Today is 9/11 - a day we will all remember. It is the anniversary of a terrible day that changed the world. Today there are events that mark the day, and to remember the lost.
As it unfolds, my thoughts go back to that day ten years ago and I remember. I wonder what brought those people to do those horrible acts. It is unthinkable. And my thoughts drive me to do something.
I am resolved to do my little bit to make the world a better place. I am afforded countless opportunities through each and every day. I will take the time to contact a friend. I'll spend time with those I love.
I'll do my best to be courteous in traffic, to yield to those who are in a hurry to get by. I'll smile to everyone I greet through the day. I'll take the time to say thank you to those who serve me. I'll tip generously, no matter what the service may have been.
Those I work with I will seek to serve, to make their jobs easier to do. I will remember to pat my crew on the back and celebrate the wonderful things we create each day - no matter how little progress may have been made. I won't sweat the small stuff, or little mistakes. The bigger mistakes will serve as a learning experience and not ruin my day nor the day of those around me.
I'll do my best to make the world I come in contact with a little brighter. I'll design my work to bring a smile to those who see or experience it. Perhaps for a short while their cares might diminish.
I cannot change the entire world. It would be impossible. But I can change the little world I live in for the better. I can make all those I come into contact with have a little brighter day.
This is my pledge on this 9/11 day.
-grampa dan
Maybe tomorrow...
Some days go better than others. Other days - not quite so much.
I had big plans for today. I would start a major file on the router. I also planned on welding up a big project. I slept in a little. It was Saturday after all. By the time I got out to the shop it was almost ten. As I walked past the truck I remembered I had to remove the hitch as someone was borrowing one of the trailers early tomorrow morning. As I removed the hitch I noticed the ball wasn't very tight. Than meant I had to locate the big wrenches and tighten things up. My neighbor came over for a visit and that took a little time too. But he is a great neighbor and I always have time for a chat. Then it was on to the originally scheduled events of the day - or so I thought. I warmed up the CNC router and attempted to start the files. But I had somehow got the tools out of order and had to go back and reprogram the files. No big deal but my schedule was slipping badly at this point. I started the router once more and then went out into the shop to start my metal working project - my main task for the day.
I fetched my black sketch book out of the truck but couldn't find the carefully noted measurements and notes that I had taken last week. They were in my other notebook I had left at the worksite. No problem, for it was a nice day for a drive. I would eat lunch on the road. When I returned I cut some steel and fired up the welder. But the ground clamp came apart - replacing the failing clamp was one of those tasks I had been putting off. It was time to head into town to pick up a new one. Trimming the wire and fasstening the shiny new clamp in place took a little more time. I finished the first few welds and grabbed my old disk grinder to clean things up. This one was a spare as my other two grinders were at the worksite an hour away. The grinder let out a puff of white smoke and died before the first weld was smooth. I checked the time and I had just enough time to race back into town to buy a new grinder. Supper too, would be enjoyed on the road.
When I returned to the shop I did a few welds, used the new grinder a little and was enoying my time on the job. But it was shortlived for I remembered an appointment I had made last week which would take up the rest of the evening. Not much progress had been made on my project. But that was OK. It had been the perfect day for some liesurely drives. Tomorrow, the project may get done.
-grampa dan
'D' is for...
The Fox and Hounds project sometimes seems to be going on and on and on... The truth is evvery day we make good progress but not always in one single place. Because there are so many trades working in a relatively small space we have to be very flexible as to where we work. As a result there are many things 'in progress' scattered through the worksite. Today I was hoping to finish the last of the concrete carving on the outside entry but the plasterers needed to work above to finish their work, meaning we had to work elsewhere. The 'brick' archway into the pub was the perfect project - out of everyone else's way including the tile man who had cordoned off a large area in the middle of the project. When we were designing the archway one of the owners, Debbie, asked for a decorative keystone in the arch. I suggested the letter 'D' be on the stone. She immediately asked what the 'D' stood for. And I replied on one side it was for Debbie and the other side Dan. Today was we carved the brickwork other trades folks and customers asked what the 'D'was for. Dominique of course thought it should be his initial. Dave thought the keystone was for him. The good natured debate was on. And I would think the debate will rage on for years to come as countless patrons ponder that same question. The truth is of course that since I made the pieces I would think I know better than anyone else. :)
-grampa dan