Noise and Noisier

Now that the AC and fans are off, I'm back to being kept awake by conversations outside at 6 am. It's not loud enough or close enough to make out the words, but it's definately a conversation.
When I first moved here the noise drove me crazy. I was used to quiet with only the occasional moose or coyote sounding off. Now I'm bombarded with noise - loud vehicles, motorcycles and people warming up their trucks (even in summer) people talking and yelling, and roar of  the park lawnmower and tractor. It still drives me nuts but I've managed to ignore most of it.
Depressing.

Why I Don't Always Finish Projects

My music stand was falling apart. At last Saturday's jam  it dumped my music book on the floor, popping open the rings and pages were everywhere. I decided it was time for a new music stand.
I like the wire ones because they fold up and fit in my music bag, and if I'm on bass, I can raise the book so I can see it. So I went into the music store where we were playing and bought a new stand. It seemed more substantial than my old one.
At a rehearsal today, I pulled out my new stand and set the music book on it. It promptly flipped the book over backwards. I couldn't tighten it enough to hold the music book upright. The guy next to me "helped" by cranking it so tight I thought he was going to strip it right out. I think I'm returning it. I'm giving up on wire music stands.
I have seen some nifty looking stands that are built like a folding stool. The book sits in the fabric and there's no way it can flip over or tip. I thought I could make one out of pvc pipe.

On the way home today I stopped at a box hardware store. I don't like these stores because it's so hard to find what you need but it was right on the way. I walked to one corner of the store to find pvc pipe, wandered around some more to find the corner pieces I needed and then back to the opposite corner to find two bolts. Of course none of the workers there will ever stop to help a customer.
When I got home I realized that I needed two more feet of pvc. And the bolts were too short. And one of the corner pieces was a three-way piece. Sigh.

I assembled the parts that I had just to see if it was going to work. I still needed to find some fabric for it. I found a weaving piece I had done that I didn't really have a use for. Turns out, it is exactly the right size for the stand. Now I just need to sew a hem on each end to slide over the pvc. I do have a little battery operated sewing machine that I haven't used in a while.  Of course I don't have any batteries on hand....I could charge some up or buy some. But wait....I got my weeks confused and I'm going to be out of  money for gas for the last week. I really wanted to go to the fourth Saturday jam this month. I might not make it.
Meanwhile, I will need a stand for Thursday's nursing home performance. Or just sit next to someone with a book.

Shelves and Such

Contrary to appearances, I haven't been totally lax lately. I've been finishing up some projects that have taken more time than they should have.

I've been very inspired by the articles I've read online about narrow shelves. I finally more or less finished some of my own between the bathroom door (big mirror) and the dog crate. 
I didn't do the best job of woodworking but it's up for now. It keeps wanting to slide away from the wall even though it's tight at the top.


Eating Area

Another project I'd been planning to do for ages was making a breakfast tray.
The only places I have to sit is at the computer (no free desk space here...) or on the bed.

It doesn't fold and I have to move it around but it gives me a place to eat and read a book without food slopping on the floor or worse, on the bed. 

   

Bedside Shelf

For the past couple of years I had been wanting some place to set my book and glasses when I'm ready to sleep. Currently, I've had to almost get out of bed to set them on the dresser that is at the foot of the bed. I tried some hanging bags and other arrangements but they were all unsatisfactory. I also wanted a tiny space to set a cup of coffee if I wanted to sit on the bed and read. The problem was to have something small enough that I wouldn't be crashing into it.

My neighbors pulled a corner shelf out of their camper and gave it to me. It was much to large for my camper and I had no corners that it would have fit into. I cut the top off and hung it upside down by the bed. PERFECT. I can't wait to go to bed tonight and try it out.