91-year-old father and son reconnect by turning replicas of homes into little libraries
When his now 91-year-old father first moved here a few years ago, Ray Young wanted to make the most of their time together.
“I hadn’t lived in the same city with my father for over 30 years,” Ray says.
Ray had no experience with woodworking, but his dad Ding Young did. So they decided to try to build something together.
“It was more important that we spend time together,” Ray says.
So Ding started visiting his son six mornings a week, between 9 a.m. and noon. They ended up making a flowerpot, which felt good.
“After that, we just kept going and going,” Ray smiles.
The father and son have taught themselves to construct multiple items from up-cycled wood pallets, and formed a company out of Ray’s garage called I Used To Be A Pallet. Their list of more than 600 projects ranges from bicycle baskets, to Christmas tree-shaped beer bottle holders, to staircases for dogs to climb into beds.
“He get an idea. Then I get an idea,” Ding smiles. “We put it together. It turns out pretty good.”
But then, Ray and Ding got a commission to make one of those community library boxes, so neighbours could exchange books.
Ray and Ding at work. “I thought that was great challenge,” Ray says.
A challenge that Ray and Ding relished in rising to. They started making little libraries that looked exactly like the houses behind them, except for the sign encouraging you to pull the door gently and pick a book to read voraciously.
“I think it’s an amazing replica,” says Astrid, who’s stopped at Ray and Ding’s 20th library that’s re-created the intricate brick work and elaborate moulding of the more-than-a-century-old home. “This makes our neighbourhood more interesting.”
The dynamic duo spends months constructing the little libraries, after studying multiple photographs of the houses. They range from traditional Tudor to modern minimalist. Ray focuses on crafting the architectural details, while Ding paints and sands each piece.
“I’m 91 years old,” Ding smiles. “As long as I keep working, I’m happy.”
Like happy memories turn houses into homes, like good writing keeps you engaged in a book until the last page, making little libraries ensure this father and son stay connected and creative.
“It’s great that we get to spend time together,” Ray says. “But we also do something productive and that’s meaningful for both of us.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.
First snow dump of the wintry season brings in chilly temperatures
As the second day of December unfolds, Canadians from coast to coast are experiencing a range of wintry conditions. Here's what's happening in different parts of the country.
'Ally to the North': Ontario launches U.S. ad campaign amid Trump's tariff threat
Ontario is launching a U.S. ad campaign, touting the province as an 'ally to the North' ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and under the threat of tariffs on all Canadian goods.
Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over U.S. dollar will backfire
The Kremlin said on Monday that any U.S. attempt to compel countries to use the dollar would backfire after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on BRICS countries if they created their own currency.
Crews work to reopen highway north of Toronto after major snowstorm hits cottage country
Crews are still working to reopen Highway 11 north of Toronto after parts of Ontario’s cottage country were hit with upwards of 140 centimetres of snowfall over the weekend.
Ontario food banks cutting back amid 'unprecedented surge in demand'
About 40 per cent of food banks in the province have scaled back the amount of food they provide each visit amid “record-high demand,” according to a new report by Feed Ontario.
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.
Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical
Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection.
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.