How to build a bench

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Ingredients, in rough chronology

• paper and pen pencil

• pepperbush, azalea, witch hazel, hearts-a-busting, oakleaf hydrangea, rhododendron

• mulch

• sweetspire and fragrant sumac

• more mulch

• outside opinions

• 6x6 posts, cut to length, notched for seat support

• 200lbs concrete

• 2x6 cross-pieces, cut to length

• IPA

• 2z4 seat supports, cut to length, cut with slight downward curve

• 2x6 side supports, cut to length, cut to shape, bolted tight

• More IPA

• 2x4 seat slats, cut to length, ripped lengthwise, outer ends cut at angle increasing per slat as you go deeper on the seat

• fasteners — various

Step by step

1. Install shrubberies

2. Make drawings

3. Go to Indiana, obtain opinions

4. More shrubberies

5. More drawings

6. Go to Virli’s, obtain opinions

7. Build bench

8. Sand and then sand some more

Where stood an old double-stemmed hickory, I saw the perfect bird watching spot. The only thing missing was a place to sit. It was a lot of fun to work on, I had expert opinions, and of course Dad’s help getting the seat supports notched and installed. Tricky by yourself. I believe this bench may outlive me.