Final stage of pond renovation is finally at the completion stage. All construction items used to redo the inlet drain, outlet drain and beach area where saved bits and pieces from odd jobs or sitting out in Nature’s backyard.  Old wood 4×4’s, planks, doors and tires were removed from a barn that was being cleaned and the owner was throwing them out.  Normally I wouldn’t pick up old tires unless I have a use for them, old rubber tires are very difficult to dispose of.

Re-purpose, reuse, relocate sod, dirt and pond muck to other areas needing filled or leveled.  For short distances, I use a wheelbarrow or tarp and rope to transfer the materials and workout my legs. A trailer is used for long distant transfers. A shovel is used to fill the trailer, giving me a mid-section, arm and shoulder workout.  Use different size shovels to achieve various weights.  Drink lots of water and wear a belt to stay hydrated and protect your lower back from over-stress.

To strengthen the path crossing over the washed-out area, I’ll be adding sticks, branches, extra wood, and old tires to help hold the path together. Throwing tires like a disk and tossing branches and wood stretches the shoulders and builds muscle.

Helping or doing something nice for somebody out of the kindness of your heart is healthier than doing it because your expected to.  I’m not implying payment isn’t good or you shouldn’t earn a decent wage for your hard work and time.  Making money is good and helps us feel secure, but that’s a job and we expect to be paid, just as we’re expected to do the job. Working around home, helping other, doing something nice are not jobs; they’re ways of staying physically and mentally healthy. Working keeps the body physically active and the visual stimulation from completing a project or seeing the reaction of someone you’ve helped, is heart warming and mentally healthy.

This pond needs a little TLC and character to give it life and bring joy to those who visit. Over the next week, using bits and pieces around the property and what Nature has provided, I’m going to add a sandy beach and reconstruct and stabilize the inlet and outlet tubes.

There is a beautiful nature trail wrapping around the pond which is inaccessible do to the two washed out areas. Looking forward to exercising in Nature’s Gym (the great outdoors) completing the project and watch the kids enjoying themselves and having fun.

Yard and house work is a good way to exercise and build muscle at the same time. As a young boy, I despised cleaning my room, cutting the grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow, etc. It wasn’t that the work was difficult, I didn’t see any benefit or reason to do it. Today, a bit older and wiser, yard and house work has become my main source for physical fitness, exercise and bodybuilding.

Uncle Jim, Calyb & Connor

As your doing things, anything, around the house, think about what muscle your using. Concentrate, with each move, on the tightening and relaxing of that muscle. Believing your building a healthier mind, body and soul puts a whole new perspective on doing house work.

These are some of my favorite work-out equipment. Made for common everyday yard and house work, many tools have multiple uses. Add tape and splints to strengthen areas that are prone to snapping, cracking or breaking, when under lots of stress. Be creative, turn your tools into fitness equipment and your yard into a gym. It’s much easier and beneficial to exercise at home for an hour or two, compared to driving somewhere else.