Last Fall, two beloved birdhouses in my front garden that I purchased 25 years ago at a community Art Fair sadly toppled over from old age. The houses had been drilled into the handle of an antique pitchfork which could no longer withstand the weather elements. I was heartbroken. I could not remember the artist who first created them, neither did I have a drill to make the necessary holes for a new pole that I purchased from Home Depot.

Fortunately, my community has a very unique Maker Space and Tool Library, and once a month, it holds a Repair Cafe. Community residents are invited to bring ANYthing that needs to be repaired — from a dress hem to a necklace to a lawn mower to a computer drive — and in my case, toppled birdhouses. And get this — the repairs don’t cost a thing — though donations are accepted.

Last month, I took my birdhouses and my new pole to the Repair Cafe. Less than an hour later, I emerged with a beautiful feathery fixer-upper thanks to craftsman, Clive Jerram and his skill and patience.

As soon as I got home, I placed my refurbished birdhouses in my front garden and less than 24 hours later, two sparrows were already moving in. Needless to say, my heart took flight!