We’ve had a decided break in the weather. Each night dips slightly below the freezing point (27F to 31F) but each day is sunny and in the low fifties. I’ve used this warning from the weather gods to finish up some of my more time and weather sensitive chores. So today I mowed the grass. That’s the last cut for the year. Now it’s time to winterize the mowers and move the snow blower to the front of the shed and try it out. I’ve already swept and filled the pool shed with all the pool furniture.
I’ve removed the gigantic air conditioner from the first floor window using these cool three wheeled rollers, a big yard cart and some bricks to move it without tweaking my back (which is key). I felt like Pharoah’s construction engineer moving monolithic basalt blocks to build the pyramid. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration but I did learn a thing or two from the riggers I used to hire to install the really heavy equipment when we needed it done carefully. There’s nothing like dropping a twenty thousand pound custom chiller package to blow the project budget. Watching those guys do their job with the minimum of power equipment was highly interesting. It took an experienced old guy, several block and tackle set ups, 4X4 and 8X8 wooden “shims,” heavy duty pry bars, and one or two young guys with unbelievably strong arms, legs and backs. It truly is an art and not a science.
To say I was mowing the grass would be an exaggeration. Mostly I was shredding leaves. My more fastidious neighbors collect these shredded leaves and mulch them because they have “lawns.” I have fields that are mostly covered with various grass-like vegetation. Cleaning up leaves when you live on the leeward side of a forest is sort of delusional. I make a last pass about this time of the year and stop thinking of the grass until it starts annoying me in late May.
I still have a card full of projects to do but the grandkids are coming tomorrow. We’re hosting a birthday party and I’ll have chores for that and also I’m too lazy to do too many things all at once.
Today I sent off my Sony LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 adapters to a used photo equipment store. This will mostly pay for the LA-EA5 adapter I intend to use with Sony A7 IV camera I intend to buy in January. Looking at what I could have sold them for on eBay gave me a pang of sadness. In fac the two of them would more than paid for the new adapter with something left over to add to my fund for the camera but fussing with eBay is something I hate doing. And buying there is bad enough. I hear selling is fraught with problems and real risk. So half a loaf for me.
I enjoyed the gag of calling my town Dunwich. I think I’ll make that a continuing saga. I like spoofing on Lovecraft’s mythical New England. Expect to see more eldritch horror and small town minutia in the future.
I promise to make up for chore day so stay tuned and I’ll produce some good stuff soon.