Old Tool Sheds - New Perspectives

My oh my, I just realized it has been since September when I last posted....on the site, anyway...In my MIND, I've posted quite a few times.... Wish I could get wireless syncing between the brain and the computer...wouldn't THAT be something.!

So much has happened since my last post.  Much of it, quite stressful, heartbreaking and challenging.. However, those who know me well enough, also will quickly realize, that while I've been in the trenches, It's there that I find the most strength to fight back and return with a vengeance. Perhaps not the trait I'll put on my next resume, but a trait which I was taught growing up and has served me well, especially in light of recent events. It's the traits I learned as a child, which carry me through my days.

Growing up, I was the youngest of 6 kids, raised by Grandparents from the time I was 5. While sad in ways of not knowing my Mom (she was killed in an auto accident); I think I also got the best of both worlds.  My Grandparents, 50 and 63 years my elder, were raised during the depression...when the word "recycled" wasn't a cool eco-status word, but a necessity of life. I spent my life wearing "re-made" hand me down clothing.  Can't remember ever shopping for new clothing.  My Gram usually just refashioned my sisters clothing, or fabric, whatever she had on hand, into a new item for me.  

She cooked that way, too.   It was from her that I learned to look in a pantry, see what was available, and somehow, creatively, make something not only edible, but of substance and would feed many.
Odd combinations. Sometimes pretty nasty.  But, food. And to date, I can still do the same...although I do strive to make it edible...and yes, there are still things I cannot even begin to stomach...ie. Hamburger Helper...with tunafish....hot......aarrrgghhhhh.....

My Pop, was the ULTIMATE  "recycler".  He would put many of todays recycling -gurus to shame. Not only did he not know HOW to waste anything, he knew how to MAKE just about anything from the stuff he had in his work shed.

Ahh. The work shed.  This is the place I refer to as the Holy Grail of the backyard.
It was just a tin metal storage shed.
Nothing fancy. 
But, a wonderland of metal, scraps, tools, trinkets, screws, nails, saws, sawdust....
The smell of old oils, lubricants, dirt...
The smell of creativity just lingering....waiting to be had.

It's here that my Pop engaged my love for power tools, crafting, wood and metal.  It was HERE that my Pop would disappear for hours on end..to his peaceful spot.  A cup of coffee, an open tool shed and Pop sitting under the Grapefruit tree, enjoying the peace.

I was privileged to share a lot of his precious peace with him under that tree and in that tool shed.

Between the two of them, I was well educated in the finer arts of making something from nothing.

A trait which has served me well throughout life. 

Tough growing up that way? Yes. Not exactly the "dream".. Would I trade it? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Growing up where and how I did provided me strength as an adult I would otherwise not have. Strength which has brought me through so much as an adult, especially over the most recent 5 years most especially the past 7 months of the year.

Does anyone wish for hard times. Heavens NO..  Do I cherish the lessons it taught me.
ABSOLUTELY.

So, for now.  During these hard times, I reflect on Pop. I take comfort in smelling old tools...hardware stores... gathering strength from lessons learned.

I know Pop would be proud.
And TODAY, that's enough to keep me going.