Within a few minutes I was busy with my wood-cutting, and my shivers turned to sweat as I felled large willow stocks with a handsaw. The gray serenity of the sheltered willow patch was suddenly shattered by the sun as it broke through the clouds and istantly raised the temperature the few degrees necessary to liberate the forest from winter's icy grip. In that startling moment, the solid water was transfromed into liquid and I was caught in the shower that fell from the treetops, soaking me instantly from head to rubber boots. Rather than get upset at this turn of events, I paused to enjoy the moment, and regarded my sopping garments as a small price to pay for the privilege of witnessing an instantaneous change in season.Over the previous few years I had slowly come to the realization that my time spent as a lumberjack was my favorite part of building rustic furniture. What had begun as a difficult chore was now something I looked forward to. I finally understood that perhaps it was a longing to relate to Nature that had started my obsession with all things rustic. It was a seminal moment;I experienced a transformation so profoundly subtle that it took my breath away. Within a few seconds winter had changed back into fall. I stood, soaking wet, in awe of Nature's diverse splendor. The forest had engulfed me, surrounded me, and treated me like any other creature who enters its majesty. All of these events brought me to the realization that I was now connected in the most humbling way to the natural environment, as I had wanted so many years before when I began my career as a underwoodsman. I was amazed by my place in the world, and revelled in my own smallness. Mother Nature had shown me that like that deer I would come and go, leaving nothing for the annals of time to savor. I was filled, as I had been once standing at the presipice of the Grand Cayon, with an overwhelming illustration of my insignificance. From this perspective, I was now able to truly appreciate the value of Nature: its diversity, randomness, and a magical allure.Next