A graceful life begins with good health and proper hydration.
The good health part is keeping mechanically sound enough to do hard things now and then.
For proper hydration for doing those hard things, drink water in between this dandy beer.
($12.00 in the store, $3 for a six pack at Rogue’s Garage Sale. I’ll do the math: this is a fifty cent beer. Best fifty cent beer in the world. Thanks Bill.)
On to the hard labor:
It all begins with a good idea, then moves on from there.
This one was based on an observation in my kid’s backyard.
Me: That fence needs help.
While we talked about the fence we dug a four foot post hole for a 4 X 6 twelve foot beam.
Nothing to do with fencing, but a good warm up dig.
The pole is about twenty-five feet away from the Big Oak Tree. (Hey Mandy)
They are the anchors for a slack line.
Slack line?
A slack line is another level of ‘What’s next?’
I’ve never built a slack line, but I’ve seen YouTube instructions.
Today is slack line day, but for who?
The link shows a process to build one out of existing materials like tow lines rated at 2000 lbs, and the sort of strap truckers use to secure their load on a flat bed trailer.
If you don’t weigh over 2000 lbs this is looking good.
If you have kids in your life, then you have the answer for ‘who is it for?’
It’s for kids, moms and dads, grandparents, and maybe a circus dog.
Sounds like fun so far?
The Basics Of A Graceful Life
A solid foundation is essential, but you know that.
If you’re going to lean or pull on anything, and you will, you want it in the ground, way in the ground with a cement overcoat.
And let it set up. After this chore I might get my own bag of cement and do some Roman cement art.
The last time I had the same idea the bag got moist and turned into rock.
Not this time. Two bags for the post and two days later it’s a slack line.
The one on the bottom is the walking part, the top is the hang on for dear life part.
The two inch nylon mesh is tightened to hold people, but which people? You?
First, you want to do it, you need to step up.
You’re an athlete so no problem.
If you’re not an athlete, no problem. Hop on this rig often enough and you will be.
Strength, balance, elegance, poise.
Grace? That one takes time.
This could be dangerous for the unprepared, the over-confident, the foolhardy.
But with persistence anything is possible. (Thank you Lyle.)
Milestone Roadmap For Beginners:
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Stand with one foot on a 5–15m line.
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Safely get off the line from your previous milestone.
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Stand with both feet on a 5–15m line.
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Take a step
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Repeat Step 2
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Take 2 steps
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Repeat Step 2
The Last Time An Idea Set Your Hair On Fire
Can I walk a slack line; should I even try?
It’s there, I’m there.
I hear it calling: