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A grandma in glasses and a green shirt whittles wood on a porch table while an Abyssinian cat watches the shavings. 27 / 29

Every Curl of Wood That Fell From Grandma Loretta's Knife Got Studied Closely

AI imageabyssinian catwhittlingporch

Curly wood shavings pile up across the old porch table, and Grandma Loretta works patiently at a small block of pale wood with a pocketknife. She wears a sage green button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled, glasses perched on her nose, her eyes fixed on each careful cut. Saffron sits right at the table's edge, nose tipped toward the growing heap of shavings, watching every curl drop with intense fascination. A cushioned blue chair, a potted succulent, garden gloves, a coiled hose, and a canvas bag sit around the porch in the soft afternoon light.

Whittling is a relaxing, traditional craft that many people enjoy well into their later years. It keeps the hands busy and the mind focused, and the results can be anything from simple spoons to small animal figures. With a curious cat nearby, a few safety steps matter. Sharp knives should always be closed and put away when not in use, and a cat should never be allowed to bat at moving blades. Wood shavings are generally not toxic, but cats should not eat them, and splinters can be a hazard. Some woods and finishes can be harmful, so sweep up shavings when you are done.

To Saffron, those falling curls of wood are the best show in town. To Grandma Loretta, a quiet afternoon of carving with her furry audience is pure contentment. Maybe the next little figure she carves will be a cat with very big ears.

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