The tale of Archie’s Poombah

Transcona

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/03/2024 (904 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After crossing the street recently to visit my neigbourrs, their four-year-old son Archie took hold of my diamond willow walking stick and wouldn’t let go. This incident took me back many years, to when I was his age and an incident I hadn’t thought of for years. Though I was too young to remember, my parents and relatives often mentioned and chuckled over me finding an oddly shaped branch, which I wouldn’t let go of and called a “Poombah’

Looking back, it appears I’ve had a lifelong attraction to pieces of wood. Whenever I see an interesting piece, I look it over carefully and in some cases take it home for further scrutiny. When I’m out on a hike, I scan trees along the trail, looking for a long, strong, staff of wood I can use to navigate uneven terrain and beat off ferocious beasts. When finished my hike, if I’m not going to keep my staff, I leave it in a conspicuous place along the trail for another hiker

Many years ago, a friend introduced me to the unique designs Mother Nature embosses onto some willow, turning it into diamond willow. Hunting for it became a favourite pastime and I spend many enjoyable hours looking for prospective pieces, which I take home to season. When well-seasoned I remove the bark, exposing the beauty etched into the wood. After removing unecessary protuberances I give the stick a good sanding and apply three coats of Varathane. After adding a rubber tip and a wrist strap, I have a unique, one-of-a-kind diamond willowwalking stick or cane. I have crafted many over the years, have given some to friends, donated some to worthwhile fundraising events and thrift stores, and I also have dealers selling them. As I am getting on, I recently started using one for a cane and donate canes to friends of a similar age.

Back across the street with Archie, I realized by his attraction to my walking stick that he – like me at a similar age – has a Poombah addiction and deserves one of his own, which you can see him holding in the accompanying photo.