The Art of Asking Questions &#8211

Steve Ramsey of the “Woodworking for Mere Mortals” web site asked me to contribute an entry to his “inspiration project,” where woodworkers try to describe things that inspire.

I am no good at these things. When people ask me what inspires me, I stutter, spit and make no sense whatsoever.

Thanks to Jeff Burks and Peter Follansbee, I came up with a better answer to the question.

Jeff Burks pointed out the incredible “Art of Asking Questions” essays from the late 19th century. I have read them about 10 times now.

Peter Follansbee took me to the newly discovered joiner’s shop in Duxbury, Mass., which left me speechless, asking questions.

Together they are a document of what keeps me in the shop, in the library, at my keyboard.

Thanks to Steve Ramsey for asking me to participate.

— Christopher Schwarz

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