Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA
>Good afternoon all

Yesterday I had the utterly detestable chore of driving to Walmart to pick up a few things which could not be gotten anywhere else (at least anywhere else that I knew of). I cannot stand going to these big stores, and this has got to be one of the biggest I have ever seen. Anyway, good things still happen on bad trips, and I thought I would post a pic of some good fortune.

On the way out to the store I noticed a huge field where all the tree lines (windbreaks) had been taken down, and saw some huge logs lying there. So, on the way home, I stopped to ask after the wood. I was referred to the logging supervisor, who turned out to be a very nice guy with a passion for woodworking, although not for turning. The large logs were slated for the mill, but he told me to return today and he would have something for me.

When I returned this morning, I discovered this wild cherry log, and the burl sitting next to it. I asked him what he wanted for it, and he replied, "make me an offer". I offered to make him a bowl out of the wood. I said I didn't really know how to go about offering any money, since I have never paid for it in the past. ;-) He thought that was a great idea, and proceeded to load the log in my truck. He did this with a huge machine the size of my shop, with a giant claw on the end. All I did was sit in the truck and hope the log didn't come through the window.

The log is about 12' long, and is close to 17" or so at the butt. The top is about 10" in diameter. It is very gnarly, but I did not see any burls on the big log. The short log sitting next to it has two large burls, about 12" in diameter or so.

The next problem is getting it out of the truck. It looks like a job for the tractor and a chain. Stay tuned for some natural edged bowls. I think I like wild cherry even better than black cherry. It has a wonderful smell to it, the grain is often wild, and many times curly, and even the sapwood is interesting.

Thanks for taking a peek.

Bill