Feeling Inadequate at Home Depot

I am not handy. I have a fear of power tools. It may haveto with the noise or the fear of losing a body part..finger, toe you name it. Thus a trip to Home Depot only reminds me of this inadequacy. I go there as my wife still does not consider me hopeless. Frankly, I am pretty much hopeless. I am overwhelmed by the brochures on how I can install a ceramic floor, wood laminate floor or screens..that was a disaster. Definitely, I am less of a man.

My parents saw this inadequacy early in my life. They insist I get an education. My father tried, as did my uncles. They shook their heads as I handled a power saw, nail gun or drill. Early on they decided my role would be to carry things, wood, bricks or even handle a wheelbarrow. Later in life, I played the odds. If I try to cut that piece of wood with a power, what would be the odds of either failing or losing a figure compared to say my odds of finding someone else to do it. I calculated the risk and often decided the few dollars were worth more than the pain and suffering, not to speak of the probable dismemberment. Still, I have tool envy in Home Depot, observing the men with the big carst buying lumber, tile and bircks. Those men are going home to their power tools. All I can hope to do is to seduce a nail, maybe a couple of screws....on a good day, anything that does not involve an outside source of energy.

Yet, I continue to watch This Old House, only to elevate my hope. I can be Norm Abrams one day...NOT. I admire his workshop and what I could build with those tools if I had any talent. I have decided there are many more like me out there. I say we unite and find those of the fairer sex made to feel inadequate by Martha Stewart. I know we are out there with all the free time in the world to blog.