Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A Day to Remember...
10/11/2011
Yesterday I awoke with a smile on my face, ready to begin a busy day. My company was closed for business; it was a day off, a day for work around the house. I just knew it was going to be The Best Day Ever!
First order of business was a visit to my doctor’s office for some pre-physical blood tests. Next, after a quick trip through the grocery store while hoping the sun would warm up the air and dry the dew off the grass, I planned to get to mowing the “grounds” when I got home. So far, so good, the day was going as programmed.
On my way to the garage to get the mower out I decided to redistribute some of my wealth and fill the bird feeders with expensive seeds. I had previously purchased a 40 lb. bag of sunflower seeds that the resident garage mouse (or mice) was enjoying through a small hole it chewed in the bag. I needed something to put the seed in and found a small, covered trash can in the basement, but the can didn’t quite hold the all the seeds, so I decided I would fill the feeder that usually holds the sunflower seeds. After I filled it I still had seeds in the bag, so I put the rest in the container we keep the wild bird seed in (hang with me), and as I was ready to fill the other feeders I noticed a preponderance of sunflower seed on top of the wild bird seed. I decided to turn the container over a couple of times to mix up the seed. Mistake numero uno! As I turned the container the top popped open and the seed formed a perfect mound about twelve inches high on the ground. I smiled. I accept that I am fully responsible for what happens to me in my life.
Seed cleanup complete, it was time to cut the grass. I was psyched to begin the mowing – all eight acres of it. I got The Tank (my mower) out of the garage and decided to begin at the lowest section of the lawn where water tends to stream when it rains. We haven’t had rain in about a week, but it was still “damp” down there, and I found out how damp as the mower’s wheels began to spin in the muck. It was hopelessly stuck…it was time to bring the Wrangler and the tow rope down. Fortunately, I was able to drag the mower out of the mud without too much effort, though my feet were soaked and muddy. My third mistake was to get the mower hung up in the swamp again about ten minutes later, requiring another tow job by Mr. Wrangler. Being the really smart guy that I am, I decided I should avoid the lower forty and move to higher ground. I am pretty quick, you know!
All went well or about for about fifteen minutes. I noticed the mower making a strange sound. I stopped it so I could listen to it. It was then I saw no clippings being thrown out the shoot. The belt that turns the blades had broken. Luckily I had a replacement belt in the garage but no idea how to put it on. After about forty minutes of contemplation I figured it out…actually I found a chart on the mower with a layout of the belts on the pulleys.
I went into the garage to get the belt. It was hanging on a nail and I had to stretch to reach it. As I reached up to grab it, my elbow bumped a tiki lamp (one of six), causing it and its cousins to tumble over spilling tiki lamp oil on the floor and all over the garage door. It was a nice little mess and another opportunity to laugh at myself.
Well, finally, after an hour or so, I had the belt on the mower and the mower fired up and ready to cut once again. The problem was, I had run out of time. The Nancy and I had an appointment in Hagerstown, Maryland, about 40 miles away, so I had to put the mower away. I climbed on, sat down in the seat and was about to turn the key to start the engine when I leaned back a little too hard and broke the seat. Hmmm!
It was a day of laughs, mostly at me and with me. It was a day of “opportunities” and possibilities. I accepted responsibility for all that occurred, but really wish The Nancy could have been here so I could have pinned it all on her.
And that is all I have to say about that…