Slow Day For The Toy Maker

My morning appearances across Asia and Europe went as scheduled but I do very few visits there during mid-week, so I was done fairly early. Additionally, I had an unusually slow afternoon today since almost all of my North American appearances were cancelled due to the ice storms. I am very concerned about the people across the US & into Canada that are without power. We have offered any logistical support we can provide to local authorities as we always do in times of need.

I took advantage of having the afternoon off to hand craft a few toys of my own. I retreated to my private workshop situated behind the house. I love going back there whenever I need to think something through or simply "get away from it all". The smell of fresh cut woods, the sound of a roaring fire, and the feel of the sawdust under my feet... an instant escape. When I am there, I am no longer the CEO of a global operation but just a simple toymaker laboring in love. That is what I truly am at heart and in that workshop, that is all I have to be. I still make a hundred toys a year on my own. I usually work on them each night for 30 minutes or so before I go to bed... it was a real treat to have an entire afternoon free to work on these. For the toys I make, I still use all manual tools... wood chisel, hammers, saws, carving knives, paint brushes, etc. I had so much fun!

Unfortunately, due to security concerns, I can not reveal who all is slated to receive one of the 100 toys that I made myself; however, I can tell you that the receipents are spread across every continent. If you look on the toy, you will see the North Pole seal as well as my signature and you will know you received one of the toys made by me. On Christmas morning, check to see if you received one of the ones I made!