Question of the week: What's your project?

By Tom Peterson 

Welcome to Question of the Week, a news column that poses timely questions about life, politics, culture, economics, health, and more to people out and about in our communities. Our hope at CCC News is that having this space dedicated to being curious about other people’s experiences can help us to deepen our understanding of people from all walks of life. 

This week's question is: What’s your project?

With the rise of a sunshiny day, people were out in force on old St. Paddy’s day and they had some big plans. I would have to say that we would not be human if we were not looking to find or fix something. And that theory was born out at a local hardware store in TD on Friday. People were out get’n’ it done.

Sue Bussard, 74, Wamic

“We’re replacing our basement floor with plank vinyl wood,” said Sue. “ We had a flood, and we had carpet. It had to go. We had a broken pipe.” 

Peggy Cuff, 80, Goldendale

“I needed air purifiers for my allergies,” Peggy said. “When COVID hit I could not get them. And then I also got a mouse. It was very brave and it came running across the floor in front of me. It should have hid. It would have survived longer.”

Amber Ward, 35, Goldendale

“Cattle fencing,” she said with her Ram pickup loaded with 20 posts. She said she was taking care of 25 head.  

Have you dug the holes yet?

“I got a tractor to do it.”

Of course!

Mike Makela, 76, Dallesport 

“I’m planting two fruit trees,” he said. “A cherry and an apricot.”

He said it would join his lone plumb. 

“I like it, and the birds like it,” he said noting they shared the fruit “50-50.” 

He picked up a cherry after roaming through the choices like a kid looking for a Christmas tree.

“Here’s the perfect one,” he said. 

Juan Pulido, 46, Underwood

“Putting in an exterior door for my daughter,” he said, noting he had to return the one he had in the truck to get the right one to fit.”

Oh, the dreaded return! Best of luck Juan. 

Connie Williams, 57, The Dalles

“I’m going to make shelves in my bedroom and set up a hammock,” she said. “I have a bad back. I will put my books and movies and other items on the shelf.”

Connie said it was time to get the work done as her back had quit hurting and she had the money.