My parents are pretty much awesome, and they got me a scroll saw for Christmas this year as they have been very supportive of me and my new business venture. I'm a lucky girl.
I was using it today for an art piece that I'm completing for a client, and I was thinking how totally awesome it was. It was moving around all of the delicate corners like a fast race car on a well-greased track. I was gliding.
Then it got me thinking about high school...
When I went to junior high school, the girls went to home economics classes and the boys got to go to wood shop and metal shop classes. I was so jealous. No disrespect to my teacher, Mrs. Fako, but I hated home economics. I made a raggedy Ann doll and, I think, a pair of matching running shorts and shirt out of a pattern. Then, I had to make things in the kitchen. Actually cook. I remember dreading going into class, because I had totally ZERO interest in this stuff.
So, I asked my teacher(s) why I couldn't take wood shop or metal shop. I remember everyone looking puzzled, and I didn't want to create a scene as my mom was an elementary teacher at the same school district. It got to the point that I talked to one of my best guy friends, Jody, if he thought it was a crazy idea. I don't remember the specifics as it was so long ago, but I do remember my senior class sitting in the auditorium listening to somebody in authority that if there were enough girls that wanted to take wood shop and enough of boys wanting to take home economics, then we could make a switch. I was so pumped.
But...
Not enough of either gender wanted to make a switch. But I will always remember that my best guy friend, Jody, volunteered to take home economics and was trying to get other guys to make the switch. Jody and I are still good friends today, and I just think so highly of him. He's just a great person. I'm lucky to have him in my life since I can remember. He will always have a special place in my heart.
To this day, I still have ZERO passion to cook and make outfits. I roasted my first turkey only two years ago, and I didn't have a clue what I was doing but thankfully it turned out well. I still hate grocery stores. And, I will never, ever make my own clothing unless the world comes to an end. But I've always had passion for wood and what you could do with it. It's funny how things finally come to you even if it took over 30 years. I never lost hope. I felt so good in my she-shed with my scroll saw making an art piece for a special client listening to the winter birds chirping on a beautiful, sunny day.
I'm in heaven.
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