A Long Day For An Old Man

Yes siree, I'm one tired out old man tonight. It has been a long day. Klaus and I had discussed going out to work on the trails today, but I didn't think we had really firmed it up. Well, I had just gotten out of bed, made one fast trek around my yard to check for bunny damage to my plants and back in the house for my cereal and banana. There was Klaus ringing the doorbell. He went on to the park and I had a hasty breakfast and probably over there in about a half hour, not that I like to rush around first thing in the morning. Usually if were going to do something, I get up at least an hour early so I can move at my seniorly pace.
First thing on the agenda today was replace a slide.
A week ago we had to dismantle this slide at the park as the slide would not glide smoothly- in fact you had to strain to move it. We found that one of the top wheels had come off as the bolt had sheared the threads right off. Had to take it to the Welding shop where they refilled the hole and reset the bolt and wheel, Unfortunately they set the wheel a tad higher than it was before so when we tried to reinstall it, it still hardly moved and turned out it was rubbing on the top inside of the rail. So back to the welding shop it has to go. Shame we didn't get it finished this time as had a lot of hands available there today. The inmates from the Greenwood's Correctional Institution were working at the park digging holes and trimming grass. We are lucky the city has taken on the job of cutting the grass and they seem to keep increasing the scope of what they do. Greenwood really needed that Playground/Park so I'm hoping they will take it over eventually so it will be sure to live on as a permanent city facility
Our next project there was more successful. We set in three more engraved bricks in an area where all the bricks that people have purchased for $35 a commemorative brick to help support the park. Of course all of these jobs that you expect to take fifteen minutes to complete usually take a lot longer. This would be an easy chore except that the plain bricks filling the area that have to be removed to place the engraved ones in, don't budge very easily. The bricks have ridges in the sides so when laid tighly together really lock in well.

Besides the city workers there was a group, one of the Bible Schools, that had reserved the pavilion at the playground this morning for a couple of hours. before they got down to business they had some fun time on the playground.

Most of the kids at the West Cambridge Park/Playground take their shoes off when playing in the area. I guess they'd rather be barefoot in the sand. Can't blame them as I'd be the same way if it wasn't such an effort for me to take my shoes off and put back on again. I suppose the Mom's don't like all the sand the kids must drag home, but I like that base compared to the others they use. The kids sure have all kinds of fun in it - it's just like a day at the beach and you can't beat that.

Then we went down to the Entrance to the Heritage Trail on South Main to paint the two wooden signs there. Over the years the elements have really taken their toll on the signs. They are still legible but if something wasn't done you can tell it will just be a matter of time before they deteriorate beyond the point of saving. Someone told us to try Thompson's water seal on them so that's what we brushed on. That liguid just soaked into the wood as quickly as it hit the surface and no matter how much was applied it just kept soaking it up. Looks like maybe that will be a yearly chore.

Then for or last tasks of the day we headed over to Magnolia Park to repair some more playground equipment. I should have taken a picture of the first thing we attempted to repair. It is sort of like a submarine periscope, but is mounted at the top level of a multi-tiered piece of playground equipment. We got it all cleaned up, including removal of a wasp nest inside, but it still doesn't rotate too smoothly and the little munchkins must have bent some of the parts that you cant really see anything looking through the periscope. We did much better with a little steamless shovel with a seat. One of the handles had fallen off because the bolt and a couple metal rings had come apart. We found the rings in the sand and fortunately had a bolt to serve as a replacement and got that working properly again. So by then it was a late lunch at the sandwich shop. Got home about 2, leaving me enough time to get ready and go over to the court house for a two hour class for us poll watchers for the upcoming June 13 primary elections. That is one of my few paydays a year so don't mind that at all. Get $50 for attending the training class today and then another $50 for working election days. That's a long 12 hours+. They are expecting a runoff election as some positions have multiple candidates so have scheduled a run-off election for June 27 - another $50.

After the class that ended at 5, I still had to do my Wednesday grocery shopping as get that senior 5% discount today. Every little bit helps. Then it was home , rushed to unpack the groceries and fix a quick supper of a warmed up chicken breast and a salad I had to make after getting all the fixins at the store. By the time the news was over at 7 I had finished and then went out to water the yard until it was getting dark, about 8:30. Washed the dishes and then it has been computer and TV baseball watching time. The Braves pulled out another win tonight - that is the third in a row come-from-behind win, the last two in extra innings after they tied game in bottom of 9th. Tonight's hero was Chipper Jones - looks like he is about back in his old groove. He smashed the game winning homer in the bottom of the 11th with two men on base.

Now I better get myself off to bed as want to be in fairly decent shape tomorrow for my regular Dr appointment at the VA tomorrow morning.

Hope there won't be too many days as busy as this one although it did feel like a productive one and hope I'll be able to carry on like that for quite awhile when the need arises.

Take Care and Have a Happy. Dave

Here's todays flower. A lovely lily growing and blooming in front of an old house, cared for ny a grandmother, on Edgefield St. Greenwood.