Guidance in Place

It’s been unseasonably warm here in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Not that it doesn’t get hot like this ever inland, west of the cascades. But it has been warm. I’ve not spent much time in the workshop, as the afternoons are pretty hot out there, even with both doors open. Even so, I do work a bit out there as long as I can stand it.

The ‘mini greenhouse’ is still in the works. I intend it to be a close-able box for plant cuttings that will maintain high humidity and let in plenty of light. I wasn’t quite sure quite in what sequence to cut which joints, but this prototype is coming together nicely. Here I am cutting the rabbets where the clear acrylic panels will fit as windows.

But I glued these frames together before cutting these out, so I can’t cut these with a rabbet plane. And other than my band-saw, I work with hand tools. So, I had to come up with a layout and guidance system so that I could cut clean channels with chisels. So far it has worked well enough. The block of maple clamped on top of the fir frame helps keep the chisel guided true to the pattern I’ve marked, under the sensing, motive force of human hand.

And at every age and stage of life, we may seek guidance. We learn both to trust our inner being and guide, and also seek trusted friends, mentors, and other guides who keep us true in our work and being.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6