My Dads Shop

Wish we could just move the whole thing as is to new location. They are 10 or 12 miles off the main road & 3 or 4 miles off the paved road.
 
That is a lifetime statement, years of defining who you are and what you are all about. I dread the day when someone thinks I should walk away from my shop and who I am. That place speaks volumes to me both inside and out, you could spend hours looking at those pics and still not see everything. It's a personal place, his happy place, and I bet his favorite place to be. This is not just a pile of hoarded stuff, look closely at all the hand made things from tools to finished projects, to furnishings, and on and on. Every item in it has a story and a purpose. It's a lifetime of creation. If I had just saw this mans shop I would have said, "oh look, a hopeless tinkerer just like me". But then when you talk about him having to move from it and give up a large part of it well that just saddens me. My day will come too, and that is just a scarey reality.
 
I don't look forward to that day either. Greg put it well, and Joseph Campbell (Power of MYTH) said we all need a "bliss station".

My shop sure is that for me. I am glad he can bring some with him as well, but boy, that's tough.

My ex's great grandma loved us. But she was really becoming unsafe to herself. She was using olive oil as dish washing liquid (imagine the smell after a few months when I finally figured out what the hell was happening!!), and putting the kitchen sponge in the toaster oven D8 ...

A friend and I moved, installed, and surrounded her new space with as much of her artwork she collected and created as we possibly could. WHAT a job, ugh. She still treated me like vermin!

Stay strong Charlie. Just keep doing your best.


Bernie
 
My mother passed from complications of Alzheimer's and dementia, It is a cruel disease and was a very hard thing for me to watch. It scares the hell out of me when I can't remember things. I have no one to leave my tools to, my son has no interest and no understanding of the value of the tools either, and we really don't have much of a relationship anyway. You men that grew up with a father to teach you things and share their life with you are very lucky indeed. I grew up without a father, I self tought myself everything that I know, I had hoped to pass that down but I won't get that chance. I am a wood worker, a small engine mechanic and I have done that professionally for a living, work metal some, electrical enough to wire a house, basicly anything that I can do with my hands. Sound like some of your fathers? Remember guys, when the disease takes hold to remember them for who they where and what they tought you, they will say things that they shouldn't, and forget things that you wish they wouldn't. It's a hard thing to go through and you cannot make any sense of it, we just try to make the best decisions that we can for their well fare, they will get mad at you sometimes. I remember my mother slapping me and saying she wanted to go home, but I knew she couldn't, she needed 24 hour supervision. Towards the end my mother forgot everyones name except my sons.
This whole story brings back so many emotions for me.
 
Charley I hate to hear about your Dad and Mother and the loss of his shop. Maybe when they relocate you can fix him a small one in a closet. I hope the stuff that you would like to keep doesn't disappear.

My Dad took me out to his garage one day to look at the shot he had started for his self and then said I waited to long. He passed shortly after that from cancer.

Paul
 
woodtickgreg said:
My mother passed from complications of Alzheimer's and dementia, It is a cruel disease and was a very hard thing for me to watch. It scares the hell out of me when I can't remember things. I have no one to leave my tools to, my son has no interest and no understanding of the value of the tools either, and we really don't have much of a relationship anyway. You men that grew up with a father to teach you things and share their life with you are very lucky indeed. I grew up without a father, I self tought myself everything that I know, I had hoped to pass that down but I won't get that chance. I am a wood worker, a small engine mechanic and I have done that professionally for a living, work metal some, electrical enough to wire a house, basicly anything that I can do with my hands. Sound like some of your fathers? Remember guys, when the disease takes hold to remember them for who they where and what they tought you, they will say things that they shouldn't, and forget things that you wish they wouldn't. It's a hard thing to go through and you cannot make any sense of it, we just try to make the best decisions that we can for their well fare, they will get mad at you sometimes. I remember my mother slapping me and saying she wanted to go home, but I knew she couldn't, she needed 24 hour supervision. Towards the end my mother forgot everyones name except my sons.
This whole story brings back so many emotions for me.
Click to expand...

I'm hearing you Greg, and appreciate your words.
I'd like to meet you in person, but you sure are mentoring people in here. Are there any budding handy guys by you? Nephew's Nieces?

I don't have a son, but my daughter "loves metal", and wants to learn. I have barely started her- she's only 8 years old.


Bernie
 
This, most beautiful, "workshop patina" can only occur if someone feels the value of tools, tradesmen skills, handmade things. I am not joking. I am also a 'son of my Father', although I am only a light hoarder.

But this place must have a special feeling and good spirits must be lurking about... But to loose such a unique place is simply a tragic thing.

Think hard to preserve if not all at least a part.

I am now over sixty - so I know Fathers like yours - and I also have some of my +Dad's precious treasures.

Regards
Juliusz
 
I feel for you right now a lot!, my Mom and Dad are both around 80 y/o, and I am going thru the same thing! My Dad is great, my mom has dementia / Alzheimer’s! He does not want to put her under care, unless he also goes there himself! Even though I feel this may suck him down very quick! Torn between my Mom living there alone, and my Dad maybe having another 10 years? My prayers are with you, it's so hard!

Bob in Oregon
 
What a great space. I hope the memories he takes with him offer him great comfort. I have been cleaning out my grandmothers house the last few months and many of the things I found held fond memories. She was a great story teller and I wote a number of her stories down so they could be passed on to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. I wish I would have written more of them. The photos of his space and projects can give others a treasure. Thanks for sharing the photos. All the best to you and your family.
 
Charley---I am praying that God will remove dementia from your mom and dad--this way your dad can enjoy his shop for many more years, as the shop and projects keep him alive and happy. hobbies are what keeps our minds active and our desire to live productive lives longer---your dads shop is a very delightful place to be. Does he understand that to stay there--he must be cured from his problems? dementia is a bad disease but can be cured like any other disease by prayers and belief.--with all our prayers for your family, we will look for results. --Dave
 
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