Challenges

Well here it is February 2018 and I haven't posted for a while. I've have half a dozen drafts on various subjects and it's been a challenge finding one that I actually want to publish. I've been thinking a lot about challenges lately, both the ones we choose and the ones we don't. It's been a tough couple of months. My brother-in-law died in December and my father-in-law had another stroke on Christmas Eve. Close friends have also experienced deaths in their families. In an effort to balance the worry and sadness I've challenged myself to find moments of delight. I follow a couple of bird photography pages on Facebook and every day they provide me with photos of Alberta and Canadian birds. I'm in awe, not only of the birds but also of the photographers who get out there in the snow and cold to capture moments in the life of such wonderful creatures.

Tiny Box #2

Tiny Box #3

Of course, a dependable source of delight is my woodwork. I saw a YouTube video on making tiny boxes and decided to give it a try. I've made three so far mostly by hand. I like making the boxes and I like holding them in my hands once they are made. I like the painstaking process of fitting the corners one plane stroke at a time. The boxes aren't perfect but my skills are increasing and I'm very pleased with the results. As I was turning one of the boxes over in my hands I had the crazy idea that I might try to build 100 tiny boxes this year. Practically speaking, I'm behind because I would need to build almost two a week and I have built three in a month; however the absolute improbability of reaching such a goal makes me smile whenever I think about it. What if I really could pull it off? What if I don't pull it off? It simply doesn't matter. It will be fun. It will be a challenge. Thinking about the possibility makes me feel good.

I subscribe to a number of woodworking channels on YouTube and every once in a while I get a suggestion to take a look at a video of someone's workshop. One of the video suggestion was about the workshop of a dulcimer builder. I've never given much thought to dulcimers but down the rabbit hole I went. I watched the suggested video. Then I looked up other dulcimer makers. I read a bit about the history of mountain dulcimers, listened to people play them and found an article on how to make a dulcimer without using any power tools. I was hooked and another idea occurred to me.

Boards for the dulcimer top ready for glue-up

Most years the Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society has a 2X4 contest. You don't actually have to use a 2X4 but you do have to use the equivalent amount of wood. I began to wonder if I could build a mountain dulcimer from a 2X4. My research tells me that the folks who first made dulcimers in the Appalachian mountains used whatever wood they could get their hands on and sometimes they used bent nails for the frets. I decided to use one of the cedar 2X4's that I had in the garage. I ordered fret wire, tuners, and strings off the internet and they should be here in the next couple of weeks. I'm learning how to plane thin pieces of wood by clamping one end to the bench. I'm excited to get out into the shop and start work at the beginning of the day. I've checked the back and top pieces to see what they sound like when I tap them. I don't know exactly what I'm listening for but I know I want wood that rings and doesn't go 'thunk.' I'm a little worried about getting the frets in the right place but I'll take it one step at a time and learn as I go. Of course, once I get a dulcimer built I'll need to learn to play it at least a little and that too, will be challenging and exciting.

I think another reason to attempt a dulcimer is as a precursor to a ukulele build. With the encouragement of a member of SAWS, and partly because of my new desire not to put things off, I contacted a luthier who helps people build their own instruments. I asked if there was a chance I could work with him. He emailed me with a 'yes' and a request that I phone him. I did. We talked and I might be able to start a build as soon as the end of February.

I know there will be frustrations and moments when I wish I had never thought of tiny boxes, dulcimers or ukuleles, but I'm excited by the possibilities. I'll let you know how it goes.