When I was really young (as in less than a year old) my Dad built a shed in our backyard. The shed wasn’t simply a storage bin, it was a workshop, and one I’ll always remember.
I have very fond memories of going out to the shed at night and ‘helping’ my dad build various things. We built a sailboat once, which I played with in the bathtub for a very long time. As great as that ship was, the best thing we ever built was a very simple wall for army men to hide behind. This wall, along with other pieces like it, saw endless play. I’ll talk army men later, but it is worth saying that the wood pieces greatly augmented my imagination with the plastic soldiers.
Dad’s workshop was the first cache of wood I had to work with, and really my first experience building things. I don’t know how much of an impact working in that shop has had on my creativity, but it certainly has had some effect. Today I love DIY projects, and my very first experience with that sort of thing definitely came from working in Dad’s shop.
Influences is a series of articles about the things, ideas, and people that helped to shape who I am today.
Paul,
I have had the good fortune to work with your dad for several years. He has helped me with many problems and has always been patient and willing to teach me anything relative to my position at the County. I am very happy to read that he is appreciated. So many sons and daughters realize too late what they had. You are lucky to have him as your father.