quincylampshades

My Dad is a hero. After abandoning the Ashton Court Farmers’ Market a few months ago due to blustery winds, I called my Dad. It took him just one day to build the ultimate wind-proof lampshade display system. Made from MDF, shower poles and pipe lagging it is the best wind-anxiety buster there is. I laughed, in fact guffawed, in the face of the odd gust of wind at the system’s first outing this weekend, and I could quite happily get on with the job of chatting to customers. He’s so brill! Here’s a wee ditty in celebration of his skills. And now I have another solution to add to the list!

To build a special chicken house,

You need a special man,

Who’ll lie in bed and think and think,

And then draw up a plan.

Hours spent at the table,

Drawing with us in mind,

Hours spent in the garage,

Building the design.

Generous heart, clever hands,

Thought and time combine,

To create a splendid chicken house,

By a Granddad great and craftsman Dad, sublime.

My boys think the world was made,

By this very special man,

With a box of tools, electric drill,

Pencil behind his ear.

Wearing an apron, a smile, and a frown until,

Skill, goodwill, hard work reveal,

A playhouse! A chicken house! Cloches for the veg!

We raise a cheer and shed a tear for all of his appeal.

I know that my Dad is great,

And I have many of his skills,

Charm, good sense, a thinky brain,

And very large nostrils.