~MiDaS, the story continues~

The day I extracted MiDaS from the beavers dam.

So I was walking in the rain, soaked to the bone, carrying this stick I had retrieved from a beavers dam. I stopped here, at the merck shelter to dry off. My prize, a walking stick, hewn from a tree, by the master cutter itself.

We went home. I put MiDaS under the porch and let him dry for a few weeks.

Finally, I retrieved it and cut it to length. Ever do something and it just feels right? Like your hands know the task before you ever put them on the project of the day. When I cut it, I looked at it, and without any real planning I went to it. End result, perfect fit.

Over the next two weeks I spent treating it with my favorite oil(coconut) and I did this multiple times a day.

Anyway, I spent some time sanding and manicuring it, until I began using it on a daily basis. even in the crude form, it still was beautiful. I toted it around with me everywhere I went.

It's top looks like an open hand with sharp claws, just ready to hold something.

My mother gave me some jewelry making supplies, and gave me a few lessons on how to use them. When I began to dig through them I found the perfect cap stone. It has a bluish blended through it's rich black color.

After some tinkering with how to fit it and mount it, I connected the two by wrapping it in silver jewelry wire. Then, it needed some luster so I added a few coats of lacquer, and it was well on it's journey.

This is slag. The remnants of the completed smelting process after desired minerals are extracted.

Somedays, I just need something to lean on. He's right there. At this point we've gone to a few places and taken some pictures together. It's been interesting to see peoples reactions to the presence of such an object. Sometimes, people say "Nice walking stick", sometimes I get funny looks, but hey I suppose it is uncommon to see something like MiDaS in daily life. I don't know if I've ever seen anyone carrying a well decorated walking stick before. Hopefully, I will see more uncommon objects as the days go by.

At this point, we have traveled 7200 miles for the last eight months, encountered many people, and it's been a joy for me to have along.

I have been inspired artistically because of it. I have come into a new occupation, and a lot of things in my life have changed quite drastically since this magical object came into my life.

One example, I use it as a tool for exercising, I lost 30 pounds and got somewhat in shape. I honestly can't remember a time in my life that I have felt so secure about my physical appearance.

I was also taught how to use it as a tool for horse training, for defining boundaries and parameters between horse and trainer. As a result to this I also learned how to create and maintain space between myself and other people. This wouldn't have happened without the assistance of my friends and of course MiDaS.

Here we are.

Thanks for stopping by. MiDaS will be having more adventures, you'll hear from us again soon.