I mostly worked for a construction company during summers while in school. One such summer, I was a temp through Contractors Labor Pool. CLP has a written test to judge your skills and general carpentry know how. Because I didn’t actually care what was a joist or a stud, for example, I did quite poorly on this test. This doesn’t mean I was actually an unrecognized master carpenter; rather, the test categorized me as a laborer and thus not insured to use power tools. In short, despite having plenty of experience, I had to use a hammer instead of a nail gun and so on. It was during this summer that Manual Man was born. I coined the self referential name to poke fun at how stupendously idiotic it all was.

As an aside, I had never seen a guard on a table saw as the company I typically worked for didn’t use them. Those guards do make cutting more difficult. Another place took the no guard philosophy further: even the skillsaws were without. You have to be quite certain the blade had actually stopped before setting the saw down if that is how you roll.

Times changed, I moved to the east coast to focus on rowing, and Manual Man napped. This experience with no power steering awakened the fella and illustrates how convenient the feature truly is; on 40 mph signed turns I really had to hit the number and double hand the wheel; and forget turning without movement.

So we once again return to how our expectations and desire to care for our planet are regularly at odds. For instance, I drove, round trip, about 1 3/4 hours to get the parts so I could again have buttery steering. Sure, we generate our own power via solar panels back home. Conversely, what was the carbon footprint to mine for the materials, build the factory, ship them, install them and so on? Then, what about how the panel makers live? Obviously their decisions trickle too. EBMUD, who supplies our water, provides a number for what a “typical” household consumes. I guess this is a peer pressure thing. Does that mean if I am under I’m better and a superior steward of the land?

We enjoyed a lovely breakfast with our host, Mme S, and then we separated. I went to get the aforementioned parts and Mme Awesome would have a more civilized afternoon.

The drive to Center took place not a moment too late! In fact, at five past noon the parts store was officially closed. Fortune was on my side, for as I walked around the building hoping to find an open door, I intercepted a departing employee. As unexcited as he was to help me, help me he did, and I was able to drive away with the parts. Hooray! I picked up my 12 pack and a bottle of wine for the super helpful mayor and left.

Note: I attempted to get almond butter. Tragically, despite 3 rows of peanut butter, no almond butter was present.

After the car was fixed, Mme Awesome and I met up to spend the afternoon with Myra and John. He spent many years living in the wilderness and shared his perspectives on what is nature and energy. The rocks and stream and something like all of it, John included, made for a extraordinarily peaceful experience.

Those amazing stones. I dub thee Amalgamation Stones.

Our evening was spent in the friendly, pleasant, and completely engrossing company of Mme H and Mme S., including a delicious supper by Mme S. Mme H had a certain awareness and poise, which when coupled with her knowledge and experience was mesmerizing.

A view from one of our evening stops.

And another.