Straight from The Horse’s Mouth

Having grown up on a farm in eastern Canada, the trials and tribulations of "fixin" things are not unfamiliar to me. If it wasn't in the toolbox on the tractor or in the truck it required extra time to get the proper parts. Mother Nature did not allow us the luxury of wasting her precious time. Things got fixed and the job got done but time was always the issue. I find that I haven't lost the farm life philosophy in most of my day to day business.

The most memorable example lately was shown in Troy's shop one day. Laura,Troy and Dorothy were in conference around a moderately expensive leather living room chair of Laura's. One of the feet had split and fallen off. It was roughly 4"x4" and somewhat decorative and they were discussing the manufacture of a new one. I had some inconsequential project I was working on but I decided to help out with my "make it work" attitude. I grabbed a short piece of 2x4 screwed it to the base corner and then screwed an identical piece on top of that and we had the correct height and I looked at them as if I had accomplished a wondrous thing. I didn't get the reaction I was expecting....I thought that the job was done in a very quick fashion and we could get on to bigger projects. The new leg was to be manufactured at a later date by someone with a higher degree of finesse. I felt justified in not investing too much time on the chair as a few weeks later it jumped out of the back of the truck on its way to Houston and it exploded into pieces.

Hand carved sign made of cedar timbers. Created with skill and affection by Troy and Dorothy Cox. Photo by Laura St. John ***These days I find myself starting to incorporate a new set of rules and guidelines. Its not so much that the job gets done, but how it gets done and the aesthetics/use ability of the finished product. After helping one of my neighbors in a pick up, delivery and assembly project, I had a revelation that I had... evolved.

When I assembled the items in question I came to the conclusion that they were not of North American manufacture. I made the necessary modifications to make them complete and finished the job...sort of.

I looked about me with a discerning eye and discovered a flaw. Having listened to my mentor of late (with a trained ear) I made the necessary adjustments and declared the job finished.

I can not imagine not having my father-in-law Troy Cox and his wife Dorothy behind me to give me the insight to look beyond the "get it working" ethic and refine my efforts to include some craftsmanship into the equation. I just want everyone to know how grateful I am to be included in the family even though I sometimes don't show or express it. I hold them both very dear to my heart and have the utmost respect for their accomplishments.