Hello, Benjamin from Brother’s Campfire here!
16 years ago, I spent 9.99 plus tax on a Ames 48 inch Wood Handle Round Point Shovel from Home Depot. Had I never used it, there would have been appreciation on the value.
But no, I have used it for the last 16 years, digging gardens, holes, foundations, ponds, and moving rock. It is pretty old.
In other news, I took my Beloved out today for coffee at Starbucks. She tried the new Grande Brown Sugar Oat Milk Iced Espresso, and I had a Grande Americano. As we are hardy folk, we had a blast and drank outside.
We drove on over to some place called Ross and did some window shopping and engaged in horseplay.
We also went to some place called Old Navy, But there was not much to photograph. Sorry Old Navy, that was boring to me. They kept eyeballing us so we did it back.
We went off to Home Depot for some dark sunglasses for smithing and a iron pipe for a word I cannot pronounce. The glasses made me feel like some sort of superhero.
After removing the stately specs, we went to downtown Colorado Springs, parking at Goodyear to save on the expensive parking meters.
There are all kinds of boutiques there, but be aware, they are all closed on Mondays. We checked a good number of them out.
We were hungry, and we have been dieting and indulged in gorgeous greasiness at the Skirted Heifer.
After eating, we went a few other places, engaging in additional wanton acts of window shopping.
I had a great time. Returning to the car, we could see why the parking was free. You run some level of risk.
Returning home, I tried on my work glasses, feeling like a superhero.
Well, back to the shovel. Using my railroad rail anvil, I straightened the dents with a hammer and brushed off the debris on my old shovel with 60 grit sandpaper.
With a little elbow grease, I progressed through the grits to 220 and smoothed the rough edges on the handle as well. After some wood stain, and some polyurethane, the shovel looked better than the 10 dollar Ames special I bought when we started out so many years ago. It is fresh, ready for spring gardening and complete with the memory of all the projects I have completed with it. I wouldn’t replace that shovel for the world; we have been too many places together.
Author: Benjamin
Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...
A busy day to be sure and a satisfying result on the old shovel. Most of my garden tools are about 40 years old and most have survived to do me well. The same can’t be said for my leaf rake, which I had to replace last year. Happy window shopping and stay well. Allan
Thank you Allan for sharing your experience. I wonder if we can reevaluate our relationships and shine them up a little as well.
With a little hard work, I am sure we could. The trouble is, most like to take the easy path. Allan
I agree, Allan.
Very cool. A day well spent.
Thank you
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Love your N95 mask and that is a heck of a restoration job on your shovel. John
I like the N95 that goes around the back of the head and not the ears. Thanks, John!
I have a 30 year old shovel from my father It looks about what yours did before the work. I use it a lot. I never thought to spruce it up. I did sharpen it last year but nothing like what you did. After all that work I’d be afraid to use it. Good on you for the clean up job.
Laughter is contagious. Start a pandemic
Thanks Mr. Ohh. it was something to do. Sprucing up a relationship every once in a while is helpful as well.
way Cool
Good stuff
I would say!
Sounds like a fun outting 😊
You remind me of Max Headrom with those sunglasses and that purple background you picked lol
Do you remember Max Headrom? (I could be spelling it wrong probably ?) he was on MTV back in the 80’s
We have a funeral home with those initials (only we use the initials) but at first I didn’t know this …
One day months ago… they had a decedents name on the board and beside it they put MTV
So right away I think omg is that an old MTV deejay? Lol until they explained to me … that was when I first started lol ❤️✌️
I had a blast! I found it necessary to look up Max Headrom as I did not grow up with a television.
What was the story with the funeral home? MTV initials?
It is just the initials of the name… we get stuff from the board of health and all of us are known to vital statistics and board of health as the initials of our funeral home
My funeral home has a few names so … it takes the first letter of each name and that is our initials – is always 3 letters
I see. Thanks for breaking it down, 😆
Ps… they don’t make things as good as they used to ✌️
I suppose not. In your industry, I am sire they respect a good digging implementation.
Hahaha yes indeed lol … only we use large machinery now to do that.
Oh. Well… If you need any finish work done, I have a shovel that you can borrow.
😄😄 I might borrow that to shovel all my ex’s shit lol
Possibly kidding but really not 😘✌️
They have special shovels for specific purposes I am sure.
Lol 😄
Hahaha sorry I just saw the ducks with the bags lol – that is hilarious lol you and your wife lol 😄
Yeah, we can be silly.
That’s the way to have fun and enjoy life for what is ✌️
Absolutely!
Glad you guys had fun. thanks for sharing. blessings
We had a great time Sheila! How are you doing?
thats so good. I am doing well just a litte busy these days with work but God is good. Thanks for asking. Blessings
Looks like you had a great day and thank you for sharing, I loved this story. The coffee looks good!
The coffee and the day were delicious!
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Oh, sounds like a nice day! I’m not much for shopping but even I’m starting to miss window shopping now that the shops here have been limited for so long.
We had a great time Petra!
Sounds like a fun day for you. I’m looking forward to visiting Colorado Springs, hopefully in the not too distant future! I have a cousin who lives there and she’s been dying for me to come visit.
It was an enjoyable day! If you are in town, I would like to invite you and your family to the Campfire!
I would enjoy that. Thank you!
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You can use my contact page if you want to exchange info.
Thanks so much!!
I’ve had the same spade for about 15 years now. Oddly it’s one of my most valued possession.
I don’t blame you.
LOL! Have a great week dear friend!
You as well!
I loved this post and your writing voice is awesome! And thank you for the shovel recommendation definitely a good tip for my Spring garden. I love planting beets but recently moved to the East where the planting calendar is much later for beets. What’s your favorite plant to plant in your garden?
Thank you Maggie for the voice compliment. I am ab avid gardener here in Colorful Colorado and I am growing a fondness for turnips. I will be planting swiss chard, beets, and spinach soon. I love the earthy taste of beets!
A beautiful busy day. Did she like it? I tried there chocolate almond milk shaken expresso. Very good, rich and a decafe
She did and almost purchased some oatmeal to make her own. She does not like the almond flavor in coffee or espresso, but she does not mind it in tea.
This post made me chuckle and giggle! 😁👍🏻
I am glad to hear that! 🤠🔥
You two are such fun!
We try!
Nice one😄✨
Seemed to be a fun outing!😃👍
It was a great outing, Sakshisoni!🤠🔥
Wow… your tool cleanups are stunning! I’d pay for that kind of work!
Tgere’s a glitch in the wp matrix right now and your entire blog is displaying twice. Very amusing
It does that to me. I do not know how to fix it as I am self hosted.
The tool cleanup is free to you friend!
This narrative makes a brilliant read and makes me tempted to do my own piece of gardening, Yes, Starbucks coffee is awesome.
I cannot wait to read it!🤠🔥