Enoch’s Thoughts

Fifty-one-and-a-half weeks ago (it was actually on a Wednesday) I committed to posting something every Monday for the rest of the year. The strength of that commitment was such that I crawled out of a warm bed a few minutes ago to post this one last effort for 2010, and it’s every bit as random as the rest.

You are likely aware that we are in the midst of a home repair project. We have finished the bathroom (well, except for the usual punch list items), so I thought I would start with a picture of it.

Interesting things from a flight

We took a break from home repair for a brief Christmas visit with Becca in Chicago. On the way back, I was drawn to some scenes that caught my eye.

Triple mopper – at 5 AM on December 26, this airport employee (see picture) was mopping a moving walkway; he just stood there steering three mops while the entire walkway moved under his mops. I have no idea why he looked back at me.

Deicer – I have never flown out in snow before; this time I got to watch the crew spray de-icing fluid onto the plane from a cherry-picker truck, using what looked like a small fire hose nozzle.

Sleepyheads – while we were being de-iced, I glanced forward from my window seat and saw a half-dozen passengers (including my own dear spouse) leaning their heads against the window to catch a quick nap before takeoff, all at the same angle.

Mimes – I have watched flight attendants go through their safety drill scores of times, but this particular morning they looked like a group of mimes doing a weird street performance; I’m sure it was just me.

Melting snow – As I stared out the window waiting for us to push back, I could see the tiniest snow flakes falling against the window, where they would slide down a few inches, then succumb to the chemical magic of the de-icing fluid.

Plows – As we taxied out to the runway, we passed an inpressive array of snow plows, maybe 40 of them, clustered in the infield, yellow lights flashing and diesel stacks blowing smoke as they waited for their call.

Atlanta looking like Chicago – As we made our approach into Hartsfield-Jackson airport, the snow-covered ground in Atlanta looked just like the snow-covered ground we had left in Chicago.

New tools

Home repair always offers an opportunity to acquire new tools, and this project has been no exception. Among the new tools I’ve acquired (some of which are pictured) are:

• Molding pry bar (similar to a tool I’ve heard called a “cat’s paw”)
• Reversible offset handle back saw (for sawing off door jambs to make room for thicker flooring; I think that was what one installation guide referred to as a “jam” saw)
• 2″ wood chisel to go with my 1/4″ and 3/4″ chisels; it’s a monster
• 48″ Sheetrock square, a well-made tool that I mostly used for marking plywood cuts
• Floor scraper with steel blade (I had hoped to be able to remove glued linoleum with it, but it has come in handy cleaning general gunk off of old plywood sub-flooring)
• 16″ stainless steel combination square, a beautiful tool to replace my old combination square; the tiny awl screws into its storage place
• Coping saw; mostly used for cutting baseboard molding, but just generally useful
• Pneumatic flooring nailer – I haven’t actually cranked it up yet, but I did assemble it tonight
• Tile nippers, also known as blister-makers, despite Ben’s admonition to wear gloves, which I did
• Notched trowel for tile mortar; this was my first tile job…
• Grout applicator; … and my first grout attempt, too.

If you happen to be (1) not my mom and (2) peculiar enough to want to see more repair photos, there are 65 irregularly-timed pictures at this site.

Which brings to mind an appropriate closing. As I work, I am constantly aware that my parents encouraged me to work with my hands at an early age, teaching me how to be both safe and intrepid. That is one of many things for which I am grateful to them.

My wish for them is the same as my wish for you – have a Happy New Year!