Mother's Day

My Lowe's email newsletter reminded me today that Mother's Day is just around the corner. I was curious to see what gifts Lowe's recommended for consumers to buy their mothers. While there were a couple of good things, I was somewhat disappointed by the stereotypical suggestions. Most of them were the same sort of thing you'd find at Walmart or Target. Kitchen appliances (coffeemakers/grinders, mixers, food processors), remote controls, ceiling fans, home organizing stuff, garden books, mixers, and lamps. They also threw in faucets and a grill. Only a few real "tools" were highlighted: a driver/drill, power miter saw, and leaf blower.

Why didn't Lowe's buck the trend? If someone's going to buy a coffeemaker or mixer, I doubt Lowe's is the place they're going to think of. But good power tools? They'll think Lowe's and Home Depot over the Walmarts any day.

Lowe's did get me thinking, though. So here's what I'd put on MY Mother's Day wish list:

• Tumbling compost bin or a three-bin, wooden compost system.
• Comprehensive, beginner's woodworking/carpentry manual.
• Sturdy, multi-pocketed tool apron.
• My own cordless drill/driver.
• Truckload of gravel for my garden paths.
• Leaf vacuum/blower that also shreds leaves (or a chipper/shredder).
• Another assortment of router bits (to complement the ones I already have).
• Really good quality paint brushes.
• Heavy duty mask for painting and dusty work.
• Power nailer.
• Wheels for the bottom of my table saw stand.

I'm drooling.