Ngl, isn’t it weird how the stuff we grab without thinking ends up being the one we actually rely on? Like, the cheap plastic spatula from the dollar store beats the fancy wooden one every time, just because it’s bendy enough to scrape the pan right. Honestly, I think our brains just like tools that don’t feel precious, so we actually use them without worry.

Oh, the rain turning mortar into soup is basically nature's way of saying 'take a break, buddy.' In my experience, once those bricks get wet, it's like trying to stack bars of soap. Tarps and tents? Sure, if you enjoy wrestling with giant plastic sheets in a breeze. Honestly, I've just accepted that some days the weather wins, and you're better off packing it in. Your mileage may vary, but I've never found a mix that laughs in the face of a proper downpour. It's one of those jobs where you learn to keep an eye on the sky like a paranoid gardener.