Ryan, Chanse and I started building the greenhouse this week. This is the biggest construction project I’ve undertaken; I’ve never built anything that had to be framed before. I’m sort of a self-taught handyman, if something needs done I do it; if I haven’t done it before, I figure out how and then I do it (with varying degrees of success). I’ve acquired most of the needed tools, and that makes all the difference. Ryan is a great projects partner, he loves his woodshop class at school and they have taught him well. I found a good DIY greenhouse plan online, printed it out, and we’re following it step-by-step. So far we’ve got the base, side wall frames, and the top trusses built; they are all stacked neatly in the garage waiting for a (relatively) dry day to take them to the backyard and finish the assembly on-site. Once the structure is finished, we’ll cover it with some type of plastic; not sure exactly what yet, but we’ll probably use polycarb roofing panels (thanks for the suggestion Dave S.).

After my EDC post I realized it’d be nice if the kids could have some useful EDC items. Of course they can’t carry a knife, pepper spray, or a lighter – but they can carry a small flashlight and a whistle. I picked up a set for each of the kids, and asked them to carry it with them, along with their laminated phone contact card (also updated this week). I attached the girls’ set to a small carabiner so they could clip it onto their school backpacks; Ryan attached his to his set of keys. They won’t cover every conceivable disaster situation, but they could help: a flashlight in a dark room or a whistle when you can’t yell loud enough, are a start. Hopefully it’ll also begin to get them into a mind-frame of carrying items that will help them be prepared (to use in conjunction with the skills I’m trying to teach them). Ryan also carries a small roll of duct tape (we made them together one night watching TV) with his keys, band-aids and emergency cash in his wallet, and a pocket knife when he’s not at school.

One more, and hopefully the last, follow-up on Gerber EAB post. Finally, as everyone told me it would, the clip broke off. I had only carried it clipped to my pocket, every day, for about three months when it did. Fortunately, you say, I had extras on hand right? Sort of, they don’t go on well and two broke trying to get them on – before I gave up. Ironically, as I keep mine in the watch/change pocket of my jeans, it works just fine and actually now has a slimmer profile. If I ever buy a replacement one, I’ll just remove the clip. Final clip recommendation: Don’t plan on keeping it clipped to a pocket – the clip will break. The clip would work fine as a money clip (maybe that’s all the designers had in mind). But clip or not, it’s a handy, small, folding EDC utility knife that still has all of the benefits previously discussed. I love mine, carry it everyday, and would encourage anyone else to do the same.

What did you do? (Feel free to answer in the comments section.)

(Monday: A Walk In The Woods)