MY FIRST CARVED SIGN

Carved Cedar Signs 8"x24"

          I've always admired carved wooden signs but have never tried to do one professionally; if the trees are still standing from my boyhood days, there's a possibility that my initials and the girl I was in love with, which I carved into them at the time, may still be seen.  Other than that, occasionally whittling at a piece of wood while sitting around a camp-fire, I've never really carved anything.  My friend George Probst, who is a master craftsman, has carved many beautiful designs, especially into the furniture that he's built.  When I asked him to show me the techniques of carving, he was more than happy to do so.  Not being too confident that I could actually carve a sign properly that I'd designed for a fellow, George happily took the commission and did a wonderful job; it's so perfect, one would almost think it was done by a machine, other than a couple of simple carving tools, which incidentally, George had manufactured.  After he showed me how to carve the letter "B" on the bottom sign and I was to practise with the other letters, I decided, since we have a large dog, even though it's highly unlikely he would ever hurt anyone, I carved BEWARE of DOG.  For a first attempt, I am quite happy with the results and now am looking forward to advertise that I can carve signs and if it's too difficult, I'm sure George will take over the job.  I was going to paint the letters white but after staining the cedar boards, I've decided to leave the natural wood showing, especially since the grain is so beautiful.  However, realizing that before too long, being outside in the sun and rain every day, the bare wood will eventually turn grey, I'm going to give the letters 2 or 3 coats of UV protected varathane.

          One of the things that I really enjoyed while carving the sign, it's somewhat similar to what I'm feeling when I'm lettering a sign with a brush, is relaxation.  Automation and computerization has pretty much taken over the sign business today and since it's more like a hobby now, I've happily gone back to the old ways, when talent was more of a value.  I still use the computer, don't get me wrong; it's a wonderful tool.  However, for complete satisfaction for a job well done, I much prefer to use my own given talents and material wise, there is far less waste.  It would be great to get a couple of sign jobs for this coming winter because I think it would be great fun to spend a lot of time with George in his workshop listening to his stories and philosophies while whittling away on a piece of wood.  Somehow, even when I was a younger man, something appealed to me whenever I saw an old man carving and now that I am, I can see why it was so appealing - relaxing is certainly a wonderful way to pass time now - cheers, eh!             

THE MEANING OF LIFE

          Have you ever wondered about "The Meaning of Life".  Juan Ponce de Leon sailed with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World (something I didn't know about, besides several other billion things) where he remained in Hispaniola and became governor of nearby Puerto Rico (Boriquien) in 1508.  He heard of a magical water source (Fountain of Youth) that was located in Florida, which he thought was an island.  Poor old Juan, I guess he didn't find the Fountain of Youth because he and his men were attacked by Indians and he died in Cuba from his wounds.  I suppose if one were to find and drink the water from the Fountain of Youth, one wouldn't worry about searching for the "meaning of life" or if they did, they would have one hellova long time to discover it.  I've never really concerned myself too much about growing old, trying to look younger and act younger even though quite a few people have told me if I died my hair, I would look a lot younger - to me, I'd still be just an old man with young looking hair - hardly worth the effort of continually dying it.  However, I did go searching for "the meaning of life", well, just my own life.
          For the first 40 odd years of my life, I just trundled about, going with the flow, banging through them with little or no concern of where I was headed.  Unfortunately, when I didn't really have a goal, other than planning on retiring with a million bucks jammed into my wallet (which I almost did until I lost it all) I hurt a lot of people - not intentionally, but hurt them just the same.  With my tail between my legs, I retreated from society and a lot of what it stood for as I tried to get my thoughts and feelings together.  With a lot of time on my hands then, I went searching for "the meaning of my life" - where I'd gone so very wrong and where I wanted to head to from that day forward.  But you know, I discovered we all have our own personal ruts and some of them are just so damn deep, it's almost impossible to get out of them and change our direction, at least that's what I found out about myself.
          30 years have gone by, since I went in search of  "the meaning of my life" but I did discover some things that had some very good value and of course others that had little value.  I discovered having gobs of bucks wasn't the answer because I've managed to survive thus far on a fairly meagre yearly income over the years - but fortunately, I'm quite talented - and oh yeah - talent is not "the meaning of life" for me either - it's a gift and something I've worked hard at, which sometimes I give away or earn a few bucks - depends on the job and sometimes who it's for.  I've been lucky -  I've loved and been loved in return and that could be a good portion of "the meaning of my life" - I know it certainly helps a person get through the day - coffee's just an addiction, a cop-out for not beginning the day properly - oh yeah, stimulates of any kind are not "the meaning of my life" - if anything, they've almost ended my life on occasion.
          But what is the "Meaning of Life?"   I'm a religious man in my own sense - not the church-going variety who don't question anything, but certainly an appreciator of this wondrous world and the entire Universe.  Searching for "the meaning of my life", I doubt will take me to a heaven for an eternity of bliss and meeting all those that were a big part of my life while I was alive - and hell - well hell, that just scares the hell out of me if such a place actually exists.  As hard as I've searched for "the meaning of my life", I have to admit there doesn't seem to be any real purpose - I don't feel that I'm any more important than a vein on the leaf of a gigantic tree but I do realize that the tree needs me and I need the tree.  I remember a long time ago when I was working as an artist animating films, a woman artist in the same department told me that she thought I was highly intelligent until she heard me speak - being a talented artist and having brains are two different categories - however, that did teach me a lesson - listen well and try to converse intelligently  - still not "the meaning of my life" though.
          I guess if there is "meaning to my life", which might be equally of value to other people, I would have to say, whatever good resides within - pass it on - teach others but not be egotistical about it.  I'm not sure, rather doubtful actually, that I'll ever find the "Meaning of Life" but that doesn't matter, I still enjoy learning new things and searching for "the meaning of my life" and I have to say, it's certainly wonderful when I discover something that adds real meaning to it - cheers, eh!
          I've had some real soul-searching times during my life, smacks that have knocked me flat on my back, some of which were my own mistakes and others unprepared for, which I'm certain many other people have experienced as well.  I'd be interested in reading about other people's search for the "Meaning of Life" who read this blog because I doubt very much there is just one reason for the "Meaning of Life" and I'm still searching - please feel free to leave a comment at the end of this blog.   
         
         
                   

IT'S TIME TO UNITE

          I expect most people who read this blog have heard about the Alberta tar sands or oil sands.  I for one believe the damage being done isn't just a provincial issue but an international issue - every country in the world, no matter how small, should be rejecting this venture and we, the Canadian people, should be ashamed of ourselves for letting this abominable and inhuman act occur.  I firmly believe it is in this planet's and every living creature's interest that it comes to a screeching halt, even if it means slamming on the brakes so hard, it causes a major oil crisis.   I live in the small province of New Brunswick, Canada and I find it incredibly unbelievable that our premier, David Alward, who I understand is or was a farmer (someone who should respect the land) is in favour of fracking (extracting oil from shale).  The ongoing destruction of Alberta, the daily ritual of turning the province into a toxic wasteland should be a severe lesson to him and his followers - a good not to do lesson.  To think, I actually voted for this man, now disgusts me!  He is quoted as saying in an interview, "I would love to see more young people in New Brunswick or more New Brunswickers in general being able to work here ... instead of having to go to other parts of Canada."   This is not a man of vision but a government big-business lackey - being concerned about employment when it means the destruction of our little province - he should be asking himself instead, where will the "young people" go when the entire province has become a toxic wasteland?  The despicable oil sands projects that have already and still are occurring in Alberta, now cover an area larger than New Brunswick.  I was wondering, for doing such a good job as premier, if David Alward was to be given a farm near the centre of the oil sands or perhaps all our government leaders were awarded mansions on the outskirts of the oil sands, if he and the others would live there?  What they may need is first hand experience trying to live under the same conditions that they have forced the people and wildlife in that area to reside.  If that were to happen, I do believe the Canadian people and the international community as a whole would see some drastic changes being made in regards to fracking and other means of extracting oil.
          I'm 70 years old now and up to not so long ago, I expected my kids to outlive me by many years but when I look around, it wouldn't surprise me in the least when I grab hold of that "sweet chariot commin' for to carry me home" if my whole family were sitting alongside of me, and that's a very sad thought.  I posted this film  http://youtu.be/84zIj_EdQdM that I watched a little while ago on Facebook and asked all my friends there to share it and I'm really hoping that you will watch it too and pass it on to your friends.  I firmly believe that if the entire population in the world were to join hands, forget most of our squabbles, we could make a change and become compassionate and accountable human beings, a real but peaceful force to reckon with.  When you think about it, the general population far outnumbers our politicians, religious leaders, scientists and wealthy people - we have a voice - we have a roar - it's time to unite - cheers, eh!            

THE OLD MASTER SIGN PAINTER

          Before a lot of things occurred in my life, when I was what most people would call normal - you know - had a job (actually my own business) a family and had dreams of when I would retire.  At the time, professionally, I was a commercial artist and a self-taught sign painter.  Well, when the recession hit during the early 80's and I basically lost everything - the money being the least important, I had what some people might call an epiphany - I sort of backed away from society; bought myself a sail boat and retired - hell - a person doesn't need money to retire; they just have to learn to live a lot more basically.  Since having a great deal of money, material things and being a part of society didn't hold any fascination for me any longer and a lot of my responsibilities seemed to have disappeared, except perhaps the exception of helping to support my kids, life to some degree became a whole lot easier.  Instead of working 7 days a week - 12-14 hours a day, I now worked about 2 days.  After I got over the guilt of not being a hard working man any more and went in search of the meaning of life, at least the meaning of my own life (have yet to discover it) everything became much easier.  But it's odd, being somewhat talented, I was always able to earn a few bucks lettering signs, what a person might call my "bread and butter".

Lettering a 2'x3' Sign

          I've lettered several signs by hand since we've moved to New Brunswick, which I almost forgot how much I enjoyed using a brush again - the old fashioned way, instead of computer generated letters, which I do as well.  I have to say, dipping a brush in some paint and watching it stroke and twirl in my hand as it formed the letters were a lot more satisfying than just typing away and letting a computerized machine cut out the letters - "lick and stick" makes money a lot more easier and perhaps more efficiently, but the wastage is extreme in comparison to the good old way.  Another thing that's odd, is the fact that I didn't letter the word "Cemetery" correctly (been since rectified) the first "e" has a much shorter tail on it. The funny thing about the "e" is that if I hadn't fixed it, the customer probably wouldn't have noticed the error.  I wonder how many people who have read this blog noticed the mistake?

          Now that I'm getting up there in years, I occasionally wonder what will be the last sign I'll letter - the Skiff Lake Cemetery sign almost seems appropriate if I should suddenly pop off.  When I pick up a brush and begin lettering a sign, it's amazing how relaxed I have often felt - almost therapeutic to some degree.  People are often amazed that I do it freehand; don't even use a mall stick like a lot of other sign painters; never could get the hang of it.  The first sign I lettered was on a horse trailer at the race track in Vancouver, BC - a job that took me a whole day and now, I could most likely do it in about 2 hours - takes time to learn to handle a brush successfully and build up speed.  I remember years ago, when I was just a very young man sitting on a Greyhound Bus somewhere in the interior of BC, waiting for some passengers to climb on, looking out the window and watching an old man sitting on a wooden box lettering a sign inside a garage.  I can remember thinking how enjoyable and relaxing it seemed, not realizing then, that one day, I would become that old man - cheers, eh!

ARTHRITIS CURE

          I have no idea how many people who read this blog suffer from arthritis but for those of you who do, have I got a cure for you.  Now, does this remedy actually work; I can't really say since I've yet to test it out?  However, that being said, a friend of mine, Mike Saunders, who has a summer home down on the lake, only a 15 minute walk from us, dropped into my art studio the other day.  And like most old guys, unlike when we were young, most always talked about the opposite sex (sex being foremost on our minds) we chatted about our physical ailments and medications.  When I mentioned I had five compressed discs in my lower back and they were arthritic, really causing me a whole lot of pain and discomfort, he mentioned his hands were becoming the same way.  Now Mike, from my observations, is a very sensible man and I hold great store in his cure for arthritis.  Well, cure, may be overstating it a wee bit or the drug store shelves would be loaded with little bottles of the ingredients, plus who knows what else mixed into the concoction to perhaps make a man more virile and a woman more fertile.  I almost always spurn the prescriptions my doctors have asked me to fill over the years, as a matter of fact, I can honestly say that I am medication-free.  The reason I've seldom had my prescriptions filled, besides the fact that I couldn't afford it, is that when I read all the side effects that might be caused from taking their magical potions, I didn't feel like trading off a headache for a stomach ache, a bout of constipation or who knows what else.  Don't get me wrong though, I have taken things for medicinal purposes only when I have suffered from excruciating pain - marijuana seems to work fine - the pain may not go away but I forget all about it.  When I'm stressed out, wound tight as drum - alcohol seems appropriate - like pot, I forget all about my problems.  Actually, a good nap, where you drop off into the deep abyss of forgetfulness, has also helped a great deal for dealing with overwhelming situations.  So, before I get carried too far away for the arthritic remedy Mike professed, I'll just write down the prescription and for those of you who feel that they should pay me for this, all forms of money are accepted - except pennies - I hear they've become useless.
       
          The Remedy or the Recipe for Arthritic Pain Relief:


          Although several versions of this remedy for those of you who are suffering from arthritis can be found on the Internet, the one that Mike told me about  is as follows - not sure if it is an old folk remedy or perhaps a confirmed alcoholics remedy.
          
          1)  Purchase a box of raisins (the golden variety, not ordinary black rasins) and a bottle of your favourite Gin
          2)  Place golden raisins in a shallow container
          3)  Cover the raisins with gin
          4)  Let raisins soak up the gin for a few weeks until no more liquid can be seen
          5)  Although many variations of how many raisins should be eaten during each day 9 is the number most seen


          To me, this recipe to cure or perhaps alleviate a substantial amount of my arthritic pain seems like a win-win situation - I like raisins and I like gin.  And, the way I see it, if this particular mixture of raisnins and gin doesn't show any signs of working at 9 raisins a day, then I do believe I'll just eat a handful of raisins a day and if I've eaten enough, the gin should help me forget all about my pain - cheers, eh!