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April 11, 2008
Building a Shed
There are things that we take on in life – projects, jobs, travels, relationships, and for whatever they may appear to be, they seem to always have a trail of other events and issues along for the ride.
I began building a shed in January of this year. It was clearly a much needed extra space, and developed because I first had this need to improve my studio. However, there was simply too much stuff in there… garden equipment, generators, tools, ladders and miscellaneous junk… none of which are particularly useful in an artist’s workspace. Well, maybe some good tools and a few pieces of junk could be useful, depending on the artwork being done.
At any rate, it was obvious that storage space was the first thing in order before anything could happen with the crammed studio.
How could one know just how much growth and change can happen through such an adventure? Yes, it was an adventure… a true learning experience, to say the least.
After some sleepless nights of thinking and dreaming up all the ways I could accomplish this building, then came the drawings. And this is when my partner said, “ what about the measurements?”
I felt like I stepped over some scary edge when I had actually calculated how long or wide something must be in order for something else to fit.
Wow! Could this work? Can I actually build this little building? Would it be rickety, slanting to one side, or somehow just barely put together? My partner kept calling it the “shack”. It sounded so small and barely there, like a quick amateur project, just thrown together.
I borrowed information from two purchased shed books, yet they still lacked in some important details. One did seem to fill in where the other had a void, but it might be that their main goal is to sell shed plans, and I knew I really didn’t need such a thing.
I had in mind what I thought would be the best size and shape for us and our back yard. And since our house is mid-century modern, I wanted the shed to conform to this architectural style.
It started to feel more real when I ordered pea gravel. I called around town for prices and found a company who would deliver for a very low price.
Starting with those nearly 4 tons of small stones, which had to be shoveled into what seemed like a hundred loads that were pushed and pulled one by one in our newly bought, heavy-duty wheel barrel.
The process continued with smoothing out the huge and heavy mass into a 4-inch deep layer, which was applied atop garden cloth. This is supposed to stop growth of any vegetation… ask me how well that is working now.
Of course, it doesn’t help when you have a couple of young, energetic dogs making their mark and digging into whatever you thought would surely not be interesting to them...like ground cloth. Who knew?
After a few weeks, I ordered the main body of materials. I thought that maybe I would have a pile of wood and concrete blocks sitting on my driveway for a while, but these things were carted to the backyard the same day they were delivered! All these heavy pieces neatly piled on top of the crates they were delivered with and then promptly covered with those familiar large, blue, plastic tarps - just in case of rain. We were so industrious! We were also concerned about theft, so the fire was under us to get it done.
The weather was in our favor most weekends, which is when we both could dedicate some real time to build. But, I was the one who had the most time to spare for this, as he had clients needing his services 24/7. This was OK with me, as I was looking forward to putting this creation together. Of course, in all my excitement, I had not realized just how much labor was involved, and even more surprising, how much time this would take!
For instance, some of these pieces of wood that were destined to be floor joists or rafters, were rather heavy. The main support system was post and beam, which meant very weighty 4”x 6” and 4”x 4” pieces. This involved a lot of lifting and using of muscles that needed to be revived into use. Although, I think these muscles had a good idea of their purpose after shoveling so many stones from one pile to another. I was reminded of why heavy labor can and certainly should cost a fortune!
After what seemed like 2 to 3 days of measuring, plumbing and squaring the area where the blocks would be placed, then came the balancing, leveling, measuring and plumbing... even more of the same behavior. Obviously I wanted this building to be as straight and level as possible, and I read enough to know that this is often where mistakes are made. That sent up a red flag, because if others were so capable, surely I could follow that frustrating path.
Low and behold, I finally started to put the frame together on top of the blocks! We bought two new hammers for this occasion, one of which was so heavy that my arm would get tired just lifting it. The great news was that this weight worked for me on the down swing... but it was still not my favorite hammer.
All this hammering became very difficult particularly if a mistake had been made, and they most definitely were made. The nails were 3 ½” beauties, and it took all of our might to remove just a few. This is what led us to a late night trip to a local home store to buy some heavy duty, rather pricy deck screws. These screws seemed to be the answer, and it was indeed easier, but not without its’ own set of issues. We always had two drills going (which we just happened to have) one to pre -drill a hole, which was very advisable to do, and the other to do the actual screwing. A bit slower in process, but it was making more sense to work this way.
Then there is wood. Strong and lovely to gaze upon, but it has its’ own most peculiar ways, to say the least. It is very organic in matter, naturally, so it moves – changes shape - even in size when any moisture comes into the picture. I know there is a whole other set of rules when the environment is too dry.
Living in the Gulf Coast area, we have our share of moisture issues, even through the winter months. Having said this, somehow the wood worked well enough and we were able to pull off a relatively level and plumb building. Amazing!
I suddenly had that feeling, like the first time I managed to stay up on my bicycle without training wheels... I can build a straight and level building, that doesn’t leak.. yippee! Wow... what else can I do?
Here is the turning point... an ah ha moment. So... maybe I can build that straw bale home I dream of ... on some acreage with a view, and be somewhat self-sustaining with an organic garden while I do my art in the naturally lit, attached studio?
These ideas seem more real, but this feeling quickly moves past the literal building of a structure. How about all those other things I thought that I probably am not capable of accomplishing? There is an endless list I started making when I was a young child, but it seems a bit faded right now.
Ok... I am really seeing the possibilities.
Oh, my goodness, I have been lying to myself! I really did believe I could not do such things!
I suppose we could say that this is silly thinking and that most of us adults know we are perfectly capable. Maybe so, but why are there so many of us feeling so unhappy? Why is Zoloft so popular, or any other anti-depressant? Oh, I know it is not because some of us cannot build a shed, (or really don’t want to) but how about just building our lives more or less the way we would like them to be?
Why not?
Those fears creep in and the lies in our own heads tell us we are not good enough, not capable of achieving something. If we just take the steps... risking ridicule and the embarrassment of making mistakes, we would find we are far more than capable... we are pure geniuses! Perfectly made from the perfect universe to develop in our own, individual perfect ways... whatever that may be. Be it failure after failure till we reach a goal, as long as we don’t give up... giving in to the voice who feeds us lies!
I know this seems far away from putting together the materials for an outdoor storage area, but for me, this was the very thing that enabled me to see a bigger picture. My partner agrees, as we also had our own set of ups and downs when we struggled over the best method to build and how to not only get along in the process, but to manage a closer bond because of the sharing of the process. A true test and quite extraordinary!
Recently we bought wood for a small deck to be built in front of our shed. I found time when the weather cooled down about a week ago to finish the project, and we are so pleased with the end result.
I find myself staring out the back window, with a smile and the gratifying feeling of accomplishment, knowing that all those wonderful dreams yet to be fulfilled, will certainly follow.
Not to mention, a cleaner and roomier studio!
Posted by kay at April 11, 2008 05:20 AM