The not for sale item!

[Rolf]

This was brought up in another discussion.  I always have a not for sale conversation starter in my booth and at our annual woodworking show. 

One year I had made a Intarsia piece of a Cardinal and dogwood flowers (Homer and Carol Bishop design)  for my Mom after my Dad had passed, it was their favorite bird. After my Mom passed it came back to me. 

I had it on display in our booth as my mom was usually at our shows, my sisters also had adjacent tables.  Well the daughter of one of the other vendors came up and asked how much the Cardinal was, I told her it was not for sale, a few minutes later her Mom came up and asked me the same ?. And then got very upset when I said not for sale. Her comment " why would you display something that is not for sale".  I told her the reason, she then told me that she had never seen a cardinal in her yard until the day after her Dad died, when one landed on the railing of her deck. That was why she wanted it. Needles to say we both got very emotional. I did not sell it. 

At our clubs woodworking shows We do scrolling presentations and lots of show and tell of things made with the scroll saw. I have two of my clocks on display. They draw people in like crazy, especially the Flying pendulum clock. 

Edited February 6, 2021 by Rolf

[Bill WIlson]

The cardinal is beautiful Rolf.  I understand the emotional attachment.  My wife has the same affinity for cardinals, since her Dad died.  I think there is old folklore about the sighting of a cardinal after the death of a loved one.  Somewhere along the line, that folklore got wrapped up in some religious beliefs as well.  Not sure I buy all of it, but I do understand the symbolism and appreciate the sentiment.  We have a house full of cardinal paraphernalia.   

[Karl S]

I remember a saying "When cardinals appear, Angels are near.

"I always liked the saying,