WORKING HARD

North field in foreground with Teakean Butte in background

Well, Memorial Day slipped away, and suddenly we’re moving right along in the month of June. Mike and I drove to the farm in the big old pick-up on Wednesday (June 1) hauling an old used top-loader washing machine that we hope is going to replace my leaky old front-loader.

First up, Mike installed the “Baby Badger” disposal in what seemed like no time at all, especially compared to our struggles with “Papa Badger.” While he held it in place, I was able to turn the collar to tighten it. Papa’s collar wouldn’t turn, which meant we had to turn the whole unit. It runs quietly and doesn’t smoke or leak. Yay!

Then Mike mowed and trimmed the yard. We had agreed to tango with the washing machines on Thursday, but when the yardwork was done, there was Mike disconnecting our old machine. With the help of a borrowed dolly, we were able to move this heavy machine to the kitchen porch. We decided to wait until the next day to move the top-loader, but Mike spent about an hour cleaning it.

So, Thursday morning found us again wrestling with the washing machines. We pulled the top-loader onto the kitchen porch and ran it through a short cycle just to be sure it really works. You’d think we couldn’t afford a better machine, but I guess that’s not the point. We finally got it into place and hooked up. It remains to be seen if this is a good fix.

A passing storm to the south

Thursday afternoon, Mike cycled into Nezperce, and while he was there, he bought the lemon I forgot. While he was gone, I weeded the raised beds, which was work and not inspirational. The next step is to apply compost and till it, but we didn’t have time for that before it rained. In the evening, we watched to the southwest as a thunderstorm moved in.

Friday was a “red-letter day.” A tech from First Step Internet arrived to connect us. For years, we have had sketchy but expensive satellite service which limited not only our speed but our data. We are now connected to towers on Teakean Butte, which provide good steady service. No more worries about usage or frustration over slow loads. Oh happiness!

But – here’s another wet weekend, so we drove back to town, stopping at the transfer station in Orofino where we paid a $5 fee to leave our old front-loader. They run a thrift store there to keep usable discarded items out of the garbage. And there in the corner was a high chair with my name on it. (Well, okay – Silas’ name.) I could hear the angels singing as the high chair was bathed in light from above despite its filth. “How much for the high chair,” Mike asked. “Two bucks,” said the attendant. He paid the lady and we took the chair. KW