Wednesday, March 19

Draw on Walls...

This is a previous post from 2 years ago.. as most of you weren't with me then, I thought I'd share again..

The sap is just starting to flow in New Hampshire. My grandfather, although passed away, still lives in his sap house. I can see him every time I drive by.. loading wood in the furnace in his LL Bean slippers..




A few years ago Z and I stopped by to visit with my uncle who was boiling. I was looking around with my camera and spotted some sketches on the wall.




Faces peering back at me. Almost like ghosts of those who worked here before. I asked my uncle about them and he told me a really neat story that I wanted to share.


Every time he lights the fire under the boilers he uses a long thin stick. After blowing it out, the end is charcoal. Not wanted to waste it, and having a need to draw everyday, he sketches on the wall until the charcoal is gone.


My uncle is an eccentric, fascinating man. An honest, hardworking person who teaches me every time I see him.


Don't waste the charcoal. Draw everyday. Even if it is on the walls.


12 comments:

Vee said...

How cool is that!

Most of the sugaring houses held their open houses this past Sunday, though it's usually scheduled for next Sunday. It's an odd year with Easter being so early.

Love time spent in a maple sugar shack and my family loves to tell the stories of times spent in the sugar woods.

Have a great day and thanks for recylcing this one!

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Love this post....what a great story to share with us and I love the sentiment at the end.

Have the Best of Days....Rosie

Mary said...

Oh Abbie, I loved this post! thanks so much for sharing your family and your lessons.
xoxo,
Mary

Suzanne said...

What a wonderful story. I agree....use that charcoal!

I love eccentric people. I collect them and treasure them. Remind me to tell you about the turquoise couple!

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Kathleen Grace said...

What a neat story:>) And what a great thought ot live by. Thank you for sharing it with us:>)

Anonymous said...

Love the story, thanks for posting,
Happy Spring, Janie

Sherry said...

Sometimes blogger makes me so mad!! It ate my comment!!

Anyway...I'm glad you resurrected this post Abbie. It was wonderful and I feel blessed for having read it.

As for seeing your grandfather in his sap house whenever you drive by -- how lovely. Those we love never leave our hearts or our souls -- they leave some might be footprints!

Rosa said...

What a great post!

amanda said...

How wonderful, Abbie! What a great reminder! I love it!

Amanda:)

Tara said...

This reminds me of Jackson Pollack's floor in his barn in the Hamptons!

The dribble on the floor which spilled from all his dribble paintings is now an exhibit at his barn, too! What talent here!

:0)
Tara

Anonymous said...

Oh boy thanks so much for sharing that amazing story!
xo
mary
hoganfe handbags

Rosie said...

Now that was a fab post! Thanks for sharing... your Grandad sounds like a marvellous guy. What a fab way to look at life... remarkable.