Kathrin, our cash manager, arrived just a bit later. We all contribute voluntarily, for it´s our having a ball we pay for, if that makes sense... ;-). Kathrin quite certainly does a way better job than I did, and we are able to act flexibly now. This shows, for instance in the fact that one ton of coal just arrived, providing us with fuel for the months to come, at a right bargain price. Thanks, Kathrin!
The area is just cool and relaxing. And it breathes heritage. This oak was planted as a memorial by our senior blacksmith when he was young. It is a kind of symbol for us, for the responsibility, but also for the tradition, and a legitimation at the same time. The Ahlhauser Hammer is more than just some smithy, but goes back to medieval times. All of that time there have been smiths working there, and our humble efforts, as feeble as they might seem when compared even to the achievements of our senior blacksmith, are all that´s left. And the sorry truth is, since a guy like our senior blacksmith, who is a master in all but the title does not want to share his knowledge with us, we have to figure it out for ourselves. We ask iron itself, and iron answers.
The atmosphere is idyllic and peaceful. But there is something lurking, something I cannot yet figure out. Not a curse, exactly, but something that is waiting to be put right. Sorry if I am sounding like some esoteric tart, but I can´t put it any other way.
The place quite certainly has a rhythm of its own, and I still cannot figure out, that´s the thing. But I keep trying, and I try to blend in. Even the owner and master of the smithy did not figure this out, and even if he lives there, did not blend in to that rhythm... and there is something wrong there, something like one tiny gear that does not meet with others, a cog that is not that important for the functionality of the whole thing, but that continues to disturb the motion of it all. As I said, sorry, but I cannot but it into better words.
We all try to figure it out. And we all do it our way. And since spring is on its way, most came by bike. That was kind of a cool vibe.
I like how this picture tells a story. A story of a couple that does not have a life that is exactly easy. A story of two persons that are not the easiest persons. But that story has a happy ending that shows in the way they interact with one another.
I, however, mostly interact with fire and steel... ;-) and this came out. It was inspired by a product of jorgencraft:
http://jorgencraft.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_99&product_id=130
and was inspired by the find of a knife found at Biskupin, Poland. Unfortunately I could not find a picture of the original...
Then Natalie arrived, daughter of my favourite misanthrope, Willy. She did a ride through the thicket and just dropped by to say hello and make some funny faces... ;-)
It was a cool day at the smithy, one we did not have for quite a long time, to be honest, and we feed on experiences like this, of course. I look forward to many more days like this!
