My father in law kept a net strung out between a frame of PVC pipe in his pond, probably 12’ by 6’. It was rigged between posts so it could be raised whenever the need arose and catfish could be scooped out for the evening supper. He would occasionally get smaller fish from the nearby catfish farm and the net was also filled by his farmhands who would through any catfish they caught into the net (they liked fishing but not fish.) They were fed with pellets from the feed store and the churning of the water during feeding times was a sight to behold.
He was pretty convinced that this approach produced a tastier fillet than the bottom-feeders that would otherwise be available and this city boy was in no position to dispute him. I did endure myself, however, when my soon-to-be wife brought me over to meet the in-laws for the first time and I assisted in the ritual of scooping, skinning and filleting the fish.
The heavens opened and we had a froggy rain.
After lunch the crew was back at it. We’ve got the bridge and swing hangers bolted on.
The canopy cover is strung up on its bar thingys. It’s ready to go on top. Big Wrek wants to put a flag on top. We’re waiting on him to decide. I want a skull&crossbones. Son-of-a-wrek wants a Razorback pennant. He can’t remember if he has one.
So everyone is in a thoughtful pose drinking a beer. Except me and the Sleeper-cell boyfriend (Hamza). He says he has a cool flag at his house. Well, that’s not helpful, at all.
The kids are jumping around like monkeys. They want the swings hung. Big Wrek needs someone younger than him to climb up top to tighten all the bolts, first. I see in Hamza’s future a shimmy-ing trip. He’s the lightest. And the youngest.
I’m sitting on the deck, watching. The girls are running the swing chains into rubber tubing. This shoulda been done at the factory. It’s very tedious.
Looks like it may be finished this afternoon.
The hangman’s rope is not dangerous at all. I lost precious minutes of my life worrying about that stupid rope:smack:
Now that I’m looking I see a coupla of redwood pieces laying on the ground. I asked Mr.Wrekker did he forget a step.
He said, and I quote “There’s always extra pieces.”
No, no there’s not.
I sent Hamza to go get the part number off those pieces so I can cross check them by the 145 page instruction booklet. I hate to have them take part of the thing apart and re-do it.
Pop-pop told me to shut-up.
Hamza said, “I see you’re an official member of the family now!”
The little smart-ass!
Think I’ll cook pork tonight. Just for his benefit
b. Not caring what religious holiday it is or who has food restrictions…
The world’s biggest, stoopidist, redwoodiest play gym…with swings, slide, rope, clubhouse w/canopy and thanks to ~VOW, a corona virus flag…is erected!
Great Fanfare and a few tears heralded its opening.
Of course the kids love it. There was one little spat as to who was the Prez of Fort COVID. The oldest said he should be cause he’s oldest. Oldest grand-daughter said she was a Democrat so she wins. He bought it and really seems alright with the outcome. Who’s to argue that logic?
They played til it was too dark to see. The baby cried when they pulled her off and took her home.
No one was injured during the build. Hamza is alittle sore.
I predict Son-of-a-wrek will have a major hangover in the morning. He cried when DIL pulled him out the door and took him home :D.
All and all a success.
b. trying not to worry where those 2 extra planks went. (:))
I predict Beck’s house will be the grandkids favorite hang out for quite some time.
That fort will be the inspiration for many childhood games. The S Arkansas cowboys will defend Fort Covid to the last man err child. Supplied by Mamaw Beck’s lemonade and sandwiches.
I am unable to check its veracity now but long ago we had a GM test track in the area here. A story went around about a couple autos that had been delivered for testing and the anti-sway bar in the rear end had accidentally been left off. None of the drivers noticed so upper management decided to leave them off in the production run saving about a buck-fiddy per auto.
Thing were fine until a few years later when the other suspension components had loosened up and reports started coming in about people losing control and crashing. This was before the big, bad gummint was doing much in the way of safety testing or even data collection. To their (belated) credit, or from a fear of lawsuits, the company started a silent recall, installing the sway bar whenever one of the cars with one missing came into the dealer shops.
Let’s hope the new jungle gym doesn’t suddenly collapse in a couple years.
