Saturday, May 13, 2017

I have forgotten most jobs

I started playing with Ornamental Iron when I was 43 years old and had never seen a welder. I am totally self taught, no classes or lessons but I have read a lot of books.  I know the Romans tested and tempered their swords with the blood of willing slaves.  It is hard to find good help these days.
By now I am 70 years old  and although a bit slower, still get around and can carry half my weight in steel.  That is the process of getting fatter and weaker, balance in nature.  I can't count the jobs I have done.  When I am doing a job, at the time it is the most important thing in the world to me.  I work the job 24 hours a day until it is finished.  I sleep with it, dream about it and do the very best that I can.  And, once finished, pretty much forget about it.  I sometimes run into past clients who have, years later, thanked me and praised my work and I am embarrassed to admit I have no memory of the project.

This last job, almost at the finish line might just be the exception to this process of forgetting!  First, it was a Big Job.  Not the biggest I have ever done, but the Biggest while 70 years old!  I will show it to you!