More on Power Tools

So I thought Jake (our 9-year-old son) would be bored to tears if he went to the woodshop with me today and so I hooked him up a few places to chill, but he really wanted to come, so I packed us a lunch and we were on our way. First stop, Hank's Hardware on Main Street. His interest in everything told me that we could spend hours there and he would be a happy kid. (My eye was especially caught by the travel hammocks, but more on my new-found-love for hammocks another time). We headed to the back of the store, following the directions of the clerk, who said that they only carried white paint, that the staff member would make our color. I had taken home some color sample paper-tab-thingies that you get for free from the display and taped them on the wall. I only liked most of them! I ended up picking out "Winters Solstice" which is a pale purple. (We also checked out the 5-gallon bucket display, as that is what I want for mother's day, to plant tomatoes upside down in.) Then, off to the woodshop.

My friend, Robert, lives and works out of his wood shop. Unfortunately, he has to move soon, so I felt like I really needed to finish up this desk that has been taking up a lot of his time and space for awhile. Jake helped me sand down the primer coat I had applied last week. He lost interest pretty quickly, and we entertained him with a) letting him build with the big box of random shaped and sized wood pieces, b)letting him ride around on this motorized scooter thingy that lives in the shop, although after Jake bumped into a few too many things, he got self-conscious and stopped, c) watching Robert cut wood with the "Dragon" table saw, which is notorious for eating flesh. It is the one machine I wasn't allowed to use. Fine with me! Finally,(d) what really sparked Jake's interest was when he was given a huge piece of plywood and pencils and could draw anything he wanted. The finished piece is in front of our fireplace right now, showing a mighty territorial battle between tiny humans and lots of mythological monsters.

Meanwhile, I painted. At first, I was aftaid it was too light, but as the pieces started drying, I started to fall in love with the cool, calm, pretty desk I am going to take home soon. Now to figure out what has to leave our house so it will fit!