Saturday, in the park...

Well, actually there was no park involved. But, it was Saturday!

I woke up early and read for a bit after making a pot of coffee. When that got boring, I headed into the kitchen and made some scrambled eggs. I topped them with hot sauce and ate them on the couch, watching the sun rise.

I shaved and showered and then it was bright enough to really look at my cable box (did you ever “really” look at your cable box? LMAO – I kill me!) As reported earlier, I had an old-school cable box and that involved waiting until 9:00 AM to switch it out.

So, I started the weekend wash. I ended up doing three loads (I told you I woke up early) before leaving. A quick exchange (there were no other customers in the place) and I was back on the road. Since I was over that way, I stopped into Kroger’s and got 1/2 pound of sliced roast beef from the deli. I want to make those French Dip sandwiches for supper again. I still have four buns left and I love those things, anyway!

Back home, I hooked up the TV and, “Bingo!” I was in business! But, I didn’t have much time to enjoy it. Today is Wayne County's “Household Hazardous Waste Collection” day, and I’ve missed it every year since I’ve lived here. Not today, by God, not today!

So, I shot a quick call to Jake to see if there were any computer-related things in my attic he wanted saved. He said he didn’t remember what might be up there and, since he hasn’t missed it, just pitch it.

But, when I went up there, all he had was a mostly-empty computer case. I, on the other hand, had my old Compac computer and the older (prior to the 20-inch TV) TV. I got the computers down okay (along with the rose cones and the tarp I’ll need outside) but couldn’t figure out how to get that TV down without killing myself.

I thought about tying a rope to it and lowering it down, but I don’t have a rope that strong. I tried to remember just how I got it up there, and then I did: I didn’t. Jake took it up when they brought the 20-inch TV. So, the TV stayed.

Sidebar: As I am writing this, it just dawned on me that, while I didn’t have a rope strong enough, I do have a 25-foot towing strap I could have used. Damn!

Anyway, I loaded up the computers and the defunct VCR, along with two old car batteries that were in the garage.

I went over to the Township offices and got in a line of cars, waiting my turn. There were actually three separate lines and three stations to stop at. The first two I didn’t need (used motor oil, anti-freeze, old paint, etc.). But, at the last station, helpful volunteers unloaded my trunk and I drove back home. I was feeling good about recycling and even better about having that crap out of my house. I was also trying to remember if Jake had wiped the Compac's hard drive (security concern!)

I took a break and watched some cooking shows in High-Def. Damn that picture was clear! But, I had a lot to do, so after a bit, I started feeling guilty and went back to work.

My neighbor had put his big stepladder in my yard, so I got it and got started on cleaning out the gutters over Jake’s patio (the only ones I didn’t have done). It took a while to get the composted junk out, the dirt washed out and the downspout cleared (I ended up having to remove the downspout).

Then I started to install the leaf guards. Carl, here’s what I learned:

1. They say to cut them with a utility knife. That worked (sort of) on the straight cuts, but the miter cuts were not that easy. I solved that problem by digging out my electric carving knife and using that. Easy peasy!

2. While they are like foam, they are very abrasive! It took me several cuts and two big blisters to learn that. Also, they are a lot like handling steel wool. I have some slivers in my fingers too small to get out. Use tough work gloves!!!

3. They go in easier on old gutters than new ones. The older ones I have are all bent out here and there and used the old long nail hangers. The new ones are tight and have the new hangers that are lower. I learned this when I started installing them on the new patio ones.


By 3:15 PM, I had finished the cleanout and leaf guard installation on the gutters over Jake’s patio. By 4:10, I had finished the short run over the other patio. At that point, I was too tired and sore from going up and down the ladder to continue.

So, I switched to cut the grass (well, chopping up the leaves) in the back yard. I figured I’d be sitting down and yet still getting things done.

I was surprised how quickly I got chilled, but I solved that by getting a hat. I finished just after 6:00 PM and limped into the house. I checked that everything was buttoned up (garage door down, gate to the back yard closed, front and rear doors locked and dead bolted? Yep! Since I still need it, I left his stepladder on the patio where you couldn’t see it from either road.

I got the dust off me (dried leaves are very dusty when you mow them) and then started making supper. I made the French Dip sandwiches my usual way and ate around 7:00 PM, watching TV. BTW, it turns out I had only two buns left. The other two had mold on them and went out to the squirrels.

My legs and knees were killing me and my hands hurt, so other than washing up the supper mess, I was pretty much done for the day. I started getting sleepy after 10:00 PM, so I shut the TV off and went to bed.