1/21/19:
Building Summary: Today I measured, planned, marked, and cut the boards that will fasten the sub-toilet/vanity frame to the bathroom’s base. Also, I helped Madre make the pickup order for Home Depot, because we will be going to Ocala tomorrow morning.
Commentary: Construction, cooking, and really, many other forms of creation are processes that are unique in the way that they require full attention of the mind. I realized this earlier after another couple-hour episode of ‘measure, mark, and cut’. Throughout that time, I needed foresight to come up with a valid plan, hand-eye-foot coordination to lug about the sub-frame, attentiveness to take down at least semi-precise measurements, and a pinch of caution to ensure that my fingers and the skillsaw’s crooked cord* were kept away from the rapidly spinning blade.
The point is that construction is an exercise for both body and brain, and like many exercises, it gives one (me, at least) a sense of fulfillment. It feels good knowing that instead of following base desires such as sitting on my bum all day, playing computer games and/or looking at funny pictures on the phone, I’m instead adding something to the world—my world.
*I’m fairly certain that someone did not exhibit this caution at some point or another, because about 1 foot from the trigger, it looks like the saw cord has been spliced back together and wrapped in electrical tape.
Just for the record the saw cord was my doing and the old adage “haste makes waste” does appear to hold some semblance of truth