I have been reading and posting messages for two weeks now and it occurred to me that in a forum that addresses the art of being handy, an important recipient of recognition is being ignored. When we talk about being handy at anything, the root of the word is hand. Think of what hands have done and can do. They detect temperature, feel texture, grasp things, push things, lift, throw, wave and caress. They can feel the nibble of a fish at the end of a line or build space stations. They can pet a dog or pick lint out of a sweater. We can even speak with our hands.
I believe that not only are we able to make things with our hands, but we need to. Millions of people in office jobs in this high tech age escape their pressures by working on crafts, gardening or on some home project. Some one who can run a corporation or run a bank feels the need to build a toy or knit an afghan.
For me to work with my hands is therapy. To pick up a razor sharp chisel and mortise a hinge, or cut a piece of oak crown molding with a newly sharpened carbide blade and fabricating a cornice is deeply satisfying. My hands perform the task my brain asks of them with beautiful precision. So beautiful is the connection that I do not even think of it as it is happening.
I love my hands with all their little nicks and scars. They are friends of mine that have rarely failed me. They work with my eyes and my brain as instruments in a concert. They make things, fix things, they dry me after a shower, grasp a hammer, they caress a loved one. I owe my living to them. Come to think of it let me get a little hand lotion out of the medicine cabinet and give you guys a good massage, you deserve it !!
Replies
WW,
I'm thankful for my hands too. Surely no machine can match the versatility of the wrist/hand.
One time I had a pretty good cut on my hand and I stitched it up, had my wife tie the knot.
The next day I happened to be doing some work for an emergency room doc. I thought it would be kinda neat to show him my work.
He looked at the wound, "take the stitches out in a couple of days".
Dude-
Me thinks you've spent just a little tooooo much time lovin those hands. You should also respect your eyes and Mom said loving those hands will make you go blind.
Howdy Geo,
I hope you washed your hands and changed your shirt before you touched the key board buddie.
Edited 1/14/2003 5:25:50 PM ET by ww_aficionado
I like my hands too even though the right one is missing about half a thumb which ended up in my jointer/planer many years ago. That was when I learned not to rush, not to work when you're tired, and to respect safety guards.
But I believe my butt is most sacred. It gets sat on, chewed on, kicked, is a relief valve for all that gas that otherwise would blow me sky high, seldom sees the light of day, my head is there from time to time, and yet follows me everywhere I go without complaining.
Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
What a poetic tribute to your butt! Mine just keeps gettin bigger, and I try to keep my head out of there, too.
I play the piano sometimes, although my hands have been typing on this keyboard a lot lately, they should be used on the other more often. I never let my eyes wander when my fingers get near a spinning blade or bit, but nobody can afford to lose any!
Jen 8)
You must be like my old girlfriend. She use to have the shape of an hourglass until the sands all ran to the bottom.Character? I never had any problem with character. Why, people've been telling me I was one every since I was a kid.
Why oh why can't it run the other way, instead?
I'm too old to stand on my head...;)
JenHappy happy joy joy!!!!!
Is there any other pointers about that accident? I am always interested in learning from these.
Fonzie, the other main safety points,(in my opinion), are well lighted work area, floors clean of debris, tools in good condition,(I.E. sharp blades), stop if you're distracted, read the instructions that come with new power tools before using them LOL. I'm sure there are many others that the rest of you out there can add to this so jump in.Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
When it comes to table tools I don't like to use them when other people are around if I can help it. Distractions happen and it's too easy to not keep attention centered. Still carrying all 10 and hope to keep it that way.Character? I never had any problem with character. Why, people've been telling me I was one every since I was a kid.
There was a time when someone gave me a hand, recently all I've been getting is the finger.
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