Since moving here to Schowalter Villa in 2004 I have spent considerable time working in the Villa shop at my favorite hobby, woodworking. I have been able to make a considerable number of wood projects, some for outside, some for inside, some furniture, some ornaments, etc. For these projects I have purchased some wood from the local lumber yard, but for the most part I have been able to find used, quality wood in the shop for what I wanted to do.
Over the last few weeks we who have been working in the Villa shop have been informed that the Villa is facing the need to reduce or eliminate the liability risk of two wood shops. The executives who met with us wouldn't say that they are planning to close the shop in the main building, but to me it is obvious that it is their plan to do so. That would mean, among other things, that the only wood shop available would be the one located in the Wellness Center, a nice shop, but a small one.
In addition to the above, my health has not been such that I am able to do much physical work for any extended time. This has created some frustration for me and has left me without much to do for physical exercise. Also in the plans for the wood shop, the Villa wants to create a woodworkers club, with dues where the club would own and maintain the equipment and basically be responsible for their own shop, the Villa providing the space, etc. I informed the execs that I wasn't interested in that arrangement.
And so, I'm in the process of converting my wee, tiny storage area in front of our carport into a place where I can do a few things, with a few small tools. So far I have enjoyed salvaging some insulation from the dumpsters that has come from the remodeling project in the main building, and have purchased a few things to make a nice place to work. This has given me something to think about and do for the last few weeks (it takes me a long time to do anything) and to develop a vision for what I want to do in Wayne's Wood Shop. There is a place online where one can buy or sell homemade products that looks like something I might like to try.
I need a couple of shop tools now which I will need to purchase. I have some in view but will need to find the funds to purchase them. Hopefully that can happen before too long so that I can continue to keep my mind and body occupied.
Thanks for reading this boring post, but that's just where I am right now. The medical people are still working on my case and hopefully will find some answers one way or another before too long. My next Dr. appointment isn't until Jan. 13, so it will be awhile after that before I hear anything more. In the meantime I remain
Pilgrim on the way
3 comments:
Wishing you the best with Wayne's Woodshop! I've always admired your craftsmanship, a skill that I didn't inherit. I did build a little boat with a propeller, which actually floated on Isaac Walton lake a few times. I was pretty happy with that. I hope that you regain your health and continue with your line of amazing products. Blessings!
I'm glad you're back to blogging, Wayne. I enjoy reading your posts--they're certainly not any more mundane than mine. I know that some of the things I write are of no interest to anyone, but I tell myself that's part of the "charm." I see a blog post as sort of a snapshot into someone's life--what they're doing, thinking or feeling at the time they sit down to write. Anyway, welcome back; and now I just need to get back in the habit of checking in to see what's new!
I can understand your frustration with the home eliminating a shop; I can also understand from a business perspective. I assume they're being pushed by their liability carrier to eliminate the risk rather than because of a lot of accidents in the shop.
The problem is there are very few insurance companies that will do health care any more. There's not much choice, unfortunately.
Post a Comment