I’ll try anything once. I may decide to never do it again but there’s no harm in trying something new. So I did just that.

The North Central Washington library offers some really interesting programs. I’ve done several on Zoom. The speakers and topics have all been great but the events I enjoy the most are the craft programs offered in person. I try to take advantage of as many as I can while up here in the spring and summer.

I was volunteering at the book sale in Cashmere on Founders Day when an event on the calendar caught my eye. Woodburning Coaster. Sounds intriguing. I know what a coaster is. But I claim ignorance of woodburning. I registered for the event.

Upon arrival I had to sign a waiver. Etching in wood with a hot pyrography pen can be dangerous. If I burned myself there would be no lawsuit. I’m Canadian. We don’t embrace lawsuits in the same way as Americans. So I eagerly completed and signed the waiver although I noticed other participants hesitantly complying.

I tentatively put on the silicone finger protectors provided and gingerly picked up the pen from its stand. Hmmmmm. I’d best stick to straight lines and curly lines. My attempt at a circle was unsuccessful. Practice time was now over and I flipped to the other side of the coaster where I would create my masterpiece.

I quickly concluded that freestyle was the way to go rather than drawing a design with a pencil. I experimented with different pressures and different strokes. The time went by quickly and I was pleased with the result. Not bad for a rookie!

And I might even try it again.