Mantel Installed

December 30:

On this beautiful day of our 44th Anniversary, Blacksmith Artist Matt Farrell arrives (with wife Sheri) for the installation of the Mantel for the Fireplace. Matt created the Mantel Support from themes I wanted to express as foundation for our Home. I have really enjoyed Matt's Blacksmith Art and am enchanted by his Ever Seeking Creative Spirit.

Plus, the fact that he is a Blacksmith was perfect too: Richard's Grandfather Jesse Sherman Crawford was a Blacksmith in an earlier time in this same County. There is much Family Lore and pride here.

So what about the Log which sits in the Mantel Support that Matt created? The Mantel piece is a hand hewn Log from the 1843 Homestead of Richard's Great Grandfather Abel Stukey. Abel would have been one of the early Homesteaders in Adair County. Jesse Sherman Crawford married Abel and Mandana Stukey's daughter Renatta, who was their youngest daughter. The Stukey Log Cabin was about 6 miles to the west of us in this very same County.

A few months ago, I asked Matt if he would undertake such a project, to which he responded with a characteristic Matt: "Sure!" And off he and the Log went to his Den of Creativity in the western part of this County.

Of course, on this Day, considerable effort went into the Installation. Where were those Wall Studs anyway? "Tap, tap, tap." "Where are those pictures of the Studs as they were marked?" The computer is humming away, and I find the pictures. Plus, having the piece look "just so" was right in the mix too. Oh, yes, level would be nice.

On this Day of installation, we are stunned at the Beauty of the Creation and Matt's Talents. Matt's Creation met and exceeded our expectations. We were so stunned, we didn't even take a picture of the finished Creation, or the Artist, or our Family. We were so in awe, that we just did a lot of looking at it over the remaining hours of the day. More pics will come later.

It is an honor and a privilege to be in the presence of someone so skilled. Such skill comes with years and years of experience and openness to the lessons along the path. Matt did our Family a great Honor in his Expression and Creation for our Little Home. Thank you, Matt.

During the installation, Richard's brother Hollis popped in with an anniversary card from he and Deleta. That was fitting. Hollis was responsible for saving Logs from the Stukey Cabin and later giving this Log to us. Hollis and Deleta both have a cherished sense of Family History through the Stories, Tools, Projects that the Ancestors have created. In a time of trashing just about everything, such an orientation is rare. We are deeply grateful. Without them, this little project could not have been completed. Thanks Hollis and Deleta!

After the installation, we had our own little Reception right here. Sheri had brought a yummy Cheese Ball and Crackers. I had made a Gluten Free Banana Nut Bread. Melanie made some Tea. We sat and enjoyed cherished time and space together. We are so grateful that Matt and Sheri have come into our lives here. In fact, it is hard to imagine a time when we didn't know them. The Creator has placed many special Beings along our Path.