If you build it, you will be payed with beer

Like a prison escape, it started from scratch. Many scratches of pencil lead on paper, shovels in dirt, and saw blades on beams.





Next came the bracing. Metal brackets holding it together, bracing myself to lift the sides into place with Adam's helping hands. Spare wood and a pregnant wife holding the structure in place long enough to repeat the process on the other side, and brace with a top rail. Add more top rails.





Finally, pop a top on there for shade. Pop the top off a cold beer for prosperity and gratitude. Sip coolly with friends. Relax.

You know what they say about rabbits...

Quick like bunny.

After long thoughts led to lengthy discussion and planning, we built a ramada in the backyard. It's a skeletal frame as of this moment, but Adam helped me put together and lift up the 4x4 frame and place a few 2x4 cross pieces to make it sound. Pictures to follow tomorrow or later than that if I get too tired.

On a side note: I think I worked faster today than ever on a project around the house. Oh, and Emery is the best grilled cheese maker in the West!

Options

Ever notice that being a house guest opens a whole new world? People's homes are arranged in so many different ways; some are tidily kept just 'in case' guests are to arrive, whereas others fall into a category between 'neat but lived in' and plain old 'clusterf#cked'.

All these intimate sanctuaries of living space are new worlds to a wayfaring friend or stranger. The homes contain such oddities you've never conjured, or selections of shampoo you wanted to buy but never could bring yourself to justify. Either way, I always enjoy being welcomed into these adventurous places, especially when food is served! I also like to invite others to my home for the same little reasons I visit theirs.

Anyone for a sleepover? Being grown up is still all about having your friends over for the night sometimes.