This time of year is notoriously busy — for reasons that can be both sound and silly. The hubbub that surrounds our work and family life can sometimes become overwhelming, and it is easy to let an important obligation slide by. But I would be remiss if I failed to take just a few moments to offer thanks to you, our readers, for your support over the past year. Consider this salutation of goodwill as coming not just from me, but indeed the entire Woodworker’s Journal staff. It is not lost on us that your support is the reason why we are among the most fortunate of folks — not only do we have a job (no small thing in this economy), but we have some of the best jobs around — putting out a woodworking magazine, eZine and website. Speaking personally, there is nothing I can think of that would be more satisfying than what I do every day. And the attention of those I call the Journal’s faithful is the key to all that.
So please accept our thanks for your historic support and our best wishes for the year to come. I am not one of those folks who think that the good old days exist only in the past — I am a certified optimist about the future. My hope is that 2010 will be the most providential of years, and that when I look back from this vantage point next year, I will be even more thankful for you and the opportunities that you have afforded me and my staff. Have a safe, happy and productive new year!
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Whether you’re revved up for the festivities to come over the next few days, or if you’re feeling the need for a little holiday “lift” right about now, the folks at Ryobi have a clever video card to share with all of us.
Last Christmas I asked my wife for a branding iron. You’ve probably seen them before in woodworking catalogs. I decided that if I had one, I’d be more inclined to sign my projects. It’s not that I’ve never signed my stuff before. I usually put my initials and a date on the bottoms of turnings. Somehow they seem more like signature pieces than, say, a table or cabinet. But, most of my larger woodworking projects have left the shop without any initials whatsoever.
In case you’re taking the week off between Christmas and New Year’s, you’re in luck! The February print issue of Woodworker’s Journal is on its way and should arrive while you’re enjoying the holiday respite. We’ll help fill that free time with some fresh woodworking goodness! Here’s the inside scoop on what we think is a great new issue.
Thanks to all of you who left comments regarding my recent blog post “Loaning Tools: What’s Your Take?”
Last Saturday I spent an enjoyable afternoon at The Wood Working Show* held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. While these shows do not generate the level of excitement and attendance they did in the late 1990s, they still feel kind of like “home” to me. Walking among the attendees, I could tell that I was hanging out with my people. It is not often that you casually overhear folks talking about dadoes, upspiral router bits and band saw guides.
