Upon choosing the moniker, THE WORDWRIGHT, some could view it as presumptuous, but believe me, the title has been long in coming. Roy Underhill, The WOODWRIGHT, has entertained and taught thousands of wood workers (and wanabees) who have enjoyed and appreciated his period approach to woodworking – and goes many steps further back than Norm Abram who has every tool and machine imaginable. It is Roy Underhill’s opinion that “the brain is the ultimate power tool”. Roy takes his viewers back to the days before power tools and all the gadgets to make dovetails and fancy joints in woodworking. Rarely do we see even a band aid on Norm’s hands but Roy laughs about a nick here and there – even worked with stitches in plain view (he must have nearly cut his finger off one time!). Roy shows techniques of woodworking from as far back as the 18th century. About the same time his television show was catching on, Roy moved to Williamsburg, Va., to accept the position of master housewright at Colonial Williamsburg, where he also served as director of interpretive development. So Roy is not exactly the sometimes fumbling character he portrays. They are, shall we say, the extremes of then and now – if you want to see how it used to be done, Roy’s the guy to watch (appreciate his skills and enjoy his humor). If you have a healthy bank account and want to see the latest tools or machines, Norm Abram is your man. A casual search will find either ROY UNDERHILL, the Woodwright or NORM ABRAM, the Master Carpenter – both on public TV.
What’s with this term WORDWRIGHT? For hundreds of years the suffix “wright” has been attached to assorted trades: Wheelwright — makes wheels; Shipwright — makes ships; Cartwright — makes carts; Housewright — makes houses; Playwright — writes plays and of course there were Orville and Wilbur Wright, who made airplanes! (The wisdom in wit about the different “wrights” is adapted from Roy Underhill’s website.)
The WORDWRIGHT works with WORDS – naturally. There is a certain wonder to words. Rarely do I write anything without reaching for my dictionary to be sure I have chosen the precise word – now some will find I used the wrong word and tell me about it. In today’s world of word processors, computers, scanners and printers to fit every pocketbook there are few excuses left for someone to claim they can’t write. I am not thinking about writing the epoch novel of the century, or even a small booklet – how about writing home (if you’ve been away too long)? How about writing a Thank You note? Most of us will never write many best sellers but let’s move the rail down a bit.
Naturally one has to define the subject but as a matter of fact, there is a lot to write (or say) about nearly anything that goes on. In the house. In the neighborhood. In the church. At the school meeting. In the city. In the county. In the state. In the nation. Well, I guess, since you put it that way, there IS a lot to say, isn’t there?
You can be a writer too — oh, you may not consider yourself capable, but whenever you have an opportunity to express yourself, e.g., by writing to the newspaper Letters to the Editor, you are a writer. So when you have something to say, write it down (better RE-read it though, maybe a couple times) and mail it to the person or persons involved. A suggestion: if the subject is controversial and you wrote it “right away”, sometimes it is better to write it, then allow yourself time to cool off (24 hours will usually do it), then pick it up the next day, read it again and if you still like the way you wrote it, MAIL IT! (Some such missives are often thrown in the trash can once we read them again.)
You have the necessary tools at your fingertips — you’re using a computer to SEE this, so unless you do not have a word processing program, you are “on your way” — so get to it. If your Mom & Dad are still around, communication is always in order. If you’re the Mom or Dad, the same thing applies with the kid(s). Or write to a teacher or mentor you appreciated in school — do it before they’re gone! Computers and the Internet have been a great enabling factor with e-mail — so, “What’s there to say?” Just think about it — you will probably come up with a lot to say. FAMILY is always in need of communication — that cross word or old sore of a family dispute that is old enough to be settled, or that word of encouragement or love left unexpressed, grab a Kleenex and think about it — then do it! WRITE! ###