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Saturday, April 9, 2016

"Tool"

I tagged after Dad when he fixed things.  I was great at handing over tools.  Crescent wrench, Philips screwdriver... I precisely handed them over like a surgical nurse in a MASH unit... until muttering and swearing started.  Then it suddenly seemed like a great idea to go to the river instead.  Dad could do carpentry, but the car brought out the "Jee-ee-SUS Christ!!"  That was the sign to flee.

I was a teenager when Dad died, and I became aware that he hadn't taught any of my siblings how to fix anything -- and yet stuff still needed fixed.  I also came to realize that I didn't really know how to fix a lot of things.  I knew my tools and had an idea of what they did, but my fixing lessons had often ended at the swearing, and I didn't see how things were completed.

Part of the Dad lessons had involved sitting in the shade with iced tea and contemplating our next project.  He encouraged me to think innovatively and considered my ideas, so I understood the theory of fixing stuff, if not the real experience.  When he was gone, I had to try on my own.  I quickly came to understand that swearing is an actual part of the process.  I got creative with that too, but left out the blasphemy.

I started feeling pretty good about myself for my home repair skills.  I may not have known what I was doing, but found ways to make the plumbing work and repair things Bro1 broke.  Just because I know how to replace a broken window doesn't mean I will.

When I bought an old house after college, Bros3&4 were old enough to get into trouble or help with projects when they came over for the weekends.  I reinstituted shady iced tea contemplations, and me and 2 little boys managed electricity, construction, wallpaper, and moved large objects.  I didn't actually need to do all this, but it was a good way for us to spend time together.  We went to the hardware store and talked to old guys who knew how to do things the right ways.  These are happy memories for all of us.

This week, I really looked at a door my Dalmatians scratched up about 20 or so yrs ago.  It's a nice door, with lots of panes of windows and decorative mullions between.  Looking at the deep scratches was depressing, and I was tempted to ignore it like I have for so long, but this time I decided to try fixing it with wood putty.

I did a pretty decent job of it.  I spent the entire day today painting it -- even though Ohio weather has gone back to winter and the whole project was lousy to do on a day when the daffodils shiver.  Not to mention I'm noticing all the other woodwork that could use wood putty and new paint.  I wish Bros3&4 were coming over for their weekend project.

Not knowing how to do something isn't a good reason not to try.  Nobody is born knowing how to fix anything, create something.  Encouraging children to think instead of merely existing and obeying is a gift that stays with them throughout their lives.  Thanks Dad!

I'm pooped from painting the door, so office tools are good enough for today.

12 comments:

  1. Hi Linda, I love your tools artwork today. I smiled at the swearing part of your Dad's DIY...I think that quite a male thing and part of their process..LOL. What a great legacy your Dad gave you....the thirst for knowledge and the drive to work things out for yourself. He would be so proud. Have a good week, we are getting a real mix of cold showers and sunshine here xx

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    1. Thanks Jane! If everyone was encouraged to think and participate, I think everyone would be happier. I had a miserable weekend of weather but they're promising warmer temps this week. I'm sure the world is better with spring flowers!

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  2. Great illustration and word accompaniment as always, Linda!
    I find fixing things and getting them working right again very satisifying. Especially if I had no clue what to do in the beginning. How did we survive without youtube?

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    1. I don't know! Youtube has definitely made everything so much easier. Yay for girls who fix things! I hope you have a great week :)

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  3. "Not knowing how to do something isn't a good reason not to try." That's a great little proverb, and could be unpacked in so many ways, depending on what we feel we don't know. I'll be thinking about that!Thanks!

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  4. Whatever you decide to try are good things to do. I think life would get really dull if we ever know everything?

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  5. Reading this made me go back to read a post that I wrote 6 years ago titled "Call Somebody versus I'll Fix It." My husband is the former and I'm the latter.

    It's nice that your Dad lives on through you. Sounds like he was quite a character. I'm visualizing him calling on "Jee-ee-SUS Christ," or blaming him. Did you back away gradually or did you run? :)

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  6. I think I backed away gradually, then ran :) Good for you for being another "I'll fix it" girl!

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  7. I suppose we can say you're supporting a part of our economy?

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  8. My dad could fix anything. It came in handy as a farmer. That's for sure. I didn't follow in his footsteps. But I think he afflicted me with my art skills. Most of the time it is a good thing. I'd love to recover from the sensitive part though.

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  9. Our sensitivity can be one of our greatest strenths -- as long as we aren't being abused by insensitive people. (At least that's something I've learned by my recent narcissist studies.) Farmers had to be clever in fixing things. They're an inspiration :)

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