I started this adventure in woodworking because of my Dad. As a kid I remember him coming home from work, smelling of paint, thinner, taping mud, sawdust and sweat. Pop was a master painter and a wizard at mixing stain. I didn’t know this at the time, but as I look back on all that he did I am amazed at his work. His staining technique was flawless, never a drip or run to be found and the color was always even. He passed in August of 1999. I bought my first home in Dec. of 2003. The house is your typical starter home, very bland and cookie cutter. I set about doing the only thing I could afford…painting the walls. I decided to do geometric design in one of the rooms, so I gathered my paint, brushes, tape, and straight edge. It was near summer and saving as much as I could I had the A.C. off and all the windows thrown wide open. After about 2 hours I decided to take a break. Sitting down on the canvas tarp I was using to cover the floor I noticed a strange but familiar odor. After a few moments I realized that I was smelling my Dad, the way he did when he would come home from work. I smiled and looked up saying, “Hiya Pop. Glad you could drop by. Any suggestions?” Since then I’ve developed a fascination with wood, one that I think Pop had but just never had the time to do anything with it. Mom gave me some of his tools, and as soon as I find our digital camera I’ll post them. One is a planner, I think. Mom has more of his tools, all of which are hand tools, and as soon as I get the chance to go back home I’m loading up the car and bringing them back and putting them to good use. I think Pop would get a kick out of it.
-- "Creativity is...seeing something that doesn't exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God."
14 comments so far
Todd A. Clippinger
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2673 posts in 638 days
posted 340 days ago
It sounds like we are bearing witness to the start of a great journey. Thanks for sharing and you came to the right place, there is a great collective talent here.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
cajunpen
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5345 posts in 605 days
posted 340 days ago
Great story Michele – let the journey begin. I hope you get to put all of his old hand tools to good use. If you need to restore any of them, or just figure out how to use them – there is a wealth of knowledge and it’s all free for the asking here.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Karson
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14037 posts in 939 days
posted 340 days ago
Glad you are trying to grasp your fathers memory and to bring it into life within your life.
Congratulations on the transformation.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
DrSawdust
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221 posts in 637 days
posted 340 days ago
What an awesome beginning. Hope you can share some of your projects with all of us.
-- Making sawdust is what I do best
rikkor
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8604 posts in 413 days
posted 339 days ago
What an inspiring post. Enjoy your journey. I still miss my dad, and he left in 1986.
-- Maplewood, MN
MsDebbieP
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12282 posts in 699 days
posted 339 days ago
beautiful story. he would be/must be proud!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Thos. Angle
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3439 posts in 501 days
posted 339 days ago
I believe we are watching as a craftsman is born. Inspiration is a subtle thing. We must be in tune to feel it.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
Obi
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2157 posts in 776 days
posted 339 days ago
...and creative genius is born.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
Douglas Bordner
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2737 posts in 602 days
posted 339 days ago
What a great story! I’m sure you will do your Father’s memory proud.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
TreeBones
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1467 posts in 562 days
posted 339 days ago
Totally Motivating. Onward and upward.
-- Ron, Twain Harte, Ca. Portable on site Sawmill Service http://westcoastlands.net/Sawmill.html http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3
Russel
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1327 posts in 478 days
posted 339 days ago
Very cool. Recognizing the “Dad’s smell” had to be quite an experience. Great story and a Great Memorial.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Damocles
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135 posts in 367 days
posted 339 days ago
Take that inspiration and run with it! I’ve been visited by relatives who have passed, and I frequently get the scent of my grandfather’s after shave when I’m in the shop.
-- Living on the square...
Napaman
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2104 posts in 616 days
posted 339 days ago
I just visited my family this Christmas…I spent a lot of time with my dad…he is not doing so well…he not all there so at times while we sat together long hours watching the ball game together I was already missing him…the conversation…the dialog that we used to share together about politics, the world…chess…sports…every now and then I would get a flash of him through a few sentences linked together…I hope that working with your dad’s tools brings you great joy and inspiration…
my dad had no tools…i think i will remember him each time i sit down to watch a ball game…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...119 days to sanity...
airfieldman
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72 posts in 350 days
posted 338 days ago
Anything I can do to remember my folks, I do as often as I can. To this day the only hammer I use is the one I got from my Dad. It’s an Estwing, that helps. But honestly, I would use it regardless.
-- Do what you love, the money will follow --Marsha Sinetar