There are many reasons why we pursue woodturning so avidly. Some of the
best reasons don't apply to me and my reasons may not be typical. I
don't turn for money to support myself nor my hobby. I am satisfied not
to be in demand for demos, or gallery showings. I haven't had a book
published. I enjoy the camaraderie and give & take of this ng, but admit
that I like its anonymity, options to (or not to) socialize, and the
diversity, comfort and convenience of the internet. Surely it's my age,
but I seldom drive long distances thru heavy traffic to enjoy thirty
minutes of talking woodturning and suffer ninety minutes of 'business',
shushing murmurs and Robert's rules of order. I've held office in
several other organizations, and believe that "I've paid my dues". I am
no longer interested in 'going thru the chairs'. Actually, I didn't
_pay_ any dues. Some will protest, but leadership is much more a
satisfaction than an effort. Lots of us turn wood to relax from a trying
working life, but some make their turning efforts more competitive than
their jobs. Many of us who have suffered bruised egos on retirement from
'important' jobs need the oh's & ah's that a turned piece brings. Our
work may be mediocre, but not in our own neighborhood. We go to trouble
to make angular pieces on the perfect machine for making circular
objects. We twist & turn to get the best grain then paint over it. We
skew and buff only to punch holes. We smooth and caress the wood then we
inflict torture with special tools that rupture the surface. We go to
pains to conserve scaley bark. We deplore the tool holders, cross slides
and leadscrews that so restrict our metalworking friends. and then we
rapture about the joy and freedom of sliding hand held tools along a
tool rest. We see no anachronism in using jigs, lasers, copy aids,
lamination software, hollowing systems, gates and so on. Sort of like
another addicting yet strange endeavor; golf, where the lowest score
wins and after finding a ball that we hit into the bushes, we hit it
again into sand or even water. Then there are the everloving rules,
rules, and more rules.

Sorry. I sure jumped off the track. I started out wondering why we love
to turn wood and ended up with inane prattle. I don't mind if it
aggravates somebody, but I hope it isn't divisive. Anyway, why did
_you decide to take up woodturning, and why do you think our craft so
endures as a satisfying and sharing hobby, even for our full time
professionals? Arch

Fortiter,