Garbage Day

I woke up on Tuesday to the alarm clock set for 6:00 AM. It was garbage day, you see. I threw on some pants, a shirt and (for the first time in a long time) a jacket and got everything out to the road.

Man, it was chilly out here! I could see my breath (of course, that might have been due to not brushing my teeth yet, lol).

Back inside, I thought seriously about breakfast. So, I ended up making soft boiled eggs. Have I ever mentioned just how much I love soft boiled eggs? A little butter, some white bread (okay, so I didn't have white bread, but I had a hamburger bun) and the eggs, seasoned with salt and pepper and it takes me right back to my childhood.

I sat in the living room, eating, and watched the sunrise.

Then it was time to get to work. As you may recall, I was trying to give Newt a better environment. I had the old tank slid down (working with only one arm is a bitch) and the new one in place with the gravel. So, I grabbed a measuring cup (two cups) and slowing transferred the water in my stock pot that has been sitting for over 24 hours (to kill the chlorine) to the new tank.

Then I moved Newt over. He was confused (I don't blame him) and thrashed around a bit. Meanwhile, I made a mixture of baking soda and kosher salt and started washing off the old plastic plants.

I went outside and got a nice big rock to buttress up the gravel. I washed that as well, and laid out the basic plan (low on two thirds of the tank and high on the other end, so he can walk out of the water). Newt does like to get out of the water occasionally.

Then I dealt with the in-tank water filter. It was covered (and I do mean covered) with algae. So I cleaned all the individual parts, replaced the charcoal filter and got it in the new tank and running. I transferred the cover (which I noticed is starting to rust), added in the now clean plastic plants, and figured Newt was ready to go. The old tank is right next to it, waiting for somebody (Jake?) to pick up the 25 pounds of gravel and throw it outside. I damn sure can't lift it!

Next, I shaved and showered. I have missions to do today. So, I added air to the front right tire (I noticed it was pulling on the way back from Jake and Carla's last night) and then headed out.

First stop was my old rehab place. I needed the fax number so my doctor could send the prescription. Next I stopped at Gordon Food Services to check out some prices on equipment. While I was there, I bought some more charcoal (hey, summer will be coming back, right?), some pretzel rods and some pecans.

Then I stopped at the hardware store for some contact cement. When I came home after my Mom's funeral, I noticed the wooden stork that sits on top the mantle was on the floor with the head broken off Must have been a cat fight.

Finally, I went to Casual male and took back the one pair of pants I didn't take off the tags and wash (what was I thinking? I didn't try them on first!) because all three were too big. I guess I could eat more and use them but...

Finally I got back home, exhausted, at 12:30 PM. They are grading the road again and the dust is amazing. If and when they finally blacktop the road, I will have to take a day or two to hose down the front of the house!

I changed into my shorts and T-shirt and laid down to take a little nap. My "little" nap lasted three hours!

At 4:00 PM, I went out and harvested another four grape tomatoes. I cut them in half length-wise and diced up a little Vidalia onion. I added in some salad mix and topped it with ranch dressing for a satisfying snack.

I used the contact cement and restored the stork.

I warmed up some leftovers for my dinner after 8:00 PM. This time I put horseradish sauce on the bottom of the bun and yellow mustard on top, and topped the burger patty with more Vidalia onions. That, and two ears of buttered sweet corn, became my supper.

I watched two Clint Eastwood movies (Joe Kidd and Pale Rider) and then the taped "Hell's Kitchen." Then I went to sleep.