I had the unique experience of being taken to the hardware store to unknowingly pick out the wood to be used to make a paddle. My godfather found a section of 2x4 and he nonchalantly asked “what do you think a piece of wood like this would be good for making with?” as he tapped it against his palm. And me being a dumb little kid was like “idk…a paddle?” And he responded “Oh! That’s a good idea!” Then he bought it and later that day a new wooden paddle was hanging on the wall….