One minute you're here- the next minute you're gone..

It's late and I can't stay up all night and write so I'll keep this pretty short. What you see in the photo is a nicely organized set of frame building bits that no doubt were assembled and maintained to be at the ready for a journeyman frame builder. There are lots of pieces that come in handy - not hoarder  quantities but a fairly good supply. The builder who owned this stock was certain that he would be using these bits and was careful to keep sufficient numbers of each part. What he didn't have was sufficient years to use them- this builder died from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident a few months ago. I have written about him- his name is Ed Litton. 

So now I am the caretaker of these bits from Ed and other departed builders who were people I knew and admired. Most of these guys died at the age I am currently or thereabouts. I am nearing my 70th so my decades ahead might be few if any. I have had to sort through the shops of several builders in just the last few years. This makes me keenly aware of my own mortality and also a bit worried about the mess I will leave behind when I go. Will there be someone to sort through all the stuff I leave behind - find places and people who will make use of all the bits- bits that I will not live to use up ? Am I one of the last of my generation who actually gives a crap about this stuff and has the knowhow to make use of it ? These are questions that I can't answer, just as I have no answer for people who ask me how soon I am going to quit or 'retire' .........I once told the departed Bruce Gordon when he asked me what my retirement plan was.I said the following: " Bruce, it's the same as yours- "Found dead in shop" - but he was found dead in his house as he did actually find a way to retire. 

So- tune in next week, next month or next year- I hope to still be here, and maybe if I can empty out these drawers of bits and finish some of the projects left behind..... before all of my unfinished projects are left behind. I'm sure there will be a hell of a garage sale.