Thanks to everyone who left me blog topic suggestions so I'm not left flailing around for something to write about this month. Please feel free to leave more here, or on the previous post with the rest of them.
L's question, to start with...
So, what's the thing you've made that you're most proud of, Danger?
I think this caught me because I can't recall actually making much in my life, beyond, recently, dinner and brownies. There were a few group projects in the Army that I was involved in, but that was everyone making whatever it was, not just me.
However... About the time my profile picture was taken, so, about fifteen years ago I think, I was home for a few weeks. Mum was talking about the stone path she wanted put in the garden and how it was going to cost the Earth and how could anyone justify charging that much for laying a bit of stone. And I said I'd do it. She said I didn't know how, which was perfectly true, and I said I did, which was a complete lie. She said it'd probably come out wonky. I vowed it wouldn't.
I got a book from the library.
And then I got a lot of sand and gravel and weed cloth, and several immense slabs of stone. Borrowed dad's level. That's mainly what I remember: digging and leveling and leveling and leveling. And sweating. And then sand and gravel and smaller gravel and more leveling. Once all the leveling was done, getting the stones in was pretty easy.
It's still there, and it's still level (I checked last time I was there). I know it's silly and not much, but it seems permanent in a way not much in my life has been. So. There you go.
L's question, to start with...
So, what's the thing you've made that you're most proud of, Danger?
I think this caught me because I can't recall actually making much in my life, beyond, recently, dinner and brownies. There were a few group projects in the Army that I was involved in, but that was everyone making whatever it was, not just me.
However... About the time my profile picture was taken, so, about fifteen years ago I think, I was home for a few weeks. Mum was talking about the stone path she wanted put in the garden and how it was going to cost the Earth and how could anyone justify charging that much for laying a bit of stone. And I said I'd do it. She said I didn't know how, which was perfectly true, and I said I did, which was a complete lie. She said it'd probably come out wonky. I vowed it wouldn't.
I got a book from the library.
And then I got a lot of sand and gravel and weed cloth, and several immense slabs of stone. Borrowed dad's level. That's mainly what I remember: digging and leveling and leveling and leveling. And sweating. And then sand and gravel and smaller gravel and more leveling. Once all the leveling was done, getting the stones in was pretty easy.
It's still there, and it's still level (I checked last time I was there). I know it's silly and not much, but it seems permanent in a way not much in my life has been. So. There you go.
34 comments:
It's not silly, those times when you really put maximum effort into getting things right do shine out.
MT
That sounds very impressive and not a small thing at all. I bet your mum is still telling people you did the path for her. Just be careful, or you'll find yourself laying a level path round the school pond.
And permanence is over rated. We lived in the same house for 23 years. Then when we moved recently I realised I'd been waiting all those years for the move, so it had never felt permanent at all!
SH is right, there are those slabs need laying at the one end of the pond...
Sounds great. I assume I shall see it whenever we go to your parents'.
If you're about later we could get something to eat? Late lunch? If I'm not busy.
How very much you that the thing you#re most proud of making is something you made for someone else and put so much of yourself into. So many people would have just sympathized with their mother without doing anything to help.
That's very true you're so generous with your time and care.
I've never known anyone else like you.
That feeling when you've made a success of something that was only hypothetical before is such a lovely one - having earned it, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And your mum surely thinks fondly of you (lying through your teeth) every time she walks on the path.
MT - that probably is a big part of it. It was bloody difficult.
SH - It doesn't need a path, honestly… Is the new house permanent?
L - I thought this pond was meant to be natural looking, not leveled… Lunch would be lovely. When did you have in mind?
DW - I'm afraid it was less altruism and more boredom. I had to do something or I would've lost my mind.
Innie - And your mum surely thinks fondly of you (lying through your teeth) every time she walks on the path.
Ha! I hope so. I'm quite sure she knew I was lying; she is my mum after all.
Most of it will be natural, but where we put that shallower shelfy bit in there's going to be a few slabs so the kids can lie on their fronts and loom over some poor tiny creatures without getting completely filthy.
Um..time...half two? Sorry, time's running away with me again today. What's the saying? 'time goes? Alas no. Time stays, we go' or something like that.
Time can stay in your office and you can go to lunch with me, it'll work out quite well. Half two is fine, I'll text you when I get there?
All right, I suppose I can manage a shelfy bit.
It'll be 6 ish slabs. Maybe 9. Not many.
Yeah, text or call or something. I need a decent coffee. Problem with people bringing in good stuff is that the bad stuff tastes worse afterward.
I know for a fact that I don't tell you often enough how much I love you, how much better you make my days, how just seeing you for half an hour can brighten up even the hardest shift and what a difference you've made to me just by being you.
Thank you.
Thank you, love. That really... I can't tell you how happy that makes me. And I hope you know I feel the same even if I'm not always that fantastic at saying it out loud.
Don't think I'm that fantastic about saying it either.
If the weather's okay tomorrow we could go somewhere that you could ride the bike, before I have to work, if you wanted?
I'm so glad you two found each other. It's great how well you just... fit.
Have fun with paving around the pond John! And also, it's your turn for the next Greg the Florist instalment. :D Mwahaha!
You guys are just reaally reaallly sweet! Somehow I can imagine a few decade, in the future and you go like "And that's kid, how I met your uncle Lestrade..." XD
And I totally agree with Tink! Moar Greg-the-florist!
(Sorry for the incoherent comment. It's around 1 a.m. here and I'm still studying. Damn Endocrine system.)
L - that would be brilliant yeah. Thanks. :)
I haven't even seen the path in questions and I can tell it's *much* better than my vague atempt at stepping stones in the garden.
Also, I'm with the others on the subject of how wonderful you two are together. :D
I'm so glad you two found each other.
What Tink said. And--and I mean this quite seriously and non-ironically--thank you for sharing with us. It's lovely.
John, there's nothing remotely silly about being proud of a piece of good craftsmanship. There's something deep-down satisfying about creating something solid and real with your own hands--I mean, there it is, no second-guessing is called for, you can go look at it and KNOW you did it right, and that if you wanted to you could do it again.
And apparently you are going to, if in a smaller way. :)
Good. I shall try not to be too nervous... might wrap you and the bike in bubble wrap though...
Dinner requests?
Danger - just Don't. Drop. The. Bike.
I promise I am more worried about Danger than the bike.
You could always bundle him into one of those padded suits they use for the "aggressor" in self-defense classes. :D
I won't drop the bike or do anything untoward with it, promise.
I've been told that the problem is not so much that dropping the bike will damage it as that it's REALLY hard to pick up again.
Not that it matters, as you're not going to drop it. Or hurt yourself, for that matter.
I promise I am more worried about Danger than the bike.
Lestrade - it's sweet you thought you had to make that clear :-p
BIkes aren't usually hard to pick up with the right technique.
Unless, like my current one, they have enough fairing and Stuff that the wheels can't be got to the ground.
I have been able to pick up all my bikes without damage, but this one I need help with for the first few seconds because I can't use leverage.
Usually you lever it up against the wheels, with this one it skates on its fairing instead!
Usually the first drop of someone's career is at very slow speeds or a dead stop.
So go fast and you'll be fine!
go fast and you'll be fine!
Heh. I'm not sure L is going to appreciate this advice...
Ha! I expect you're right. But I wouldn't be surprised if it were true all the same.
And one or both of you should get a good blog post out of the experience!
I want you to go fast enough. However fast you feel comfortable. Bearing in mind we're not going to be on a runway...stopping will be quite important!
You can tell me all about it, and I'll listen very carefully before we start, don't worry.
I trust you entirely. Not sure I trust myself... I will try to be a good tutor.
I'm sure you'll be excellent at it. You're always good at explaining things. Where are we going?
Um...ask me tomorrow? I could say It's a surprise...but if will be for both of us. I've asked around for suggestions.
That was a very nice thing to do, John! :) You're a great son.
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