It's in the Details

My brother-in-law, Gary Guimond, besides being one of my favorite people, is an exceptional woodworker.  He is Bill's youngest brother and there is 11 years between them.  Bill, Rick, Robert and Gary are Betty's boys through and through.  They all have the strong ethic and character taught through a strong mother and woman.  

As I said, Gary is an exceptionally skilled woodworker.  He has always had an area in his house where he could work on projects for his home and for others.  He never did it professionally, but his work shows the skill and the care of a professional.

Gary and Carol moved to Lyman, SC in 2013, shortly after we did.  The home that they purchased had a large garage which was soon expanded to create a full woodshop for Gary. It wasn't long before he was fully operational and he began working on pieces for their home. 

He soon started working on small pieces; toys, cars, dogs, crickets, spinners, ping pong shooters and little pull toys. At first glance, so simple, yet so perfectly crafted, so exceptionally finished. Carol and Gary were going to do the Farmer's Market and events that occur almost every weekend here is the Upstate of South Carolina.  

We have been at the shows where Carol and Gary set up a booth, and it is always so well stocked and displayed.  Gary's "job" was production and Carol's was "marketing" and they both did their job perfectly.   There were always children at their booth.  In a world where every toy is made to make noise and engage a child with a screen, there is no greater pleasure than witnessing the wonder of a child with a simple wooden toy.  

The spinners Gary creates are always so popular too.  At the face of them, you don't take into consideration the level of work they require. It isn't until you looked further at the perfectly cut pieces, the precision of all the edges and the careful painting that you recognize and appreciate Gary's skill. This is typical of Gary.  He puts so much attention into the details.  

Visits to their home usually involved a trip out to the woodshop to see Gary's latest creations.  A stop in the shop always delighted the senses.  To see all the various stages of work. To smell all the fresh cut wood and to feel the sawdust under foot. Gary works very precisely, and the shop is organized with all the different stages of production.  I always walked away amazed.  He works efficiently, as one who pays attention to detail.  It is evident everywhere in that shop. 

Gary is not one to boost or brag.  He does good work, excellent work, but when you point it out to him, he waves it aside.  He's uncomfortable with the attention on himself, with the praise for his skill.  He is aware of his skill, but he doesn't enjoy the spotlight on himself.  It's much more than that for him; he does what he does because he enjoys it.  He does what he does because he has a giving heart. 

After doing the shows for years, Carol and Gary have a routine and have developed steady customers. Their booth is always a favorite and they do very well wherever they go.  

At the shows, Gary is the 'muscle'.  He unloads the tubs and toys and Carol sets up the display.  After the booth was set up, Gary tried to fade into the background.  Carol was the saleswoman and Gary is there at the end of the day to help load up the truck - he didn't need any more than that.  He was more comfortable having Carol interact with the customers.  But I've been to the shows, Gary doesn't fade into the background, Carol will not allow that.  Carol is quick to point out the master of the toys and he always appreciates and thanks the compliments.  

It was during one of the shows that they met Amy Moore.  Amy is the owner and craftswoman behind Inglenook & Co.  Amy started out making handmade soaps and quickly ventured out to candles, men's products and whimsical handmade items.  Gary started making wooden soap dishes for Amy, and over the course of four years, he has supplied her with more than 1,000 dishes.  Amy was so pleased with his work that she asked him to design and create a wooden cart that she can use for her shows.  It needed to be sturdy, practical and able to be moved easily.  It also needed to be attractive because after it was used to haul the supplies, she would use it for display.  Not an easy task, but she went to the right man.  Gary created that first cart for her and then went on to create three more for her.  I've seen the carts. They are perfect from the wood he chose, the corners, the durability and the finished surface. Gary's skill is evident in every inch of his work. 

In addition to the woodworking, Gary loves working in their yard.  They have both created a wonderful oasis of vegetable, fruit trees and flowers.  Sprinkled in are bird baths, bird feeders, whimsical metal art and fountains.  A visit to their house usually included me walking around with my camera taking photos of all the beautiful blooms and views. 

They both love to garden, and they are both good at it.  They take the time to learn the plants, the soil, the exact conditions needed to grow their tomatoes, snap peas, figs, cucumbers, zucchini and peppers. Every year they had enough to eat, share and store for the winter.  We are fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of their bounty and we most appreciate, and enjoy, their efforts. 

As beautiful as the the outside of the home is, it is the inside where you feel the true love.  As soon as you walk in the front door, you feel at home. We've been to their home more times than I can count, and each and every time, we are greeted with hugs from Gary and Carol.  The very first step into their home fills you with love and welcomes you. 

And then you smell something wonderful cooking.  Both Carol and Gary love to cook, and they are good at it.  Whatever they are baking, you can almost guarantee that it contains something that they grew in their garden.  Carol and I are both vegetarians, and Carol attends to our portion of the meal.  Gary takes care of Bill - he usually has a steak or burgers ready to go out on the grill. 

As you walk further into their home, and into their kitchen, you see the dining table all laid out with the best of everything:  napkins, glassware, silver and china.  Carol has many beautiful pieces from her family and she is a master at using them.  Every detail has been attended to, and is perfect. 

We spend a lot of time outside on their back porch.  We are so comfortable and content in each other's company and we relax, tell stories, and eat.  We sit, drink wine and beer and snack while we watch Missy and Sammy chase each other around the back yard.  We feel so at ease with each other, it has become a treasured friendship. It's such a perfect spot, their back yard, their home, and it is because they created this heaven.  They put a lot of thought into making it comfortable, not only for their use, but for their guests as well.  

Carol is a gem.  She has become such a dear and close friend not only to me, but to Bill and Missy too.  She has never come to our house without a toy for Missy.  Missy remembers things like that! Missy adores Carol and Carol adores Missy.  

Carol is the perfect match for Gary.  She is strong, yet gentle and she completes Gary in ways that make them both whole. Gary has softened and slowed down in the years with Carol.  To be in the company of them both is to know that they share a deep love and a deep friendship. 

Because of COVID, most of the shows that Carol and Gary had scheduled were cancelled.  That left them with a lot of toys.  A contact at Shriner's Children's Hospital arranged to have all of the toys delivered to the children just in time for a Christmas party that they were having for the children.  To have all this fall into place, and for all the children to have a new handmade toy created by Gary - I can think of no greater gift.  

First glance and you think you have Gary figured out.  Tall, bearded man.  Dressed in flannels and jeans with a Miller Light in his hand.  But you have to look closer or else you could miss the details.  The love that he found in Carol and his life in Lyman, his delight in creating and sharing his work, his garden, his home. 

Unlike his toys, Gary is not "polished around the edges" but make no mistake, he is suited and content with his edges.  It's the edges after all that help make up the person, that make up the man that he is.  It's when you get past the edges that you glimpse the man.  Go beyond the edges and you are rewarded with a kind heart, a dear friend and a good man.  Gary you are loved.