Projects for Project’s Sake
I haven’t written much about projects in the summer of 2023. I sometimes worry that there is no goal of the project other than to have a project. I also question if the project has gained too much importance in my life and has become an idol. These are moral and theological questions that I am trying to answer with Torx screws and a small diesel tractor. It’s the equivalent of bringing a dull knife to a frozen butter contest. Let’s do some background first. Any repair is an investment, that is the philosophy of the project. Early summer around here featured projects done in response to needed repairs. Dry conditions decrease how well a grounding rod contacts the soil around it. For this reason, I needed to add more grounding rods to one of my fence energizers. The formula here is 3 feet of grounding rod for every joule of energy output. The formula worked and doubled the output of the fence energizer.
I also removed some fence that I once installed using a few hand tools, some sweat and arthritis. I purchased a used wire winder to take up the wire but it was not up to the task. I ended up mounting a spinning knob, like you’d find on a steering wheel, to the outside edge of the reel and powering it manually instead of with the tractor’s power take off.
I am planting trees on the land once defined by the fence. Trees rarely run up on the road into traffic which is why I removed the fence. Next up was to prepare the area where I plan to plant trees. The drought/abnormally dry conditions made the pasture area slightly harder than gemstone so tillage had been postponed until last week when it rained. I hope to plant the new InnovaTree in at least part of this area. The InnovaTree was developed by the University of Minnesota and grows at a rate of anywhere from 5-8 feet per year and can reach 35 feet in less than five years. It’s a good tree for those past middle-age. I am currently building a shed around our outdoor generator. It’s an out-door generator. In other words, perfectly designed to be outside which has been proven year-in and year-out over the last few years. So, it really doesn’t need protection. This is my specialty, projects that really don’t need to be done. It will add an element of convenience though as sometimes snow will build up around it which requires that I shovel it out. The structure is a lean-to and is made with barn red material. The people at the metal roofing factory have a picture of me next to the “patriot- red” metal production line with the words, “this is who uses our product:” stenciled around it.
I like patriot red steel, a lot. This is a project which risked suspension when my carpenter’s pencil fell through the slots in the porch floor. Fortunately, I have a back-up so construction continues.
Time is short, both time for outdoor projects and for this column. I think my projects are under control and almost complete. They have not attained “idol” status which is good for my soul. They will be attractive which is good for the eye and they benefit from explanation which is good for this column.
