Describe the most ambitious DIY project you have ever taken on. – Asks the daily prompt.
I don’t know the exact answer to this question. Maybe building my deck. Getting headers and side pipes on my old Camaro was one of the rudest jobs without a lift. Helping a friend build a boathouse. Started a newspaper with two friends from scratch that became successful.
Becoming a father. Ushering in technology changes throughout my career. Playing caregiver for elderly parents. Becoming the artist, I wanted to be in my youth, as a senior citizen. And my new role of becoming the best grandfather (Papa) to my grandchildren.
I was thinking back because the daily writing prompt asked me to “Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.”
Let’s see, I’ve done the typical home projects like a deck, landscaping, and basement but I did have help from friends with those so I guess that’s not a true DIY.
And then it popped into my head, what I’m doing now is the most ambitious project in my life. I’m starting a new career as a photographer, writer, and artist and I hope to become a professional in each. Yes, a lofty goal, one that will take a ton of work. The time in this career won’t equal the 48 years in Newspapers so I’m under the gun to make my mark quickly.
So I work at them every day. It’s kind of easy in one respect because it’s a passion. In reality, it’s tough as hell because it’s real work. And it’s all me doing each piece. Each day I realize I didn’t start that sketch I thought of, work on that photo project, or complete that chapter in the story I’m writing. So each day I fall a little short of my goals and it’s a little frustrating. But that fades with sleep and the next morning I’m excited again.
And then there are the mornings I’m kind of riding high because of the previous day’s accomplishment when I realize that I forgot to charge the camera batteries as I’m going out the door. A good reminder that it’s a lot of little things that make you good. And also that I’m finite, which is a limitation.
Today is another day to build on the most ambitious project of my life. What more could one ask for? The opportunity to build an original.
The dog’s name is probably Blue. Photo by Mike Hartley
