Fence Post Fun

Well I did it… it wasn’t pretty, but it’s done.  I had to replace a rotted fence post this weekend.  I managed to dig up the old post and the accompanying 2-ton piece of concrete anchoring it.  A funny thing happened throughout the day.  I had four conversations in the midst of the project.  

One conversation was with my back fence neighbors.  Cheri and Bonnie own the house behind us and share the fence with us.  They had noticed its pending demise and were wondering when I was going to get off my duff and fix it!  So in the process of beginning yesterday morning, Cheri and I spoke.  Ashamedly, it was the first conversation I have had with that particular neighbor.  She was very warm and we exchanged a few quick facts.  I look forward to many more conversations with them.  

The second conversation was with my son, or should I say my little helper.  The morning started out great for him.  We went to the gas station to buy $2.25 gas – that was a party in itself!  We drove with Weezer and POD cranked on the stereo.  My son is becoming a little nut!  His head was bobbing as fast as mine was!  We then took off for Home Depot.  With every visit I make, the feeling of being a fish out of water seems to subside.  I long for the ‘handy man’ gene, but somehow I ignored my dad’s tutelage or just plain missed that handout during the DNA party in the womb!  In taking LT to the Depot (because that’s what I call it now) I learned that place is like Disneyland for 2yr olds.  They stock from the floor up so there are tons of things that little fingers can grab, not to mention the “tractors” (fork lifts) moving up and down the aisles.  Needless to say, he loved it and I was pleased that he and I found something we can do together… yard work.  The kid loves to help, and he certainly did ‘help’ yesterday.  I managed to keep from knocking him down with a post-hole digger while he played in the dirt.  It was a great father-son day.  Loved it…

The third conversation was with an old friend.  He has had some fence building experience in the past and I needed some encouragement and advice.  He confirmed my thoughts and we will see today if that plan was worth following through on!  Michael… happy birthday man! 

The fourth conversation was with my other neighbor Billy.  He and I have had a lot more quick exchanges as of late.  I hope that it grows into something more consistent.  It’s just good to have a solid neighbor/friend next door for a number of reasons. 

So nothing to big to report, but interesting how a fence post can generate such discovery.  Maybe I should consider taking the fence down all together and see how much more discovery can happen.  Life can be just too compartmentalized these days.  So I guess it’s ironic that much dialogue can happen when you are trying to replace the vary thing meant to promote privacy.  Hmm…