A talk with my dad about his old trowel made me slow down

I was rushing a brick garden wall last weekend and my dad, who retired from the trade 10 years ago, was watching. He said, 'You're laying brick like you're paid by the piece, not by the job.' He handed me his old 10-inch Marshalltown trowel, all worn smooth, and told me about the first chimney he built that still stands 40 years later. It hit different because I've been so focused on speed to beat the heat. Made me think about the stuff we build that's meant to outlast us. Do you have an old tool that reminds you to take your time?

2 comments

2 Comments

sean_murray10d ago

That line about being paid by the piece, not by the job, is dead on. My grandpa's old wood mallet is like that for me. The handle is dark and smooth from his hands. Picking it up just makes you want to fit a joint right, not fast. It's a good reminder that the time you don't take shows up later.

john_dixon6110d ago

My new mallet's plastic handle just gets the job done fast, no fuss.