HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

We were watching one of those programs that provides tips on how to save money. "Learn to perform your own maintenance and repairs," said the presenter. That was not a new idea to us. In fact, I don't believe I've ever heard a savings tip that is news to us. But I don't believe I had ever heard that tip before. Most of the time we're encouraged to leave repairs to the professionals.

Mike has always serviced and maintained our vehicles, repaired and rebuilt lawn mowers, kept sprinkler systems operational, fixed leaky faucets, etc. In recent years he has learned to do even more. When the pump in the washing machine went out, he ordered the part and installed it. Last year he took Grandma Ina's treadle sewing machine apart, cleaned it, and put it back together. Putting it back together was the time-consuming part. The other day he fixed our garbage disposal and the "automatic" lid on our garbage can. And today he became a chimney sweep. The photo to the left shows him on an old stool, trying to free the broom that's stuck in the chimney. "*@#*!" he said; "that happened last year, too." Chimney sweeps probably don't use stools on the roof.

Intuitive Nellie wasn't sure what was happening, but she knew she didn't like it. She hid out in the corner of the kitchen while I mixed banana bread.