In honor of what this day is really about, I started thinking about all of the things my daddy taught me. Mind you, sometimes these lessons were not learned on the first go-around. Poor dad. I think he is probably thankful that he had only one of me.
- How to light a fire. And why opening the flue is important. After i set off the fire alarm.
- How to mow the grass. He said it was character-building - i said it was so he could watch the race. I'm sure it was some of both. But now I love working in the yard.
- How to drive a car. On a dirt road in the middle of an orange grove, on a stick, in a Pinto. The absolute best part - I was 12. We kept it a secret from my mom for awhile. I can't believe we had a Pinto.
- How to water ski. Which, his method I'm sure, could be called into question in this day and age. I was around 5 (he liked to start things early obviously) and I remember floating around in Lake Butler crying because I just knew an alligator was going to have me for lunch and dad said, "If you want out of the water, start skiing".
- How to drive a boat so HE could water ski. This, this he paid for. One time he was standing on the dive platform on the back of the boat, trying to fish a ski out of the weeds, when he told me to inch the boat up some. Instead, I jerked it forward and he flew off the back in the weeds. I laughed, he did too.
- How to shoot a gun. We had land, so learning to shoot was on our own property. I immediately fell in love with it. Scared the bejeezus out of my mother.
- How to fish. This is without a doubt one of my favorite things to do to this day. I love the fact that my boys love it. Mostly, I love the quiet. All moms love quiet.
- How to sew. Yes, sew. Go figure.
- How to use a nail gun without killing myself.
- How to use a chop saw.
- How to use a circular saw.
- How to do minor electrical stuff, like wiring new outlets and hanging lights and ceiling fans.
- How to refinish furniture without taking my skin off.
- How to read blueprints.
- How to read if a sub-contractor or a contractor, for that matter, is lying.
- How to find my way around Home Depot.
- How to install a garbage disposal.
- How to use a wet saw.
- How to lay tile.
- Measure twice, cut once.
- Sometimes the garage is the safest place to be, or the best place to work out anger, sadness, or overall angst. Or hide. Sometimes you have to hide.
- Mistakes are lessons to NOT do something that way again. It's ok - it can be redone.
- You're probably going to know more about building and fixing things than any man you date. That's ok, don't rub it in, but if he won't at least TRY - let THAT be your lesson.
- Home Depot or Lowes CAN lower prices on stuff, JUST ASK. It's your money, you're the only one who can protect it.
- Girls are often better than boys at this stuff because we're THOROUGH.
- Don't ever let a tradesman talk down to you - you've learned from the best :)
- Some jobs are better left to the professionals. Know when.
- Get at least 3 quotes.
- Cheapest is just that - you get what you pay for.
My dad was often teased that he wanted a boy instead of a girl because of everything he made me learn. I don't believe that's at all true, I think he just wanted to spend time with me, and i with him. I know I learned so much more than what i listed - but it's the memories of us together while learning those things that will stay with me forever. I love you Dad.
