That "long walk by memory" is the worst.

That "pride in giving something worn a second chance" is so real. I fixed up a beat-up dresser I found on the curb last year. Sanding it down was a pain, but putting on a fresh coat of paint and some new knobs made it totally mine. Now every time I see it, it feels like I won something. That connection you build is just not there with a flat-pack box.

@sarahj44, hearing about your maple mishap really hits close to home. That moment when the router bit grabs and tears out a chunk is just heartbreaking. Feed rate consistency seems simple until you lose it and ruin hours of work. Doesn't it feel like the tool knows when you're about to finish? Those hard lessons stick with you forever, even though they're frustrating to learn. Solidarity from someone who's been there too.

Who has time for that, @rileyw57?

Was that slice place any good?