Who we are.

The sign above Pappy’s Woodshop set the mood. “Pappy’s Shop - 25 Cent or 50 Cent Tours”. A fitting sentiment of orneriness, just like Pappy. I have many memories of Pappy’s Shop. The wood fireplace in the corner was handmade with two metal barrels and some left over cast iron pipe. “Tikie” the little black and white Rat Terrier made his home close to the fireplace on cold days. The space always smelled of freshly cut wood and was always covered in a thick layer of sawdust. Although Pappy was not much of a cleaner, he was quite the handyman. Being a small-town farmer he had to have a vast array of knowledge. From tractor repairs to roof leaks, he tackled it all. He was the kind of innovative and resourceful thinker that could patch up nearly anything with just bailing wire and duct tape. But where his skill really shined was in his wood carved folk art. Carved characters of all kinds, from Bugs Bunny to Daffy Duck. Pappy carefully crafted each piece; carving, sanding, painting and mounting each one. Before he passed away, he had accumulated hundreds of carvings. The collection had grown so large that the display took up a quarter of the basement. Pappy’s eye for detail and love of art always fueled me to be more skilled, resourceful and creative. I suppose it’s not surprising that my next venture in life mimicked him. The title “Pinstripe Solutions” is in memory of my Pappy (aka. Clifford McNeely). Who was nearly always found wearing his favorite pinstripe bib overalls.