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The word poet originally comes from the Greek, poiein, to make or create. To be a true poet then, is not necessarily sitting with pen-in-hand, but
rather pursuing those interests for which you have a passion; the things you enjoy and express yourself through.
Jim's main 'poetical' pursuit is working on his Alfa Romeo racing car. Notice that I say working on his car, rather than racing his car. Don't misunderstand me, he certainly loves racing, but it's really only the final measure of the hours he's spent say, modifying an engine or fixing a suspension problem. Jim's track-time is the merest fraction of his shed-time, and it's working in the shed that he most enjoys. To that end, Jim's major creative project for the year has been the renovation of our property's dilapidated sheds. It started out as the restoration of one big shed, but soon spread to the neighbouring structure, and then on to one of the adjacent stables. If Kevin Costner's character in Field of Dreams aspired to 'Build it and they will come', Jim's dream was to 'Build it and make them go'! The 'they' were nesting swallows and shrike thrushes (I begged him to wait until after spring!) - and an entire metropolis of rabbits in a truly impressive warren beneath the stables. (The mystery of the sinking floor was a mystery no more!) I'm not sure where the birds went, but the rabbits have now completely surrounded the house and are wrecking havoc with the garden. Look out any window these days and it's - cue the bunny! (Always makes me think of Watership Down...just what was that about??) |
Anyway, as Jim described his workshop aspirations to me, I was gradually able to envisage the end goal: Shed Heaven. As things progressed - we're talking interconnecting doorways, several roller-doors, a 'clean' work area where Alfa and hoist have centre stage away from the grittier tasks, and a workshop with PC, TV and mini-fridge - I renamed this complex, 'The Taj-Mah-Shed'. When it was finished, however, one vast space leading into another, Alex's description seemed more apt: 'Jim's Shedpire'. Julius Caesar was definitely pre-Jim. |
Structural creativity did not end with the external buildings. I took a deep breath and jumped into our final, major, internal renovation:
the main bathroom and adjoining hall. As we've come to expect (renovation veterans that we are) the work took twice as long and cost
twice as much as originally thought, but we're very pleased with the results. In particular, the transformation of the former hall/play area
into a cheerful and inviting library, was highly rewarding.
[But wait! There's more...] |
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