Our story so far: We attacked various indoor projects at the old Methodist church we were turning into our home.

# # #

St. Johnny had a different task every day. Frequently, it involved moving construction materials or sanding or using the shop vac, but during a couple days in early July, he earned his keep by digging ditches in the back yard. Tyler had devised a way to coax water away from the foundation, but he needed to lay puffy drainage piping in ditches. This was not easy work in hot weather (or any weather, let’s be honest), but we feared the next fifty-year rainfall event. If we ever hoped to finish the basement, it had to remain dry.

A few days later, Tyler asked St. Johnny to edge the sidewalks, which appeared as if it hadn’t been done for years. This task wasn’t as necessary as the drainage project, but it was satisfying to see the before, during and after all in one day.

# # #

Today’s headline should be familiar to kids who grew up in the ’70s. It’s the title of a best-selling book of children’s poetry by Shel Silverstein.

Tomorrow: The sounds of construction. Read about them here.