I recently took a woodworking class at the American Sycamore Retreat. It was on handtools and Sharpening. I learned several things in the class. I learned that cinder blocks are flat so you can use them instead of buying a pricier piece of plate glass as a flat surface to sharpen objects on. I learned that there are kinds of chisels that you don't strike with a mallet. It was very encouraging to find out that I had learned how to effectively sharpen tools already from an article by Chris Schwartz in a book I recently read (it's always encouraging when you find out you know something better than you thought you did).
I think the highlight of the day, though, was just being with people who are like woodworking. The atmosphere was that of relaxing and learning from one another. I was encouraged by the instructor having to go find things in his shop when he didn't know where they were...I admit that is because I lose things and get so frustrated because I think I should know where I put it down (like a 6" ruler or something). I really appreciate that Mike (the teacher) had of attitude of being another human who has a passion for something and just wants to share that passion with others.
Ah, it's fun to spend a day doing what you love. As I heard at a woodworking show a few years ago, "Any day you are making sawdust is a good day." And if you can't be making some sawdust, being in the shop with fellow woodworkers comes close.
