Cats or Rats... What's Your Pleasure?

I know this doesn't have anything to do with woodturning, but earlier this evening after I got home from work, I was sitting on the back deck soaking up a little semi fresh air when I saw a cat emerge from the wood line with either a mouse or a mole in it's mouth... for the purposes of this writing, we'll call it a rat. So this event got me thinking... if and when the time comes that we'll have to revert to foraging for our proteins wherever and however we can find them, do we start with the rats or the cats?

In terms of population and proliferation, both species have done well for themselves, especially in our urban settings, and from my perspective, both species are on level ground as far as my lack of desire to put either of them on my dinner plate is concerned. I would figure cat meat would be a little stringier than the rat, however, the rat would probably be more gamey.

My initial thoughts on the subject led me to think that the cat would be my first choice for post economy table fare, but honestly, that was more of a knee jerk reaction to the obvious size differences. I'm also getting a little older so coaxing a cat to get close enough to grab a hold of it would be far less challenging that trying to persuade a rodent to get within striking distance.

I know some of my fellow Second Amendment wonks are wondering why there is even a need for such a hands on approach, and my answer is that I'd rather save my bullets for looters and Zed Runners. It's also plausible that in a post economic society, bullets will be worth more than gold, so to waste bullets would be the present day equivalent of using gold bars for trotline weights.

Your thoughts, suggestion, and recipes are welcome.

cat, rat, humor, cooking, economy, Second+Amendment,

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Wood Always Has a Story to Tell

Although I have, and probably will continue to buy wood from time to time in order to obtain wood that meets a certain need I have at that particular point in time, I cut and dry about 95% of the wood I use in my turnings. Not only does processing my own wood keep my outside expenses lower than it otherwise would be, this also allows me absolute control over quality and character of wood I have to work with. More importantly, when working with a piece of wood that I've gathered, dried, and eventually turned, my end results have a history, and with this history a story can be told about the origin of each and every box, bowl, pen, or whatever else I've made with a particular chunk-O-wood. Below is an example of what I mean.

On Christmas day of 2010 our family had a reunion of sorts at my brothers house. We only have the opportunity to have such congregations two or three times a year, so it's always nice to hang out with my brother, catch up on the trials and tribulations each of our families had dealt with or celebrate each others accomplishments since our last meeting. My brother and I spent a great deal of time this past Christmas discussing my woodturning and digging through his firewood pile looking for future projects. When my tribe and I loaded up that night to head back home, we brought a few pieces of oak and black locust with us. I've recently started cutting those pieces into usable blanks and even spun a couple of projects from the forementioned firewood.

While the pieces that I've turned with this wood gathered during our Christmas visit at my brother's house aren't much different than any other item of similar design that I've made from any other wood from any other point of origin, each time I look at one of them I'll always recollect the good times that were had on the day that I acquired them in their raw form, and the history of those pieces have written a books worth of memories that I will remember for the rest of my life, and quite probably spawn stories that will be told by my children over the years. These memories and stories are the part of the woodturning experience that I treasure most.

wood turning, woodturning, turning, wood, red oak, oak

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My Latest Passion

Red Oak Friction Call

I've spent most of my years turning making nice, but largely useless pieces. Although I do consider my turnings art, I've redirected my attention to making things that serve a purpose other than collecting dust. In my search for useful items to turn I stumbled across a couple of forums devoted to the art of game call making and that has opened the door for me to combine my love of woodturning with my love of the outdoors.

 From a woodturners perspective a basic turkey friction call isn't necessarily a difficult thing to make, but like any other instrument, making one that sounds good takes a great deal of time and research to develop, and there is always room to tweak and improve upon designs and sound quality. Early on in my research, I was lucky enough to make a friend in the world of call makers and the nudges in the right direction he provided to me was invaluable in developing a basic design with all of the elements necessary to making a great sounding call.

While I'm not done experimenting and trying to figure out where I can improve my process and consistency in sound quality, I have managed to make some sweet sounding calls, and from here on out I expect that they will keep getting better. I'm also working out some variations in my design that will allow me to tailor make calls with specific characteristics to match the style and desires of individual hunters.

Lastly, and most importantly, I'd like to give a proper thanks to Scott of Final Strut Custom Game Calls for the help he has given me along the way. Scott definitely saved me a heap of time and material figuring this stuff out.

turkey call, woodturning, turning, game calls, red oak, oak

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About Me

My name is Donnie, and I'm a husband, father, artist, and woodturner. Over the years I've turned many different items... most of which litter the whatnot shelves, tops of entertainment centers, and other such flat surfaces in the homes of friends and family members.

Most people can appreciate just about anything that is hand crafted and if one of my creations finds a good home where it can be used, enjoyed, and shared with others, then I consider it time in the shop well spent. I turn wood for the artistic release it provides, and for the sense of accomplishment I get upon completing a piece.

I have no ambitions to write books, peddle DVDs, or have my name embossed on the handles of tools... in other words, I do this for the pleasure, and can care less about the treasure. Unfortunately, when I first started turning I didn't think about capturing my work and my progression in the craft, but now I'm making an effort to photograph and document my journey in woodturning and share it with others.