Tuesday Tidbits—#2: A Handy Measuring Tool

How often have you found yourself in the middle of a store wondering if the item you’re looking at will fit where you want it to go at your house? Most people don’t think about the fact that your hand can be incredibly helpful in such situations.

Take these six measurements in the graphic for your own hand and remember the numbers. You will be amazed at how often they’ll come in handy. (See what I did there?)

The “span” (#4) is particularly helpful. For example: You’re in a store and you’re not sure if the piece of furniture you’re looking at will fit in the 30” opening in your kitchen. Well, if it measures less than 3 spans, then it should fit just fine. . . unless you are a professional football or basketball player. A span for a normal person is about 9 inches.

Play a game with your family and/or friends to see who can get the closest to measuring an object the most accurately.

Other fun things to do with this information: You can surprise your spouse or significant other by...

1. following them to a store (without them seeing you). 

2. Then call from your phone and ask them to measure a piece of furniture for you using their span. 

3. Video them measuring the object. 

4. Edit the video with the “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” as the audio soundtrack.

5. Post the video on YouTube. 

Good times, people. Good times.

Lastly, if you happen to run across Noah’s Ark in your travels, you can verify the measurements by using your span. . . since a span is half of a cubit.