Chopped

NEW KIDS ON THE (BIRD) BLOCK: First thing this morning, the kids and I headed outside. They were going to get their first lesson operating a chop saw. The goal was to make some bird blocks for the storage area-in-progress. 

Their first question was, "What's a bird block?" I showed them that the siding comes up to the top plate, and the rafters set atop the top plate, but there's a gap between the top plate and the top of (in our case) the 2x6 rafter, which has plywood atop it to hold the roof sheathing. The blocks provide ventilation, while the screen installed behind the holes keeps the critters out.

We gathered our necessary tools for the project (a hammer, a measuring tape, and a pencil), plus a big ol' ladder and our trusty chop saw. 

We followed the measure twice, cut once principle. 

Fortunately, the cutting went well. Nothing other than wood was chopped.

Below, the blocks are just temp-ed into place. They still need to have holes drilled in them, and some screen stapled on. 

SPROUTS!: It never gets old. I'm always amazed after we sow seeds, that they actually sprout. Today was that day, when our first little leaves of green showed their stuff. 

Our cherry tomatoes are the only ones to show signs of life so far, but I'll bet the other starts aren't far behind. 

I couldn't help but smile when I saw the Burien library's post today. It's a video of a story time with their children's librarian reading the book "If You Plant a Seed."

The Burien library is where CJ applied and interviewed for a library page position before this whole pandemic *&^%storm hit. He still gets weekly emails from King County Library System letting him know he's still a candidate. That's great, but I also have to think that after this virus is eventually kicked (many, many months from now), budgets are going to be so slim that no new hiring is going to go on. 

Not the best time to be seeking employment, for sure. Unless you want to be a low-level Amazon employee or grocery delivery driver. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with either of those jobs. In fact, right now they're essential employment! It's just that there are going to be tens of thousands competing for those jobs right about now, too.