The Sounds of Summer

It was the Summer of 1977. The blazing sun beat down on my shoulders, as I sat on the concrete foundation of our new garage. I could still smell the concrete, which was just poured a few days earlier. The construction crew had left for the day and I was listening to my Radio Shack transistor radio, as Jimmy Buffett sang about being “wasted away again in Margaritaville”. As a six year-old boy, I had no idea what that lyric meant, but I loved that song non-the-less. It is a memory I will never forget.

As I sat on the steps that led to nowhere, my eyes scanned the large garage foundation and the various sized piles of dirt surrounding the perimeter. I noticed a notch in the foundation where the small back door would go, and the large expansive space where the main garage door would reside. I began to imagine what the walls would look like once they were constructed. Where would the windows be located? I was “looking for my lost shaker of salt”, and eager to see how this garage was going to take shape.

That Summer, I began to imagine a building before it was built, and saw it unfold before my eyes. Each day brought a new phase of construction. I would watch the men wielding their hammers high in the air and then crash them down to meet the nail into the wood, over and over and over again. My anticipation was building as the walls went up. Then a week later, rafters and joists appeared. One day, a new worker walked up my driveway, carrying wires and a bag. He drilled holes in the wall studs and ceiling joists, then laid out all the electricity, outlets and lights. As the hot summer wore on, the roof and singles were laid down and the garage became a shady hang out spot. “Margaritaville” continued to play on my little transistor radio…

Everyday, teams of people work together in families and at companies to build things, plan events, and implement ideas. When you are stuck, look to others in your team or family to chip in and add a fresh perspective to your task. When I witnessed that team of workers build my garage from the ground up, it taught me that each individual must implement their skills, knowledge and style to help complete the job with the right stuff, at the right time, and in the right place.

…And don’t forget to reward yourself, once a job is complete.

Yesterday was Father’s Day, 2015. To celebrate dads everywhere, I kicked off my shoes, threw on my flip-flops, and sat back in my easy chair. I closed my eyes for a moment and listened to sweet sounds of “Margaritaville” on my iPhone, as I drifted back to the Summer of 1977.

 As a Professional Organizer, Speaker, Author, TV Personality, and Podcast Producer & Host, Rick Woods helps residents and businesses make room for clarity, by getting rid of the clutter that gets in their way.


Rick’s newly released book “Make Room for Clarity” is a step by step guide to getting rid of the clutter that gets in your way. Available on Amazon. Listen to Rick's free weekly iTunes & Stitcher podcast "Make Room For Clarity", which focuses on interviewing business & health experts by visiting www.makeroomforclarity.com.



Inquire about Rick's professional organizing business, "The Functional Organizer, LLC.", which focuses on decluttering, organizing, paper filing and time management by visiting www.tforganizer.com.