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Built by Tom Tate

July 13, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 17 Comments

In 1954, Daddy built this piece of furniture in high school shop class. Staci and I used it as our night stand for years and then it was Tate’s. Now it’s in our Fayetteville house.
It belongs back in Arkansas.
When I was in 9th grade, I decided to take shop instead of home ec. I thought I might build some furniture too.  Daddy ix-nayed this idea right away, saying you only want to take shop because Craig is in that class… I was forced to go straight to home ec with all the girls. Turned out to be pretty fun other than the sewing debacle. And I still managed to spend plenty of time with Craig…
Craig and Me 2011
That little night stand is sturdy and very well built with dove-tailed joints. He did a great job on it. In the back of the drawer, upside down and hidden, Daddy burned an inscription into the wood, Built By Tom Tate 1954. The inscription is only visible when the drawer is emptied and removed. The inscription itself is a treasure, written in Daddy’s hand.
The little drawer has held all sorts of trinkets beginning in 1962. During the past year, Tate’s room has been empty, but the little drawer still held his things. Things left behind. Some not touched in years. A time capsule from childhood through high school. Plastic ninja toys from Ci-Ci’s Pizza, his Harry Potter Halloween glasses, guitar pics, golf tees, boy scout badges, his lifeguard whistle, a Little People person… 

Now it’s empty and polished and sitting by our bed in Fayetteville. I’m not sure what will end up in it, but I know whenever I go, it’s going with me. Until it can’t.
talya
Musical Pairings:
I Love, Tom T Hall
Craig and Me 1966?

Filed Under: Family, Life Tagged With: Fayetteville, Keiser, Mississippi County, Northeast Arkansas, Staci Tate, Tate, Thomas Tate

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    July 13, 2012 at 4:45 am

    This brought a tear to my eyes this morning. Did Thomas sign the bookcase? I can’t remember.

    Loved this. Mom

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      July 13, 2012 at 4:47 am

      Yes he signed both.

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:12 am

    Loved the story about the chest that Thomas built. This brings back alot of good memories that we all shared. We graduated with alot of smart students and talented people.

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      July 13, 2012 at 7:32 am

      thank you!

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:23 am

    Loved this post! Sweet, sweet story! I know you’ll always cherish that beautiful table! I’m the same way about things my Daddy builds! His lastest is a gorgeous wagon wheel picnic table that is sitting on his and Mom’s amazing front porch, which he also built. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Love you, Ashley

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      July 13, 2012 at 7:32 am

      Thanks Ashley! Your dad is an amazing builder. I loved touring his house and hearing about every detail down to the nails! T.

      Reply
  4. Colene says

    July 13, 2012 at 8:28 am

    Special!

    Reply
  5. Kathy says

    July 13, 2012 at 9:21 am

    very, very sweet … love those treasures!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    July 13, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    I shed a few tears myself reading this one! VERY touching and sweet! What a beautiful pc of sentimental craftsmanship from your beloved daddy. To be cherished forever!!! Talya’s cuz. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  7. pittypatter says

    July 14, 2012 at 6:16 am

    I hate to one-up you, but I’ve been repainting my dad’s kitchen cupboards and drawers. Everyone I sand and paint, I wonder when he did it, and what he was thinking. Too late to ask him, so I’ll have to make it up–in the sequel. I also have a tool box and a wooden stool and a plastic swan that my sons crafted in their shop classes. Double treasures. Loved the look back,but who is Craig? I’ve either missed that or forgotten.

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      July 15, 2012 at 4:55 am

      Guess everyone doesn’t know Craig – LOL. He is one of my best friends. Our families have been friends forever – vacations together, etc.

      Reply
  8. Kaa says

    July 17, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    I have a book shelf Daddy built for my dorm room when I was in college. It will go everywhere I go until, as you said, it can’t. It’s not as pretty as the store-bought’n ones it sits next to, but it means a lot more to me.

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      July 18, 2012 at 4:48 am

      Daddy built a bookshelf that matches the little nightstand. I have that too. I love it!

      Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    July 28, 2012 at 9:41 am

    looks like young craig is holding a cigarette (?)
    -Bob

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      July 28, 2012 at 10:45 am

      probably…

      Reply
  10. Freeda Nichols says

    September 14, 2013 at 6:24 am

    Enjoyed this, Talya. My daddy was also a builder. And from Arkansas.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      September 14, 2013 at 7:22 am

      Thank you Freeda. The nightstand, matching bookshelf and a checker board were the only things I ever knew him to build. He was too busy farming:)

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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