[Woodcarver] 10th Anniversary of "The List"

[Linehan718 at aol.com]

To Bill and all other members of this  list,    
Although I am not one of your original list members, I have been a member  
pretty much since the day I began carving roughly 4 1/2 years ago.  In that  
time I have gone from whittling small almost recognizable carvings to a full  
fledged professional commission carver.  From one small utility knife  and a deck 
spindle, to hundreds of specialized tools and woods from all over the  world. 
The people on this list took me under their wings and propelled me to new  
heights I would have never thought possible before.  I have met so many  
wonderful dedicated carvers. You have all watched me grow, start up my own  website, 
begin teaching, writing "the state of woodcarving in america  today"(which may 
find its way into print soon) and encouraged and guided me  into taking on 
projects that at the time I believed where way over my  head.  The pride I get 
when I look back on my carving accomplishments  is almost second to none in my 
lifetime.
        As a new york city girl, I  sometimes had a cynical veiw of people 
but I have learned much, not only about  carving, but about comraderie, caring 
and sharing.  I too, as Jack, felt my  heart touched by the plight of elizabeth 
and was more than happy to assist her  and encourage her in her final days. 
Her carving enthusiasm and reaching out to  the list, hid the fact that her 
time was growing ever shorter on this  earth.  When she passed, I cried.  Those 
around me couldn't understand  why I grieved for someone who I had never met 
and only knew for a reletively  short time. But over time in those first few 
years of being on this list, you  all became part of my family.  I have felt 
elated by your acheivements,  inspired by your triumphs, and saddened by the 
unfortunate events which have  touched many of your lives.  Although not much of a 
religious person, I  have at times prayed and lit candles for many of you.  
Most of all, I have  grown into the well-rounded person I was always supposed to 
be and am happy to  be part of this wonderful community.
        There are certain people  who I met here, who over and above have 
helped me on my way, I thank Joe Dillett  for his proffessional guidance, 
everyone involved with the northeast woodcarvers  roundup especially Mike Bloomquist, 
jack Miller, Old Don, Jan and  George and Anne.  I thank those who have 
become personal friends, Teri  Embrey,Chris Howard and Nad in particular.  I am 
also very thankful  for a chance to mentor Young John.  What I am most thankful 
for is that you  have all become a part of my world.
      I thank you for the many mentors and friends  that I have met here, for 
all the knowledge I have learned and look forward to  sharing with other 
carvers in the future.    Bill, I particularly  thank you for the work you put 
into this list and for the effort to keep it  steering on course.  I would not be 
where I am today without it.
                                     Happy 10th Anniversary!!!!! and many 
many more.
 
 
Maura carvin' in  nyc
www.CarvinginNYC.com
http://www.picturetrail.com/carvinginnyc


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/woodcarver/attachments/20061130/c8052a96/attachment.htm