Knife Throwing

At The Woodstock Library a few weeks ago Gail Godwin reminded me that, in some summers past, a group would get together for pot luck lunch and Knife Throwing. Those of you who knew Susan Bair may have guessed that she had a hand in it and she did. 

On Sunday afternoons people would show up at Lowell and Susan's house for pot luck lunch, conversation and as an aid to digestion (or just plain fun)  -- Knife Throwing. 

A pine plank target was set up parallel to the front of the house. We'd stand back about 20 feet & take turns throwing 1/2 dozen knives at the target. One of the knives was a genuine Harry McEvoy pro-thrower. It came with a very impressive AKTA (American Knife Throwing Alliance) Red White & Blue cross knife shoulder patch. Susan ended up with the patch. 

Knife throwing is a curious art.  It is a staple of circuses, sideshows and noir films. It can be lethal. Part of its' appeal is its very improbability. The odds are against a spinning blade sticking into the target it is thrown at. Part of the fun of the sport is outperforming the odds. 

Lunch, literature and knife throwing: Susan could pull together very different elements and make them suit each other. I was lucky to know her.

— Paul Nelson