Most people live with individuals who do one or two things well, if they are lucky. Me, I live with an actual Jack of All Trades.

When I met Pete, he did impress me because of his willingness to cook and clean. He also held his own intellectually with others, and had a real interest in the same. He was well read, and also very hands on. He also had above average financial business acumen.

I did not then realize the extent of it. Pete went on for his Ph.D., and he had no problems writing his dissertation. We then had a dog named Bootleg; she went everywhere with him. One of the guys on his dissertation committee called him Dog Boy, a name that stuck.

He now has spent twenty years teaching here in Alaska.

Pete’s dad’s area of academic study was the good life. Pete picked up where he left off and has been putting theory to practice.

Pete installing shelving

All of the above came to mind today as I assisted Pete in building two sets of shelves for boxes of books. I knew what he was thinking design wise because he previously built a shelf in the basement of the Meeting House.

This morning he built the shelves, and in the afternoon we loaded them into the Ford F 350 and drove directly to the Historic Eagle Hotel. Pete put an assortment of tools in the back of the truck, along with the shelves and supports.

We unloaded all we brought with us. As we walked in the door, we both noticed that there was a fellow on a ladder. His head was not visible because it was above a raised ceiling tile.

Pete got to work, measuring and calculating and putting the wood supports in place. I gave him an assist holding the boards. Together, we lifted the wood shelves into place. He screwed them into the walls with a drill bit.

I sorted through books and moved boxes into place when Pete had no need for additional help.

Pete also took the time to talk to Herbert, who was from the village of Noorvik, Alaska. He was an affable guy – Pete talked readily with him, and provided him with advice about how he might get the heater fan to work. And Pete talked with Atli when he came strolling in.

Some guys wouldn’t have a clue as to how to build shelves. And they wouldn’t engage in conversation with them. Pete’s expertise and genuine interest in others made for a fun afternoon/evening.

I presumed that once Pete finished building one set of shelves that we’d call it a day. But no, he decided to build a second set. And tomorrow we’ll take down shelves in the Meeting House and relocate them to the Historic Eagle Hotel.

It is true – everyday I think about how fortunate I am to live with a Jack of All Trades. I of course, wish that I was a Jill of all Trades, but this just isn’t the way it is. Plain and simple, I got lucky.

Next: 161. 6/12/23: Rain Forthcoming