Hump Day

Wednesday was a carbon-copy (does anybody still remember carbon copies, come to think of it?) of Tuesday, weather-wise.

I traveled to Dearborn Heights at lunchtime, to Rosenau Powersports (oddly enough, it shares the alley with Duke’s Hardware, where I recently had to get my replacement parts for my antique plumbing).

I bought a new battery for the Yamaha. For just a few dollars more, I bought one that is filled with jell, rather than liquid acid. Why? Because they told me it lasts longer when it sits there unused over the winters.

It was funny. When I went to give them my information, starting with my last name, they said I was already in their computer (?). They read off my address and phone number and said, “You’re Jake, right?” I said, “Close! I’m Jake’s Dad, John.” But, they took my money, anyway...

Like on my trip to Duke’s, I stopped on the way back to work and bought a turkey sub at Jimmy John’s and a pickle. But, unlike all the other times, I forgot to say “with cheese.” So, the sandwich was good and filling, but certainly not as good as usual. The pickle was fantastic, though.

When I got home after work, I treated the cats and changed my shoes. Then I went out front and hand-watered all the container gardens.

Back inside, I started the Wednesday night wash and filed the bill for the battery. I had to laugh, because they corrected my name on the invoice, but it still said I had a 2002 Triumph Bonneville. Then I put the main bathroom faucets back together.

After that, I went through my spice turntables, which I have not done since Carla did it for me a few years back. I learned from her to write the date of purchase on the bottoms of the jars or cans because dried herbs start to lose some of their taste and potency after a year. Nowadays, McCormick spices are in fact dated, BTW.

I was ruthless (no seriously, there was nobody named Ruth here to help me. In fact, there was nobody else here to help at all!) I didn’t throw away any jars or one can where the seal had not been broken, though. It just seemed wrong, somehow.

I would estimate I pitched three quarters of the dried herbs and spices I had. I left the few remaining on the counter and washed off the two plastic lazy susans they sit on. I’ll let them dry overnight and set the cabinet back up tomorrow. Then I’ll add the ones I absolutely need to the grocery list.

I almost filled the kitchen waste paper container half full with my discards and, at anywhere from $2 to $5 a bottle, can or jar, the amount of money I threw away must have been staggering!

I put the clothes in the dryer and ran the hose and oscillating sprinkler out to the front. I turned that on, checked the water pattern and then went back into the house, setting the timer for two hours. I can’t wait to see my next water bill (oh, wait, yes I can!)

While I was waiting for the clothes to dry, I warmed up the last bratwurst for dinner. Finally I hung up and folded the now-dry clothes.

At the sound of the timer, I went out and shut the water off. I retrieved the sprinkler and pulled the hose back from the front yard. Then I rolled it up. I closed up the house for the night and checked the time. It was 9:10 PM. I watched TV for a couple more hours and then called it quits.