Strangest Day at the Fair I have ever had

just_sawing · August 16, 2011, 09:16:22 AM

I demostrate at the Wilson county fair every year. This year people have been contacting me to go get their logs to saw. I have a setup that I can do this but while riding in a Lexus to see some logs I got a Phone Call
"Mister Haney"
Were at witts end and don't know what to do. My something somethings brother has died we don't have the money for the funeral and have got permission to bury him on the phone. We have to have a Coffin and talked to every one and decided that you would know what to do.
At this point heck woods wood I will donate.
Then the kicker "He is in the cooler and begening to deteriorate and we need it tomorrow. Could you do it.
Did you catch the point that I am at the wilson County Fair demostaaating my Wood Mizer.
What the heck, I might as well but do you understand that I am basically going to have to build this with a sawmill and Chain Saw.
OK
Sunday Morning
Bring the Log truck home pick up Poplar
Go to my new home that I am remodeling to get screws and such
Now I get out at my new place walk back and step with in 6 inches of a eastern rattler in my yard. He doesn;t strike (I have tennis shoes and short Pants on). I do though. Now I have a beheaded 4 foot rattler and a southern up bringing that doesn't like to waste things.
I now have gone to the fair and in front of everybody skin and mount the the snake hide.
I now decided that since we are also building a casket today I might as well have mom cook the rattle also.
I start the project and here comes the Blacksmith (What are you doing?) building a Coffin (You need Handle for that)
They go off and have a class on Coffin Handles and a Cross.
The Woodcarvers What's his nem and then take a board and proceed to carve his name and dates.
It was 10 PM in front of a few thousand people but we got it done.

just_sawing · August 16, 2011, 09:23:22 AM

IF I can get the photo upload to work (Web site appears down I will post pictures

GeneH · August 16, 2011, 09:31:36 AM

I hope that upload works, got to see some pics of that!

just_sawing · August 16, 2011, 09:52:52 AM

just_sawing · August 16, 2011, 09:53:53 AM

ely · August 16, 2011, 10:01:44 AM

i will agree on the strange day thing.... i will add that you guys did a bang up job for getting stuff done off the cuff.

GeneH · August 16, 2011, 10:04:38 AM

Nice job! Was the snake tasty?

WH_Conley · August 16, 2011, 10:25:37 AM

Serves the same purpose as a 5k box. Better yet, it was built by people that have love and respect for their fellow man, know them or not. Good job.

zopi · August 16, 2011, 11:40:22 AM

I would much rather be buried in that box than one which cost more than my mill....

Coon · August 16, 2011, 11:58:01 AM

My hats off to you sir. Thanks for sharing the weird day at the fair.

Magicman · August 16, 2011, 12:21:39 PM

smiley_clapping to you and all involved. What an honor, not only for you, but for the departed also.

Bill Gaiche · August 16, 2011, 02:35:39 PM

just_sawing, there for a moment I thought maybe the casket was for you sence I hadnt heard anything from you sence I visited you at the fair last year. You all did a good worthy deed for your fellow man. This will be talked about by the person who died kin folks and friends for a long time. bg

Peter Drouin · August 16, 2011, 03:00:41 PM

Good Job smiley_clapping smiley_clapping

mad murdock · August 16, 2011, 03:42:47 PM

Awesome story, great job on the box. You guys did alright on all counts 8) 8)

two tired · August 16, 2011, 05:26:46 PM

it makes me proud to live in a country like America and have fellow americans like you, and may you and all those that helped receive a blessing for your kindnes

forestry mick · August 16, 2011, 11:57:37 PM

smiley_clapping smiley_clapping

Brad_bb · August 17, 2011, 09:41:56 AM

I thought the next thing you were going to tell us was that he wasn't Christian, and the box was too short!

What a pickle that would be ;D

DoubleD · August 17, 2011, 03:38:54 PM

My hat off to you smiley_clapping

Vern · August 17, 2011, 07:56:52 PM

best story I have heard on here hope........ God heeps many blessing on you....thanks for sharing it

mikerat · August 18, 2011, 09:11:03 PM

My wife and I were looking at the casket and both thought what a great send off! I would be honored to be buried in that casket! A very nice job done with care, love and what's at hand, that's all anyone could ask for.

Mike

just_sawing · August 23, 2011, 05:01:55 PM

Now that I am Back home I can give a roundup of how it ended.
First of all the coffin did hold up (I had nightmares about that.)
They picked him up and then at the grave site they found that as deep as the dug the grave they did not have rope long enough to lower him down.
Southern ingenuity they had a ladder so they place the latter in the hole sat the coffin on the ladder and slide him in.
He's there; the family can grieve and not have a debt they can't afford.
So all is well.
By the way grilled Rattler is right tasty with a Carolina Barbeque sauce.