It is intended to be a small satire on the popularity of Norm Abrams' show on PBS, The New Yankee Workshop. The show has earned its success and Mr. Abrams is a very skilled carpenter. It has opened up the world of woodworking to a great many people and done wonders for the hobby.

Unfortunately, there seem to be a great many people who believe that what is done on the show defines fine woodworking. From what [admittedly] little I have seen, it more accurately defines the realm of weekend projects (OK, maybe more than one weekend). But, this is really all that can be explored within the constraints of a weekly television show.

So, please understand that I am not taking a satirical potshot at the show or Mr. Abrams. I am taking it at the unwashed masses that want to fall at the feet of Mr. Abrams and worship the sawdust that falls off his perpetually plaid shirt.

There is a great deal of spectacular woodworking performed by average guys and gals working in cramped shops with minimal tools and no helpers; people who endure others saying "I saw Norm do one like that on TV" (WRONG!) or "What's it for?" (it's art -- you LOOK at it!) or "I bet you could sell those at the swap meet for 50 bucks apiece" (yeah, if we wanted to work for $1.25 an hour). It is for these craftspeople that I created The Non Yankee Workshop.

The commercial site for The Non Yankee Workshop has a variety of merchandise for sale printed with some [hopefully] humorous graphics. Please feel free to visit there and add a coffee mug or T-shirt to your collection. Just click on the logo at the bottom of the page.

And lastly, God bless you Norm. Keep up the good work and keep making woodworking accessible to the public.

David Wade