The boys have been busy,
each constructing a clubhouse of their own. Their homes measure approximately
4’ by 4’ and vary in height. Old pallets were used as the base and floor. Walls
were then built with a roof over head.
Jared is working on a larger
home; it even has a swinging front door. He made plans, calculated the slope of
the roof, designed the sizes of the openings, and used his measurements to saw
the lumber that would be needed. He then accurately nailed the boards together. He
did a great job.
Joshua and Jonathan worked
together building their homes and had occasional help from Jared. Jonathan’s
house has a flat roof, and Joshua’s dwelling has a sloped roof. They have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and
have put the donated supplies to good use. They are having a lot of fun, using
up 30 lbs. of Dad’s 16-penny nails, and proudly show the other members of
the family their new homes.
Just lately, Joshua had the
idea, “Let’s put our clubhouse up in the air on stilts!” They went to work.
Both Joshua and Jonathan, with Joseph and Marianne periodic help, dug
the post-holes and set the posts in position. Marianne mostly enjoys playing in
the holes and filling them with dirt. The boys then patiently dig the dirt back
out of the holes. The plan was to put Joshua’s house on posts about 5 feet off
the ground.
They wanted to move their
homes and set their posts in a new location. Their pre-built homes are located
up at the east end of the farm about ¼ mile away. They needed help moving two
heavy homes. They elicited Dad’s help. A plan was made.
They decided the Bobcat
skidsteer with forks would do the job, and it did. Moving the homes to the new location
was an exciting adventure. The Bobcat was also useful in lifting Joshua's clubhouse
up and securing it on the posts.
After having completed their individual clubhouses, Jonathan and Joshua decided to merge efforts
and expand their dreams. Joshua offered his clubhouse to be jointly used as
their home, and Jonathan’s would serve as a tool shed for them both.
A ladder was needed to
access the new residence that was up on stilts They found one already built into the structure. The posts had pre-drilled holes intended for fence rails.
The holes worked perfectly as a ladder.
They also wanted to wire
their new homes so they could install a light and a receptacle to plug their
alarm clocks into. They were merely talking to me about this and asking questions
about how to accomplish it, etc. I was explaining how it could be done, where
we might be able to bury a wire, and connect to power in another location.
I was just talking and
dreaming with them, but they were transforming their dream into reality. I thought
we were only chatting and daydreaming about digging a trench, but they were excited to electrify their
clubhouses. I didn’t remember giving
permission to dig the trench, but they already had it done in their minds.
When I went out to check on
them a little later, I found the newly dug trench was already half way across
the lawn. They act just like me. I would have done the same thing as a boy,
making my dreams come true. They did a clean and neat job. Well, I guess it’s
okay; let’s just finish it! So, we completed the trench, put in the waterproof
electrical wire, and buried it.
A little time passed, and a
new dream surfaced. Let’s build a second floor above our shed and make it into
another house. I am learning that their dreams transform into action rather
quickly. They started the building process and had the second floor well under
way. The main stick framed walls and roof were almost done, but they
ran out of lumber to cover it with the outer "skin".
They are now working to earn
money to buy lumber. Since older siblings have real jobs milking cows, they are
often willing to hire the younger ones to do their weekly dish duties.
Joshua and Jonathan are excited to earn money doing Jared’s and Emily’s dishes so they can
buy more lumber for their clubhouses.
A week or two later the
ownership agreement changed on the homes.
Joshua and Jonathan decided to go back to owning their own individual
clubhouse instead of sharing both of them.
Jonathan now has the house that is on stilts. Joshua has Jonathan’s old house and is building the second floor
on it.
When they were sharing homes,
they wrote their names on the one story, soon to be two-story, clubhouse. April
told them it was bad handwriting, so they repainted. Joshua is now the sole owner of the house that sits on the
ground. April wrote Joshua’s name on his new home in her "professional"
handwriting. Joshua also has a lock on his front door.
They have secured some tin roofing from an old barn that was torn down and plan to use it for the roof over the second floor. This is really turning into a major development and an exciting project for all.
It has proved to be a
learning experience for many. Don’t leave upright nails to step on; it hurts.
It’s painful to miss the nail and hit your finger with a hammer. Watch out for
your fellow partners when swinging a board around, etc.
I think everyone has
experienced to some degree enthusiasm, passion, misunderstandings, quarrels,
disappointments, satisfaction, fulfillment, and just plain fun.
