The Ties That Bind (Slightly Off Topic Conversation About Family and Inspiration)

Tomorrow morning I board a plane for Boston to visit family and friends and to attend my kid sister’s wedding (I get to be the proud older brother). In honour of my impending travels home I thought I would briefly discuss family and it’s impact on us as Wargamers/ people.

Now I do teach primary school so I could go on for days about Nature VS Nurture and developmental stages and other rubbish but lets be honest… You would not want to read it. (Hell you might not even want to read this!) My Dad is maybe the most considerate, nicest guys I have ever met. He is able to walk into a room and make friends with just about anyone. This is not to say that he does it in a manipulative way. It is just his nature. He is a lovely guy. Not to say that I am like this at all but when I look at the sportsmanship trophies I have gotten over the years I see my Dad. Conversely, Mom is hard as a coffin nail (she is a legal badass) in an argument and is not afraid to express when she thinks something is not on. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I channel my mother at least once or twice per tournament I play in. Ok Brad, you are like your parents… So am I… What is your point? Well, I will get on with it.

The Morin Family has a proud tradition of creating lasting products. My Grandfather was a welder in Boston’s naval yards. I never met the man but I am told he worked hard and was good at working with his hands. His sons became a plumber, a carpenter, and a Teacher (aka the all around handy man) and his daughter married an electrician. The Morins get together and things get built. My Grandmother’s house, the massive DYI project that is my parent’s house, and my uncle’s house at the lake.

Speaking of said lake house (which has turned into his residence now that he has retired), I visited the lake a few months back and was amazed (it had been a few years) at the man’s ability work with wood and as a painter. His house was filled with pictures that he had painted himself (really good stuff) and ornate examples of woodworking. He even built the dock that he parks his boat at by hand! While he is not making or painting war dollies I was inspired as a hobbyist at his skill. Here are a few examples of little details in just one room of his house (the details are throughout the entire house and external tree house/office).



He also carved and stained bear heads for his neighbours up and down the street as gifts.

The House that the Morin's Built...

While I like to think that I am a fairly creative guy who can get things done... I do not hold a candle to these guys. They are humble, creative and get things done (that last the test of time). It is a quite a legacy that I am proud to be a part of and that drives my creative side.