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A Million Little Pieces Of My Mind

Zach The Builder

By: Paul S. Cilwa Viewed: 5/2/2024
Occurred: 5/5/2021
Page Views: 662
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Zach
Because one can never have enough storage space.

Our original expectation for the bamboo cottage, was that it would be delivered (or, rather, its components would be) in a 20-foot container. However, it was still being designed at that time, and wound up requiring most of a 40-foot container. A 40-foot container cannot be driven down Hana Highway, which is why I've been having to transport the parts in a U-Haul.

It has also turned out that there is more preliminary work than we realized; and thus the parts must be stored somewhere out of the rain. We already had a few "Costco Carports" but had already exceeded the available protected space. And so, Zach to the rescue: He threw up a sturdy, roofed framework in just a few days, and almost entirely by himself.

I actually did try to help, by sawing the pieces Zach needed for the roof. Unfortunately, with both my Achilles tendons out of whack, moving from end to end of the boards turned out to be too much for me and I had to retire.

By sunset the work wasn't done; and the heavy clouds hinted at a chance of rain.

But Zach has floodlights, and he continued to work while the rest of us (me, Keith, and the worktraders Olivia and Rhiannon) unloaded the truck I'd hauled.

It makes me so proud every time I see Zach scrambling like a monkey with a complete lack of fear. I can't take credit for the talent; that came from his mother. But when he was in my care as a 3-year old and on, whenever he wanted to climb something, I encouraged it.

When a project on the property goes on and on, Ella the dog usually gets board and goes to our shed to hang out. But Lilly loves to supervise.

So, by morning. this new someday-garage-but-current-storage-space, while clearly not complete, has a roof and a sturdy frame that can support tarps, which should keep the parts dry enough, long enough to be assembled.

And, judging by this wall of water heading our way, just in the nick of time!

Sure enough, a shower hit. But the parts were kept dry, and so was Supervisor Lilly.

So, a new day and an empty truck: I guess I'm on my way back for yet another load.