From the Desk of Murray Lincoln

Saturday, September 10, 2011

The Old and Lonely Antique Shop Owner

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post

The Old and Lonely Antique Shop Owner
As we rolled into the very small village I noticed the Antique Shop that was located close to the only intersection of the village. It looked like it might not be open.

This village is so small that there is hardly anything left except the name of the one intersection.

We were Antiquing as part of our 44th Anniversary Day. Alida and I love the same things and walking around and through old shops is a great way to swallow up time… or lose yourself back in time.

The old shop is attached to a much older house. At one time the shop was the local grocery store, and likely the Post Office. It was a place where everyone in the community would meet at one point of each day – or maybe each week. The shop keeper was the central part of the community hub. And as it sits right at the four way stop, it still is the central part of everything.

But today there is nothing for this small shop to be a centre of anything.

Next to the house is a very old church that looks like it does little in the community either. It stands quietly and stately right next to the house. Both are built of the same kind of brick. The possibility that the house was the Manse at one point is real.

As we parked the vehicle out front of the house and walked toward the shop a voice spoke to us from the veranda. You couldn’t see anyone there with all the vines crawling up the veranda front.

“I thought you weren’t going to stop. This is a pleasure” said the old fellow with the British accent. “I’ll be over in a minute, just come in and make yourselves at home.”

We had walked further toward the shop and now I could see the little old fellow. His military style haircut, dark brown eyes and the sun tan made him more visible through the heavy vines around the veranda.

We were now in the shop and beginning our inspection of all that he collected within the establishment.

He entered from the connection between the house and the shop saying to me, “Is this young lady you have with you sir, your daughter?”

My answer was, “Yes she is… and has been for a long time!” My conversational ability was over. I didn’t know how to talk to an old flirt.

The walls were neatly organized with tons of glass pieces of all kinds. There were lids of things that had no bottoms. There were tea pots that had been discarded eons ago. The organization was very good… but had little reason for me to want to buy anything. I don’t do Tea Cups.

And as far as myriad of cabinets full of small glass pieces and the display case with old jewellery – I found nothing.

But there in the middle of the antique shop was a gigantic Asian Mahogany, four poster bed that had been hand carved by some long ago artisan in some far away country. Maybe it was from Bali or from China. The small sign read… “…it is thought to be an Opium Bed… self delivery… $850.”

Now I could be interested in this one! The posts on the bed were about 8 inches around and stood about six feet high. The surrounding support pieces and the intricately carved side pieces were made of solid mahogany. There was enough wood in this old piece that would make it possible for me to carve Celtic Love Spoons until I ended my carving career.

But a Celtic Love Spoon made out of Bali Mahogany… is kind of odd in some ways… especially in that it was once a possible Opium Bed… where Asian Ladies of the Night may have waited for their next customers…

Oh boy. My imagination had gone from zero to about 210 MPH in heart beat.

How in the world did that very old bed arrive in that small, very rural, Ontario, once upon-a-time village… now wedged into rows and rows of antique glass and old stuff???

“Self delivery…?” What about the extraction from the shop?
Maybe Alida and I could use this old bed for our next 44 years?

But why even consider this or anything from the Shop?

The answer is easy. The old fellow was just plain lonely. In fact the feeling of his loneliness stayed with me until today.

I cannot imagine how far it is from his home in Britain. I cannot imagine how far this small village is from the very fast paced world. The village and the Shop is not very far from Ontario’s fast moving #401 Highway… where a gazillion cars and trucks fly by each day… and have no idea that the old guy exists, that the neat and tidy antique shop has the gigantic Asian Mahogany, four poster bed that had been hand carved by some long ago artisan in some far away country. Maybe it was from Bali or from China with the small sign read…“it is thought to be an Opium Bed… self delivery… $850.”

Who on the 401 Highway would want a bed like that… or any of the tea cups sitting in the box next to it….?

On the front porch of the Shop there were dozens of odds and ends of old stuff. It was apparent that the stuff was not taken in when the Shop was closed… or the Shop Keeper wasn’t there. A small hand written sign on the front door reads “If the shop is closed and I am not here, please leave your money or cheque in the box for the item that you wish to buy. Thank you… signed… ”

As we stepped down from the Shop front porch the old fellow asked, “Are you folks on vacation?” in an almost sad tone.

I replied, “Kind of… everyday is vacation now… we are retired.”

He looked at me for a second and then said… “I guess I am too… I am much older than you are.” That was our last word exchange. He wanted more I am sure. I needed to go.

When we sat back in the vehicle and drove away… I felt that I should have at least bought a tea cup.. or maybe the Mahogany Bed… and I wish I could have talked with him more. Guilty… for sure.

I assured him that we will be back again. Oh Boy.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Friday, September 9, 2011

Simply the best thing that has ever happened to me!

Alida and Murray Lincoln
- my bride and me - September 9, 1967

Simply the best thing that has ever happened to me!
Forty Four years ago this morning I was stretching and just climbing out of bed. It was tough getting up and the day was to be a long one. My friend Gord was sleeping on one bed and me on the other.

Two nights before I had come in on a flight from Montreal and was still feeling a time change. But more than that I was a little nervous.

Gord looked at me and asked the obvious question (in his mind), “Are you really sure that you want to do this?”

I grinned and stated, “Absolutely sure… why? Do I look like I am not sure?”

“Well you will be giving up a whole lot of things… like your freedom… your life… your…” his voice trailed off.

“Nope… I am not giving up a thing… I am getting the best thing ever… a beautiful wife and a life that will never be the same again!!! This is the best thing that will ever happen to me – without any doubt at all!” I stated with a heart that was glowing!

I was 23 years old, and had been dating Alida for 5 years at that point. I was working in Trois Rivieres, Quebec and she had just completed her nursing studies in Regina. I had flown home for our wedding on September 9, 1967.

WOW! That was 44 years ago today!

Today we are taking off for another wonderful day together and the adventure continues. We are spending the whole day wandering across the beautiful countryside of Ontario, stopping for our anniversary lunch and dinner somewhere in small villages as we travel.

We are retired, in love and healthy. We are together and we love doing everything that way. And we have been doing this for all these years together.

On September 9, 1067 at 10:30 AM we both said “I do” and “I will”… signed the necessary papers then had a small lunch with all of our family and guests. Then at 1 PM we climbed on an Air Canada DC9 Jet and headed out into the rest of our life together.

Since that time we have live in Trois Rivieres, Quebec; Fredericton, New Brunswick; Oakville, Ontario; Walkerton, Ontario; Oakville, Ontario(again); Hong Kong; Oakville, Ontario(again); Sacrborough, Ontario; Yorkton, Saskatchewan; Regina, Saskatchewan; and now Peterborough, Ontario.

Number One daughter, Dana, joined our family in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Number Two daughter joined us in Oakville, Ontario.

We have laughed long and loudly over these years. Along with that there have been a few pains and times when we wondered what the dickens just happened. But the tough times were so few and the good times so many… that I wouldn’t trade any on of it! It has been the best life ever!

Now with these 44 years lived to the fullest… I can say it again… the same way I did to my friend Gord that wonderful morning…

“Nope… I never gave up a thing… I got the best thing ever… a beautiful wife and a life that was never and will never be the same again!!! This is the best thing that ever happened to me – without any doubt at all!”

Thank you Alida! Happy Anniversary! You are amazing AND WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Alida`s cards to me...

Special Note:

Our Anniversary Cards – picked out by Alida. My Anniversary Card for her is very different… it is a New Shed in our back yard… with the old one that came down just yesterday!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Gift of Being a Grandparent

The Gift of Being a Grandparent
“I can’t do the things that you do!” my friend said. “I am too old for that kind of thing! I was never given your talent and ability.”

To feel that way is kind of a bummer for sure.

I have an answer for my friend’s dilemma!

There is hope for guys like my friend. He is Grandparent! And Grandparents can do just about anything. And just about anything that they do is GREAT in the eyes of their grandkids. All they have to do is love grandkids – and be a little bit more fun to be with.

I proved that to be so in the show of last weekend at the Kinmount Fair, September 2-4, 2011. What an amazing place to have it happen!

All you need to do is “Play the Spoons”! That’s right just two spoons will make you the hero of the day!

At the Fair…
The kids came by Misty Hollow Carvings’ booth with their parents or grandparents, wandering through the Pioneer Exhibits. The Old Stuff was on display, which included the Old Folks like me.

I was demonstrating the Spring Pole Lathe in my small booth. Along with my carvings and the other things that Misty Hollow Carving produces at this time.

The Grandpas were very interested in the Lathe and what it was able to do. The kids were following Grandpa… or Dad and Mom.

As they came by I asked the kids if they liked music, or maybe dancing.

Almost all of the 4 year olds up to the 10 year olds nodded “yes” – and at that point I knew I had connected.

I came around to the front of the Lathe and pushed the “Play” button on the small CD player… and the fiddle music began at a lively pace. Next I pulled out the sets of Spoons and gave one to each child to try. Sometimes I had one willing student/participant or sometimes more… in fact up to five at one point.

(Note: The Spoon Sets that I prepared are connected together to make it easier for small hands. Instructions and photos below.)

I asked the kids to do the same thing as I was doing. Everyone of them knew how to do follow the leader.

Within seconds they had the idea and were playing along with me.

Clickity, Clickity, Click, Click, Clack. Then Clackity, Clackity, Click, Click, Click. The sounds came in time with the sound of the lively jigs and reels streaming from the small player.

By hitting the set of two table spoons together on your knee and then on your hand above your knee… the sounds leaped into action. And young, bright eyes beamed with appreciation. They were immediately on the centre stage of a concert hall – somewhere in the big world out there!

Each time we played the Spoons and the kids participated with me, a crowd gathered around us. Toes were tapping and some even began to dance with the sounds that they were listening to!

The Old Days had come alive for every kid coming by the booth. A number of them came by to play the Spoons again and again.

It was later in the afternoon that something comical happened that convinced me that I had a hit with the music and the spoons. Teenagers had heard about the Grandpa in the Pioneer Exhibit area that let you play music along with him. They came by to ask if they could do the same thing their little brother or sister had tried.

Then I had other Grandparents bringing their adult Children with their children to try it out as well! Whole family groups joined in.

A University of Toronto Prof then asked if he could try as well. A big grin came across his face as he kept time with me and the music.

As a sideline to all that happened in front of the Lathe and out front of our Booth… many people came into to view the Misty Hollow Carvings – and ask how to order them. Many, many people took cards.

And as I write this piece five to six days later, the email orders are coming for things that I will be producing over the next months and maybe longer.

Now back to my “untalented friend” who thinks be can do nothing.

He is a Grandparent and he has Spoons. He taps his toes to music and he loves his Grandkids. What more does he need to know or do? Nothing – absolutely nothing.

You have the Gift… you are a Grandparent! Now just do something!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Instructions – “How to make a set of Spoons”

1.) Obtain two old Table Spoons that you can continue to use for this project. I bought my Table Spoons at the Dollar Store locally.
2.) Next – bend the spoon handles until they are a flat or straight. This makes the round part of the Spoon straight with the handle.
3.) Cut a small piece of wood about the size and thickness of an old clothes peg. Place this between the Spoons and hold it there by wrapping a rubber band around the two Spoons.

Note: In the old days, without rubber bands, Grandpa would hold the two spoons between his two fingers on one hand. But small finger and small hands can’t do this easily… and the edge of the new Spoons will possibly cut into fingers.

Also - Playing or Working the "Dancing Dan" - along with the Spoons

Thursday, September 1, 2011

I am not stupid, maybe old, but not stupid!

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post

I am not stupid, maybe old, but not stupid!
“I know I am old. I know that some of my questions sound old. But look at me you young duffer… I am not stupid. You look at me as if I am dumb. I am not. I was just born a long time ago – way before you parents even conceived you… or for that matter even met each other. I am older than you! That’s all- just older!”

That diatribe was there inside of me as I stood facing the young whippersnapper in front of me at the computer store. I had asked what I thought was a question that I needed answered And that I had no idea what to do next.

Now originally I was a “computer guy” too. I fixed these things. I fact I built these things and was the wise guy about all things in the computer world. In fact I was the one that they called to get help when the silly things broke down.

Now I should explain that I just bought another computer. The other one was about five years old now and was starting to act up. And in terms of all things computer… it is now getting old too. It can’t process some things as fast as it could before and sometimes locks up tight. Something like my body and mind does now.

Now I need you to know that the new computer does not come with new program disks… or the normal CDs that were always stuck in the box. You need these in case the machine goes belly up – or takes a serious fit after a stroke in the computer brain takes place.

But some where smart young duffers decided that the new disks and program CDs are no longer necessary… because they load the computer hard drive with the same programs that you need. They are tucked away inside the hard drive. A perfectly logical thing to do in their small minds. If it is on the hard drive – you don’t need any more disks or CDs – that is a waste!

DUH! What happens if your computer craps out… and everything you need to recover and get your machine back up and running – is on the hard drive?

The young buck had just kind of rolled his eyes at my question and then said… “I don’t understand your question. What are you asking me?”

I tried again. “I bought a new laptop computer. It doesn’t have any disks with it nor CDs. How do I make a copy?”

“You don’t need a copy there are on your hard drive.” He replied with a puzzled look on his face.

“What happens if your hard drive dies?” I asked the youngster.

“Oh you mean you want to make a “recovery disk!!!”” The amazed and even stunned bunny said in reply.

Duh! Now I was getting through his thick skull!!

“You go to Start, All Programs, then scroll down to Recovery Manager… and then to Recovery Media Creation… and then away you go.” he chirped…

“You will need four DVD disks or a 16 GB USB stick… or a 32 GB just in case that isn’t big enough.” he quickly piped up again.

I think I got it. But then was that all that I needed? Sheesh – too darn fast for my ears to hear!!!

If I could some how reach out… touch the shoulder of the young, stupid thing when he is so very smart… and then POOF make him about 45 years older… and ask him what he knows now… I WOULD DO IT in heart beat!

There is nothing wrong with my thinking. There is nothing wrong with my knowledge. It may not contain all the stuff that his little mind has in it. I have a bigger brain but just a wee bit s-l-o-w-e-r. That’s all.

Now this new machine is something else. It requires me to swipe my finger over a light scanner in order to open a program or start the thing up. For security reasons, it stated.

DUH – in fact DOUBLE DUH for this one!!! What happens when the machine breaks down… will they cut off my finger when they repair my machine… or will I have to be there to start it up – maybe sleep all night beside my machine!!!?

But as I have been typing this article I am having a dickens of a time finding the punctuation and speciality symbols on the key board. The one key beside the “M” has five symbols on it and I can’t find how to turn off four of them – none are what I want….!

Not stupid – maybe old.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Monday, August 29, 2011

Messing with your mind

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post

Messing with your mind
Every one of the Seniors that I know want to keep their memory sharp. They are working hard at it with the number games and words games.

Why?

Well I think that we recognize that our grandkids are miles ahead of us with their ability. Everything around us is moving too fast and we are left behind.

Today I want to let you try some visual things that should help you improve… or maybe it will completely destroy your confidence…

After watching the graphics and experiencing the affect that comes with it… you can look at the Link Below to let you see what should be happening.

Enjoy.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Resource:
http://www.livescience.com/14093-optical-illusions-gallery.html

Saturday, August 27, 2011

2011 OFMF Convention and Rendezvous – August 26 & 27, 2011

2011 OFMF Convention and Rendezvous
What an amazing opportunity to be included as one of the Business Presenters at the Ontario Fur Managers Federation – convention!

Along with many members of OFMF and also many, many visitors from all over Ontario – as well as folk up from the USA, it was a joy to take part in this week’s happening.

I want to thank the organizers and the governing body of OFMF for this convention.

I am an outsider looking in. And from what I witnessed, you folk need a big pat on the back for what you have accomplished. I know that it was the “Lindsay District Fur Harvesters and the Southern Region” that hosted everyone this year. Way to go folks!

You made it great experience for us outsiders.

My wife and I can both testify to the fact that the men and women that we talked to about the harvesting of fur and the overall care for animals of all kinds – are simply amazing.

Trappers may have had and maybe are often receiving a bad rap. The negative media and press that have been generated by the “opposition” is loud. The biggest problem I see is that these men and women, the numerous groups and associations of “fur people” – are not as noisy as the “opposition”. And I believe that if the general public could become aware of the care and the ability of this group of people, they would be more than a little impressed.

I am actually blown away by what I have witnessed this week.

I am not sure that they will every read what I write… but if they(you) do.. you (they) need to know that there are two people, Murray and Alida (the two folk at Misty Hollow Carving’s Booth) that were really impressed.

And you know what the funny part is? We did not attend a seminar or an indoctrination group to become impressed. We simply listened to men and women speak about their passion and deep care while they were in our booth.

Rather that say much more I simply going to post a bunch of photos for you to look at. It could be that many members couldn’t get there this week. I hope the photos help you enjoy the two days of “Fur Stuff”.

BTW – in the photos you will see me demonstrating my Spring Pole Lathe. I was helped by dozen’s of kids that were at the show. Some were visitors and others belong to the great families that attended this very family friendly event.

The kids talked to us as well.

One young lady, about 10 years old spent quite a bit of time with us. She was looking at some of my Pyrography covered boxes. My wife asked her why she wanted to maybe buy one. Her young eyes welled up with tears and she told us that it would be for her Brown Labrador dog’s ashes. He was very old and he died not long ago. She really missed him.

After she told us the story, as she was about to leave she came over to give both of us a big hug and say thank you. I nearly cried too. Her daddy will be sending me a photo of her dog to maybe get a Pyrography done of the dog.

A little later she brought a new 10 week old puppy to see us at the booth. They had just picked him up on their way to the Fur Convention. His name is “Blue”.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Photos from the OFMF Convention in Lindsay!

Below is my display of Harry Potter Movies' Wands - I just completed this series of carvings and without a doubt they are the most popular carvings on my table display. I have received orders now for many, many wands.