When Traditions End

Posted by Lorraine Bartlett

My Dad was a craftsman, and could do just about anything.  He built half the furniture in my house.  Heck, he gutted my first house and made it a home.  (I impeded him with that operation, but learned a lot, as well.)

He went through a lot of hobbies.  For a while he did leathercraft.  I still have--and use--the wallet he made for me over 30 years ago.  He made jewelry.  (I wear 14 rings, five of them he made.)  But one of his most endearing projects were his wood carvings--a hobby that stayed with him for a long time.  He liked to do variations of Santa, and literally did hundreds of them. These little guys were one of his first efforts, and look pretty primitive when compared with his later work.  He gave them to me for my birthday in 1992.  When he'd finished them, he thought they looked like they were singing--and that they should do that under a lamppost--so he made one of those, too!

At first, he was very critical of the painting of his carvings, and even asked my husband to do a few, but in no time he was better at it than Frank, and adding more and more decorations to the little guys.  He did fat Santas, tall Santas and a lot of short Santas.  His favorite were Tomties--little elves that help Santa.  (As pictured on the right.)  He made a LOT of these, and usually they were doing something, (like this little guy holding the candle) and usually wore "wooden" shoes. 

I'm really not sure how Dad got into carving, but for him, it was an adventure, albeit a usually solitary affair.  I had my critique group, and Dad had his carving buddies that he saw every few weeks.  One of them moved to Berea, KY--home of The Kentucky Artisans center, which, like the name says, showcases the work Kentucky's best artisans.  Dad's former carving partner wanted to make a certain carving, but it wouldn't come out right, so Dad made one and sent it to him as a prototype.  Unknown to Dad, the man put Dad's carving into a local competition where it took first prize!  (The one on the left is another version of that prizewinner.)

 As far as adventures go, one day Dad was in his workshop carving, when he called up to my mother.  "I've cut myself."  She figured he'd cut his hand, but he'd actually dropped the knife on his thigh.  When she got down to the workshop, there was so much blood, she thought he'd slashed an artery and got on the phone to 911, then hauled him upstairs to wait for the ambulance.  There was blood everywhere--on the workshop floor, the stairs, all over the kitchen.  The EMTs arrived in record time and got the bleeding under control, but they sent him to the ER just in case.  Then they wanted to see THE CARVING KNIFE.  When Mom showed the guy, he nearly went into hysterics of laughter.  He'd been expecting a 10-inch carving knife, not a tiny 1-inch blade.  (Hey, those suckers are sharp.)  Ninety minutes later, Dad was belly-up to the bar at my Aunt's house where they were supposed to go for dinner--and only 30 minutes late.  (Hey, there was a Manhattan waiting with his name on it.)

One of my favorite carvings is Santa stuck in the chimney.  From the top, all you see are Santa's legs sticking out--but turn the carving over, and there's Santa's sooty face.

Dad didn't do too many carvings these last few years.  His remaining carving buddy moved away and it wasn't so much fun any more.  But last year for Christmas he gave me two of his last efforts.  One was unpainted, the other was a Bear dressed in overalls.  They live in my office, with a couple of fishermen, an owl, and an unfinished Santa tree ornament.  The rest of them reside on a little bookshelf in my living room.  I have carved bunnies, birds, a deer, and even a walrus, and I love them all.

Dad passed away in October, so there won't be just one more "found" carving to go in my collection.  (I know they're there--I've seen them in his workshop, which is pretty much just the way he left it.) 

It's the end of a wonderful tradition.  While it makes me terribly sad, I have all these wonderful pieces that Dad made, a lot of them signed "For Lorraine made by her Dad." 

The were the best Christmas presents ever.

Comments

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Very very very very wonderful! And--if I may be so bold--it's not the end of the tradition. It will always be!

[Joanna Campbell Slan]

Oh, my gosh. How absolutely fantastic. I love these! What a wonderful hobby, and what a joy for you. Have a happy holiday, Lorraine and all you blog sisters.

[Liz]

Thanks, Lorraine, for making me cry before 9am. You are thoroughly blessed to have those treasures, and to have inherited his imagination!

[Cleo Coyle]

Lorraine - What a heartwarming tribute. These wonderful works are clearly touching reminders of your dad's talent and whimsy, esp. the carvings that keep you company in your office as you write your books. Thank you for sharing this...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
to you and your family,

~Cleo Coyle

[Julie Hyzy]

These are gorgeous, Lorraine. Your dad was truly talented. Now we see where you got your creativity! He truly made the world a more beautiful place and the tradition will continue because you're making the world more beautiful, too.

Julie

[Lorraine]

I wish I had been able to include more of them. Like the guy skiing, the wonderful bird carvings (he really did get good at painting--as evidenced by the Blue Jay), and the wonderful walrus with the purple coat.

Sorry I made you cry, Liz. (I cried while writing it.) My Mum has just as many talents as my Dad, so I guess it's not surprising that I inherited my creativity from them--but I'm useless when it comes to sewing, carving, or anything else made by hand. Typing is about as handy as I get!

[Leann Sweeney]

I LOVE these. I am a folk art freak-which is why I hate my new cover because they changed my original vision. You are so very lucky to have these wonderful reminders of your very talented dad to surround you. What a comfort they must be. Thanks for sharing these and for sharing your memories of your father.

[Mary Jane Maffini]

What a wonderful legacy, Lorraine. I love these carvings - your dad had a lot of talents, and a sense Christmas fun too. How nice to have such a reminder of him as part of your rituals every Christmas. He'll be with you in spirit.

I too had to dry my eyes. Good thing it was too early for mascara.

[Sandra Parshall]

Those are beautiful carvings, Lorraine. Your dad will never be far from you as long as you have the things he created around you.

[Jenn]

Oh, Lorraine, that is the most wonderful post. I love your dad's carvings and you're
right they are the best presents ever.

[Angela (signlady217)]

Wow! Yes, you made me cry, too. But your dad's carvings are really awesome. I love the Santa stuck in the chimney, that one's hilarious. So sorry to hear he's no longer with you. It's wonderful to have so many good memories to help ease the pain. I think a special scrapbook showcasing pictures and stories of his work would be a neat thing to look at.

Have a great Christmas everyone!

[JB Stanley]

These are simply magical! I love the Santa with the blue coat the best. I see you have your dad's creative genes.

[Judith Klerman Smith]

How beautiful! The beauty in the carving is obvious; the beauty in the treasured memories your father left you is the frame for all the rest. You are blessed.