Some fragmented thoughts on making things that last, a small furniture company in Philadelphia, blossoming hydrangea, thriving carrots, mangoes, and a surfing otter
Yes, so much so! I read your pieces and just slowly ingest all the goodness and beauty and it helps remind me to see the same in my life.
You have a gift! Please keep sharing as you do. I’m sitting at my husbands great grandmas old kitchen table. The beauty of this simple table always makes me feel good. So I loved your story. I hope you enjoy your new table for years to come.
I am so thankful for your writing. My husband and I recently acquired a set of end tables his grandfather made in the late ‘60s. The same week we put them in our living room, my husband finished a walnut bar for our basement. It’s so lovely looking around our house at the things we’ve made or have been passed down from people we love.
This is a wonderful newsletter! In Larkrise to Candleford (the book) she talks about the lamentable move away in the mid 1800s from sturdy, beautiful, well-made furniture that lasts for hundreds of years to cheap, thrown together furniture that breaks quickly. I think about that a lot. I think HGTV has moved people away from thoughtful design that builds over time and means something personal towards redoing our homes every 2 years out of boredome/fomo/style trends/etc. A home with old and new things mixed together with unique, personal pieces feels so much homier to me. Thank you for sharing about your beautiful (and meaningful) desk. Your study is beautiful. Look forward to reading more about your friends and their work.
My kids paternal grandfather learned woodworking and carpentry in the CCC during the depression era. After returning from Europe in WWII, he went on to a decades long career as a craftsman carpenter. Christmas 1955 he built a strong, sturdy wooden desk as a gift for his wife, which she used for the rest of her life. This desk is now in our home, and referred to as "the Grandpa desk."
Jeff - I totally get the desk thing. After my wife passed away I decided to have my first ever study. I absolutely love it and the “crown jewel” is an OLD time-less roll top desk. I sitting at it right now, and it makes my heart smile every time I see it. Something inside me wanted to share my “first study” “purposeful desk” anecdote.
Jeff, your desk is sleek and beautiful. I had to smile seeing you seated cross legged. That's my preferred style as well. Have to make sure there is enough space between the chair seat and the desk to comfortably place my legs.
Talking about furniture that lasts reminded me of a friend who visited the UK years ago. He wanted some furniture he could ship back to the US. He was surprised to learn that "used furniture" in the UK commonly meant items made between 1800 and the present. He was able to find what he wanted and didn't have to pay "antique" prices.
Your purpose for your blog is just right. If we don't stop to see the beauty and goodness with which God has infused the creation, we also miss those beautiful and good things human beings do around us, oftentimes largely unnoticed. Something like taking time to savor a good meal; you can't rush it!
Jeff, I really love your writing. It's luminous and gentle and such a balm in this "aching world" as you so accurately call it. Thank you.
Yes, so much so! I read your pieces and just slowly ingest all the goodness and beauty and it helps remind me to see the same in my life.
You have a gift! Please keep sharing as you do. I’m sitting at my husbands great grandmas old kitchen table. The beauty of this simple table always makes me feel good. So I loved your story. I hope you enjoy your new table for years to come.
I am so thankful for your writing. My husband and I recently acquired a set of end tables his grandfather made in the late ‘60s. The same week we put them in our living room, my husband finished a walnut bar for our basement. It’s so lovely looking around our house at the things we’ve made or have been passed down from people we love.
This is a wonderful newsletter! In Larkrise to Candleford (the book) she talks about the lamentable move away in the mid 1800s from sturdy, beautiful, well-made furniture that lasts for hundreds of years to cheap, thrown together furniture that breaks quickly. I think about that a lot. I think HGTV has moved people away from thoughtful design that builds over time and means something personal towards redoing our homes every 2 years out of boredome/fomo/style trends/etc. A home with old and new things mixed together with unique, personal pieces feels so much homier to me. Thank you for sharing about your beautiful (and meaningful) desk. Your study is beautiful. Look forward to reading more about your friends and their work.
My kids paternal grandfather learned woodworking and carpentry in the CCC during the depression era. After returning from Europe in WWII, he went on to a decades long career as a craftsman carpenter. Christmas 1955 he built a strong, sturdy wooden desk as a gift for his wife, which she used for the rest of her life. This desk is now in our home, and referred to as "the Grandpa desk."
Jeff - I totally get the desk thing. After my wife passed away I decided to have my first ever study. I absolutely love it and the “crown jewel” is an OLD time-less roll top desk. I sitting at it right now, and it makes my heart smile every time I see it. Something inside me wanted to share my “first study” “purposeful desk” anecdote.
Jeff, your desk is sleek and beautiful. I had to smile seeing you seated cross legged. That's my preferred style as well. Have to make sure there is enough space between the chair seat and the desk to comfortably place my legs.
Talking about furniture that lasts reminded me of a friend who visited the UK years ago. He wanted some furniture he could ship back to the US. He was surprised to learn that "used furniture" in the UK commonly meant items made between 1800 and the present. He was able to find what he wanted and didn't have to pay "antique" prices.
Your purpose for your blog is just right. If we don't stop to see the beauty and goodness with which God has infused the creation, we also miss those beautiful and good things human beings do around us, oftentimes largely unnoticed. Something like taking time to savor a good meal; you can't rush it!
Keep smiling!
Thank you for the gift of your writing - brings me hope and joy.
I love the names in Cantonese! Thank you for sharing that. And everything, as always. 💜