My workshop is our attached garage at one end of the house. While it’s not an idyllic cabin-shop among the trees, I did get pretty lucky that there is a grove of quaking aspens just outside one window. For much of the year the leaves, with their flat wispy stalks, “quake” and flutter in the slightest breeze. It’s such a soothing sound and the trees shimmer like sequined dancers.
In his essay “Listening Point,” Sigurd Olson described his personal discovery of the spot where he would build a small cabin as a base for his exploration and contemplation:
Wilderness sounds would be here, bird songs in the mornings and at dusk. The aspen leaves would whisper and the pines as well, and in the sound of water and wind I would hear all that is worth listening for.
Sigurd Olson, Listening Point (1958)
After the leafless winter, it’s a thrill to see the leaves emerge bright green in the spring and play on all through the summer.
In autumn, the leaves turn golden and begin to fall to the ground, leading me to listen and watch more closely.
Watching the fall leaves always takes me back to reading Peanuts collections when I was a kid. Some of my favorite strips were the ones related to the leaf-falling theme that Charles Schulz returned to again and again. Here’s a link to some of them.
Soon the leaves will have all fallen, but next year’s buds are waiting.
And the leaves aren’t the only things that flutter. These guys will be around all winter.
I’ll end this post with a thank-you to all of you who have been reading my blog. I wrote my first post on January 1, 2015, nearly 10 years ago. This post is number 500! What started it, especially, was all I had learned from Peter Follansbee’s blog. Peter has been a big influence and his example encouraged me to share through my blog and otherwise. He’s got a new blog now, but the old one is still up as well.
In most normal social situations, if I start going on and on about my excitement over a bowl design, or a carving technique, or fluttering leaves, people suddenly remember an important appointment they need to get to. So, thanks for reading and/or commenting on these posts over the years. I’m grateful.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
In most normal social situations, if I start going on and on about my excitement over a bowl design, or a carving technique….
I know the feeling!
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Congratulations, Dave. That is an amazing milestone. Thank you for sharing your work. Not only is it a delight to hear how the world around you, poetry, and woodworking dance together. My own woodworking and life is better because of it.
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Your, and Peter Follansbee’s, generosity with your time to create and persist with your blogs over extended periods have been a blessing to your legions of fans. I know they both bring joy to my life and are irreplaceable by any other format or content. They are the gift that keeps giving as I return to them over and over.
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love tis entire entry–
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Dave,
Thanks for sharing your writing, art, and what moves you. Life is full of wonder everywhere you look once you slow down to pay attention. Thanks for these regular reminders to pay attention in all that you do. Wishing you many more decades of all the beautiful things life has to offer and long live the blog!
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It is always a delight to read your posts, Dave, and to hear about and see what you’ve been up to and thinking about. Thank you for sharing your artistry and expertise as well as your thoughts about life!
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Happy to be here. Thank you for writing.
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Your posts are always a pleasure to read, Dave. Whether it is your thoughts about nature, an update on your latest work, or advice on working in wood you always make me smile and think. Thank you for your generosity of spirit and sharing!
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you help make the world a better place. Than you.
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Thank you Dave. And a distant thanks to Peter too. Enjoy the Fall.
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Thanks Dave – 500 O My – think I have 300 yet to read! I will add that to my winter’s list!
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Ironic, in the midst of a couple Sigurd Olson books myself. Thanks for bringing him into your post.
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Congratulations Dave. I have read many, many of your always enjoyable blogs. As well as being instructive, they often touch upon the beauty of Nature which is really wonderful. Love the Chickadee video and your excellent drawing. Thanks for sharing your carving knowledge and your beautiful artistry over the years.
Cheers,
Michael
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Congratulations Dave on your 500th post. And deep thanks for all the wisdom and presence you have shared these many years with so many others. I love the view out from your shop and this post like so many, features your love and sensitivity to nature. The video of your feeding the chickadee followed by your drawing of one was perfect. Chickadee celebrates you too! With gratitude, Glenn
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My favorite blog. I remember reading your stuff before this blog. We have had the pleasure of your gentle disposition and that I thank you for all these posts.
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10 years and 500 posts is quite an accomplishment, congratulations. Thanks for freely putting so much out there. I’ve learned a lot by reading your blog that I likely would not have been otherwise exposed to. Thanks for all the time and effort.
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Congratulations, Dave! Thank you for your generous nature and spirit. By all accounts you are an entirely successful human being. Just ask that chickadee!
Sent from my iPad
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Well, thanks. Certainly very far from satisfying all accounts, but the chickadees don’t seem to mind.
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I surely loved the video!
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Thanks! I’m hoping to add short video clips more often.
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Aside from the exceptional development in your skill level over the years and willingness to share, the foreign, but somehow familiar references to your surroundings are always welcome. Thanks for the insights.
Gav
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Thank you.
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