it's hot.

well seven months ago it was cold. very cold. just like now it's very hot. I worry about the Applewood crew on hot days. Are they keeping hydrated. Are they taking breaks to go sit in the shade. In this business there are days you work outside in extreme cold and some days extreme hot. You wouldn't think a state that gets so cold could get so hot! Guess we are lucky here in Minnesota to have such diverse seasons. That's being positive I would say. ...

Those who work in office cubes sometimes wish they could be "free" in the great outside. It has it's envious moments. But it's got many downsides too. Just like anything else. Not knowing what your workplace environment will experience that day is tricky... maybe some sleet?, how about some rain? No how about a thunderstorm and you are working on a second level or a roof.. or how about some hail or pestilence? Yes... bees that you run into when doing a tear down. High humidity, frigid bone chilling cold, ice. wind. The Carpenter hates wind. That's another post.

Years ago the Carpenter was working with another carpenter on an expensive custom home. It was probably a hotter day then today. He had to go lay on the basement floor.. the dirt basement floor to revive. He was introduced to heat exhaustion. Someone commented during the day that Mark (the Carpenter) was a "puddle of Mark". He's never been the same. That's how it goes when your body temps decide to go for a hike in the mountains.

That reminds me of dinner. I never think about dinner till it's dinner. Even when I'm working from home. Not a good habit. And well... the Carpenter usually doesn't want to eat on a hot day- part of the past heat exhaustion deal. His appetite decreases as the temps climb.

Last night the Carpenter arrived home very late again. He was full of dust and had a wad of blue masking paint tape stuck to the back of his shirt. He spends a lot of time on the floor when he arrives home because he brings a lot of the job site home with him. Anyway.. I was feeling just a wee bit sorry for myself.. sitting home again. alone. no dinner company. again. This has been more the norm then the exception for too many years. I asked him... "how can you stand this?"... and you know what he said?... "because I love what I do". There is no way a person could sustain such a schedule if a passion for what they do wasn't there. no way.

So... I guess I will go try and make something "cool and refreshing" that might sound good in the hopes that when the Carpenter does arrive home later this evening... he can enjoy something "cool and refreshing"... so tomorrow he can head out the door to do what he loves to do. build.

~ the Artist