Aging the Wood

I grilled outside for the first time this year. While that is indicative of a change in the weather, I am a Canadian expat: we grill whenever it's over 40F. (4C)

Yesterday I completed my "TO DO" Master List of all the things I wanted to get accomplished this spring/summer. I then spent the evening breathing into a paper bag in the hopes that the panic would subside.

We've been living here as if our situation was temporary for almost four years now. However; it no longer matters if we will be here for six more months, or four more decades, I have to get some things settled, organized, and put in place so we can move forward in whatever direction that happens to be. So, this will be the spring/summer of "mise en place."

It would be false to say that I am not a sentimental person, but I don't generally attach a great deal of emotion to things. I'm certainly not the type of person to collect stamps, coins, figurines, or anything else that isn't functional, or directly enriches my life. Seriously, it's just stuff. Not everyone in my home shares this outlook, so a compromise will have to be reached: and possibly a garage sale had before everything is in order.

Today has been a fairly productive day! I replaced the toilet handle, and then cleaned, and greased the tank flap. And can I just say how sad I am that our toilet doesn't have a ballcock assembly? Yes, I AM twelve! It has a float cup and a vertical flapper design, meaning the rubber flap at the bottom of the tank moves - more or less - straight up and down as opposed to opening like a clam. We have hard water and the rod that guilds the flapper gets coated in minerals preventing the flapper from sliding up and down as it should. As a result the handle, which is made of flimsy plastic, breaks frequently. Rather than buying yet another plastic replacement handle from the manufacturer, I found a universal handle with a bendable metal rod. The plumber recommended just replacing the whole toilet, because he thinks it's a bad design for hard water, and OK, he's probably right. BUT; he's already gotten my in-laws for a kitchen sink and faucet, as well as one new toilet this year. I am hoping my rig will get us at least another few months. In the meantime, my in-laws need to remodel their whole bathroom, and install a walk-in shower to accommodate their needs, as well as reduce the risk of falling as they age. I'm hoping this gets underway in the next few months.

I also replaced the handle on our front storm door, did a couple loads of laundry, filled the small bird feeder, and started to sort out the garden shed on top of going through the refrigerator and pitching the leftovers, making and cleaning up after dinner. And, I'm reviewing the measured drawing for the birdhouses and Robin shelves I've been planning to make for about two years now. As my father would say, I'm not procrastinating, I'm aging the wood! I am determined that they WILL get made this year.

Later tonight, I'll be finishing my laundry, and then it's back to the gym.