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WATER WORDLE
Fix Your Own Leaks
Repair the environment one faucet at a time
I replaced a LEAKY washer inside my faucet the other day. The washer itself cost only about a dollar at my local hardware store and was much cheaper than buying a new faucet.
It wasn’t a difficult task, but it did require some knowledge and skill. And also a willingness to do the work. I credit my father for giving me all three of those things. Growing up, we didn’t have money to replace something every time it broke. This included water faucets, car mufflers, screen doors, bicycle tires, and various toys. We learned to repair things under the watchful eye of my father who seemed to have an unlimited supply of tools, glue, duct tape, and patience for his children.
These were important lessons not only in conservation of materials and money, but also in mechanics, plumbing, electricity, and general gadgetry. I remember thinking at one point in my life that there wasn’t anything that my father couldn’t fix. His real knowledge of how things worked, gained through years of practice was amazing to me. It still is, and even after fifty years I will still ask his advice if I can’t get something repaired properly. I am thankful that he is still around and still has patience for my questions.
