Thoughts: The Masonry Finishing Trowel
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| Vintage Masonry Finishing Trowel |
As a kid, I vacuumed mortar out of my father's hair for a quarter. Gray chips of it filled the furrows in his forehead. He worked with bricks and stone as a mason.
(Da 1921~2006)
A finishing trowel stands as an implement of change, craftmanship, and moxie.
His finishing trowel, I thought, did everything. Out of the about dozen styles, none are as substancial as the rectangular finishing trowel, the smoother, the best for last.
At a thrift store, I check out the tool bins. Years ago, what a thrill it was to see a used finishing trowel textured with mortar! And, it even has a few spots of chic rust. Eyes glazed over.
Do you have a favorite object from childhood?
You father worked hard. A craftsman indeed!
ReplyDeleteMarie,
ReplyDeleteIn the 1950s, life was all about jobs, work.
Nowadays, it feels like computers took over all that desire to generate income.
That's a very specialized trade.
ReplyDeleteWilliam,
ReplyDeleteIt is. Riding along with him was a chimney critque tour.
My object, the only one I have from my family, is the dictionary. Favorite reading as a kid, place to slip photos, flowers to press, certificates, precious mementoes.
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful to have that dictionary! What a treasure!
That's a long time to do such laborious work. What a sweet picture of you helping your dad. The finishing trowel looks like it was an important tool for a while. Certainly well used. I wonder what the story is that it was donated to the thrift store covered with mortar. Great find for you!
ReplyDeleteI still have a couple of childhood toys. But other objects? Not sure. I do have lots of my mom's things, though.
ReplyDeleteI love the trowel. I'm glad you found one. It's a beautiful shape. What a lovely memory.
Becki,
ReplyDeleteThe dates are his birth and death. I moved it and added Da for clarification.
He began working as a mason early teens, and farm chores much younger.
Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteMother's things are a wonderful comfort. Fathers, I think, tend to give sons their things.
Amazing, I discovered my mother somehow kept an aqua melmaine tea cup in her flour container. I remeber it from from my grade school days.
That is a craftsman. Nice post.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/02/cantu-extra-hold-edge-stay-gel-review.html
What a lovely post, tribute to your Dad ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Hi Melody
ReplyDeleteReading your blog is enjoyable.
Hi Carol
ReplyDeleteThank you
He worked in the Boston area all his life.
Your dad must have worked very hard. What a great find that you were able to obtain this trowel. Is it not amazing how certain items trigger wonderful memories. My grandma's spatula is mine. I still have it and use it for so many things. Thanks so much for sharing a part of you and your dad's life. Hugs
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteA spatula is a wonderful to have with flowing memories.
... I still have my Dad's old dictionary :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Jan,
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Books handed down are special treasures.