Fun! Today was fun because I worked with my youngest daughter at my side while delivering food around. We did a bit and made some money, in fact, $50 exactly, to be exact. But while we were slow I decided to take her up Center Street to the mountain end of it, where the houses get bigger and bigger as you go up. When I got to the top, I turned around and went back a couple of houses to where I saw what looked like a garage sale laid out. Well, well, my goodness. There was nobody attending it, and a big sign in front that read…
…And with lawnmowers there, who was I to argue? Incidentally, by the time I took the above picture, I had already loaded the one I chose. It was nicer than what it still there. I got it home and tried it out and it would not start for love nor money. So, I thought about the three things needed for combustion and decided to cut to the chase and put some starter fluid in the carb. That got it going a bit, so I know air and spark are fine. It is having troubles with fuel. I may have to rebuild the carb, though I will try some cleaner first. Probably a clogged jet or flooded floats or something else I can hardly remember from my teenage days. But at least we know it will run. Not a bad price for it! And it is a John Deere. It is no cheap bottom end model, either. So, I will try to get it sorted and see if we can’t keep up on some mowing this summer with something that has a bit of power to it. 6.75 HP to be precise. Let’s give it a go!
Anyway, we came home, and I got to work on starting to clean up the Service Yard ready for things like wood cutting and finishing the woodshed construction. Some of that was just splitting up some log rounds that were sitting out there, and some of it was moving wooden fence posts out of the way. I got at it and found that by the time the light was getting short, I was still not tired, so I came in and did some dishes. I felt accomplished by the time I was done with that, and that’s when I came to write. Man, it is good to feel good! I want you to really appreciate that, and to go to the person you know who dies not do so much because they say they feel awful all the time and be kind to them, and appreciate that when they say they feel horrible and like they can’t do everything they want, it truly is a debilitating thing, and their best life will never measure up to your worst days. I mean, I have some things like sore arms from driving, and pain in my legs from standing and things like that. But none of it comes close to what I felt this time last year, and for many years before that. I was way worse! And I did not know it, the cause of it, and what I could do about it. And all it turned out to be a change in diet, and for me it was simple. But remember, not everyone is so lucky. So, give them the care they need, and please just allow them to be them. I was waiting for my wife to tell me off for doing dishes with the comment that not once when I felt horrible and could not do things did, she ever give me grief over it. So let me do the damn dishes. But she kept safe and clear. Ha! Oh well!
Well, alrighty then. I will have to work tomorrow. I need to change the oil proper in the car before we go to visit family this week. I want to be on the road with a fresh filter. I add enough oil each week to keep that fresh. Ha! I wish I could fix that on the cheap! Anyway, I see the weather is meant to improve all week till Friday, then top out in the mid 70’s before cooling off again. It is already lovely out. Spring has sprung. Couples are being romantic down in the city, going for walks, laying together on the grass, cuddling up at the bus stop. It is sweet.
I am desperate to make some changes, but for now, I have to do the work I am doing to keep things rolling along so that I can make some changes. But cleaning up in the yard and preparing for log work is also a part of it. I did not finish the Service Yard, but a little progress is just that. Progress.
My daughter was a lovely little helper today, and I really enjoyed the time with her on her last day of Spring Break. I look forward to their summer break, but I hope they do more with it than they did with the last one, or with this Spring Break, for that matter. Kids!