our porch story: jack

Jack first joined us on the porch at the second party we ever had, back in July.

And he hasn't missed a single week since.

We know Jack through a friend who is part of the original porch party family. Jack lives in about 15 minutes north of Nashville and lives a simple, creative driven life; one that is interesting, completely intriguing and undoubtedly with purpose.

Until last week, he had a solid contract gig driving a few nights a week for AT&T but found himself laid off one day last week. A fifty-something smart, strong, willing spirit, veteran and hard worker suffering the struggle of our America.

But a day to day job is not his passion. He's way cooler than that.

He's a builder, a treasure finder and an artist.

Really.

He makes walking sticks. And I mean bad ass walking sticks.

Made with love and with his own two hands.

They are amazing and his clientele covers music, celebrity and good ole boy stardom.

He also collects crinoid fossils.  They are an archaic marine organism found only in certain parts of the world; depending on location, soil type, etc...and existed tens of thousands of years ago.  He knows the creeks and treasure beds around Nashville where these "rock like" jewels remain. Jack calls them "Indian Money".

And he makes jewelry out of them. Of course.  
From the moment Lindsay and I saw the "cool stones" around his neck,  we knew we loved him.
And knew he had a story to tell.

He dropped by a few days later with mason jars full of crinoids for us to play with. 
He now shares his veggies, his time, his sweet spirit and contagiously awesome laugh.
 

A recent brainchild of a porch party was for him to make Drake a microphone stand, completely organic, out of wood and his "walking sticks". Pretty darn awesome, huh? Last week we got a sneak peak.

The first night Jack came over, our friend who introduced us was playing a show and couldn't come or was coming later -- I just found this text I sent him:
  
  me: "i LOVE your friend Jack."
  him: "he's as good as they get, glad he showed up"
  me: "he's meant to be a part of all this"
  him: "aint no doubt about it"

 

Simply said. And it's true. Now we need him, expect him, and no Tuesday porch party is complete without Jack there, too.