Christmas Holidays (and a little wood)

So here I sit, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, watching it rain on the big snow fall we had a couple of days ago.  All the Santa's have been carved, sent to wonderful new owners, just have two to add to the daughter's collections-ever think that maybe the grandkids might sell them and they would be highly collectable and worth big bucks?  Nah, don't think so.  The plans are to try to finish up shore birds and decoys for the spring, have a couple of ice fishing decoys that need final touches.   I am going to spend more time creating an antique look on the shore birds-I did learn that using a thing wash of a dark color is just as good as buying some fancy antique finish!  Biggest thing I need to do is to get better organized so can find the wood and decoys in varying stages.  So there is my wood working goals for 2014.

Also going to help with the female throwers at the local high school; there are some outstanding, hardworking ladies that I hope can have great years.  They are so close to being competitive at the state level that if I do my job, they can move to the next level.  Subbing has been fun, regardless of what grade I am working-do have to admit that it is much more fun to be in a regular classroom but still good.  Plan to do the summer thing at Merrowvista working wood working, think that this is my 20th summer;  this too is much fun be surrounded by such outstanding young people in leaders then the campers bring their enthusiasm that can't be matched by any regular job.

Mom always talked about doing some reflection on the past year, but not too hard because more important to look ahead and decide what will be the important things to accomplish in the next year.  Since we are moving to a condo the first of the year, have been busy taking pictures down, cleaning out boxes and the like-today I took down the two little shelves that were always up in her bed room while living with us or in the living room at the farm, one always had the picture of her and her sister, Thurley, and the other a statue of David she got at church.  Now they are safely packed and will be hung some where in the condo.  Last year we were in Wolfeboro and she stayed at the Wolfeboro Inn, one of her favorite places, great food and atmosphere and the staff, listened to her Missouri Farm stories and treated her with great respect.

The past year has been one of challenges from mom's passing to moving the farm into the Richter Century Farm Corporation to making a December move into the new condo.  But we have been mostly healthy-at least for someone my age!  There are times when I wish we were closer to the farm so that I might fish in the ponds or walk the fields; however when I can sit here and listen to the grandkids play "knee hockey" in the basement, Sam playing tunes while reading in the kitchen, Pat "running errands" with the daughters, I know the farm is there but my place is here!

Today on Christmas Eve the sun is shining, the rain has moved on and temperatures are back down where they should be.  I have a great view of the lake, I have not watched the news so I can believe there is peace in the world for a day or two and no one is calling people names here.   I can check my Facebook and read about all the former students, their families and their success stories.  Tonight we will do the Christmas Eve church services, come back and have the Heather Kiley soup and sandwich meal, one of the kids will read the Night Before Christmas, then to bed to wait for Santa.  It makes no difference how old we get, the Kiley, Thomas and Richter families still hear "The Bell" and believe in the true spirit of Christmas.

Please bring peace and love to all, have a very Merry Christmas and may the New Year be your best year yet.  If you are in a stream some place "keep a tight line" and if you are working in wood "measure twice and cut once".

All the Best


Papa Richter

November Holiday Season Begins

Veterans Day 2013.  Seems like November brings such hints of summer past and winter coming, today nice fall day temps in the 50's, sun shine, tomorrow temps down, rain, little snow but then back up.  But I also keep thinking about all the rows of white crosses scattered around the world that allows me to write, think, become educated, marry, travel, vote, have an independent opinion, create, live where I want and the list goes on and on.  I remember standing at Gettysburg Battlefields and think about what a huge waste that this war was but appreciate the issues that led to the Civil War; still as a poet once said, "how many songs were unwritten" as the result of the war.  WWII was fought to keep the world free, was a just and necessary war and I can never appreciate men coming ashore under such intense fire that many knew that they would not survive-I have always wondered if I were man enough to take on such a task.

I create decoys of ducks, shorebirds and song birds that have a history; Santa carvings are the result of stories of a man throwing coins through the windows of people living in poverty-history.  The man who lives across the hall has family history of fine cabinet making that goes back to the 1700's, the original Dunlap furniture pieces now reside in museums.  His apartment is filled with his history as all of his pieces are created in his shop in Antrim, New Hampshire and he has others in storage; the question is what happens to these pieces down the road, will the heirs respect his art.  History comes in so many forms, from family to world, we just need to take a moment and listen to what the past tells us.

So here we are, seems like a poor way to start the holiday season, with so many negative thoughts but some how Veterans Day calls for a more serious approach.  There are no pictures to post because can't seem to think of any thing appropriate.

The next post will be about my carving classes and some pictures of what I did there.  I did visit the Ward Museum in Maryland and saw a wide range of decoys-and discovered that some of mine are really not bad.  It is a day later, and some how we quickly move on to some thing else, but I hope that we can take a moment each day to give some thanks and remember those who are no longer with us.  Much Peace

The End of Summer

So here we come to Labor Day weekend, the first weekend of college football and high school football in Missouri.  I do have to say that I do miss those days and I think often of places like North Callaway, Brookfield and Northwest Missouri State University, Park Hill.  I know this has nothing to day with WOOD  but it is WORD!

The Valley

More importantly it is the end of summer and what a summer is has been-teaching woodworking at Camp Merrowvista was really good.  Some of the feelings were mixed because Pat was able to spend most of the time with me (good) but the reason that she could was that mom was gone (bad).  Mom had talked about spending some time on the farm house porch this summer, just rocking and knitting.  We spent some time at the ocean, fighting those tourists of summer, hitting the Dunkin Donuts and hanging out in the early mornings at the Wolfeboro Docks watching the sun come up and the ducks swim by.  We slept in bunk beds, listened to the loons on Dan Hold Pond and I hope got some relax time getting ready for the days of winter.

Pintail in the background A Fish Decoy in the Front

Partially Finished Camp Projects

I did get work done on two of my oldest blocks, a pintail that I cut out while living at the farm in the late 80's after dad died.  I had two started, finished one, gave it away for a graduation gift and put the other block in a box.  Found it during this last move-it is hollow cut from stacked pine -I know it is hollow because I put rocks inside before gluing it up!  Cut a new head and hope to get it done by Thanksgiving.  Had another big solid block cut out and worked it down with the draw knife, going to be an oversized Mallard decoy, also with a Thanksgiving deadline.  Also have a bunch of shorebirds in various stages of development, need to order the glass eyes for them-deadline for completion???  Then I have the Santa's that I have to finish!!!!  And I am supposed to send some fish decoys to a dealer in Wolfeboro-guess I should be working instead of watching football and writing-of course it is 10 o'clock at night!

Oversize Mallard Decoy

Won't be long until the leaves are turning-the Swamp Maples are already starting to turn red!  I read a piece about man being the only species that keeps a calendar or a clock-think of all the other animals.  Maybe we need to slow down and try to enjoy the journey rather than focus so hard on the destination. I think of when I was in school-yes I can remember that far back!  But I think all of us wanted to hurry and get to the next grade, the next weekend, the next event, driver's license, college and on and on! I bet that most of us now would like to slow the clock down.  Mom always talked about each day being special, she would get up during the night to watch the snow fall, early in the morning to watch the sun come up, she knew where the birds were and even though we had no feeders, she had enough magazines to stay up to date!

We Measured Several Times

Camp Hill as We Drive Out for the End of Summer

 So here we are, enjoying the late summer weather and waiting for those first snow flurries.  Much peace to all and remember to"measure twice and cut once".

I had intended to have pictures and more discussion but just found this piece that I did not post.  Once the beach traffic slows down going to try to find this man in Rye and see what he has to say about shore birds, but more importantly, the history of decoys is fascinating.  For all you folks in central Missouri, Jefferson City, had a decoy factory, wonder if any of those decoys are still around.  Have to go work on a newer blog for this weekend, enjoy the shorebird article.  Peace

Nelson

8 Reasons to Collect Antique Shorebird Decoys

More than just decorative accents on a mantel or bookshelf, antique wooden duck and goose decoys have long lured collectors. According to antiques dealer Russ Goldberger of RJG Antiques in Rye, NH, less well-known – and just as collectible – are antique carved shorebirds, which are attractive folk art pieces and valued collectors' items in their own right.

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A trio of Golden Plover shorebird decoys, South Shore, Massachusetts, Ca. 1900.

Rye, NH (PRWEB) April 16, 2012

More than just decorative accents on a mantel or bookshelf, antique wooden duck and goose decoys have long lured collectors. Less well-known – and just as collectible – are carved shorebirds, which are attractive folk art pieces and valued collectors' items. Decoy collecting as a whole has become so popular during the last decade that masterpiece shorebird decoys have sold for more than $800,000.

"Many men – and women – like shorebirds," says Russ Goldberger of RJG Antiques in Rye, NH, one of the country's top dealers of antique decoys and American folk art. "Waterfowl and bird watching are popular and shorebird decoys are among the last areas to be discovered in American folk art. They're also decorative and easy to display."

What are Shorebirds?

Shorebirds, also known as beach birds, range in size from tiny “peeps” (about the size of a sparrow) to curlews (larger than some ducks). Distinguished by their skinny legs and thin bills, they live on tidal beaches and frequent migratory routes along the East and West Coasts of the United States, and also the Midwest.

Why Collect Shorebird Decoys?

Hunting of shorebirds was banned nearly 100 years ago and, subsequently, decoys vanished. Now, they're prized by collectors. Goldberger offers these tips on collecting antique shorebird decoys and what to look for:

Shorebird decoys are valuable because they're an important part of American waterfowl hunting and decoy history.

Shorebird decoys are rare. Many have been damaged or lost due to age and delicacy.

Highly collectible shorebird decoys were made by craftsmen or hunters and come in a wide variety of species, plumages, regions, and makers, available in many price ranges.

Collect authentic shorebird decoys that are 100+ years old. Make sure the dealer or auction house guarantees the age of your choices.

Buy shorebird decoys in original condition. Shorebirds with original paint and original bills are more valuable. Bills are the most delicate part of a shorebird decoy and easily damaged. A replaced bill should be reflected in the decoy's reduced price.

Buy what you like regardless of who made it. Many fine shorebird decoys were crafted by unknown makers who created a small group of decoys for their own use.

Consider pieces by contemporary carvers. These are highly collectible, but buy them as modern recreations, not antiques. The price should reflect the decoy’s age.

Shorebirds are beautiful and visually arresting when displayed.

History of Shorebird Decoys

Most shorebird species in New England and the Southeast were hunted for sport and food during the 19th and early 20th centuries. American hunters used decoys as part of their practice, making shorebird decoys from painted wood, but also papier-mâché, tin, and leather (decoy factories, such as the Mason Decoy Factory in Detroit, MI, also marketed numerous decoys to hunters). American shorebird decoys rarely have legs; they were placed on sticks which were pressed into beach sand. The decoys were very effective: shorebirds were easy targets and large flocks could be shot at once.

Large-scale hunting decimated shorebird populations to such a degree that, in 1918, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, banning the hunting of most shorebird species in the U.S. Once hunting was banned, shorebird decoys became unnecessary so many were burned, thrown away or relegated to barns or hunting shacks. Few survived, which makes them so valuable to collectors today.

"Shorebird decoys represent one of the last areas to be discovered in American folk art," says Goldberger. "They not only remind people of hunting – still a popular sport among thousands of Americans – and the outdoors, but the joys of coastal life. They're very much products of American history." For detailed information about the history of shorebird decoys visit RJG Antiques' website.

About RJG Antiques

RJG Antiques is owned and operated by Russ and Karen Goldberger. A highly regarded dealer, author, counselor and broker, Russ Goldberger has been instrumental in the formation of some of the country's finest decoy and folk art collections. He regularly represents clients at auctions and as an agent in negotiating private sales. RJG Antiques is also a pioneer in online sales of American antique decoys and folk art at its website, RJGAntiques.com; the site is also a resource on caring for, valuing, and the history of American decoys and antiques.

RJG Antiques will be at the National Antique Decoy and Sporting Collectibles Show in St. Charles, IL, April 23-28.

For more information, visit http://www.RJGAntiques.com; email: russ(at)RJGAntiques(dot)com or call (603) 433-1770.

Happy Valentines Day

It's almost Valentines Day, a time to make cool cookies and give them away to grandkids and their families.  These are samples that didn't last long at home but went to see the local grandkids and their folks-not sure how long they lasted there!
Wood is still in play as I started making these small hearts carved, sanded and finished that are given out as "I am giving you a piece of my heart for you to have with you all the time".  I also have given them to some of the young people I see with the advice that when things get too tough, just take this heart out, or in your pocket and rub it for good luck.

 St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. The most popular martyrology associated with Saint Valentine was that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire; during his imprisonment, he is said to have healed the daughter of his jailer Asterius. Legend states that before his execution he wrote "from your Valentine" as a farewell to her. (Wikipedia)

A little history lesson there for how we got to this holiday-for most, just another day at work but for those romantics in us, a special day of recognition for those we love.  So go for it, give you loved one(s) something special.  Much peace and love to you on Valentine's Day.

The Cardinal in Wood

I had cut out a cardinal from a piece of basswood several years ago but for some reason I never took it beyond the square block of wood; I did put the eyes in a year ago but again, not again, not much more follow up was done.  But now I have decided that I should try to get some of these half done projects finished before I cut out any new ones-unfortunately I do have plans to cut out some more.  But back to the Cardinal.

The male Northern Cardinal is perhaps responsible for getting more people to open up a field guide than any other bird. They’re a perfect combination of familiarity, conspicuousness, and style: a shade of red you can’t take your eyes off. Even the brown females sport a sharp crest and warm red accents. Cardinals don’t migrate and they don’t molt into a dull plumage, so they’re still breathtaking in winter’s snowy backyards. In summer, their sweet whistles are one of the first sounds of the morning. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Although these pictures don't do the male the color he displays, part of the courting ritual is for the male to feed the female seeds, often sun flower seeds from a local feeder. When the female agrees to be his mate they both sing to each other-just how romantic!  If the mating is successful the male will often continue to bring seeds to the female during the incubation period.  The male is very territorial, singing from the highest limbs and aggressively chasing off other males who fly into his territory.

After mating the female builds a cup nest in a well-concealed spot in dense shrub or a low tree one to three meters (three to ten ft) off the ground. The nest is made of thin twigs, bark strips, and grasses, lined with grasses or other plant fibers. Eggs are laid one to six days following the completion of the nest. The eggs are white, with a tint of green, blue or brown, and are marked with lavender, gray, or brown blotches which are thicker around the larger end. The shell is smooth and slightly glossy. Three or four eggs are laid in each clutch. the female usually incubates the eggs, rarely and for brief periods, the male assist. Two to three, and even four, broods are raised each year. The male cares for and feeds each brood as the female incubates the next clutch of eggs.(Cornell Lab of Ornithology)


So here you have everything you need to know about Cardinals.  The male defending his territory, sing to his make, feeding her during the incubation period fits right into this season of Valentines Day!!  So let me be the first to wish you a Very Happy Valentines Day!!!  We as the male have the ability to make February 14 special for the women in our lives-I remember that I had to provide 3 cards, 3 treats while the daughters were at home, so make sure you count correctly!  Flowers are good, candy OK but something very special is even better, especially if it is something that will last a long time.  Sometimes we all get way too busy with life and jobs to remember those who are most special to us.  As I sit here watching a Charlie Brown Valentines Day Special and just how disappointed he always is when he gets no Valentines Card, we need to work real hard at making sure that everyone has a great Valentines Day.

As for me I just need to remember to "Measure Twice and Cut Once".  Much peace in your life.

Papa Richter

The Shorebird Decoys

Temperatures in New Hampshire have been brutal the past few days but then we do live in the great Northeast!  Finished up my first two fish decoys-see pictures, looking for some wood to make up some new ones but right now looking to finish up some of the shorebirds that I cut out this summer.  They are  patterns out of the Hillman & Shourds Shore Bird Pattern book that I got a year ago; the book is autographed, one of the few that I have in my possession-but then collecting books is a whole new issue!

Autographed front page

 My goal is to go look for some bargains -decoys or books) as we get closer to spring-probably head over toward the coast-there is a road that has antique shops for 50 miles, maybe up into Maine on some back roads.  I have yet to see any trace of a fish decoy but surely  up in Maine there might be some to be found.

But I also want to mention about the passing of Stan Musial
in St. Louis; he was my hero growing up and made me learn
to bat from the left side and even try to adopt his stance but then I
could never learn to hit the curve ball so my career ended early!  Beyond baseball if there were ever a finer man to pattern my or any other kid's life after he was "the Man".  I remember at  Boy Scout camp getting sent to the sick bay so I could listen to the All Star game where Musial hit the home run to win the game.  I would recommend that you read the St. Louis Post Dispatch for some great memories about how he played and the number of people that he brought into his life.  He has set the standard for all of us, that go outside the rules of the game.


 I think when one starts talking about collecting there needs to be some thought put in before one starts even thinking about filling shelves and mantles with "stuff".  Probably need to know that permission has been granted before one starts or there is a "man cave" that is totally decorated by you!  I have talked about knowing the history of anything old that comes into my home and I think that knowing what that decoy did, where it was done, who did it and when, make it more valuable-but then the same thing can apply to any piece of wood that you sit in or eat on!  Here are a couple of pictures of the Santa carvings.

Santa with a tree in his beard

If we take the time to find out what we are buying or building we can provide the folks that follow us down the road.  I hope that the things that I create can be passed on to those who might want them; if you look at some of the prices of those decoys 100+ years ago, maybe I am leaving a "legacy" to someone!

Rainbow Trout

Minnesota Decoy

Cardinal Ready for Finish

The "Box" in the Closet

Trim the Bill and Finish

So here are the pictures of the unfinished decoys, some hiding in the closet in a box, so as you can see I have my work cut out for me over the next couple of months.  I threw is a picture of a Cardinal that I need to detail and paint and get out of the closet.  So need to get down the road, have a busy week and time is wasting (actually the bed is calling).  Much peace to everyone, hope you are safe and your world is at peace.  Remember to "Measure Twice and Cut Once" or if you have a line threw the ice some place.... "keep a tight line"!  Until next time.

Nelson

Papa R