A Puzzling Journey - Part II

Part II - So, Why Woodworking?

Originally part of the December 2024 edition of the Mercurius Newsletter.

When I joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) at 19, I trained in electronics, airfield equipment maintenance, and network administration, all with a military flavour. Then, for reasons that could fill an entire side-quest of its own (that I’ll spare you here… for now), I went on to earn a degree in astrophysics, with some computer programming thrown in for fun, and commissioned as an Officer. Since then, I’ve held back-to-back positions in Canada’s Space defence: project officer on a Satellite Communications project, Orbital Analysis Officer, and finally Training Officer for all Space professionals in the CAF.

So, how did I end up in woodworking, of all things? Turns out, when your day job involves untouchable satellites orbiting hundreds or thousands of kilometers above the Earth, combined with sitting at a computer all day, there's something deeply gratifying about working with your hands. It fills a deeply engrained desire to create something tangible right in front of you.

Before joining the Forces, I briefly worked with my father in home construction. When I bought my first house, a 1970s 'handyman-special' bungalow, my budget barely covered the mortgage. Too stubborn (or just too broke) to hire anyone for renovations, I took my father up on his offer to help. I picked up some basic tools and quickly learned the essentials: framing windows, running plumbing and electrical, building a deck, and basic carpentry.

With each new military posting across the country and each new house every few years, I upgraded my tools and honed my skills. Eventually, I built a decent set of kitchen cabinets from scratch, complete with a built-in dining bench that doubled as pantry storage. There was some basic furniture along the way (with mixed results), a live-edge pendant light fixture over the dining table (which also serves as a plant shelf, a favourite of my spouse), and Pinterest-worthy hexagonal shelves inspired by beehives, recessed lighting included, for our tea and coffee mugs. I even crafted those shelves from leftover maple flooring I’d installed throughout the main level of our home.

Somewhere along the way, I started making end-grain cutting boards and other small wooden items. I discovered I genuinely enjoyed crafting things from wood, and I wasn’t half bad at it either. Then, about two and a half years ago, I stumbled across a fascinating book. I didn’t expect it, nor was I planning on it, but it took me down a peculiar, niche path.

Some of you may already have an idea which book I’m alluding to. But more on that in the next instalment...