Some Pictures!

Take a close look at that photo above. See the bird in flight? Pretty cool, huh?

This last weekend we put Cora and all her sewing equipment into one of the back rooms. Look, it worked, she is sewing again!

I mowed the lawn...like this. (It REALLY was hot, so don't laugh too much!)

That night..I think it was Saturday... I sat outside, next to a torch and a glass of wine and read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince until after midnight. The temperature had to be in the 70s. It was a nice way to read.

It has cooled down a bit...but not much.

I Need a Strong Belt...

No, really! After a summer of hellish happenings, I managed yet another today. I got to go mow the Elementary. I got there late, then at lunch time took the mower home with me to lunch. On the way back from lunch...I lost ANOTHER belt. I stopped, but not before she overheated and began to boil over! First, I thought, "what the heck[me attempting to keep a 'G' rating to the bog], on another mower?!?" Then, I realized, "SHIT! [All pretenses of a 'G' rating have been bid goodbye] This is the same one that lost a belt on me earlier this summer!"...then I thought back...mind you milleseconds are passing..."one of our cars did that years ago...and it was because of the water pump...I wonder if that's the problem here." I located my associates at lunch and informed them of my predicament. They promised to help when they were finished, I presumed this to be some thursday after next. I went back to the elementary to see some of the teachers I have not seen all summer.

I walked in, headed toward the office. All of a sudden three little boys rounded the corner followed by a teacher in something of a dither. She spotted me, I subbed for her last year, and asked me to escort these young mendown to their classroom...somehow they had gotten "lost" nd not made it back to class...these were kinders, so I kinda understood. I took them down the hall and there was their teacher waiting at the end of the hallway. She greeted me with a great big smile and thanks and themwith a stern look. I got credit for being in the right place at the right time...OH HOW I LOVE THE WAY THE UNIVERSE SOMETIMES WORKS[for once it was on my side]. Anyway, I finished my trip and then went back to do the mowing with the small mower.

I rounded a corner in time to see one of my coworkers putting the big broken mower on a trailer, just as a teacher came out of a nearby door and asked me something. I shut down the mower and she asked me if I wanted some ice cream...I don't know about you, but I have never really ever seriously considered turning down an offer of ice cream, so I followed her in and met this year's class...it was the SPED room, so I might actually get to know the new ones pretty well...I already knew several of the others. [Universe was working overtime to make this a good day...it should, too, after yesterday...which reminds me, my shoulder is still sore]

Finally, with minutes to spare, I finished the small mowing. Sometime earlier, I had noted that the Big Mower being absent, so, also, was my ride back to the shop. I called my Father-in-Law asking if he could arrange a ride for me back to the shop. He said yes, but I judged there to be a bit too much glibness in his voice for me to easily trust him..."Something is up," I said to myself...and myself, being the bright, handsome, assertive fellow I am, agreed.

So, over the past week, I have endured countless questions, hints, implications, and accusations about the missing van for which I was possibly responsible for leaving he keys in, even though it was in a locked compound. There has been no word of its whereabouts.

So, I was standing on the sidewalk next to a crossing guard watching kids wander on their ways aimlessly home, when I noticed an apparition, a ghost that could not possibly exist...it was a golden brown...it looked like a van...it was coming toward me. My Father-in-Law was behind the wheel. Obviously they had located the van. Well, all's well that ends well...it seems little worse for wear and we have everything that left with it...barring the empty gas can. Those thieves EVEN left the broken sprinlers I had put in there...wonder why???

Ahh, now all I am doing is relaxing and watching Bones' season premier!!

Long Hot Day

I knew it was going to be hot today when I wanted to turn the air conditioner down further at 5:30AM. We began with our traditional break. Then we broke to work. I and the other sub needed to bring three pallets of surplus books from the elementary. But first, we needed to empty the food service van, which my associate had thoughtfully filled with siurplus computers but had not emptied. I found that yesterday, and I was not happy. So, we emptied the van, ten got the books. It was hard, heavy, and hot. All that "fun" was compounded by the fact that my cohort is, while well intentioned, not the candle with the longest wick.

I've noticed, lately, that he removes the keys from every vehicle he drives. That is something that is a bit of a pain if you work for a school district. There are all sorts of occasions where you need to get through to something, but someone else's vehicle is in the way. If they leave the keys in you can move it and go on with your day. (also, he does not even have pockets, so you can't rely on him to open gates or doors without handing him your own set...and THAT is annoying, because he does not remember to give them back)

After lunch, he went to the elementary to finish the "small" mowing. There is a mower at that school. I took the big mower over to the other elementary and mowed. As I was finishing up, I lifted the front deck and the front guide wheel just fell off! The linch pin that holds it in place had disappeared, as had a few spacers. I rescued it and began my trek back to the shop to fix it, but the maintenance man for that school told me the other sub had run out of gas and then had to leave for home. I said fine. I would fix that and then fix the Big Mower. The heat caused the breeze to be tepid across my face while I drove back on the mower. I got to the shop and parked the mower. I went to the van, which the other sub had left out front, with the main garage door to the shop wide open (when there is no one specifically at the shop, we close the doors...keeps tools from walking off). Amazingly, he had left the keys in the van, so I did not have to go back in and get them from the breakroom. I filled up a can of gas and left. Here is a picture of me in the van on my way to the elementary to rescue the mower, note I am happy at this time. I did not take pictures of me after I discovered the predicament Tootsie Roll had left me in.

I got to the other school and there was the little mower...about 2/3 finished with the mowing. I looked at my watch and decided I could finish it in time to go home. I filled the mower with gas and then flipped the seat back. I was about to get on it, when I noticed that the keys were missing. I thought, "how appropriate." I walked back to the van, figuring Mighty Mouse had left the key in the van. No such luck. I called the other maintenance man (let me just come out, it's my Father-in-Law) and asked if he knew where Twinky had left the key. He did not answer. I stomped back to the mower and continued to marvel at Muscle Brain's logic. Tae the keys out of the mower that was out of gas and would not go anymore, but leave the keys in a decent school van, next to a shop with its door wide open and no one around to say, "Stop stealing those tools!" Just brilliant.

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I walked inside the school and found the custodian and asked if Meadow Muffin had left the key with him...NOPE. I finally had to push the damned mower around and into the building...that was no easy feat. I was sweating heavily...and irritated. I finally got back to the shop and walked in and put away the keys. I glanced at the table with the intention of leaving note for the maintenance guy who comes in first on Monday about the mower behind his Polaris. It was then that I saw the mower key. I was moved to cursing. I saw the words on the piece of paper under it. "Keys to mower at TH." Instead of yelling out loud, which would have startled Oprah the shop cat, I left these words below his: "How useful to have them here!"

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I shut down the lights and left. What a wonderful day. I went to the bank and cashed in $126 of coins.

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I took the camera to work today. I stopped a coulple times to take pictures. These are about the only things from the day that made me happy. I took some pictures of pears nearing ripeness and apples, sorry they are a bit blurry: I forgot to go to macro. I also took a few pictures of hops.

I also took a picture of the painting I put on the bathroom wall in the breakroom. What do you think?

Broken Mowers, Broken Dreams

I went to work and ended up helping one of my coworkers run to town three times to get the correct sized belt for the mower. Yes, three times. It was not until after noon that I was able to finally finish my mowing that I had started yesterday. The only problem I see is that we just fertilized it, and what I mowed yesterday looks like it could use another mowing...just my luck.

I finished the big mowing (mowing requiring the big mower) and switched to the small mower. I drove that small little tractor to the grass I needed to mow with it and it promptly ran out of gas. I went back to the shop on the big mower traded for the van and came back and filled the tank. I did my best, but with a growth rate like that...well, I would never be done.

When I finally got back to the shop...well, another mower was broken. I had to help fix that and bring it back to the shop...not a good week for mowers, I think. At least I have tomorrow off.

I will be attempting to read and get further on the master's...wish me luck.

Scorcher

It was a warm day yesterday. I took the tractor and cleaned up the last rocks from the dirt. I hope never to have to touch rocks again...or dirt. Of course, I don't think that will happen, so I would be pleased so long as it is that particular dirt or those particular rocks that I don't touch.

I mowed after that. It was so warm out that you could have thought you were in bed under cover...then the fact that I had just had lunch and the warmth cut in and I began to get the nods. I would get down off the mower and walk around to wake up...it was a long day...or course, it may not have been just that, since the tiredness seemed to follow me home. Once again, I had difficulty staying awake all night. I am going to make a doctor's appointment to get some hepititas vaccinations and I think I will ask him there about why I get so damned tired. He'll probably say that at my age I need to take naps during the day...

I got on the mower to leave the elementary school and the mower began driving strange...I had a slow...or fast, depends on how you look at it...leak on one of the tires...so I stopped at the shop that is here in town and had them fix it...took 45 minutes, but at least I made it back.

Today will likely go the same. Although, I hope to attend the first airsow in 6 years at McChord AFB on Saturday or Sunday. Cora's family are coming from out of town to visit over on that side of the mountains, too, so maybe I can drop her off. I hope we don't fight over who gets the camera...which is more important? Planes or family? Well, I think, given the name of this blog, that should be obvious...sorry Grandma! I REALLY want to see an F-22 Raptor up close. Also, I have yet to set foot near a C-17...they fly over all the time, but I have never been close to one...cue tears...

I note no one has offered donations for my drop tank collection...or have you mistakenly been giving to to Cora for her "baby" fund? Best make the checks out to me...I may open a museum and my biggest contributors will be able to see the exhibits before the general public...yeah, that's it! Send in that money, Cora loves airplanes and airplane parts just hanging about.

No Wii-grets! Saturday Purchase!

Wii bought a Wii today. Well, Cora did. She used her birthday money. Wii managed to find one in the first store we went to. About a month or so ago, my in-laws had asked us to watch for one. Wii did watch…and never did see one, not until after they found one did we see one in a store. Wii did not expect it to be so easy to find one. I am glad Wii have one, but I don’t think Wii will change because of it.

I came home and mowed lawn while Cora prepared a place for our newest arrival. She filled our final hanging basket and I ran a soaker hose around the house to water the plants we don’t get to by hand. I also rearranged the little shed we have in the backyard. It is more of an outdoor closet. Still, it’s big enough for the mower and a lot of stuff from the laundry room.

We had steaks; my own personal marinade…a sweet hot salty goodness that I probably ought to patent. Mmmmm-mmmm good. So, all in all a nice day.

How Many Wheels On A Mower?

I worked maintenance today. I enjoyed a nice coffee break and then headed out to mow a lawn. The weather was cool, but not overly so. I opted to leave my jacket in the truck. I filled the fuel tank. Last time I nearly ran out of fuel. Not gonna happen again. The lawn is a few miles away from the shop. I got about three blocks down and decided I wished I had my jacket, but decided I could tough it out. When I got there, I figured on running into and away from the wind. On the way from the wind I was warm, on the way into the wind, I froze assorted parts of my body off.

I was making a right angle turn by turning away and coming around 270 degrees…it makes a nice square corner rather than a rounded one…ok, small things keep my mind busy. I began yet another turn. All of a sudden the mower made a noise…like I had ht something. I looked over my shoulder…my left shoulder. I don’t know why, just seemed the thing to do. When I looked back I noticed something. There was a lawn mower wheel in the lawn. I thought, “that’s odd.” Then realized!! CRAPPPPP!!!!!!!! I stopped immediately. Indeed, the mower had lost a wheel. I called for help. I then went inside the school and had lunch…turkey gravy and potatoes…I offered to pay, but, given my situation, they gave it to me for free.

We finally replaced the old wheel…which was cracked badly. There were a couple lug blots missing, and two totally broken off. And the wheel turned a little oddly. It seemed to work though, and I promised to return carefully. I finished the lawn and headed for the barn. I took it slow like I had said. I was within a quarter mile of the shop when the mower began to shimmy…as though the road had a washboard. It had just been graded. I looked over my shoulders, but could only see parts of the wheels. I stopped. I got off and the replacement tire was completely flat. We aired it up and I limped it into the shop. We took the wheel off and laid it on the ground, where the tire released a giant rush of air that sounded significantly like a sigh. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

In the meantime, I asked if they had any other lawn mowers they wanted me to break.