I whined loudly enough for Carol to hear when I saw some Dremel tools on sale and I lusted after a cordless, rechargeable model.  I already have a corded one but that is aged and the new one comes with collets that I am able to actually use.  My inability to use the old tool is another story.

But, I am thinking of taking up carving again and Carol was enabled to say go ahead and buy the things.  Now it is up to me to find the space and work out the projects so I can be whittling again and, perhaps, reawaken my need to create wooden yods.  For those who do not know - a “yod” is Hebrew for finger or a pointer that is used to follow reading scripture.  It is helpful although generations of teachers tried to break children’s habit of following each word in a text book by touching the word with a finger.  The yod is used in reading scripture in order to keep the hand away from touching a “holy” script (I think).  Someone will read this and correct this interpretation.  Anyway, I get a kick out of the fact that yods I have carved were used in a Bat Mitzvah and by a Rabbi friend who retired but still occasionally does special services in congregations close to Princeton, NJ.

When I get going I will take orders and perhaps the old skills will return and I will make a few people happy.  I will be happy to fill orders if you think you either will need one or just wish to own one.  I also am thinking of adding silver caps at the opposite end of the pointer.

But, there are a lot of things you can do when you use tools to create things out of wood.  I am thinking of puppet heads and parts which I invested many hours in creating while stealing time away from job requirements and when my family was asleep.  Such creativity was on tap many years ago and the spirit is still willing while I hope the skills will return.

That reminds me.  My doctor who usually tells me I feel much better informed me that the joint pains (his study was from the hips on down to the bottom of feet) are caused by arthritis that seems to come with keeping the reaper away.  My fingers have begun to complain and the prescription is to keep active – so there is a method to my new dedication to taking out my carving tools.  I also have found that the hot wax therapy that Carol needed years ago can be put to use to ease those inflamed finger joints and maybe I’ll be allowed to be creative once again.

Thinking about taking up carving again is just as therapeutic as doing it!