The Fix-It Man

My father-in-law, Bill, was the best fix-it man I have ever known. He was a child of the Depression, as such, he learned how to fix things and make things work again. He did not throw stuff out he thought would be of use again somehow. Yet he was neat and tidy, all things were in order and clean. He always had his toolbox in the boot of his car and a knife in his pocket.

If I did not have a work list for him when they, he and Polly (my mother-in-law) would visit us, he would go home. Be sure gentle reader, I always had a work list.

I would sit and visit with him in his magnificent shop while he worked. We chatted about tools, and projects. I would help him sweep and straighten up.

The best thing is, he taught our sons. They enjoyed him and his shop as much as I did. They were made to keep it orderly if they worked in it. They had fun making wooden guns out of the scraps he had. I could hear them laughing together in the shop.

My best fix-it man has been gone a long time, but his skills and love of being in the shop are carried on by our sons, and me. Though I wish my shop were as tidy as his.

I never took photos of him working. So this summer I have had a grand time taking photos of one of his protégés, our son Gordon, working on his summer projects before heading back to school in Idaho.

This vice was Bill’s.
One summer project—his car.
Gordon keeps his tools neat and tidy too when he’s finished with them.
Their grandfather taught them all about tools.
Go-cart work another project.
This grinder was Bills as well.
Spending hours in the shop.
The big hands of a fix-it man.

9 thoughts on “The Fix-It Man”

  3. My father-in-law was a talented man as well, and we have had a very good week working in our barn shop. It was my husband’s domain, and he completed more projects than I could list. As time marches on though, he is passing the torch to our daughter who is a skilled craftsman herself. I think it runs in the genes. 🙂 We went through every tool, every box of nails and screws, had great conversations, a lot of laughs, and we slept well at night. Tomorrow, the things we could do without are headed to recycling. Being skilled with your hands is truly a gift. I’m glad we’ve both been lucky in that department.

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    • That is wonderful, Judy, and I agree, it must run in the genes. I can remember when in high school girls had to take a course in shop and boys in home EC. That was good training! I loved it back then too. Every gal needs to know about shop tools and every guy needs to know about kitchen tools! Thank you for stopping by and your shop days. 🙂🌷

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