Consuming Kryptonite
Tomorrow it is going to be a warmish day with a bit of sunshine, so it will be more time spent in the garden. There is a fair bit to prepare now, because we have decided to do the first stage of our patio this summer and our tradie will start mid-month. While a patio shouldn't be too complex, I have never done one before, and I have no idea how to do the footings properly to withstand the winter. Which is another reason we aren't doing the whole thing because it is too expensive, since we have to first dig down half a meter and lay insulation foam and then gravel on top to stop the ground from freezing and shifting.
I ordered the materials today. Crazy prices.
But, the wood we got is supposed to be pretty "care free" and doesn't require oiling or lacquering every year. It was about twice the price of the normal treated wood, but half the price of the Siberian Larch - if it was available. Which it isn't, because you know... Russia. There is a similar wood that comes from the mountains in Canada (I think) but it is just as expensive, and out of our price range. I am hoping that whatever we get, will give us a decent looking finish that lasts.
Hence the tradie.
I am going to be doing the grunt work for him, carrying and holding stuff in position for him to drill. It is about where my skills lay. I can lift heavy things. However, I also ordered some extra wood and will make a storage for our wheelie bins. Using the same wood will add a little bit of continuity to the look of the home, and should make it easier in the winter rather than having to dig through a metre of snow to lift the lid on the bins.
I like building stuff.
Useable stuff at least. My grandad was a master woodworker and would spend so much time in his shed carving and making things. And now I am starting to understand the enjoyment of it. I am no master, not even good, but creating something that actually gets seen and used, is pretty awesome. Especially if it also lasts. I wonder if my grandad got some satisfaction every time he saw something he made getting used.
So much is bought and is build for disposal these days. It might look good and even be okay quality perhaps, but even the designs are made to be replaced. They date so fast. But I think that is a cultural thing these days, where we are conditioned to match themes, whereas in the past, themes were often mismatched. A loungeroom was filled with an eclectic range of styles and times - now, everyone has the set from Ikea, or similar.
But my age is showing, because I am starting to be one of those old men who go to the window and check out how the garden is doing. Granted, it is my garden now, and I have put a bit of work into it recently. Before I only trimmed things and mowed the lawn. Now there is stuff out there I have planned and created from scratch.
It makes a difference.
I think that the world would be a better place if everyone spent at least thirty minutes writing each day, to reflect on their experiences and plan what they intend to do next. I also think that on top of this, the world would be a better place if everyone spent some time in a garden, planting and nurturing something to grow. It wouldn't have to be anything massive, or even outside - caring for a couple decent indoor plants would be enough.
I think if we did these two things regularly, we would quickly discover that life isn't that complicated, and what we need to have a good life, isn't out of reach. We overcomplicate our existence, because we create too little, and consume too much. But most people probably won't think about that statement to understand why that is the case. Sometimes, we have to work out what the answers are for ourselves. Otherwise, we don't own them enough to make them part of our process.
Creativity is a human superpower.
Consumerism our kryptonite.
Taraz
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It’s inspiring how something as simple as building a patio turns into a deeper reflection on life and purpose, creating with our hands, nurturing a garden. or just being present in small moments these are the things that ground us, Loved the honesty and warmth in your words.
My wife and I bought a gazebo that I need to get put up, but the weather has been so hot lately and I have been so busy at work that I haven't had time. I'm hoping I can get to it this long holiday weekend without melting in the sun. Good luck with your patio!
Send a little this way.
Will the gazebo cover the decking? I was thinking about getting one so we can be out in the rain, but unsure. What are your thoughts?
Because of how the deck is, there will be a gap between the gazebo and the door. It will cover most of it though. We want ours more for shade than the rain. My wife has quite fair skin and can't be in the sun too long. The one we got has a solid roof (versus cloth), so as long as it doesn't leak, it should be good in the rain.
I spent quite some time in the garden yesterday, finally, after reading your other post - I remembered that I had totally neglected mine. Harvested some dill, and got into a nasty fight with a rose protecting goldenberries. I won. And then I burned dried up rose branches to assert dominance. It was fun :-)
https://peakd.com/hive-168869/@beelzael/war-of-roses
I got 3 cherry tomato plants from a friend today. I have no idea where to put them yet, they need a quite a bit of protection here so they don't get mold (?) on the leaves from humidity. Maybe Lily's balcony. Gotta see tomorrow.
The plan was to garden a lot more with Lily. But there was always something else. Hopefully, I can include it better next school year.
Some good came out of it!
Are you a fan of those berries? My wife loves them, but I am not so sure. They make good decorations though, with their leaves on.
I think it goes through stages. Smallsteps isn't that keen for more than a few minutes at a time, but occasionally she will put in a couple hours.
I liked gardening as a kid. One of the few things my mother did with me.
If you're careful, you can take the berries out without breaking the leaves. I like them quite a bit, they're a little sour, and I like sour and bitter things. A friend once made a jam out of goldenberries and rocoto chili, the regional very spicy variant. That was SO good. Sour, sweet and super spicy. I gotta ask him for the recipe, now that I think of it.
Lily likes gardening for a while, but even more she likes helping and planting for a few minutes, than turn it into a game, and then just play and check in with me from time to time while I tend to the plants. But it's been quite a lot of work, finding our groove, and after 2 months with her mom it will be like starting at 50% again. Yet, I remain hopeful. I have 2 months to figure out a new game-plan for one more year of upbringing :-)
(Yes, I take them one year at a time, as I never know what the mom will decide when she feels like it.)
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Today it is still cool here, +20 degrees. Tomorrow it will warm up to +26 and I will go for a couple of hours to look at my garden. I will walk barefoot on the grass, pick raspberries and cherries for the children. I will dig up a couple of kilograms of new potatoes and cook them with dill. July is a wonderful time.
I read this yesterday, but was too tired to comment. Sorry! As said on the other post - those new potatoes are great!
Picking raspberries and cherries already? They are august things here. Maybe later for the cherries.
There are very few raspberries yet, but there are some on several bushes. Soon a lot of raspberries will ripen.
Damn it! You bought a bunch of HIVE again! I thought you were withdrawing half your stack.
In some technical subjects that require expertise, prices are really high. When you have a tool and a machine, even if it is not very professional, a person can do it himself. I do not call a master for some subjects. He will demand serious money for 10 minutes or half an hour and leave. Some masters are stalling to show that they spent more time. The world is gradually losing its moral values.
For sure. This guy we trust. He is the most trustworthy we have had, and doesn't mind some cash :)
Absolutely correct! That would be truly mesmerizing if each of us engage ourselves and our families to sit in the garden and have some good time and evolve and enhance the nature in our homes by planting trees and plants. Mostly nowadays people are just destroying nature and using them for there own needs, infact yesterday when I was going out I saw on the road a man who was cutting those huge trees which are planted in between the lanes and that was so depressing. I think engagement in our homes and in many societies is indeed important to save nature and trees.
I feel they should design living cities and suburbs in ways that maximise greenspace. If people spent more time with trees and plants, they would like the world a bit more.
I think that raising creativity can help fighting against this overconsumption mindset, which has become popular in recent years.
Yeah, I think so too. The more creative, the less consumptive. The less consumptive, the more creative.
You're absolutely right: writing and gardening are both deeply therapeutic practices, and when combined, they create something special — a space for growth, both in the soil and within oneself.
Your words really resonate because both activities offer a kind of grounding that’s hard to find elsewhere. Writing helps us make sense of our thoughts and emotions, while gardening connects us to the earth and the rhythms of nature. It’s no wonder so many people find peace in both.
There’s something profoundly satisfying about making something usable with your own hands — especially in a world that leans so heavily toward disposability. It sounds like you’re continuing a meaningful legacy from your grandad, even if you don’t see yourself as a master woodworker yet.
Also, I couldn’t agree more with your closing sentiment:
So true. These simple acts help us slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters. They remind us that life doesn’t have to be overly complex — it’s often in the creating, growing, and tending where we find the most fulfilment.
Looking forward to hearing updates on the patio and the garden — it will be a great post 😊
Yes. The gardening is a new part of life for me, but I have been enjoying it a lot. Hopefully I will continue to enjoy it for years to come :)
Whistle While You Work! :)
yup.. feelin the age.. 😉😎🤙
I am not a great whistler. But I do listen to non-fiction audiobooks while working.