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The Right Tools

     I was thinking about something that I posted on my companion Facebook page as I drove home my brother's house in Pittsburgh the other night.   I was also thinking about how in the previous week or so I had submitted some previous things that I wrote for review with a paying publisher.   

    A few years ago, I wrote a short story because it demanded to be written.  I was up every day for several months at 5 AM, writing for two or 3 or 4 hours.   The short story become a novella...then a novel.  I edited it and reedited it in the months since, then a published author friend of mine gave me an "in" with her publisher.  I submitted my work.


  It was  rejected, which is not that uncommon.  I took the rejection letter in stride...and took their advice to heart as well.   They pointed out a few strengths and weakness's in my writing as well as giving me the tools to improve my work.  When I resubmitted the piece, it was still rejected but my overall score was higher than before.   

    It seems I have more work to put in.

   While my work may, or may not, ever be published the tools I have as a writer were sharpened by the experience.    For the record, this blog is often the result of a first or second...maybe a third draft.  I'm more interested in capturing the experience while it's still "fresh" in my mind other than worry about spelling, grammar or if it flows or not.   Yes, I go back and am embarrassed sometimes by what I have written.   

    This blog is more of a "personal journal" than anything else.   I don't mind you, gentle reader, peeking over my shoulder.  Your feedback and comments are always welcome.

    It occurred to me that as I move towards the vague and nebulous goal of "being more self sufficient" it would only make sense to have the right tools to do the job.   For example, when I ended up spending more than a few hours putting up our mailbox part of the reason that took so long is that I didn't have the right tools for the job at hand.

    I ended up buying a post hole digger originally for the mailbox, and  kept it because I could see the day coming where I would need to use it once again.   For example, we have seen deer at our bird feeder in the back yard, and I know that we will need some sort of deer fence to keep them out of our garden come spring.  

Although my progress on the garden is not where I would like it to be; I don't have any mulch ready for the coming year for example, at least I have a rough idea of where I want to be...and the tools that I'll need to get there.

   

    If I'm serious about making cheese - either as a hobby or something else eventually - I'm going to need a cheese press.  While pots and pans and cans of food may be good for some things, for the harder cheeses that I hope to make one day; I have to do better than this.  I am going to need the right tools for the job.

    The problem that I'm finding is that due to Covid and other things, it's nearly impossible for us to "learn" exactly what we need or how to do it.  I would love to go to the local extension office and pick their brains.   Or even down to Home Depot for a demonstration on some sort.

    While I pick up the theory from books and video's, I do best when I am in a structured environment.   I am too easily distracted by the "Oh Shiny" moments of life.    Plus frankly I have to much on my plate right now with continuing education courses and other requirements of my job to take up yet another online course.  

    So yes, it is frustrating, and a little depressing, to be behind on the home improvements and other projects.   I was hoping that by now we would at least have our fireplace whitewashed.  

    Then I remind myself that things take time. All the work that we have put in so far has been to improve the home safety.  These other things, like putting together a good and informative article, will come in time.   

    I just have to be patient, and acquire the right tools - both physically and mentally - to make these dreams of ours reality. 

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