Talking to Hammers (Hey! Read me first!)

It’s important to talk to things. Certainly to people, but also to dogs and cats. Trees, fish, lakes, the odd lizard you come upon, you should talk to them also. Cars, motorcycles, even microwaves and washing machines they should be addressed also. 

I have a friend, a born-again Christian, who would say this is at best heretical and at worst idol worship. 

I have another friend, a Native American, that would admit there are spirits in the ‘natural’ things but not the machines. 

I’ve long disagreed with the Christian view and considered the Native American view valid for an equally long time. On reflection I have decided that all things have spirits because all things come from nature. Even if natural substances have been manipulated or tweaked, they’re still from nature.

Consider: is charcoal any less wood because it’s burned? Altered yes, but no less a part of nature and no less a form of wood. 

So that’s why I tell the microwave I hope it likes 90 seconds instead of a minute and a half. 

I tell my LandCruiser that she’s doing well and to just ignore those silly show-off hot-rod pickups flying by us ‘cause she’ll get to the top of the mountain as well or even better. 

I even told a hammer once to be careful because while there is joy in slamming down on a nail head it would inconsiderate to slam down on my thumb. 

It listened for then but forgot the next day because after all, hammers are steel and wood and don’t have long memories.