Moses and Sigurd

Thunderclaps, lightening flashes, and rain poundings woke me early this morning. Though it is my day off, instead of rolling over for more sleep, I meandered into the kitchen, ground some beans, brewed a pot of breakfast blend, and sat down with Moses and Sigurd Olson.

I have such diverse friends!

They both spoke to me this morning about the spiritual value of craftsmanship.

Bezalel and his helper, Oholiab, two unassuming artisans, built the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the other sacred tabernacle furniture. These men, today, are better known for their works rather than their names.

Sigurd Olson, in Reflections From the North Country, reflecting fondly about his two handmade canoes (better than anything produced by a factory), his Finnish knife, and the handbeaded moccasins hanging on his cabin wall, remarked:

It disturbs me to note the loss of the old traditions that came into being from the time of men made things with their hands. Tools were important, and pioneers often forged and tempered their own. There was more time to do work well, and craftsmanship was a matter of pride, and, often, survival.

A few weeks ago, when we built a simple tree fort in the woods behind our house, Luke and Wes, somehow, received an unspoken validation of their manhood.

It's better than the Taj Mahal -- because they built it with their own hands.