Finally

Good things come to those willing to wait, right? If the last year has emphasized nothing else, this HAS to be part of the message the world is sending us. In the last few months I have closed the chapter on a couple of things I had been working on for a great deal of time. The first was completion and delivery of the Teardrop trailer. I went back through old notes and the first thing I had regarding this project was in January of 2014. I must have just been in the "thinking" process in 2014, but in September of 2016 I bought the plan which was the basis for this project. I also  purchased the trailer kit in the same month, which was step one. So I worked on this for a total of four years. Of course, this was  not continual work. I would work for a while, get to a place where I either did not know how to do something, or I could see it was going to be a pain, and move to something else for a while.

The plan had always been upon completion of the trailer my sister would drive to Iowa and pick it up. As part of the overall process, she even bought a new vehicle more prepared to pull a trailer. The alternate plan was pulling it out there for her behind the pickup. Then came COVID. The two of us talked again and again about who could drive safely, what states had restrictions to entry, and even whether there was a way to meet in the middle and do a hand-off. In August of last year, I decided there must be a different/better way to get this done. To some degree, I think the pandemic made us all more ingenious. I found a company who puts people needing things moved with those willing to do the work. Through this company, Uship, I met Derreck. Initially, all conversation and planning was digital. The date was Sept 14, and the trailer was to be delivered within a couple of weeks. While waiting to get this process started, Derreck had COVID come to his home and he was quarantined for fourteen days. Finally, on November 7th he and his daughter  picked up the trailer. Both were very nice people. The thought that day was to deliver in a few days. Oh, the best laid plans. Somewhere in New York state, Derreck's truck decided to lose it's mind (computer) and they got laid up in a service center for several days. But finally, the trailer was delivered on November 22. It was in perfect shape and Derreck had done great work. Also, my sister was ecstatic to finally have it in her home.

Within a few weeks, the other project came together. When we had been in Kearney, MO, we had purchased a piano for the kids to learn to play. Both learned, just like I did when I was young, and just like me, as they grew older they lost interest in playing. So, the piano moved with us several times, often not being played one time between moves. We had tried over the last three years or so to either sell the piano, or give it away. Neither had worked. If any of you are looking for a new home for an old piano, good luck.

The manner we used to find the piano a good home was really happenstance and listening to conversations. Last year, I installed a set of bookshelves in an adult recovery unit. The manager working told me his training was in music and he hoped at some point to do some type of music therapy. After checking with anyone in my family who might want a piano, I called him back and offered it . They were very excited to get it and on a Saturday in December, brought several guys and we loaded it up. Later in the day I got pictures of people sitting around the piano, obviously singing. It was one of those times you just have to smile.

As I come to the completion of this blog post, it strikes me how often in my life I have taken great periods of time to complete things. The last one I think of is an oak secretary I disassembled when I was still in high school to refinish. Mom had wanted it refinished. I didn't finish it for her. I finally completed it in 2001 and it is in use in my home. Wow, the secretary may be the record, depending on how long it takes me to get Sara's kitchen remodel done. Keep your fingers crossed on this project. 

Have a great weekend. If all goes well, I will have received my first COVID shot by the end of the day Saturday. Take car and be careful.