I was raised in a large family, 10 kids, 1934 to 1957, had hardly a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of. Consequently, we did most everything ourselves, repaired our own cars, clothes, house and so on. Always rejigging the house. Add a room, dig a basement, by hand, shingle a roof, remodeled kitchens and baths and whatever else. That seemed to be the way it was in those days. Time went by, two kids, son and daughter and my wife taught school. On Sundays during their early years, the kids and I would roam around new housing subdivisions being built. (before security guards) I had shuffled off to California for a few years when younger, construction and house building. My daughter became very interested in housing and eventually graduated university in Architecture, backpacked around Europe for a month then started working. It was Architecture for a dozen or so years, until about 2012 when she tossed it in, tired of deadlines and business travel and wanted something "hands on". By this time she had bought and paid for her condo in town. She had made several pieces of furniture in her spare time, as yet unmarried. She also loved hiking. Peru, Costa Rica, Scotland, and had met most of her fellow hikers on line. For a break ( which they all seem to need these days) she travelled to Istanbul, stayed a week, met up with some from Scandinavia and went on to Nepal where they joined a group and trekked up Mount Everest ( to the base camp she said) No permits to go further. They trekked in the area for another 6 weeks and then split up to go their separate ways. Back home she got a government grant to take "women in trades". Basic wiring, carpentry, plumbing, tile setting, etc. Finishing that, she worked with a mentor renovating a couple of houses, top to bottom and inside out. Set off on her own, building decks, garden sheds, repairs and small jobs and just recently finished her first complete bathroom reno. Gutted it and started from scratch. She is now working with another woman in the same business. Kitchens, bathrooms, painting etc. She has two more bathroom renos lined up. When we have those close moments she always tells me it was me that got her started. I really think she should be in teaching or some instructional field. I've always worried that she has followed in my footsteps too closely. These days a person can't fly by the seat of their pants. Reading these posts I get the feeling there are few these days that don't just stare at small screens. So few that want a "hands on" experience. Maybe I should get out more.