I had time on my hands, a plan in my brain and I am just stubborn enough to finish what I always start. I picked my sight out for the new construction carefully, had to be among the trees, close to the main building for Nanny and Poppy treats and “I got to go pee’s” yet far enough to let them feel they were someplace special. I drew out a plan, will not too much of one actually, just a sketch on a paper to figure out what I would need. I ordered the material, and made sure it was of the finest quality and pressure treated so it would withstand the ravages of time even if Poppy didn’t. Then I begged, pleaded, and made deals to get some labor in to help me…thank you brother Moe.

We started building on the first warm day of summer and by the end of the first day we had the footings in, the frame built the decking down and the railings on and by three o’clock she was resembling the image in my head for Poppy’s tree house. When my brother left after telling him I was finished for day I couldn’t help but nail just a few more boards and by suppertime from exhaustion I was ready for the heat of a bubble bath to ease the sores and aches in my tired old body.

The next day…you guessed it a builder’s worst friend…rain. It rained for five whole days and only on Friday did it clear enough that I could get started again. On Saturday my co-worker showed up and with the new lumber ordered through the week we went at it. We had to…I had invited two little granddaughters to be the guests of honors and cut the ribbon at the grand opening of what was now being called “Poppy’ Tree House”. When I dragged the last of my tools into the shed later that day and said goodbye and thanked my brother for his help I breathed a contented albeit painful sigh as I looked back at our project.

Eight feet by eight feet, solid as a rock, colonial railings all around, stairs, slide, climbing wall, toy pirates wheel and telescope and decorated for the next days festivities with pinwheels, flags and banners…not finished but finished enough for the opening. We purchased snacks, drinks, even sunglasses and bubble toys for the first 3-4 customers, and for once Mother Nature must have been smiling on the children for even the sun greeted us the next morning. The children arrived and they were at first overwhelmed but then their smiles and laughter rang through the neighborhood the rest of the afternoon. It may not have been the biggest or best thing I have ever built but it is the one that will bring me happy memories to draw on long after I can no longer lift a hammer or a grandchild.

Cost:

Lumber…………..$400.00

Labor…………...three-four days

Accessories ……..$100.00

Return:

Priceless…the sound of my two granddaughters smiles and laughter and the hugs and kisses they gave me were worth every cent and every ache and pain it cost.