Sounds just like my Dad. He left them where he finished with them. I never understood that. I can still find them scattered up and down the hillside of the home place.
He was always trudging up and down the hill looking for a tool.
,,,, when my father was working outside I was the tool go-for and when he was done I had to clean up and put everything away . He would say things like this ,,,,,, go in the shop and get that thing of the work bench . I would return with a half a dozen items or more hoping I had the right thing . He used to tell me to help him find small tools he was using like a folding ruler while all the time he had it in his back pocket or looking for his glasses while he was wearing them . I’m glad I don’t take after him ,, my shop is always in good order .