Viking table revisited...

Well I was able to finally make it back to visit this beast. This dining room table can sit twelve and probably weighs 250 lbs! It's a monster... Made from reclaimed ship hatch covers and salvaged heart pine, this table was made to bring people together to enjoy friendships. I'm told it has succeeded! Oh the stories, dinners, games, and new life (Violet Snow) this table has witnessed! So glad it's being put to great use! 

small end table

You know, one of the most over looked pieces of furniture might just be the end table. No facts to necessarily back this up, but think... normally smushed in a corner, in-between a couch and a wall or forgotten about next to a chair in a part of the house no one even knows exists. This is crap! I mean, Somebody (more than likely a complete stranger) cared enough to take time out of their life whether, their job or not, to build this special piece for you to set a lamp on to read next to or to hold your precious tv remotes... this person built this thing for a reason.... to make your life a bit more comfortable. Heres an attempt on a side table with doors and feet from ol' Georgia barn wood.

cypress stump table

I finally got a chance to connect up with some clients an was able to snatch up this coffee table from them to get some photos. I cant take any credit for "building" this table because i really didn't do anything to it. Its its own piece. All i did was clean the muck from it, flatten and smooth the top, and put a finish on it.  This stump was pulled out of the swamps in central Florida and easily ages over a few hundred years old. I love the decay and the beauty of the aged wood, or whats left of it, and the dang rings at the top are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. It even comes with a small chewed out hole where I'm shure a mouse or some animal lived. I dont mean to sound like a hippy but I love this tree! cheers- john

Elephants

I just had to post this... I've loved animals all my life, There's just something about them that is so striking to me. I feel that they are much more intelligent than we give them credit for and it may sound stupid, but there's a lot to learn from them. Recently I have been reading, watching, and learning mor about animals in captivity, being forced to live in less than humane cages and carry out certain tasks just to please there captors and audiences around the world. Did you know there are more Bengal tigers prisoned in the state of Texas than there are prowling in India? For $500 you can buy a tiger. That's absurd.
My mom sent me this email... It hit me pretty hard cause, to me, it proves animals have feelings, thoughts, and most importantly, hearts. This is a touching story and feel free to share it to whom ever you want! And please!.... Support organizations against animals in captivity. There's so many out there, just google and hundreds will pop up. This is just one story. Ill list a few organizations and documentaries I like at the bottom of this post. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, and sometime, spend a bit looking at this on the Internet or watch a documentary. And the next time a circus or fair comes to town. Don't go. The more people that know what's goin on here the more difference it will make! -best, John


THE ELEPHANTS JOURNEYED TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW?

Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller The Elephant Whisperer, bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.



On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died.

He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons & numerous elephants.

Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved man-friend.



A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House.









Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way:



Walking slowly - for days -

Making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house. Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years! But yet they knew where they were going.



The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything..

Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home......





SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE IS GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE



Look at....

http://elephantleague.org/elephants-in-captivity/

http://www.wspa-international.org/



Watch...

The cove

Elephant in the living room


thanks for reading.

Bold bean coffee.

I've been a bit busy lately to put any blogs up. I have a bunch more to write about soon! Anyhow, bold bean coffee roasters needed a pastery display. Here is what happend with that. I'm glad to say, both owners and the chef have told me the pastery sales have skyrocketed! Thanks again to bold bean for letting me work on such fun project! Cheers, john