For the past year and a half, we have been focused on renovations to our basement apartment and then renovations to the garage.
The basement apartment was finished in mid October 2025. No rest after that, we had some health emergencies to deal with ... then right into the garage reno. I call it a reno, but it was a modification, installing a storage loft through the entire length and width of the garage. That, along with a custom designed elevator to get the stuff up to the loft.
Through all that time, I didn't even touch my camera.
The garage modifications are done now. Just in time to end a lease on a storage locker and save a ridiculous monthly rental fee for a cement floor, sliding door, and no heat.
I'm thrilled with the outcome of the basement apartment renovation. I'm just as thrilled with the garage loft. And quite proud of a custom design elevator to get everything up to the loft. The elevator will safely lift up to 1380 lbs. The initial configuration supports just half of that, up to 690 lbs. The lift mechanism is based on a 110v hoist. It has an auto-shutoff to prevent lifting past the garage loft floor.
We finished the garage build out and moved everything from the storage unit all within two and a half hours of the lease renewal. During that time, I estimate that I lifted around 500 lbs in any one load ... all without any issues.
There are many YouTube videos of garage lifts. My design is similar, in that I use a 110v hoist. Most, though, distribute the weight load across a roof rafter to the garage walls. That wouldn't work for me ... I don't want to risk that much weight bringing down my roof. My design has a robust cross beam made of one 2x6 and two 2x4s stacked together that spread the load through a 2x6 bolstered by a 2x4 and metal rail system (one on each side), with the entire span not exceeding sixty inches. The weight then spreads down to the cement floor. The hoist has dual controls: wired, and wireless. Works great!
During the cleanup of existing stored "stuff" and the move of storage shed "stuff", I came across the first camera I ever owned. A Miranda Sensomat RE. I knew I still had it somewhere, but had lost track of exactly where. Turns out it was in a mis-labelled box. I'm thrilled to have it back. That find did re-ignite passion for photography. My passion is equally divided between taking photos and the gear I use ... well, the gear I use and the gear I want to use.
The find also reinforced that I made the wrong decision just before all the reno work. At the time I had a Nikon D850 and a Nikon Z9. I ended up selling the D850 to focus on the future ... mirrorless. I was the wrong decision. I found a used D850 and sold the Nikon Z9. Happened very quickly. Now I will sell off the S mount lenses (for the Z series cameras). I am really lucky that I started the reno work when I did ... didn't have time sell off any of the F mount lenses (for the Nikon DSLRs). And, I also found a used Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art lens that I had always wanted.
Looks like things are coming together. I plan on a photo shoot this coming week. Some familiar targets, and hope to find a few new ones.
It's ok, by the way, to take a break from photography every now and then. It's like riding a bike, you don't really lose your skills. It may be a tad rusty, but it comes back fast.
I also may have found a new destination for old barns and old tractors. I recently drove between Kingston and Richmond (ON). There were a considerable number of old barns and outbuildings. Really unfortunate that I didn't have time to stop ... perhaps it's worth planning another drive.