Little did I know that working part-time in a hardware store for my father would foster a lifelong interest in tools. Not as means to an end, but an end in themselves. To use an appropriate metaphor, this shows that I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Projects include: a). home repair and remodeling; b). workshop organization, improvement and efficient use of limited space; c) custom furniture construction, e.g., book shelves, simple chairs; d) maintenance of my iron herd. Lack of money strongly encourages attention to these "hobbies." Or, as I am fond of saying, "Necessity is a real mother."

Number of projects imagined: somewhat similar to the national debt, at one idea per dollar. Number of projects actually started: limited only by space constraints, finances, and municipal zoning laws. Likelihood of project completion: inversely proportional to sanding and painting time required.