We are to move out on Monday and have a van lined up for the job. So Saturday we take a well-deserved day off and loaf around the house and get ready for the final push to pack up and go home.
Monday arrives and it’s off to the races packing and moving and getting ready for home.
I arrange to extend my access pass for one more day so that I can hand out a few gifts to the people that have helped me out the most in my time here at Kohler. I’ve only got about an hour to spare today because of our move out deadline so it will have to be brief goodbyes and thanks for everyone. First stop is Brass Bob in the brass foundry. He’s been so patient with me and cheerfully accommodating my many brass pours. I’ve genuinely enjoyed hanging around with him. Next up, Robin and I are looking for Larry. It is bittersweet to say goodbye and thanks to Larry, he’s been such a help to me and it’s been a pleasure to make his acquaintance. Robin and I find him on his break in the downstairs lunchroom and chat with him for about 15 minutes before it’s time for us to go. I also drop off bells for Pete and Henry. They both have been gracious enough to let me horn in on their sand pours all this time making my small molds for the saw handles. There are a few other gifts for people that I’ve entrusted Gregory to see that they find their way to the right people.
What can I say about Gregory and Beth except that they have been absolutely great to work with. They are both artists, so they know how artists think and what their needs are. Gregory has really gone above and beyond the call of duty helping me out, especially concerning my saw project. He’s gone out of his way, even on his own personal time, to help me out. Beth has been a real advocate for the artists and I’ve always marveled at her good cheer. The Arts/Industry program is lucky to have them both. I now consider them friends and I hope our paths cross often.
We don’t actually pull out of Kohler until 5:00 so a few hours later than expected, but we miss Chicago rush hour traffic and are home by 8:00. It feels great to be home again. I missed our house and life here and it feels good to be here at this time of year too. Spring is a great time to arrive here and begin new projects, continue old ones and just slip into our old happy routines.
Many, many thanks to all the good people at the Kohler Company and to the staff at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center for their support in making this residency possible.
