Good news, despite copious amounts of snow and winds that would embarrass those who refer to that Illinois city as windy, the Harbor Freight shelter still stands. Framework is sturdy and intact and tarps are securely in place. At this point I’m believing it will endure the winter not much less worse for wear.
Bad news, the materials to close off the bottom couple inches were acquired and still sit in the garage. Seems that along with getting older and health issues, I don’t handle cold very well. So my excursions out to work on the shelter though frequent were short lived and accomplished little compared to the task at hand. I’m also coming to grips with a bit of depression resulting from the passings of my niece and my mother. At least it is in retreat without the use of additional meds (shucks I already take enough of them). So the bottom remains open, plus snow and ice arrived early and stayed which is a little unusual. There is no way I will brave riding a bike the size of a 1500CC Goldwing on packed snow and ice. The bike remains in the garage.
Giving consideration to the amounts of snow this fall and winter already I’m somewhat pleased the bike didn’t make it into the shelter. Not to say it would have been less secure there but the truth is if snowfalls continue in amounts and frequencies we’ve already experienced we are in for a very wet back yard come spring. Now I don’t expect we will have flooding here but very few miles east, the Red River will. And there is the football field distance of wet clay to be traversed before getting to pavement. That is more challenge than an 800+ pound motorcycle plus rider (the rider would be me) may be willing to accept. Even not flooded it will be very wet and clay is really greasy when wet. Yep, considering that, I’m glad it isn’t back there.
In the meantime Janice is using the garage next door. The next door townhouse is for sale and unoccupied, so we came to an agreement with the owner to use the garage until the property sells. For us the price is right since all I have to do is keep the drive, walkway and front steps cleared of snow. Considering the amounts and frequencies of snow so far it does mean I’ll have ample cardiac rehab whether I go to the gym or not. In general though I think we have a win – win.
The shed continues to prove itself a worthy investment. It has endured high winds and copious snow. Let me tell you about the snow, or better yet I won’t. Put it this way, if it’s still standing come spring, it will get covered with pole barn siding and made into a much sturdier shelter. That was the intention from the beginning. This could be an inexpensive way to end up with a good storage shelter. Hmmmm.
Posted in Ramblings
For the major part of six decades I’ve observed preparations for the new year including drunken debauchery (got to admit to participating a few times myself), major partying, and even doing some foolish things such as driving home when I really shouldn’t have. Knock on Formica covered particle board but those indiscretions on my part did not result in accidents, injuries or worse. That can only be attributed to luck and in order to keep the lucky streak intact I ceased from taking such chances in a vehicle. After all, New Years Eve and the first few hours of New Years Day are nothing less than the ultimate amateur night. End of sermonizing.
There is however one tradition I have taken more entertainment from than any other. That is listening to the New Years Resolutions so many make each year. Resolutions are overwhelming in their variety and scope but nearly all end up being two things:
1. Attempts to improve oneself.
2. Short lived.
Today is January 3, 2009 and I suspect I can safely bet 87% (how’s that for an arbitrary number) of all resolutions have gone by the wayside by now. Of course there are a few that make it longer, and even a few of those actually make it to the next year. And to those successful resolution makers I impart my hardiest congratulations and admiration.
Someone reading this is thinking: “OK, so do you make New Years Resolutions and how well do you do”. The answer is yes, I continue with the same resolution from year to year and thus far have never broken it since I began. You see, I’ve had many accomplishments and many failures, such is the nature of life but one thing I’ve observed: I have not failed or succeeded in something only because I started the practice at 12:00:01 AM, January 1st of any year. After coming to that realization I decided to resolve that I would make no other New Years Resolution but instead change things as needed or as I became aware of them. It has worked well, I have experienced no failed New Years Resolutions since.
So how’s everyone else doing?
Posted in Ramblings
So many post so much explaining all the things for which they are thankful. This Thanksgiving I’m hoping everyone found more reasons to be thankful than not since I know we have.
One thing I am most thankful for is the season itself and all the marvelous entertainment that comes along with it. I am amused to observe the bargain hunters camping in the parking lots of larger stores hoping to be amongst the first in at 4:00 or 5:00 AM so they can snatch up the big savings. Now understand, this is Fargo, North Dakota, USA (nope, it’s nothing like that stupid movie) and this time of year is not uncommon for overnight temperatures to drop into the teens. So this evening we drove past those camping outside the local Best Buy store. Aside from many vehicles (newer vehicles with $350 to $WhoKnows/month payments) were a number of tents. I have to wonder how many of those tents, sleeping bags, air mattresses and etc. were bought only days to weeks before just so their owners could be amongst the first in the store. And at what cost versus the potential saving realized by being part of the elite “first in the store” crowd? That is information I do not have but I wonder if the answer would make me scratch my head.
Never let it be said I am part of the conspiracy theory crowd, BUT, I wonder if the large retailers here in the USA hold an annual convention where they all compare notes of how they plan to make some portion of the population jump through entirely stupid hoops the morning after Thanks Giving. If they do, I’ll bet they rent huge sound proof auditoriums so we all do not hear their uproarious laughter.
OK, I take off my curmudgeon costume to express my most sincere hopes we all found bountiful reasons to be thankful.
Let the festivities begin!
Posted in Ramblings
Do you ever get so intent on finishing a project to the exclusion of everything else? That’s kinda where I’m at right now. The Goldwing sits there in the “men’s crisis center” watching (more like supervising) while I continue toward completion. Every now and then I get this feeling it does a Christine to me as though flashing the lights as a hint I should drop what I’m doing, back her out and take her for some exercise.
She doesn’t understand although I’m working on something for her, I’m paying attention to bits and pieces, measurements and numerous details she doesn’t care about. She just wants to feel the wind in her face, the melding of machine to man and man to machine found only when away from the garage. If I listen closely it’s almost as though I hear her pleading for me to take her for a ride.
Hey, she isn’t telling me to hurt people and destroy things! Guess we’re all lucky for that.
Posted in Ramblings
Maybe it’s a matter of coffee not kicking in yet or just that I’m accustomed to reading and getting caught up rather than putting fingers to keys and writing at this time of morning. Whatever the case creating readable text is being a challenge. Be that as it may, I brought up the “Write Post” window and started typing so something is going to get posted.
Do you know someone that is retired and still has a job because they “need something to do”? Disabled has a ring of not feeling well so I consider myself retired. Still, I find myself busy and short of time without needing something to do. For example today: two one half hours including driving for cardiac rehab, home before noon to meet someone, afternoon (and much longer me thinks) working on one project and if time permits shopping for materials to use with another project. That’s not to mention the “Honey Do” list which never, ever in your wildest dreams get finished.
How do people get bored anyway?
Posted in Stream of Consciousness
