Phoebe came to my shop today to ‘help’ as she often does. I had set aside a large bin of plywood cutouts for her by her playhouse door. Her eyes lit up when she saw them. She went to my large tool box and got a felt pen and disappeared inside her blue and purple playhouse for quite a while. When she came out she was carrying a stack of the round cutouts. On each one she had drawn a happy face. I was instructed to pick a favorite which I did. Then she took it and placed it in the center of the beam I was working on - ‘for decoration.’ I declared it perfect!

I will have to convince Phoebe that it can’t stay there permanently. I need it to be displayed on my wall instead, happily smiling on me and all who come here for many years to come. It will join the big collection of art I have displayed on my walls which dates back to when my kids were very young and also encouraged to help as they were able.

It was a good day at work today.

-grampa dan