“Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” — Proverbs 27:1
We make plans for our day and our week. We set goals for what we should get done, and those goals are usually based on optimal working conditions.
The tools function properly, the sun shines, and no one makes mistakes. But some days do not follow the hopeful script.
Such was one day in early September several years ago. I had scheduled an on-site shed one-and-a-half hours away from the shop.
My helper at the time was a young man named Sheldon. We had built the walls and floor in our shop, so that morning we loaded them up, as well as the heap of tools and supplies needed for the day.
Everything was proceeding as planned until a slight drizzle started on the drive over. That was a little alarming. But, oh well, I figured, it would soon stop.
We arrived in Fort St. John, and the rain had not stopped. The clouds showed no intention of dissolving into sunshine. There was nothing for us to do but get busy with our shed.
The first order of business was to haul the walls and floor onto the site. The only route was a narrow path between the house and the neighbor’s fence.
The path was uneven and paved with pallets to keep pedestrians out of the mud. Pallets are not all created equal, and these were of varying styles. Some formed a nearly solid surface. Others had wide irregular gaps, seemingly designed to trap an unsuspecting heel.
On the whole, they made it very difficult to back up, especially while carrying a floor that seemed to grow heavier with each step.
We started by nailing the frame together. Before long, the tools were slippery with that thin slime that comes with mud mixed with lots of water. We doggedly pressed on. But it is hard to hurry when you are beyond the saturation point.
Finally, we got to the roof. The rain showed no sign of slowing. To tell the truth, it was steadier than ever. Rain streamed down the shingles.
We were soaked to the skin. All we could think of was finishing this shed and starting for home as soon as possible.
Next came the trim. Installing that went about as well as it could under the circumstances. And how do you paint trim in the rain?
You don’t. We really had only one option: give up and come back later to finish.
We gathered our tools and packed up to go home.
We twisted our clothes, trying to wring out as much water as possible. But, as you can imagine, it still wasn’t the most comfortable pickup ride. With the heater on high, we hurried home to warm showers and dry clothes.
And what about the shed?
I made the trip again the next day, this time in beautiful sunshine. I was able to paint the trim in record time and collect payment. Everyone was happy.
The customer was thrilled with her shed. I was thrilled to be finished.
