Thursday, May 19, 2011

SAY, SINCE YOU'RE HERE, WOULD YOU MIND HELPING ME . . .

I have a theory that retired people lose a sense of what a day’s work looks like. Mike does way too much. I, on the other hand, struggle to find a schedule. 

We came to the farm Tuesday morning, and in the three days we have been here, Mike has cleaned out the shed, serviced the riding mower, mowed the lawn, washed windows, patched flicker holes in the house, removed the dilapidated bridge from the pond, sprayed weeds, checked trees. I’ve been moving at a slower pace with the housework. And when Mike needs a helper, I assist. I helped him re-install the pump into the windmill, but it’s more than the two of us can do to lift it. Let’s see – who can we get to help us?

Wednesday the estimator from a siding company in Lewiston drove out to give us an estimate on facing the old wood with metal. So, as he was preparing to leave, Mike casually asked him if he would mind helping lift the windmill. “Glad to,” he said -- this from a guy who had told us the company no longer allows him to climb ladders due to his physical condition. No problem, though. With me pulling a rope and the two of them pushing, we had that windmill upright and operational in no time.
 
Operational did I say? As the wind began to blow a little harder, Mike realized the windmill still has a problem. “I’ve got to take it back down before it tears itself up!” Mike said. No problem, though. The next person to arrive was a tech from Clearwater Power, a super-friendly guy who came to fix our Wild Blue dish so that we might have internet service. At least he thought that was why he had come. He quickly assessed the internet problem, changed out a part on our dish and then readily agreed to help Mike tilt the windmill back to its garbage can support before he left. 
Today dawned bright and lovely. I hung the feeders and the hummingbirds began to visit. I prepared the raised bed garden with compost and Mike tilled it with my mother’s old electric tiller. Then I planted peas, radishes, and spinach while the old nursery rhyme, “Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow” played through my head. I hope it’s not too late to have planted the cool-weather produce. Mike says not a chance. Oh, and I also threw in some zucchini and yellow squash seeds just to see what happens. KW

7 comments:

drMolly, the BeanQueen said...

Oh fun - gardening! And I brought home 6 little chickies today.

Chris said...

These photos tell me you *did* have a beautiful day today! :-)
(I wrote the other comment first because I read that post first. I like to stay in the right order!)

Hallie said...

Sounds like a good day! I'll have to go to Dr. Molly's site to see if there are pictures of those adorable little chickies. :)

drMolly, the BeanQueen said...

No pictures yet, but I'm going to get some tonight.

And thanks for the BD wishes Kathy.

Chuck said...

You have Mom's electric tiller. I also have her electric tiller. I sometimes use it in my small (10x12) garden area. She must have had two tillers. I got it when she moved from Orofino.

Kathy said...

That's funny, Chuck! Mike said it was Vance's tiller and I corrected him, thinking it was Mother's. Maybe they had his and her tillers. I wouldn't put it past them.

The one we have is a "Mighty Moe." And I really don't think we bought it. We came by it somehow. It could be they traded up and I was the recipient of the smaller model.

At any rate, it worked great on the raised bed.

Leah said...

I should throw in the trowel. Wish I'd thought of that line, but I stole it from someone else. Maybe I'm frustrated because it has rained on the weekends only for several weeks. I need to repot some things in my courtyard and get some new plants, but just haven't been motivated. Good for you Kathy (and Mike).