“I always seek in what I see the likeness of something beyond the present and tangible object.” – Percy Bysshe Shelley
The crew is here to build the deck and the fence in our backyard. Oh how long we have waited for this day and now, so excited, I believe I can easily imagine what it must feel like to have severe ADD. My brain, and the thoughts in it, are just bouncing around and I can barely sit still long enough to write this. How I love watching the crew work with their power augers, their reciprocating saws and hearing the sound of the compressor filling the air.
I am living a construction lover’s dream. I am happy watching the deck I designed in my head actually come alive before me.
So on this exciting day, I want to share with you one of my favorite activities.
It begins with a confession.
I say I don’t like shopping.
But actually, that’s not true.
I love going to Home Depot.
I love wandering the aisles and looking at all there is to see.
Some ask, hammers? Screws? What’s so interesting about that?
And to myself I silently shake my head and think about how when I see hammers and screws I see possibility.
I see what can be.
All around me, in each of those aisles, I see a way to make something new, or make something that already exists, better.
Oh how I love being part of the transformation process.
Me too, I love hardware stores. Big ones, small ones, I love them all. I don’t even use half the stuff, would never buy it, but I am content to wander around looking. Almost soothing somehow
OK, I can’t say I totally share your Builder Babe passions (I do love browsing old hardware stores, and the smell of wood cutting, and the sound of a saw) but you conveyed it well. The photo montage – they work so well together, with all the complex patterns & bright colors – I would have to add, as expected, that browsing paint chips is pretty nice too.
Well I think a mutual appreciation for hardware stores is pretty okay! And yes, it was so fun to take my camera to Home Depot, at first glance one might not think of it as such a colorful, photogenic place, but it really rather is. Oh my, the paint chip aisle, I mean how many times have you painted your house in your imagination?!? Plus I just love colors and their relationship to each otheer, and how they change in different light!
I meant to add have fun! That’s certainly a great thing, seeing your deck design come to life.
And another confession, as much as I like working on construction projects, especially as I get older, I really like watching OTHERS do my construction projects. I am getting to the point where writing the check isn’t nearly as painful as doing the work!!! And yes, can’t wait to see the deck, a little scared still, hoping the geometry of my design works out as I drew it. From the head, to paper, to reality… cross your fingers!
You’re so cute!
I love going to Home Depot too – but not because I want to build stuff…because I want to buy stuff for other people to build. Can’t wait to see the finished project! Have fun!
Out of curiosity, what were your favourite activities and toys as a child?
Wow, haven’t thought about it before. Let’s see… loved going to Miami Dolphin football games with my dad, loved playing outdoors (back when kids could), loved riding my bike, climbing trees, walls or anything else that could elevate me off the ground and then jump from. I played in the lake, digging for clams, catching tadpoles and frogs. I listened to a lot of music. I remember the first career I wanted to have, I was in the 3rd grade and I so very much wanted to be an archeologist. Then in 5th grade, when my father bought a race car that was in the Indianapolis 500 I was all about wanting to be a race car driver! I memorized all the winners of the 500, what kind of chassis and engine each car had, speeds, etc. I was fascinated by geography and memorized all the capitals of most countries throughout the world and designed my own city with schools, libraries, streets, housing developments, etc. I had a rich inner life. Toys though, I don’t really remember toys. Hmmm, as Jimmy Buffett says, I probably liked “simple toys made out of wood.” I have always said, “the boy is strong in me.”
You are an explorer and creator
Oh goodie, I like both of those!!!
And gender-neutral!!!
Okay, I am totally cool with gender-neutral. I like to do things that are traditionally male, like flying airplanes. Did you know only 6% of the licensed pilots in the U.S. are female and I am one of them!!! Maybe one day it won’t be considered such a guy thing, or a girl thing, it will just be a thing. I like that idea.
I like it too. Just a people thing.
I’m not opposed to gender differences. I fully support men having their man-things – like peeing standing up
Although based on my son’s aim, or rather lack of it, I think I would prefer he sit, or redo his bathroom and use all yellow tile and grout! YUCK!
Man, it is a day for talking about pendulums (pendula)…
Had the very same thought.
My dads a builder! I love the sounds, the smells, and Home Depot!!!
YAY! A woman after my own heart!
Hey Builder Babe!! your enthusiasm is just flying out the screen and right into me!!
I had fun when I redesigned my living room, and seeing it materialize just as I wished. Love the pictures and post the pictures of the deck when its done!! 
Thanks Hema! Oh you betcha I am taking pictures. Lots of before, oh the ugliness! and now the durings! I will put together a post once it’s done! It is so fun watching it all come together, isn’t it! Oh I can’t wait till they get here and see what progress today brings!
I have to say that I have actually felt that way…about quilting fabric. I know it’s more stereotypically feminine…but there it is.
Oh I think that’s wonderful. I love fabric stores and I like to sew. Hey, you know, it’s all about finding what makes you happy and gets the creative energy stirring!
I admire you for your talents and skills. While I like going through the aisles of Lowes and HD, it is just that- going through the aisles and admiring the parts. Hooray for people who could put things together nicely.
Well thank you, but you know, when my kids were little there was no time or interest for such projects. If I had dared start one, even a small project, it would have taken, given all the interruptions on my time, oh, a few years to finish! So you never know, and that’s the cool part, you never know what the future will bring.