Dell and wood.

Dell enjoyed working with wood on many levels.

Dell had a way with wood.  He knew it and how to manipulate it.  It was never his business but certainly entertained much of his pastime.  Indirectly he used it for frames, forms,  and scree boards.  He made gifts with it.  He built furniture with it.  Dell would cut firewood by swede saw and ax.  He was especially gifted at making fires without the benefit of paper or accelerators. 

In 1980 I spent a considerable amount of time at the place Dell and Charles had rented out.  It was a house like any other in the neighbourhood, but it had the special appeal of being a place where our eclectic group could relax and play cards or listen to music.  The furniture in the living room was Dell's creation.  Made in high school (I think) out of hardwood and fabric, the collapsable ensemble was as comfortable as it was unique.  It was one of my earliest impressions of him.

In 1982 I had the pleasure of staying at the Silk Residence at Terrace Park for the summer.  His mother's birthday was being celebrated and he made her a cutting board.  It was no ordinary culinary device though, as it had arms that rotated into position to help hold whatever item was being carved.  With roast beef in mind, the device would use skewers to make the roast behave to allow a proper and safe carving.  Again, I was astounded by his inventiveness.

I worked with him at numerous construction sites where he would use forms to mould concrete to his will.  He had many ways to connect and move them into position; he was never at a loss when a problem cropped up.  His fondness for tools was also amazing, but that is another story.

It was his passion for camping though where his love of wood came into its own.  He could fell, dispatch, and transport a dead tree in record time.  He could build a fire without the use of starter; a single match was often all that was required.  It was always satisfying to watch him at the process.  He would prepare kindling with ax and knife and lay the groundwork for its beginning.  Curling small slivers of wood off a larger piece would give him the tinder he needed.  Starting the fire, the tiny embers glowed as he carefully guided each member into position to gain the best access to heat and oxygen.  Once the tinder was going a layer of kindling was added, again with precision and scrutiny.  Then, larger timber was added in an increasing thickness until a blazing fire lay where only cold ashes had laid before.

He would enjoy every fire.  It was a place to cook, to tell stories, to play cards, and to contemplate life.  In a way, fire was in his soul.  Like the wood he loved, it burned within him and gave light to so many others around him.

Thanks for reading.   www.ericspix.com   Eric Svendsen