Archive for July, 2012
My grandfather repaired clocks as a hobby. I remember spending hours in his workshop just watching him tinker with his clocks. He repaired all sorts of timepieces from pocket watches to mantle clocks to the occasional long case clock.
His favorite timepieces to repair were cuckoo clocks. Their inner workings were complicated and delicate. He’d let me peek inside as he pointed out which mechanisms controlled the clock hands and which controlled the music that would play on the hour. Now that he’s passed away, I have those memories to hold on to and cherish.
Gourmet gift baskets are nice, but once you eat the contents the gift is finished. Whenever I attend a housewarming party, I try to give the new residents something they can actually use. Sometimes it’s a piece of cast iron cookware and other times it’s a monogrammed towel set.
A close friend of mine recently became a first time homeowner. He loves German culture and food, so I decided to buy him a housewarming gift that reflected his passion for all things German. In an antique shop I found an exquisite cuckoo clock carved in the Black Forest tradition. I’m sure my friend is going to appreciate the clocks’ heritage and craftsmanship.
Wild Cherry Timber
Wild Cherry timber is highly sought after for its rich reddish-brown color. Top of the line violins, cellos, and other string instruments are often carved from wild cherry. Furniture makers are also fond of the richly colored hardwood. I personally own two cherry grandfather clocks that chime on the hour from their home in my living room.
In North America, wild cherry timber is used for smoking. The smoke from wild cherry timber is distinctive and delectable when infused into meats. Gum from bark wounds make an excellent chewing gum substitute.