“So in order to create something you first have to be able to create.”

– Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

Otto had always loved to putter around in his shop but when he finally retired after some 30 years at the local lumber yard, he took puttering to a whole new level. He began to repair or rebuild everything he could get his hands on. It started with all the items his wife had nagged him for years to repair: an old lamp, a broken coffee table and a wobbly chair. Soon Otto’s efforts turned to bicycles, Singer sewing machines and even an old soft-drink dispenser.

Otto was a neighbour, so now and again I would wander over to his cluttered shop for a visit. What I found most fascinating was the way Otto’s mind worked. He had...

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