A Sword.

My first real duty as an uncle came yesterday. And my nephew, Nicholas, asked for a sword. I remember being his age and absolutely needing a machete to lay waste to whatever privet or orchid stood in my path. So I procured a piece of mild steel, and we set out to work. He gave design and use advice and a significant number of well-aimed hammer strokes.

Essentially, the uncle's duty in the universe is to enable habits that make mothers nervous. My brother gave Nicholas a drum kit for Christmas a couple of years ago. And now Nicholas has a sword. Peter and I are tag-teaming on this one. Death to all ear drums and shrubbery.

P.S. I like how Ivy is photo-bombing this picture.