Whenever things looked bleakest, there was Norm the Cat, who always let on that we were doing the right thing making this new guitar. A barn kitten adopted late, Norm had an independent view of things, by far and away the coolest cat I ever knew. Just about impossible to keep out of the shop, I think Norm imagined himself to be a guitar at times, here in one of his favorite places – a foam-filled attache cases .

Being part of the gang, Norm had his own special ways of contributing to the work flow.

In the winter it got dark early, and the shop got cold. Norm definitely had no fondness for the new fluorescent and LED lights, and found the workbench incandescent light to provide the perfect spot from which to oversee shop activities.

Norm had a stroke last Fall that paralyzed him below the shoulders, and we had to put him down. Norm was in no pain, which was a blessing, and we were looking each other in the eye at the end. 

RIP good buddy.