Feeling Kind of Blue today, yesterday, probably tomorrow too. Took much of last week off to move our youngest son into residence at University to continue his Engineering program. His first year last year he worked from home remotely, due to Covid, which was pretty cool, saved us major costs, and he actually excelled, considering it's known as a tough program. The calculations sheets he showed us, man, like strange alien language LOL!
Anyway, he's the last of our brood to leave home and I swear, never thought I'd feel this... Empty Nest syndrome is so damn real. I found myself wandering 'round where the kids' rooms are, feeling melancholy... both my wife and seem sort of lost, purposeless? No real tears, as both our kids are fantastic, well-rounded, independent young adults. But we worried more for him than or older daughter.... a nervous young man, totally feeling like a fish out of water when we said goodbye. Turns out he's already found himself a chess group, been to a pub a couple of times, joined up with an indoor rock climbing club, hasn't even started his classes yet LOL!
Leading up to all this, actually thought we'd be celebrating the newfound "freedom." Instead I feel almost like I'm mourning a lost family pet, or something vaguely like that, but deeper still. Have to relearn how to cook portions, and take on all his chores LOL! Not much time here to wallow in self pity. Over the past week I've got some new custom orders on the books, a lot of work you will see here, tooling etc. So, at least I have some direction can focus the initiative required to take care of those jobs. I think I might attend a guitar show as a vendor, either Edmonton or Saskatoon in November, so that will give me something extra to build up towards.
Enough about me! It is nice to be back here in the shop, sorting things out, boxing up orders, all that.
Well-Hungarian in Wicomico County, MD sent back a photo of his 2008 Gibson Custom Shop 335 wearing a "Carpetbagger" What a gorgeous pull-together. Says Doug: "Absolutely beautiful strap, excellent quality." There's more to this story, but thank you Doug, and welcome to the clan!
Doug actually got his strap via Paul, whom I mixed orders up with. Paul in Oregon was supposed to get a Purple Paisley strap, got this one by mistake. It was Doug way over in Maryland who purchased sunflower and got paisley. Anyway, these two gentlemen were so fine to deal with... both promptly mailing each other the proper goods all across the USA , refusing compensation offered. Can't say enough about how kind and accommodating they both were. A common joke/mindset up here in Canada is to endure or avoid 'mericans. I absolutely refute that after over a dozen years meeting, conversing and doing business with hundreds and hundreds of y'alls.
Canada, USA, even abroad across both big ponds, seems indicative of the sort of customer generally I've served over the past decade. Just good people, respectful, honest, solid wingmen sort of dudes seem to populate the Well-Hung tribe, and I am so graced and pleased to be able to meet, know and serve you all.
. Amazing artistry!
