(*Front Page,my grandpa taking a quick break from work. That old car broke down as he was driving to his wedding,but he had the good fortune of having a friend spot him on the side of that Indiana road.)
Sometimes your skill set or resources can't get you out of a bind, but your friends can. A lot of people are going through big life transitions, and that includes myself. It’s humbling to need help. The pandemic threw me for a loop. It knocked me out of industries and a lifestyle I thought I could count on. A good buddy of mine from back in our Broadway days pulled me onto his carpentry projects, taking the time to patiently guide me through each step of building ornate tree houses, decks, crazy fences in the Hollywood Hills, odd furniture pieces & fix-its. I got to take that home to my daughter, who helped me build her own Frozen/Beetlejuice inspired cabin bed. A 7 year old in a tutu with a power drill. Then I got the chance to go home and build this garden with my Dad for his retirement. I’ve never had so much fun working early morning to dark.
I didn’t know until recently that the photo of my grandfather was of when he returned from WWII and was working as a carpenter. He had a tireless work ethic. I remember many times being exhausted from working with him all day until long after dark. He was conscientious to a fault and we never put tools away dirty or left a mistake untended. He’s gone now, but I’ve been blessed to have friends with the patience to teach me new things, and nothing is more rewarding than passing it on. Or back.
This is a place about interesting people in cool places learning & using their skills to create great things for those of us who care about where it comes from, how it's made, and who gets it next. I never want to stop learning new things. To create and be a part of a community that takes our past's better parts and uses them to build a better future for our kids with our kids. It's a Gentleman's Work in Progress.
Don’t put your tools away dirty,
Heath