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An elderly man in a brown cardigan whittles a block of wood on a porch as curled shavings fall near a sitting Siamese cat. 19 / 38

The Wood Shavings Kept Falling, and Sapphire Kept Sitting Right Where They Landed

AI imagesiamese catwhittlingfront porch

Curls of pale wood spiral off the blade and drop in a growing heap on the porch boards. Clarence sits hunched over his work in a cozy brown cardigan, carving a small block with steady, practiced hands, his brow furrowed and his attention entirely on the next cut. A wicker basket holds twine and tools, a pair of work gloves rests nearby, and a pair of pliers lies within reach. Sapphire sits upright at his knee, surrounded by shavings, and gazes off to the side with half-closed blue eyes, a few wood chips caught in her fur. She seems to have decided that this is a perfectly respectable hobby for a grandpa.

Whittling is a quiet, absorbing pastime with a long tradition on American porches. It takes patience, a sharp knife, and soft wood like basswood or pine, and many people find it calming to watch a shape slowly appear. If a cat likes to keep you company while you carve, keep a few things in mind. Sharp blades should always be closed or stored safely when you set them down. Small wood chips and splinters can be tempting to bat around and chew, and swallowing them is not good for a cat, so sweep up when you are finished. A comfy spot of her own nearby can help keep a curious kitty a safe distance from the knife.

Clarence will have a little carved bird or a spoon by the end of the afternoon, and Sapphire will have a few new shavings to show for her supervision. A fair trade on a slow porch day.

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