16 Comments
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Nancie McDermott's avatar

What a lovely post. I always enjoy your writing and your art work, and this is especially delightful, learning that you do this and then seeing this in process. Grateful for you!

PT Hopton's avatar

That is indeed a perfect walking stick. Gorgeous.

Merlin Marquardt's avatar

You should branch out more.

Paul Wittenberger's avatar

I have one of your walking sticks, Kent!

Paul Prothero's avatar

That is, indeed, a nice stick; I too am a fan of found walking sticks, though I usually discard them before returning home. I also love your JGB doormat!

Roxy Coryell's avatar

What a very lovely stick!! I also love seeing the process of how you transformed it from found to its final walking stage--like a sculptor seeing his work of art, and then stripping off the parts that don't belong until it's perfect!🤩

Robert A Mosher (he/him)'s avatar

My wife took readily to using walking sticks on trail walks, but I've always resisted not having my hands free - until this past fall and winter when health issues drove me to acquire a black metal adjustable cane (with my therapist tells me I'm using in the wrong hand). I actually rather like having it though I now usually reserve it for extended outings on foot in case I tire quickly. But I find that the cane generally means I don't get honked at in crosswalks, people give me extra room on the sidewalks, and I have to wonder if I'm also given a pass by possible ne'er-do-wells who look at that cane and think "he still gets round well enough that the cane might actually be useful for him in self defense!".

Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Sticking to the subject is a challenge for me!!

Gary Spangler's avatar

“Ode to a Stick.” Far more practical than a “Grecian Urn.” I’ve now arrived at an age that welcomes a third leg for my stool.

The White Thorn hiking sticks of youth have given way to length adjustable aluminum canes from drug stores. Not at all suitable for carving.

celeste's avatar

Beautiful. Please share a photo of your collection of brown and sticky things.

Paul McCutchen's avatar

My wife and I were camping and my ex-son in law (I got him in the divorce) loves to hike so he headed up a trail, and I just walked the campground. An hour or so later he came back and told me about a man that had a can clipped to his backpack. It was a small pack, but the can was easy for him to grab when he needed it and not have to carry it all the time. Maybe that is something I need to think about.

The Bard of Tysoe's avatar

Wonderful! As a connoisseur of sticks, I really love this; and am impressed by your sticky skills! I have used one for about thirty years (nearly half my life), and can obviously only use one at a time… – but it’s nice to get to the front door and think “Which one will I take out today?”

PS: I also keep four in the car!

PPS: I recognize thst Golden Retriever tone… – a lovely simile (amongst many)!

Merlin Marquardt's avatar

Stick to stick walking. Great.

Ken Macko's avatar

You are so adept at creating. I don’t think it is possible you could ever be bored.

Sheila Rodriguez's avatar

My tiny midwest hometown had a weekly newspaper with the same editor at the helm for over 50 years. He made a point of always having something positive to say in the obituaries he wrote, even if the deceased didn't warrant much praise. I recall his obit of one particularly notorious octogenarian who had no redeeming qualities, saying that "he was known as a good whittler." So, congratulations on your useful skill.

Mark Alexander's avatar

I've been collecting sticks, too, but yours is way nicer than any of mine!