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Hi:
I'm a woman and I just read
your article about women, men, fear
and power tools. I didn't think it was sexist at all.
Because of your web site my husband and I installed about 1200
square feet of BEAUTIFUL select, clear white oak floors. We
bought a pneumatic stapler and compressor. We have also bought
many other tools in our adventure of having bought a house in
August 2002 that needed A LOT of work. We have a circular saw,
a table saw, drills, all kinds of wonderful things.
I definitely think you're on
to something about women's being trained in fear and I think
you're right about how wonderful it is to work through that
fear. I've got to tell you when I first used the table saw I
was scared to death--I think I was convinced it was going to
jump up and get me. It didn't and we've been very safe. There
is an amazing rush of power when you can cut a piece of wood
like butter and I think that's also part of what women have
been trained to fear--their own power. I became a much more
powerful person the day I could use that table saw and that
nailer!! The thing I'm fascinated by are all the warnings on
power tools--they're scary in themselves. I try to read the
instructions so I know how to use the machine and what to look
for that might be dangerous but after a while it seems almost
scary to use the machines--the warnings seem to me to be
overkill.
In addition to learning how
to work power tools, I also became a more powerful person
because I never knew much about houses before. Now, I know a
lot more and feel much more confident about taking care of our
house. I have to give a lot of credit to my husband too who is
also somewhat intimidated by power tools. He was very patient
and has taught me so much. And he'd never done any of this
stuff before either.
Anyway, I just wanted to
respond to your article and also again to thank you so very
much for your very wonderful and generous web site.
Ottilie Young
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