Tomorrow it is going to be a warmish day with a bit of sunshine, so it will be more time spent in the garden. There is a fair bit to prepare now, because we have decided to do the first stage of our patio this summer and our tradie will start mid-month. While a patio shouldn't be too complex, I have never done one before, and I have no idea how to do the footings properly to withstand the winter. Which is another reason we aren't doing the whole thing because it is too expensive, since we have to first dig down half a meter and lay insulation foam and then gravel on top to stop the ground from freezing and shifting.
I ordered the materials today. Crazy prices.
But, the wood we got is supposed to be pretty "care free" and doesn't require oiling or lacquering every year. It was about twice the price of the normal treated wood, but half the price of the Siberian Larch - if it was available. Which it isn't, because you know... Russia. There is a similar wood that comes from the mountains in Canada (I think) but it is just as expensive, and out of our price range. I am hoping that whatever we get, will give us a decent looking finish that lasts.
Hence the tradie.
I am going to be doing the grunt work for him, carrying and holding stuff in position for him to drill. It is about where my skills lay. I can lift heavy things. However, I also ordered some extra wood and will make a storage for our wheelie bins. Using the same wood will add a little bit of continuity to the look of the home, and should make it easier in the winter rather than having to dig through a metre of snow to lift the lid on the bins.
I like building stuff.
Useable stuff at least. My grandad was a master woodworker and would spend so much time in his shed carving and making things. And now I am starting to understand the enjoyment of it. I am no master, not even good, but creating something that actually gets seen and used, is pretty awesome. Especially if it also lasts. I wonder if my grandad got some satisfaction every time he saw something he made getting used.
So much is bought and is build for disposal these days. It might look good and even be okay quality perhaps, but even the designs are made to be replaced. They date so fast. But I think that is a cultural thing these days, where we are conditioned to match themes, whereas in the past, themes were often mismatched. A loungeroom was filled with an eclectic range of styles and times - now, everyone has the set from Ikea, or similar.
But my age is showing, because I am starting to be one of those old men who go to the window and check out how the garden is doing. Granted, it is my garden now, and I have put a bit of work into it recently. Before I only trimmed things and mowed the lawn. Now there is stuff out there I have planned and created from scratch.
It makes a difference.
I think that the world would be a better place if everyone spent at least thirty minutes writing each day, to reflect on their experiences and plan what they intend to do next. I also think that on top of this, the world would be a better place if everyone spent some time in a garden, planting and nurturing something to grow. It wouldn't have to be anything massive, or even outside - caring for a couple decent indoor plants would be enough.
I think if we did these two things regularly, we would quickly discover that life isn't that complicated, and what we need to have a good life, isn't out of reach. We overcomplicate our existence, because we create too little, and consume too much. But most people probably won't think about that statement to understand why that is the case. Sometimes, we have to work out what the answers are for ourselves. Otherwise, we don't own them enough to make them part of our process.
Creativity is a human superpower.
Consumerism our kryptonite.
Taraz
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