● Back in the Wood Shop – part 1

This is my recollection of how I settled in after I got back to the wood shop – part 1. Rarely does an interruption in my general routine take me off course. This summer I left my shop for a retreat at a marvelous castle in an enchanting forest north of Paris, France.

Afterwards, I stayed in central Paris for a while to have a full experience as a self-appointed “honorary” local before returning home. I bought a handful of transit tickets, put on my sunglasses, sundress and sandals and went on my way. The time I spent in the crowded city was a celebration of self. I needed that.

My small and austere hotel room in the 11th arrondissement, near the Place de la Bastille, was serene, peaceful… and centrally located.

The metro was practically around the corner. I rode a crowded train to Montmarte and walked leisurely up the hill to the church. My primary reason there, however, was to look for fabric and trim for my annual summer sundress projects.

Each morning I made a quick plan for the day, ate breakfast, and went exploring. France was experiencing a record-breaking heatwave. It was a very hot summer in Paris, but I had a good time. True, I love the heat, but this was a stunner for everyone.

Too soon, I bade goodbye to Paris and headed back home.

Back in The Wood Shop

Getting back in my wood shop routine took a little longer than I expected. I wandered around a bit, feeling lost and unproductive. I believe jet lag and the heat affected me more than I realized.

I put on my french chore jacket and reaquainted myself with my wood shop – my sacred space.

I missed being here.

As usual, part of my “recovery” included cleaning and sweeping, dusting, organizing my tools and notes, and rearranging boxes. I started putting a plan together for a painted chest project.

I’m always rearranging my wood shop. It is a small space that is essentially an “all-use” area for woodworking activities such as sawing, chiseling, planing, assembling, finishing, and anything else.

I also design and sew clothing for myself. Occasionally, friends drop in to see what I’m up to. I don’t have a lot of visitors, welcome as they are, because they divert my attention from my work. I love them all, but it is hard to get back to work when they leave!

Just the same, I wasn’t moving at my accustomed pace, which is usually doing more than one thing at a time.

The Fall

I was forced to slow down, however, when I took a fall outside the post office less than a month after I got back to the wood shop. I tripped on the granite steps right outside the old post office, package in hand, and landed on my knee. I wound up getting x-rays, a bunch of stitches and a bit of rehab. Fortunately I recovered without any lasting damage.

While healing, I started thinking that I need to slow down. The seeds of thought had been planted in Paris. I realized that I needed to take better care of myself, physically and mentally. Most of my life, I rushed around to get things done. Much of the time nobody else cared whether I did or not. I felt like it was my obligation to the whole world to do things perfectly. The result: I was burning myself out. This had been on my mind for a long time and I never felt that I had permission to change.

Well, permission arrived when I was at the post office, on the ground.

Taking Another Look

Finally, I began a project, a chest in the spanish style. I took my time. I sat down more than usual. Instead of working most of the day and much of the night until I finished, I took breaks.

I slowed down.

I stayed present when working. I tried to put the project out of my mind, completely, while I was out of the shop. I became conscious of how much my work in the wood shop occupied my mind, no matter where I am. Leaving my work at “work” is difficult. Most of my best thinking happens then. Although I’m still working on this, it’s really not a bad problem to have.

I’m trying to get better sleep and rest when I’m in the process of working on my projects. I believe that I am making progress. As a result, I did better work and finished the chest relaxed and happy.

Maybe I need to leave the wood shop more often. I learned to slow down and let the work naturally unfold. I realise that a break in the routine – as long as it is the routine and not my knee -is a good thing..

-Shirley J

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