Never thought retirement would be like this
- Thread starter NancyNGA
- Start date
Chasing my tail...
The summer I worked as a waitress the career girls had an expression: "Getting Stuck." This was what happened when your station was full of customers, and suddenly every table had a special order/emergency/request. Panic would set in and you started running around in circles accomplishing nothing. It is starting to feel that way again. Spring is here and it's time to start fighting the plants---lawn mowing and hedge trimming. But none of my 3 lawn mowers would run/start last week.:eewwk:
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know when you put something back together, there should be no left over parts. I think my father lectured me on that when I was 3. But here is one (on a 5.5" decking board):
It belongs on a riding mower deck. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE THIS GOES PLEASE POST HERE OR SEND ME A PM. It was in the pile of grass clippings on the top of the mower, along with a loose bar (nut and bolt were missing). It surely didn't just happen sitting over the winter, either. Yikes! Anyway I could find no spring pictured in the manual or any other diagram on the net. Did a makeshift patch on the bar (long story), and in a panic decided to mow the lawn anyway. Everything worked. Bought some more time.
More good news. I may have figured out what is wrong with the table saw in town. The shaft of the motor was frozen stuck. Oiled the motor, got it free, and it started up, but with considerable vibration. The pulley had gradually slipped over tight against the motor housing and stopped it from turning. All I may need is a special wrench---which I'll get tomorrow.
Life is good again, at least for today!
SeaBreeze, the wrench was just a little hex wrench. Can't ever have too many of those.
Little things are not going well at all---lawn mowers, table saws, padlocks with missing keys, missing machine parts, a pond that is absolutely *loaded* with snapping turtles this spring, routine doctor and dentist appointments next week. The final straw---happened to notice the outside fan on the upstairs AC unit is humming, just barely spinning.
And what is my response to all this? Start going in circles, thinking about everything all at once, accomplishing nothing. It will pass. Just need to calm down and get busy. I may call the dam construction guy, make him a cash offer he can't refuse, and see if he refuses.
I did get the oil changed in the truck. Does that count?
Little things are not going well at all---lawn mowers, table saws, padlocks with missing keys, missing machine parts, a pond that is absolutely *loaded* with snapping turtles this spring, routine doctor and dentist appointments next week. The final straw---happened to notice the outside fan on the upstairs AC unit is humming, just barely spinning.
And what is my response to all this? Start going in circles, thinking about everything all at once, accomplishing nothing. It will pass. Just need to calm down and get busy. I may call the dam construction guy, make him a cash offer he can't refuse, and see if he refuses.
I did get the oil changed in the truck. Does that count?
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
Yes the oil change does count, Nancy. I can so relate to your current status. Everything I have been attempting or asking my very helpful grandson to do for me....is hindered by the same kind of glitches you are experiencing. I too tell myself..."this too shall pass". I hope sooner than I do though. :bigwink:While trying to remove the pulley from the table saw (earlier post), the other one just fell off. It was damaged probably from being loose. Two new ones are coming in the mail Monday. I'm gonna fix that saw or die trying. It may purr like a kitten when I'm done.
Had a good afternoon out at the farm today. Stayed until 7pm. Only accomplished one useful thing---string-trimming around the house. The rest was just fun, and I wish I could have taken you with me, Nona.
The hummingbirds showed up last week but seem to be gone now. Maybe they were just passing through. Thought I heard a hoot owl at 4pm, two different days now. Assumed owls only made noise at night. Saw a fairly large fish, maybe a foot long. Heard one frog across the lake.
The two geese appear to have left. Yay!!! If anyone doesn't believe a snapping turtle can kill a full-sized goose or duck in the water, just Google for a video. There is even one showing a snapper taking down a porcupine that got too close to edge.
Things I learned today:
-The soda can method of picking a Master Lock doesn't work on my lock. Cans too flimsy.
-You can choose a paper clip that is too large for the paper clip method.
-WD-40 works in a pinch as insect spray against three-cornered biting flies.
-I can still cast a fishing rod.
It was damaged probably from being loose. Two new ones are coming in the mail Monday. I'm gonna fix that saw or die trying. It may purr like a kitten when I'm done.Had a good afternoon out at the farm today. Stayed until 7pm. Only accomplished one useful thing---string-trimming around the house. The rest was just fun, and I wish I could have taken you with me, Nona.
The hummingbirds showed up last week but seem to be gone now. Maybe they were just passing through. Thought I heard a hoot owl at 4pm, two different days now. Assumed owls only made noise at night. Saw a fairly large fish, maybe a foot long. Heard one frog across the lake.
The two geese appear to have left. Yay!!! If anyone doesn't believe a snapping turtle can kill a full-sized goose or duck in the water, just Google for a video. There is even one showing a snapper taking down a porcupine that got too close to edge.
Things I learned today:
-The soda can method of picking a Master Lock doesn't work on my lock. Cans too flimsy.
-You can choose a paper clip that is too large for the paper clip method.
-WD-40 works in a pinch as insect spray against three-cornered biting flies.
-I can still cast a fishing rod.
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
The pulleys came early, this afternoon, instead of Monday.
I have a saw!
Wouldn't quite describe it as purring like a kitten, more like buzzing like a bee, but definitely no rattle, like before. And it cuts wood.
Wonderful, wonderful. What are you fixing/creating with your saw. Thank you for the invitation....what a lovely day it would have been. Wonder why there have been such a increase in snapping turtles.
It was good to take a break from the silly little things that get you down.
Once a snapping turtle gets about 4" long it has no predators, except humans. They live to be decades old. I haven't been keeping up with them.
No projects right now. Every once in a while you just need to cut a board. Maybe just to let off steam. Ha!
Did you ever go fishing, Nona?
May have gotten the second lawnmower to work. How? Took some things off and put them back on again, no leftover parts. :shrug: Twenty minutes. It has to be cold to test it out. It started twice so far. Fingers crossed. One more to go. It was cheap, too many plastic parts, and I don't understand it. Doesn't look promising. May get back to square one by Monday.
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
I can so relate to your mother loving to mow. One of my favorite things too. Love the smell of fresh cut grass...sun and fresh air and mindlessness of it. Sadly, mine will not start.
No fishing, Nancy. Crabbing, digging for clams, quahoging and gathering periwinkles only. Enjoying sitting on the rocks while others fished though.
No fishing, Nancy. Crabbing, digging for clams, quahoging and gathering periwinkles only. Enjoying sitting on the rocks while others fished though.
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
As sweet and helpful as he is, he is just not mechanically inclined. And my sil does not know anything about mowers. I am so blessed to have them living here now, though. They are totally spoiling me.....I have to fight to be allowed to do some things for myself.
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
We are so overwhelmed right now, trying to clear out my 40 + years of belongings, I do not dare suggest that. Nancy. Most of their belongings are in storage, until this is all accomplished. Plus my daughter interviewing for positions and my sil working. Bless them for doing all this for me.
I do love me little new space. Never thought I would say that about a travel trailer.
Most of their belongings are in storage, until this is all accomplished. Plus my daughter interviewing for positions and my sil working. Bless them for doing all this for me. I do love me little new space. Never thought I would say that about a travel trailer.
Heard one bullfrog today!!! :banana:
The low water level has provided a thick grassy swampy area at the head of the lake, which I think may be helping the frogs survive. If you care to hear what the lake USED TO sound like at night before the trespassers hunted out all the bullfrogs and the turtles took over...
turn up the volume, click on the Bullfrogs link, then come back and click on Other Frogs a few seconds later (and hope there are no ads).
BULLFROGS (2:15)
Other Frogs and Critters (2:01)
It was magic, very loud, and a little frightening if you're by yourself at night. Haven't found a single video/audio on the net that comes close. In the late summer you can add locusts, too. Ha!
Found the key to the padlock on the boat in the glove compartment of the truck today. Now I have to drill holes for oarlocks in the new pair of oars, and hope the boat doesn't sink when it goes out. I want to get the frogs, and the fish, and the ducks and geese back, and spend at least one more night, down at the lake, before I die. Should probably have the water tested and see if it needs lime. It would be a fun project for the summer, if I had time between lawn mowing, and other chores. IDK?
Sometimes I love that place, except for the neighbors. {Sigh}
The low water level has provided a thick grassy swampy area at the head of the lake, which I think may be helping the frogs survive. If you care to hear what the lake USED TO sound like at night before the trespassers hunted out all the bullfrogs and the turtles took over...
turn up the volume, click on the Bullfrogs link, then come back and click on Other Frogs a few seconds later (and hope there are no ads).
BULLFROGS (2:15)
Other Frogs and Critters (2:01)
It was magic, very loud, and a little frightening if you're by yourself at night. Haven't found a single video/audio on the net that comes close. In the late summer you can add locusts, too. Ha!
Found the key to the padlock on the boat in the glove compartment of the truck today.
Now I have to drill holes for oarlocks in the new pair of oars, and hope the boat doesn't sink when it goes out. I want to get the frogs, and the fish, and the ducks and geese back, and spend at least one more night, down at the lake, before I die. Should probably have the water tested and see if it needs lime. It would be a fun project for the summer, if I had time between lawn mowing, and other chores. IDK?Sometimes I love that place, except for the neighbors. {Sigh}
Soon after posting about listening to frogs at night, Harvest Moon, Neil Young, 1992, popped up on a music thread here. Never heard it before. It reminded me of an occasion maybe 30 years ago, during a harvest moon out in the country, but there was no dancing involved. Young's cracking voice makes it sound even more authentic, and the harmonica @3:40 is sweet. I really like simple songs like this with simple lyrics.
Now to get serious ...
Done with dentist and doctors appointments for at least a year if I choose. Reason for celebration.
The dentist, who checked the implants, and the woman who did a cleaning, were impressed that my gums didn't bleed even after they poked the heck out of them. Thank you for the compliment. :hurt: Wonder if it could be all the tea drinking. Maybe gums pickled with tannins?
I really like this doctor. He will do almost anything I want and doesn't nag. Last visit 2 years ago he said to do the knee surgery, get it over with, no big deal. Now he says tough it out as long as possible. It doesn't really hurt at all, I'm just aware of it, and favor it so it's more of a nuisance than anything. Apparently there must be at least a little risk involved. One decision avoided.
Discovered there are clamp-on oarlocks now, but the brackets on the boat are 5/8" and the bigger ones are more expensive than the oars. So I will drill. It has to be near perfect or you will go around in circles when you row. Ha!
The guys came by painting the curbs Monday and I lost a car length of yellow line in front of the house. They said they were only allowed to paint 10' on either side of a driveway, and I had 27 feet. That'll teach me to call them. I'll have to learn to be more precise in turning now.
I've got to get more busy. May have to post a to-do list here to shame myself into checking off at least a few things. Trouble is, it will be embarrassingly long if it includes everything.
Now to get serious ...
Done with dentist and doctors appointments for at least a year if I choose. Reason for celebration.
The dentist, who checked the implants, and the woman who did a cleaning, were impressed that my gums didn't bleed even after they poked the heck out of them. Thank you for the compliment. :hurt: Wonder if it could be all the tea drinking. Maybe gums pickled with tannins?
I really like this doctor. He will do almost anything I want and doesn't nag. Last visit 2 years ago he said to do the knee surgery, get it over with, no big deal. Now he says tough it out as long as possible. It doesn't really hurt at all, I'm just aware of it, and favor it so it's more of a nuisance than anything. Apparently there must be at least a little risk involved. One decision avoided.
Discovered there are clamp-on oarlocks now, but the brackets on the boat are 5/8" and the bigger ones are more expensive than the oars. So I will drill. It has to be near perfect or you will go around in circles when you row. Ha!
The guys came by painting the curbs Monday and I lost a car length of yellow line in front of the house. They said they were only allowed to paint 10' on either side of a driveway, and I had 27 feet. That'll teach me to call them. I'll have to learn to be more precise in turning now.
I've got to get more busy. May have to post a to-do list here to shame myself into checking off at least a few things. Trouble is, it will be embarrassingly long if it includes everything.
Interesting listening to those frogs Nancy, gotta say I'm not a big fan and haven't been around them much coming from a big city. I was on vacation in Florida once and took a shortcut to a fast food place through a grassy/weedy field, surprised and shocked the heck out of me to suddenly have frogs jumping up all around me and hitting into my bare legs. Glad to hear your gums are healthy, maybe I should start drinking that tea.
Glad to hear your gums are healthy, maybe I should start drinking that tea.I understand. Somewhere on one of our 2 trips out west when I was a kid we were in a place that had little frogs like that jumping around everywhere. There were so many you couldn't walk without stepping on one. It *was* awful. The things you remember vividly when you were a kid are so silly sometimes {sigh}.
After being in kind of a limbo state for the last year or so, denial, whatever you want to call it, I decided this afternoon that it's time to change things. Waaaaaay past time. I'm getting in a rut.
Right now sorting out old documents just thrown unopened in a big box over the last year. Need to make a 1/2" platform to raise one cabinet in the kitchen, up level with the stove, and then I'm through with that. Maybe tonight. I'm going to order an ultra-firm mattress for downstairs and start sleeping there for the summer, because the AC unit upstairs is slightly too small and I like to sleep cold. The cat can have the upstairs this summer. And I want to get started walking again in the evenings, when it isn't raining.
We've had scattered thundershowers for the last 4 days. Supposed to end tomorrow morning. So tomorrow will likely be the annual barn-cleaning-out ritual---shovel, wheelbarrow, and drag with the tractor---unless it's too wet. And hoof-trimming. Hoof trimming is easier when their feet are wet. Everything is easier with 4 goats instead of 14. But all this is great exercise.
Whenever it's raining, I want to try to refurbish that old Dell pc. It has a nice metal case. New hard drive, fan, whatever it takes to get it up to speed. It will be a good learning experience. Something I've avoided because I've never tried it before. But I've watched people do it, and it doesn't look that hard. Then I *may* get DSL at the farm and take it out there.
Didn't get to try out the boat and oars last time at the pond because of intermittent thunderstorms. It is very hard to turn that boat over, and I didn't want to do it twice, just to find out if it would float. Got a couple of reasons to be enthusiastic out there lately. Joined a pond management forum today. The members should have a lot of good information to share and I hope I can have some objective back and forth with some members. It's not too active though. We'll see. I can't really think of anything else I'd rather do this summer, at least not at this time.
Touched base with the administrator of the old diet and weight loss forum, of which I'm still a moderator. Very tiny, only about 10 members. He is not doing too well. He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when I joined. I wish I could help him. My best friend here, who turned 86 in December, is not doing well physically either. He is fine with this, but I'm not.
I will commit now to reporting tonight what I got done, only as an incentive to keep up my momentum.
Right now sorting out old documents just thrown unopened in a big box over the last year. Need to make a 1/2" platform to raise one cabinet in the kitchen, up level with the stove, and then I'm through with that. Maybe tonight. I'm going to order an ultra-firm mattress for downstairs and start sleeping there for the summer, because the AC unit upstairs is slightly too small and I like to sleep cold. The cat can have the upstairs this summer. And I want to get started walking again in the evenings, when it isn't raining.
We've had scattered thundershowers for the last 4 days. Supposed to end tomorrow morning. So tomorrow will likely be the annual barn-cleaning-out ritual---shovel, wheelbarrow, and drag with the tractor---unless it's too wet. And hoof-trimming. Hoof trimming is easier when their feet are wet. Everything is easier with 4 goats instead of 14. But all this is great exercise.
Whenever it's raining, I want to try to refurbish that old Dell pc. It has a nice metal case. New hard drive, fan, whatever it takes to get it up to speed. It will be a good learning experience. Something I've avoided because I've never tried it before. But I've watched people do it, and it doesn't look that hard. Then I *may* get DSL at the farm and take it out there.
Didn't get to try out the boat and oars last time at the pond because of intermittent thunderstorms. It is very hard to turn that boat over, and I didn't want to do it twice, just to find out if it would float. Got a couple of reasons to be enthusiastic out there lately. Joined a pond management forum today. The members should have a lot of good information to share and I hope I can have some objective back and forth with some members. It's not too active though. We'll see. I can't really think of anything else I'd rather do this summer, at least not at this time.
Touched base with the administrator of the old diet and weight loss forum, of which I'm still a moderator. Very tiny, only about 10 members. He is not doing too well. He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when I joined. I wish I could help him. My best friend here, who turned 86 in December, is not doing well physically either. He is fine with this, but I'm not.
I will commit now to reporting tonight what I got done, only as an incentive to keep up my momentum.
Last edited:
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
After a rain I can hear all the frogs here, also. No bull frogs though. You have a busy agenda ahead, Nancy. Did not realize you had 14 goats at one time. One or two can knock you down......when they start going around your legs.....14 ??? Oh my.
Ha! Nona, the way 14 large goats can charge you, if they suspect you have treats, is what caused me to build this fortress of a feeding trough. So my mother could feed them without getting trampled. You go inside the gated area for protection.
I posted this earlier, but just to show you...
