Category Archives: Uncategorized

With a Little Help – – –

Posted on by
Reply

Jack’s Wednesday guest post makes it on time again – –

Per Ardua Ad Astra (through struggle to the stars)

It may seem strange to be constructing a covered pergola on our back deck when we’re still in lock-down and there’s no end in sight. One reason is that we already had planned to do this and another is that we have the time right now. Finally, it encourages us to look forward to entertaining friends once things eventually settle down.

Many friends make light work

One advantage of the current situation is that most stores are doing home deliveries just now, so I’m very glad that the very heavy large and awkward box was carried by the driver and his helper right to where it was needed.

We got an Allen and Roth 12′ x 10′ gazebo from Lowes – it is well designed and sturdy. The instructions are mostly clear and where they aren’t it’s not hard to work out what to do. I would recommend this if you’re looking for something similar. It took us three days of leisurely work – maybe 8 hours total and needs at least 3 people.

It was delivered last Friday and I began the assembling of the various sections of frame on Saturday. Then on Sunday four neighbors and myself bolted together all those sections including the roof frame. After a break on Monday when I screwed the four corner posts to the deck and made sure all the bolts were tight, some of the friends returned Tuesday and we got the roof fabric and side curtains on.

The most enjoyable part of the whole exercise for me was how friends we’ve made since moving here were so willing to set aside their own priorities to come and help. Not just muscle power but strategizing and instruction interpretation as well!

Et Voila!

With our three tables and chairs there’s room to accommodate a group of six folk while socially distancing, so it may not be so long before we can share our new space

Timing is Everything – – –

Posted on by
1

Jack just gets over the line this time with the Wednesday blog post –

Wendy has always wanted a grandfather clock and we were gifted one by a local friend a few days ago. It now stands proudly in our library room.

  • The weights are waiting to be fitted!

But it got me thinking about time, both in general and in more specific ways.

I’ve always been interested in the way we experience time. When I was ten, then ten years was my whole life, but when I was twenty it was half my life. Now that I’m approaching eighty it’s an eighth of my life and the last ten years have gone in a blink.

All of this also brings to mind particular moments in time too – we have paintings and photos displayed around the house that are like time machines and instantly transport me back.

Up until recently our lives have been ordered by the days of the week but now, during lock-down I have real trouble deciding which day of the week it is. Mostly each day has the same shape to it and we go to some lengths to introduce some variety, but still – – –

We have a Zoom meeting every Sunday with friends here in the US and others in Scotland – here it’s at 9 am but in Scotland it’s 2 pm. Our good friend Liz Weir in Ireland hosts a massive on-line session every Saturday night with folk all over the world, but for many participants it isn’t Saturday night – for some not even Saturday at all!

Finally – we picked our first garden peas yesterday and I was instantly transformed to the ten year old walking home with my grandad from his allotment (victory garden) and eating peas from a freshly picked pod.