A Little Discovery

How did they do this before power saws? I wonder out loud, my arms aching and sweat running down my forehead. I am not making any progress cutting the log.

My cousin nods without looking up and says, They worked in pairs. He wandered by and saw me struggling and offered to hold the log for me.

After a few (four) more logs and more aching and much sweat, I begin to get a feel for the saw and how it wants to cut. I stop and look at my cousin.

This is one of those things, I say, that you only learn by doing.

He stares at me evidently waiting for me to finish my thought. But there is nothing more for me to say. That was my thought.

You know, I say to him, one of those things you cannot do well until you've done it several times.

He nods silently. I can only imagine what he is thinking, being no stranger to trees and logs and saws himself. I sense he sees nothing profound in my little discovery.

I continue my explanation, This saw works best when the blade is horizontal, not at an angle, otherwise it binds.

He nods again, this time with a little more animation.

Now he understands my point, I tell myself as I return to the task at hand.

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