I love working with wood. I have written several blogs about this before and I probably will write a few again. It brings me a certain level of inner peace in an otherwise chaotic world. Building something with my own hands is rewarding on so many levels. Now I am NOT a carpenter or engineer or whatever by any means, I have zero formal training other that a brief couple of weeks in shop class in high school (36 years ago - yikes). All I have is my imagination and time. Both are limited so I value them both when they present themselves. I also am fortunate enough to have the priceless resource of advice and help from those who have training in this art/skill.
My latest project is a Pergola for our backyard. I of course have grandiose plans in my head, I have even doodled some of them down, but of course my lack of formal training and skills changes these plans as I progress with construction. Ironically my first major hurdle was my base for the posts, just like my Kung Fu training. Bad base equals unsteady pergola and bad base equals unstable Kung FU. Strong base makes everyone happy. Maybe this is why I like working with wood so much. Like Kung Fu, wood is forgiving yet strong, ancient yet timeless, raw but beautiful, infinitely adaptable yet precise. Wood can be worked into majestic pieces of art or it might just remain purposeful and useful. The possibilities are endless, only limited by my commitment to the final results. Just like my Kung Fu. Ironic? No. Effort equals results. Whether the results are good or bad depends on my quality of effort.
So my pergola (Kung Fu) takes shape, bit by bit, think by rethink, build and adapt to unforeseen obstacles. Steadily it takes shape (way to slow for my Wifypoo -pergola that is), and I am happy. Progress, pride in my work, ability to adapt, and slowly my imagined pergola takes shape.
P/UP 17732
S/UP 17325
SPAR 485 min
1609 972.01 KM km
AOK 894 recorded
HAND FORM 330
WEAPON FORM 295
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