Both of my grandfathers had their respective shops. Pete was a collegiate level industrial arts teacher and had a pretty solid half garage shop as far back as I can remember. And Herb was a retired preacher who bought some secondhand tools and created a basement shop full of wood and any secondhand motor he could find at a yard sale.

So as my empty nesting journey continues, my 2 car garage in suburban Houston is now a one car garage with a weekend shop. For me, woodworking is my flow. Flow in a sense of “being in a period of intense focus that comes from being completely absorbed in an activity. Flow states occur when you’re doing something challenging, but not so difficult that it’s stressful.  When you’re in flow, time and self-consciousness melt away.” (So says positive psychology pioneer Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi).

I really try to use as simple as possible strategy in making my little projects. Try to use as few different pieces as possible. I like to let the grain and rejuvenated look of the wood be the focal point.

Size it up, shape it up, assemble it up, sand it up, finish it up, then give it up. Wash, rinse, repeat. That’s my flow.