Jack evolves. In very nice ways.

My son Jack has progressed. He’s a much better fix-it guy than he used to be. He was always better at fix-it stuff than me. Much better. But that ain’t necessarily saying much. Because I’m a klutz. But at age 52, Jack knows what he’s doing. He’s honed his natural skills as a handyman. He could make a credible living at it, in my opinion. While he was here visiting me for the first time in over 10 years, he reconstructed my chimney. Covered the crumbling and shabby brick with metal. Looks even more aesthetically pleasing than the brick. But more important, it’s ended long-time leaking around the chimney. Had a torrential downpour the other day. And not a drop of water found its way into the house. Obviously, Jack knew what he was doing. And the whole project cost me a little less than $400. For materials and labor. A bargain. And it fixed a longstanding problem. So, thank you, Jack. Also, a day or two after Jack arrived, we had a hell of a storm. The worst tree damage that I’ve had in years. The better part of three big trees were all but felled. Anyway, I went out and bought a chainsaw, and Jack worked like a beaver for a full day. Got all of the wood cut up and neatly stacked. And burned all of the branches. So that I didn’t need to have anything hauled away. I paid Jack. But he saved me a pretty penny. And a neighbor has offered to buy the wood. Which could turn me a profit. But I’ll give him the wood. As a neighborly gesture. Because he’s helped me in the past. In so very many neighborly ways. I was a little nervous when Jack showed up. Unexpectedly. After a long, long absence. Because Jack was a bit of trouble in the past. He’s still Jack. Doesn’t live life the same way as me. But he’s a decent, good-hearted guy. Lives sort of a hippie pioneer lifestyle. And he continues to evolve into his own man. In very nice ways. –Jim Broede