Congratulations Addison, for taking the science of metals and using your creativity to pursue a passion. Sharing your work via writing and teaching helps bring awareness and interest to this profession, and may help inspire youth. "Choose a job you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life" (Confucius).
Once again you brought back a ton of memories, Not only of magazines, I like you am an insatiable reader, but also an admirer of blacksmiths.
Having had horses, I learned many years ago that blacksmiths did more than shoe horses. Those that did that were called farriers when they did it.
Blacksmiths were totally essential when the world relied on live fires to survive. They forged the pots and pans to cook the food. The spits and andirons to facilitate the task.
Farriers were essential to keep horses stable during their routines of heavy work.
Today farriers are as essential except in the showring or on the racetrack.
The best farrier I ever experienced was Lincoln Chaffee He went to farrier school in No. Dakota and before politics was in demand for showhorse work in doing corrective shoeing for showhorse who may have a tic in their stride, particularly in dressage. He could observe a horse walking, see the problem by creating a protective shoe. There are some who say he should have stuck with unique expertise. Just sayin.
Excellent piece, Paul. Wow, you were way ahead of me in understanding what blacksmiths did. Yes, of course, the farrier was the shoe guy. Funny bit about the farrier politician. Keep writing.
What an enlightening piece you and your nephew have written here. Like you, I was unaware of the extensive work blacksmiths do, far beyond horseshoes. Addison has found a wonderful and important niche to pursue for his life's work.
Congratulations Addison, for taking the science of metals and using your creativity to pursue a passion. Sharing your work via writing and teaching helps bring awareness and interest to this profession, and may help inspire youth. "Choose a job you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life" (Confucius).
Lora K
Thanks, Lora. Addison is at home in his field. How nice.
Ed,
Once again you brought back a ton of memories, Not only of magazines, I like you am an insatiable reader, but also an admirer of blacksmiths.
Having had horses, I learned many years ago that blacksmiths did more than shoe horses. Those that did that were called farriers when they did it.
Blacksmiths were totally essential when the world relied on live fires to survive. They forged the pots and pans to cook the food. The spits and andirons to facilitate the task.
Farriers were essential to keep horses stable during their routines of heavy work.
Today farriers are as essential except in the showring or on the racetrack.
The best farrier I ever experienced was Lincoln Chaffee He went to farrier school in No. Dakota and before politics was in demand for showhorse work in doing corrective shoeing for showhorse who may have a tic in their stride, particularly in dressage. He could observe a horse walking, see the problem by creating a protective shoe. There are some who say he should have stuck with unique expertise. Just sayin.
Paul
Excellent piece, Paul. Wow, you were way ahead of me in understanding what blacksmiths did. Yes, of course, the farrier was the shoe guy. Funny bit about the farrier politician. Keep writing.
What an enlightening piece you and your nephew have written here. Like you, I was unaware of the extensive work blacksmiths do, far beyond horseshoes. Addison has found a wonderful and important niche to pursue for his life's work.
Yes, he is an excellent craftsman, writer, and teacher. He certainly enlightened me.
I just received this
Bullwinkle J. Moose's distinctive rendition of "The Village Blacksmith"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMbsw4sPhEA
from my history professor friend, Luther Spoehr, who will be featured in next week's blog