This hammer was given to me by my father almost 20 years ago. It is one of the few tools I was able to salvage after Hurricane Katrina. I could probably get a new handle, but it would not be the same.
My Dad is a great handyman. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical work--he's done it all. He started at a young age working with his father as they fixed up their Foucher Street home in New Orleans. More than half a lifetime ago, he taught me a lot of what I know about fixing up a house.
And he's still going strong. Mom and Dad's house in Slidell got about 4 feet of water. My Dad, now 71 years old, tried to hire contractors to fix it up, but apart from getting roofers and a crew to do the drywall, I think my Dad did it all. He couldn't just sit and wait for someone to show up. He took matters into his own, capable hands.
Mom was there, too. I'm not going to discount her hard work, but clearly my Dad was the foreman and the backbone of that job site.
They moved back into their refurbished home in June while we're still trying to get house plans drawn. Just goes to show you: never underestimate your parents.
My favorite part of this hammer was the red rubber on the handle. My Dad did that himself--I think he puts that on all his tools to personalize them.
A few months ago I bought a new tool box and started buying new tools. I already have another hammer so I won't miss a beat. But I will miss that hammer.
4 comments:
Tim I left La. many years ago. The only thing I have is the baseball glove Dad gave me.
If you still have the hammer you can fix it easily.
If not ask him for something that you can put on the wall where you can see it.
You'll thank me one day.
I don't know if this NOLA site is a closed community and I apologize if I'm intruding.
You can find me in the P&M message board and head on radio network.
Your dad sounds like my dad.
Tim,
The red wasn't just to personalize the tools, he wanted to be able to identify his property after "loaning" it out. I found this out after I had denied, for years, having a tool that he insisted he had loaned me. Now, if he could only put the "red" mark on all his pots and "kitchen" property. Then I'd really be in trouble.
Great srory. Sounds like you really love your Dad.
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