The disassembled brass and steel floor lamp came with an instructional sheet and diagram. Pretty simple, as these things go – not like assembling a cabinet.
*Attach middle tube to shade assembly. Turn clockwise.
*Attach bottom tube to middle tube. Turn counterclockwise.
*Attach bottom tube to base. Turn clockwise.
*Remove sticky backer from felt pad and attach to underside of base.
The issue? The damn thing is heavy, especially the base.
You’re wondering if this blog has morphed into one called Fix it, Build it, Paint It. No. Calm your mind with a bite of Israeli cauliflower steak with labneh and read on for clarity.
The large box sat in the living room for a few days, the lamp contents visible but in pieces. I was on a home improvement jag. I had just finished serving as project manager for several renovation tasks in my townhouse beginning with the installation of new flooring on the first floor. Natural maple everywhere except the kitchen, which is now a stunner with stone-look Italian porcelain in a frame pattern.
Then I had all the walls painted. The new floors and paint encouraged me to throw out three pieces of furniture. I decided to replace them with new items that looked and functioned better.
I’m on a budget so everything had to be “build it yourself.” My son had tackled the entryway bench and two bookshelves and assembling a cabinet was next on his list.
I thought that the least I could do was to put together the floor lamp. Perhaps the project would take my mind off my dating dry spell.
The reality of putting that lamp together brought home the issue of strength and independence. After a lifetime of start and stop exercise regimens from yoga to running to Jane Fonda tapes, I finally found my magic combination of strength building and cardio. I’ve been working out consistently with a personal trainer and a swim coach two times a week and doing the solo work on most other days.
The result: despite two herniated discs and a “vulnerable” knee, I have become pretty strong for a 60 something woman.
Strength: It’s something everyone needs to accomplish practical living tasks and to prevent injury when carrying out those tasks. Being strong is even more important when you’re divorced and no longer can rely on a husband for the heavy lifting tasks. During my post-divorce journey, I find that independence is fueled by mental and physical strength – and vice versa.
So, when I faced down the lamp instructions, I called to my newish muscles as well as my proud independent self to step up to the job.
The assembly was a little tricky and awkward due to having to balance the 30-pound solid steel base but I refused to give up (praying that I hadn’t stripped the tubes when screwing them into each other). Voila! Mission accomplished. The light even works.
I felt great: the Wonder Woman of light assembly!
I could add this to my slowly growing list of independent, strength-fueled accomplishments: lifting and moving the wood dining room table with my son, who looked duly surprised when I was able to carry my half of the load; effortlessly carrying for 20 minutes what once felt like an extremely heavy portable “backpack” chair; easily transporting 3 heavy bags of groceries at once.
I highly recommend strength and other physical training for all humans but especially for previously married singletons. Be strong. As Pink said, “I like feeling strong. It keeps my mental floor higher.”
Until next week, happy dating or not dating.
XXXOOO
Nadia
