I stood there in front of the kitchen stove, well balanced with feet placed shoulder width apart, poised for the task at hand. It was one of the few occasions when I was allowed to simultaneously occupy the inner sanctum of my wife's kitchen to assist her in preparing dinner.
My assigned task was to chop up and brown ground beef in a non-stick skillet with a wooden spoon-like instrument that had a thin flat edge, certainly well suited for the task.
Well into the task there was a loud sharp CRAAACK that echoed through the kitchen. Much to my dismay, the wooden implement had broken, the handle still in my hand and the business end keeping the ground beef company in the skillet.
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/Com-Pac%20Sun%20Cat%20Mods/IMG_0492.jpg)
My wife (for 45 years) reacted like the world was coming to an end. She unleashed a tirade at me which included the fact that the wooden instrument was indeed one of her favorites, impossible to find in stores anymore, and that, once again, my heavy handedness had caused damage to something.
Summarily dismissed from the inner sanctum I proceeded to the garage and, with the thought of somehow replacing it in the back of my mind, set the broken pieces aside on my workbench among the myriad pieces of stuff I continue to pile up there. They remained there for several weeks while I was consumed with working on a set of Saloon Doors for the companionway of my sailboat.
Then, one day in the process of fabricating the doors, I held in my hand a left over piece of wood whose dimensions immediately struck me as ideal for making a replacement for the broken wooden "spoon".
Using the broken pieces as a guide, I "improved" the design by making the handle slightly longer and thicker, and the business end edge slightly wider and longer (for strength) as well. After cutting, shaping, sanding, and liberally coating with mineral oil the replacement was ready.
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/Com-Pac%20Sun%20Cat%20Mods/IMG_0493.jpg)
When presented the replacement "spoon" my wife was genuinely surprised and delighted, not only because she had her "favorite" wooden spoon back, but because she was secure in the knowledge that I deeply loved her still.
capt_nemo
what a nice story, and well written! jt
When will be allowed back into the "inner sanctum"; and will you ever be allowed to use "the wooden spoon"?
very entertaining.
your writing skills are in line with your fine woodworking abilities.
thanks for sharing, cc
Very nice, Capt.
Nice to stay in the Admirals good graces. I can't help but noticing a resemblance to a spoon blade oar. Coincidence? I think not.
Bob23
Nemo, you suck-up!
TG
Hummmmm, damn lucky boy.
I'm not allowed in the kitchen ...
skip
So sweet! :)