Welcome to Summer! And our annual challenge!
The heat is on. Whew, today plans to be the hottest day of the year (so far) and this week equally steamy!
It’s week one of the Sizzlin’ Summer Challenge and we’re “Building Something.”
Heat Warning! Just a word of precaution if you are building something with your hands this week and you’re outside or not in air conditioning, watch your reaction to the heat. Take frequent breaks in cool shade and, of course, drink lots of water. Don’t forget to add some electrolytes to your drinks (Himalayan pink salt and lemon in your water, Nunn tablets, Ultima powder or Powerpaks are all great options).
Building Something: Several people told us they were afraid to do the summer challenge this year because they “couldn’t possibly build anything.” Well, the famous classic painter Edward Hopper once said:
“No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.”
Think about it, the world is yours. You can go big and build something in the carpentry realm like a table, chair, bridge, desk, etc.. Or you could go small and build a house for fairies near a tree in the woods using leaves, nut shells, rocks and twigs.
Funny thing is, making something with your hands boosts happiness and overall mental health. For a few hours, you unplug from social media, news onslaughts, and other heady issues, to bring beauty and function to your world. Exercising your creativity is as important as actual exercise.
I was raised by a pioneering, innovative, spirited woman with a depression-era mentality. When she wanted something done, she went to the library, quickly learned about it and then came home and muscled it to life. My sister and I would watch in awe (and stayed the heck out of her way by golly). Etched in my soul is the look on her face each time she’d step back and survey her creations with satisfaction, “And that, my girls, is how it’s done.”
Her built-in bunk beds at our 1931 shack of a cabin in northern Ontario have been a family staple for dozens of kids over 50 years. As a working mom, she didn’t have time or money to wait for someone else to show up.
I inherited that spirit from her and built a desk for my treadmill one day when I couldn’t find a cheap one or afford what was on the market. Other projects have fallen under my belt: deck stairs, a powder room, a ramp for my dogs, gardens, closets and walls, to name a few. I’ve gotta say, it’s a powerful feeling to step back and say “I did that.”
Given what you all do for Vermont families (i.e. lifting them up and building our future), I’m certain you are up to the task of the pioneering spirit. Give yourself a boost by engaging your brain and heart in the satisfying act of using your hands. Your local library and hardware store are excellent resources along with YouTube and your neighbors and friends. Remember, Vermont is a pioneering kind of state with a wealth of “you-can-do-it” knowledge.
Make your physical contribution to the world, even if temporary, and allow us to pat you on the back. You deserve it!