mainers ~ a book with boaty-know-how anchored in the same Maine town where EB White wrote about a spider's web ~ and you've even provided a soundtrack for us. It's a good message: 'one way out of a hole' is to let the "islands of our minds" go for a swim in the oceans of our hearts.
Like Charlotte, you model compassion by writing words that encourage us to develop our best qualities. You invite dialogue and spin new webs for us to read. As serendipity would have it, I raised my daughter in Maine, where I taught writing and theatre arts. I'm now in California, but, for the past 5 summers, my daughter has taught knot tying, canoeing, and comedy sketch writing/performance at one of the oldest summer camps in Maine.
Thanks for the navigation, the connection, and the affirmation.
Spot on advice for parents of any age, and grandparents-coming from a father of three. We have two teachers and a PhD teacher/researcher and I think my wife read to/with them until they were in high school:) If you teach them how to use hand tools, the phone goes away. If you teach them manners, the phone goes away. If you teach them to paddle, the phone goes away. Play board and card games to enhance lessons of conversation, fairness, and how to lose/win. Gratitude and compassion are big winners too. Thanks for the reminder. All lessons apply at any age.
Thank you for sharing your advice. I completely agree. I’m a little worried about/ intrigued by what Levi’s version of a “phone” will be when he reaches that age.
Thank you Nick for the beautiful video. I don't have a question, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your general existence on this planet. From the first time my daughter told me about Parks & Rec and said "Nick Offerman - a man's man" to every one of your books to your stand up and everything I have seen/heard you in - you have made my life more joyful. I hope Megan appreciates what a gift she has in you! Best, Susan from NJ
Many, many thanks to you for sharing your advice with me. I agree with all of it. Some of my favorite moments over the past 5 months have involved either reading or singing to Levi. Additionally, my father and I are currently gathering supplies to build the chest of drawers in Mike Pekovich’s “The Why and How of Woodworking” for Levi to use for his clothes as he ages. I look forward to reading Mr. Gardner’s tome and I think a wooden boat would be an excellent project for me and Levi when he is older. Unrelated, but I built the kazoo from “Good Clean Fun” for my nephew’s birthday last year. I don’t know if Brendan had ever seen a plastic kazoo so he was a bit confused, but I felt proud to be giving him a personalized, handmade gift.
Again, thank you for taking the time to answer my query. And, thank you, friends, to the additional advice in these comments. This is a beautiful online community we have here.
Just as a postscript, I listened to the episode of On Being that was mentioned, as well as the song by Cloud Cult, and all I can say is “Wow”. I can’t imagine experiencing the kind of loss that Craig and his wife experienced. The closest thing I’ve experienced was when my wife and I lost our first pregnancy to miscarriage. This was at the start of the pandemic and I, too, became very angry at God. Sitting in the doctors office, waiting for the ultrasound tech to get everything set up, I found myself praying for the first time in years. I just wanted to hear the heartbeat. That was all. When there was nothing but silence I felt like I had been stabbed in the back. I didn’t think I would find hope again. I was ready to give up on having children altogether when my wife told me she was pregnant with Levi. 9 months later, I learned that God has a sense of humor because my beautiful baby boy came into this world with a full bladder and my favorite sweatshirt was his diaper of choice. The nurse told me that was considered good luck.
Nice to see you, sir! Not that it's any of my business, and likely it's dictated by your current job, but I miss your beard. For my own selfish enjoyment, I hope it returns soon. Your current clean-cut look, however, combined with the aesthetic of your collar reminds me of Star Trek uniforms. Sadly, you're closest to the color red, which likely means you're going to die first. Don't let them send you down there, wherever there is, is what I'm saying.
Anyway, that brings me to my question for today. Are you Team Star Trek or Team Star Wars?
Good Morning Nick, I just discovered you on Substack. I have always been inspired by you, from the first time Rob Swanson told Leslie Knope, “No, no way.” I sure do hope you hop back on here from time to time. I would actually welcome a correspondence with you, although I am not sure that is appropriate or possible.
In the interim, I wanted to share this article I recently wrote on Medium. I suspect you might like the thought exercise.
Hello Nick, I'm scouring your archives having recently joined your community of lovely people.
As a sapling in substack terms (if a bit knarled and wind bent in real life) I've already learned something from your heartfelt and honest messages and that is to not take yourself too seriously and be a real human being. Having joined initially as a reader and then deciding to write under my own power I decided to look back at some.of my earlier work and bring those up to date as a way of floating some boats on the lake quickly. What I realised was how earnest and serious those previous works were and how deeply uninteresting and one dimensional they must be to a reader. So, having after 53 years of deciding I was knowledgeable enough to share some thoughts on some subjects, I've spent 3 weeks relearning what it means to be authentic. I hate that word, it's got connotations of leadership seminars and questionnaires, but it's probably the right word. So thank you for grounding me.
Anyway, I did have a question... As a very amateur carpenter who recently grew into their own workshop I've been toying with some modest projects, restoring a few motorcycles, buying old tools (yes I learned that lesson too....) and building things I never seem to sell as it ends up in the houses of family. My next goal is to build a cedar strip canoe and having read the books, watched the YouTube's it may be time to take the plunge... After all I'd like to see anyone in my family take that and put it in their living room..! Question. Have you ever built a boat and do you have any advice for an average carpenter who can't swim?
This post carries the cachet of woodshavings and manliness - the headiest of mental aphrodisiacs. One of my favorite pasttimes is to secretly watch my husband in his woodshop; that image of a man creating something lasting from the life of trees is indescribably beautiful.
Great to see you! Thanks for taking the time to make shiny things to distract and entertain us. My question relates to your experience with rejection. If your audience is not buying what you're selling how do you bounce back and keep going (in a slightly modified direction)? How has it shaped your career? Any advice on how not to let the negative feedback crush the fun out of a creative person's life?
That episode of On Being is remarkable and I’ve listened to it more times than I can count. Craig Minowa’s perspective on spirituality is honest and humble. Cloud cults music is amazing too!
Nick, I love all of these -- you have a really grounded perspective on things that helps me in my own mildly-chaotic life here in Portland, Oregon (the Maine Portland is on my list to visit). As I watched this over my morning cup of tea (cream Earl Grey, hot, with milk), I wondered to myself: what's your hot beverage(s) of choice, and your favorite place to drink it?
Nick, My name is Eric and I have the great fortune of being the new director of the WoodenBoat School, part of WoodenBoat magazine here in Brooklin, Maine. Love the recommended reading!
If you are ever up this way feel free to reach out for a visit. I've been enjoying the Donkey thoughts!!
Wow, hello Eric, and thank you kindly! I have been a huge fan and student of your publication and school for a couple of decades, and by gum I'll bother you as soon as I can navigate my way there.
That would be a fun visit! Eric, love the publication and the school. Keep up the good work!
Hey Eric, I grew up a few towns over in Penobscot. Such a beautiful part of Maine. Congratulations on your new position! I remember driving past the Wooden Boat School as a kid and being confused because I thought it was a weird name for an elementary school. Guess I wasn’t the brightest bulb. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to attend a class at some point. Cheers!
Thank you, dear Captain, for hoisting our sails and heading us into meaningful waters. You point to significant features of the landscape ~ manners ~ Mainers ~ a book with boaty-know-how anchored in the same Maine town where EB White wrote about a spider's web ~ and you've even provided a soundtrack for us. It's a good message: 'one way out of a hole' is to let the "islands of our minds" go for a swim in the oceans of our hearts.
Like Charlotte, you model compassion by writing words that encourage us to develop our best qualities. You invite dialogue and spin new webs for us to read. As serendipity would have it, I raised my daughter in Maine, where I taught writing and theatre arts. I'm now in California, but, for the past 5 summers, my daughter has taught knot tying, canoeing, and comedy sketch writing/performance at one of the oldest summer camps in Maine.
Thanks for the navigation, the connection, and the affirmation.
Spot on advice for parents of any age, and grandparents-coming from a father of three. We have two teachers and a PhD teacher/researcher and I think my wife read to/with them until they were in high school:) If you teach them how to use hand tools, the phone goes away. If you teach them manners, the phone goes away. If you teach them to paddle, the phone goes away. Play board and card games to enhance lessons of conversation, fairness, and how to lose/win. Gratitude and compassion are big winners too. Thanks for the reminder. All lessons apply at any age.
David,
Thank you for sharing your advice. I completely agree. I’m a little worried about/ intrigued by what Levi’s version of a “phone” will be when he reaches that age.
All the best,
Adam
Thank you Nick for the beautiful video. I don't have a question, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your general existence on this planet. From the first time my daughter told me about Parks & Rec and said "Nick Offerman - a man's man" to every one of your books to your stand up and everything I have seen/heard you in - you have made my life more joyful. I hope Megan appreciates what a gift she has in you! Best, Susan from NJ
Nick,
Many, many thanks to you for sharing your advice with me. I agree with all of it. Some of my favorite moments over the past 5 months have involved either reading or singing to Levi. Additionally, my father and I are currently gathering supplies to build the chest of drawers in Mike Pekovich’s “The Why and How of Woodworking” for Levi to use for his clothes as he ages. I look forward to reading Mr. Gardner’s tome and I think a wooden boat would be an excellent project for me and Levi when he is older. Unrelated, but I built the kazoo from “Good Clean Fun” for my nephew’s birthday last year. I don’t know if Brendan had ever seen a plastic kazoo so he was a bit confused, but I felt proud to be giving him a personalized, handmade gift.
Again, thank you for taking the time to answer my query. And, thank you, friends, to the additional advice in these comments. This is a beautiful online community we have here.
Love to you all,
Adam
Just as a postscript, I listened to the episode of On Being that was mentioned, as well as the song by Cloud Cult, and all I can say is “Wow”. I can’t imagine experiencing the kind of loss that Craig and his wife experienced. The closest thing I’ve experienced was when my wife and I lost our first pregnancy to miscarriage. This was at the start of the pandemic and I, too, became very angry at God. Sitting in the doctors office, waiting for the ultrasound tech to get everything set up, I found myself praying for the first time in years. I just wanted to hear the heartbeat. That was all. When there was nothing but silence I felt like I had been stabbed in the back. I didn’t think I would find hope again. I was ready to give up on having children altogether when my wife told me she was pregnant with Levi. 9 months later, I learned that God has a sense of humor because my beautiful baby boy came into this world with a full bladder and my favorite sweatshirt was his diaper of choice. The nurse told me that was considered good luck.
Cheers,
Adam
Adam, thanks for sharing this powerful, personal anecdote. I'm grateful that it had a happy, if pungent, ending.
Nice to see you, sir! Not that it's any of my business, and likely it's dictated by your current job, but I miss your beard. For my own selfish enjoyment, I hope it returns soon. Your current clean-cut look, however, combined with the aesthetic of your collar reminds me of Star Trek uniforms. Sadly, you're closest to the color red, which likely means you're going to die first. Don't let them send you down there, wherever there is, is what I'm saying.
Anyway, that brings me to my question for today. Are you Team Star Trek or Team Star Wars?
Good luck with your work! Asha (Ithaca, NY)
Good Morning Nick, I just discovered you on Substack. I have always been inspired by you, from the first time Rob Swanson told Leslie Knope, “No, no way.” I sure do hope you hop back on here from time to time. I would actually welcome a correspondence with you, although I am not sure that is appropriate or possible.
In the interim, I wanted to share this article I recently wrote on Medium. I suspect you might like the thought exercise.
https://medium.com/@Bob-Marcus/find-your-purpose-a-thought-leadership-exercise-4c8d131df5de
Hello Nick, I'm scouring your archives having recently joined your community of lovely people.
As a sapling in substack terms (if a bit knarled and wind bent in real life) I've already learned something from your heartfelt and honest messages and that is to not take yourself too seriously and be a real human being. Having joined initially as a reader and then deciding to write under my own power I decided to look back at some.of my earlier work and bring those up to date as a way of floating some boats on the lake quickly. What I realised was how earnest and serious those previous works were and how deeply uninteresting and one dimensional they must be to a reader. So, having after 53 years of deciding I was knowledgeable enough to share some thoughts on some subjects, I've spent 3 weeks relearning what it means to be authentic. I hate that word, it's got connotations of leadership seminars and questionnaires, but it's probably the right word. So thank you for grounding me.
Anyway, I did have a question... As a very amateur carpenter who recently grew into their own workshop I've been toying with some modest projects, restoring a few motorcycles, buying old tools (yes I learned that lesson too....) and building things I never seem to sell as it ends up in the houses of family. My next goal is to build a cedar strip canoe and having read the books, watched the YouTube's it may be time to take the plunge... After all I'd like to see anyone in my family take that and put it in their living room..! Question. Have you ever built a boat and do you have any advice for an average carpenter who can't swim?
Thanks, Geoff from Wales
I finally got around to watching this. Good stuff Nick. As a parent and human being, I thank you for this.
- James Pfeiffer, De Pere, WI
also, you look like Scotty from the TV series...." I've giv'n her all she's got captain, an' I canna give her no more"
as per usual 180 from what I thought would be the answer, but a beautiful interesting wide sway around the question in question...as always tx.
This post carries the cachet of woodshavings and manliness - the headiest of mental aphrodisiacs. One of my favorite pasttimes is to secretly watch my husband in his woodshop; that image of a man creating something lasting from the life of trees is indescribably beautiful.
Great to see you! Thanks for taking the time to make shiny things to distract and entertain us. My question relates to your experience with rejection. If your audience is not buying what you're selling how do you bounce back and keep going (in a slightly modified direction)? How has it shaped your career? Any advice on how not to let the negative feedback crush the fun out of a creative person's life?
That episode of On Being is remarkable and I’ve listened to it more times than I can count. Craig Minowa’s perspective on spirituality is honest and humble. Cloud cults music is amazing too!
Nick, I love all of these -- you have a really grounded perspective on things that helps me in my own mildly-chaotic life here in Portland, Oregon (the Maine Portland is on my list to visit). As I watched this over my morning cup of tea (cream Earl Grey, hot, with milk), I wondered to myself: what's your hot beverage(s) of choice, and your favorite place to drink it?
Have a great day, Nick. Thank you for sending this over to help kick–start our own days in a positive way.