Thursday, January 4th, 2024
I am grateful for my sons. This is always true, but today, it’s first and foremost in my mind. About a week ago, my eldest called me up and said, “I think I have time to replace the back deck before my next semester starts.” Bam! Houston, we have a project!
The last three days have been a whirlwind of measuring, researching, designing, ripping out old, rotten boards, picking out new ones (and getting them home in my Dad’s awesome truck), and through it all, I’ve been spared the heavier, harder, more intense work that my 51 year old women’s body can no longer hand.
Instead, I’m spending my days breathing through a very expensive mask while carefully sealing the top, sides and ends of our new, cedar boards with an awesome products made out of Rosewood Oil, from trees grown to provide shade for coffee plantations in Brazil! (FYI - the mask works GREAT!)
And, my younger son and my husband have been drawn to the project, like bees to flowers, so it’s turned into a very enjoyable family activity with no sense of hurriedness or anxiety. We’re just having a good time and watching the project unfold.
Each night, we’re all tired, sleeping well, hungry, eating well, thirsty, drinking well, slightly sore + recovering well. Which is as a project should be!
Overall, this experience has been infused with moments of gratitude, and now, I’m going to share a fabulous Substack written by a women who used to live on my island and who I very much appreciate and admire.
I hope you enjoy Eryn DeFoort’s writing, work and passion.