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There are no words I can think of to explain yesterday morning’s challenge. A photo will suffice.
As a child and for as long as I knew my parents, they seemed forever to be getting themselves involved in physically punishing projects, either to improve their dwelling, or more often an attempt to control an unruly garden.
How was it that other people never appeared to undertake such monstrous tasks?
Then, when I moved into my own accommodation, I discovered that furniture does not come fully assembled – unless you are prepared to pay a small fortune for it.
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If only I had a dollar for every hour spent scratching my head over the instructions and grovelling about on the floor trying to put boxes of bits together in the right order!
Having a helper can be counter-productive as such projects tend to be frustrating and tempers get short!
On balance I prefer to do this sort of thing alone and mess it up by myself.
At least then there is no question of who to blame.
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Grant feels that Little Man would enjoy being allowed out but as our cat is inclined to take long adventures, he has been confined. The solution is to take him out on a lead which Grant used to do with his cats in Washington where busy roads were a concern.
So yesterday I found him trying to persuade the boy to accept a harness. We have a variety of them.
“Come and help?” I was urged.
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We don’t necessarily always see things quite the same way and I will admit to being a little impatient at times, which causes Grant to yell:
“Wait! Wait! Wait!”
It annoys me, which I happened to casually mention as we abandoned the struggle with that first harness.
Grant left me holding Little Man briefly and I tried to get our kitty into a second harness, but he wasn’t having it and shot off under a bench.
“Do you know what annoys me?” the man asked.
I don’t wait?
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Never-the-less, my assistance was soon requested for a more onerous task.
The vegetable garden is Grant’s project to which I am unable to contribute, but I’d been warned that he might need to borrow my feet. I was to stand on that black sheeting as it was laid down.
Except that it had to be inserted under the (very heavy) fence.
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It didn’t help a whole lot that it was very windy, but eventually with just minimal cursing, we got it done.
Then I went down to see the groundhog hole where Grant delivers carrots every afternoon.
It has several entrances and the burrow is probably extensive.
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How I envy her straight back!
Getting old is such an inconvenience.
If young people were less physically capable, they might get into less trouble and if old people were more mobile, we’d be less of a nuisance, but it’s not how humans are designed.
Nature is actually a very efficient designer. My personal feeling is that humans have interfered too much with her plan for our species, extending lives artificially and living in ways that are not healthy.
Now computers are to think for us as well, which makes you wonder what point there is to being at all?
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Profound thoughts indeed! My early attempts at self-assembly furniture taught me a valuable lesson. It is worth paying a great deal more for furniture that is already built and delivered intact. Age doesn’t help, I agree, and physical limitations add to the frustration, as I know all too well.
If cats were meant to walk happily on leads, they would be dogs.
Best wishes, Pete.
Dealing with the furniture wouldn’t be for me, as in my view, men are better at this. About the bad back, I remember Bette Davis’ wise mantra: “Old age is not for sissies!” As for walking the beautiful Sweetheart, be patient and wait! I think humanity’s achievements are far too great to be dismissed.
Joanna
I really enjoy your stories, as I can relate to the issues you write about! 😊
Thank you for sharing your pictures, as well.
Little Man is adorable, and very entertaining! 😍
Catherine
I am not good at assembling furniture and always enlist the help of someone to do so, it saves a ton of time and frustration. I’ve never had a cat that would agree to a lead, but it seems to work for some people and hope it all falls into place as things tend to do over time –
Grant’s garden is a work of art! Quite an inspiration! I will enjoy watching it grow. I am an erratic commenter, but I loved the post about camping! You have had amazing adventures.
That’s looks to become an excellent garden! And what a place for photoshoots once it’s up and running! (Not to mention the eating!) Looking forward to the planting plans.
28 years of army moves ensured that I could assemble, take down, and reassemble furniture, ad infinitum!