The Waller Way

Burn out is a real concern...for everyone...but I find the effects of being surrounded by cynical school agers who tell you on a regular basis that "you suck" and roll their eyes every time you start singing opera (I mean, what's wrong with them??) can be particularly draining on your self-esteem. Here is what I do to try to keep the stressed/depressed/overwhelmed fog at bay.   Self-Care - Figure out what makes you happy, re-energizes you, brings you joy and then make time to do it regularly. For me, that looks like alone time in the morning and long walks on the week end. Also, podcasts; lots of podcasts. Purpose - Find out what you are trying to accomplish in the workplace. Why do you do what you do every day? Make it a compelling reason. If you can't think of something, maybe you should find a new job. You're obviously not doing what you want to do with your life. Once you've found it, focus on that one big goal and let the little things go. Rela...

Sometimes we just need a closer look.  No dyes were used. Here we have 100 year old maple.  800-Magnification. Here is a piece of 120 year old White Pine. 800 - magnification. This piece is a 40 year old piece of Lynden (Basswood)  800 - magnification.  Here we have a 30 year old piece of American Walnut. 800-Magnification. And finally, a 120 year old piece of Black cherry.  800-Magnification. All ages are approximates and all pieces were air dried over time. Erik

Wood breaks away in shearing motions as an iron edge passes through the rough timber. “Swish, swoosh” echoes through the shop and feather weighted strips of wood seem to nearly dance, as if to the rhythm, gradually floating to the floor. This experience is given with the use of hand planes. While I was a child I always remembered two rusty Stanley planes resting on a shelf in the shed. Being rusted and dull only added to my distaste for them. “They don’t work!” was my constant cry as a child. And because of my short-tempered attention I left them alone for years. But how did they work? That question never left me. It is almost too simple of a question to answer now. A sharp blade is set at a controlled height and moves along a piece of wood lifting the cut section up and away from the work piece. The key word here being “sharp.” Such a concept never crossed my young mind. After watching an episode of The Woodwright’s Shop I was enlightened and immediately began to rummage thr...

Grief is a strange phantom - Appearing at the oddest times and places. I start to cry Before I even know why. Sometimes I grieve for the father we lost to death. And other times the father we lost to scandal. For changing generations For fates remaining the same. For someone moved away, or forgiven but not restored, or lost to a different identity. All three unique. All three loved, you see. And all three with their own grief to own. As a human race, we hold grief in common, And grasp hands across the centuries. We taste each other's tears and learn to hope again. ~A

How long have I thought of GRACE, as a large barrel with a spigot at the bottom and a white label reading, "Grace, for all those who read their Bible and pray every day." If you got up in the morning, cup of tea, Bible, religious music, and don't forget to pray (for at least thirty minutes) You could buy enough grace to last you Just. One. Day. And then your day would go well. How long was I wracked with doubt because of a lie? It didn't take long to realize Means of grace equals good day. My good days and bad days were hung as indiscriminately as children hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree. And if God had lied to me about grace, What else? *** Grace is not a substance. Grace is a person. When I received that person I received all the grace in the world. And all the mercy. And all the goodness And all the peace. And all the joy. And to use the means of grace was to get t...

I first learned about "hygge" here . I was immediately hooked and began to do all kinds of research (i.e. Pinterest ) to learn more about this fascinating concept. Funnily enough, shortly after I learned about this awesome Danish word I found the perfect opportunity to put it into practice. My first ever adult snow day was on Monday. A monster blizzard slammed into New Brunswick, burying us under a mountain of snow. My workplace shut down. I was housesitting for my parents and all alone. I decided that I would spend my time using the elements I had learned about to create an absolutely "hyggelig" day. 1. Comforting and nourishing food: Sauteed kale, peanut butter cookies, sausage patties and pancakes, hot chocolate, tea 2. Time spent with loved ones I invited three of my nieces over (who conveniently live just across the road) to make heart shaped cookies, listen to music, read books, and drink hot chocolate. 3. Time spent in natur...