These last weeks, my temper has made me a not-so-wonderful individual to live with. It’s crankiness. I’m in the middle of my favorite time of year, and the heat is reminding me not of typical New England, but Baltimore and Virginia. It’s not like I don’t appreciate those places; I’ve spent my share of time in them, but I chose to live in New England. I’m also cranky because I’ve been stuck inland with few opportunities to head to the coast. No offshore adventures this year.
Get A Life!
You say, Get a life! You have nothing to whine about. Well, it’s true on one level, but my least favorite season – winter- looms large as summer wraps up. And surviving winter is always a main concern. I take out pads of paper, and lay down fresh creed, substance, and fantasy regarding what I will do—projects in the shop, weekend trips to museums, taking my wife out, and physical exercise. I’ve already gotten the snowshoes ready and have spoken to my primary care providers about physical therapy for my arthritis.
If you’ve read my posts for a while, you may have heard me whine about this before. Planning for winter starts before the leaves turn – right now in summer. As Eisenhower stated, plans don’t survive, but planning is effective. So rather than roadmaps of weeks or months, there are notes on activities, and issues like accessibility and cost.
Snow?
It’s New England, friends, we get lots of snow, and I have plans for a battery-powered snow blower. My arms and body just can’t manhandle the ancient, heavy tank we’ve used for twenty years. No more pulling on the cord until my arm is ready to fall off. No more contaminated fuel. I’m sure that there will be other issues instead.
Prior Proper Planning
Let’s see, Yoga, guitar practice, regular outings with friends, shop work, more indoor gardening, physical therapy, library time ( local programs?), membership at the health club with an indoor track(? cost?), and new games. We’ll see.
My general take is that Prior, Proper, Planning, Prevents, Piss, Poor, Performance. Half the stuff won’t get done. But it’s not about perfection, it’s about alternatives and prospects. Don’t prepare, then don’t complain when things get depressing at the end of January.
Right now, there is a nice downpour watering my parched garden. It’s 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s a great day to work in the shop on a commission. Enough whining. It’s time to get some work done. All at once, I don’t feel as cranky!
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I say invest in a flame thrower- and make snow removal a worthwhile experience this winter! hehehe
Hmmmm…that would give the neighbors something to think about!
I understand all of this perfectly. It’s been in the high 80s/low 90s for the past two weeks with no break. And as we know, summer is my least favorite season. BUT the bright side is my leg finally works like it should and I kicked a muscle relaxant. Your plans for winter sound great. I’m also thinking of a battery powered snow blower. We’ll see.
Let me know your thoughts on brands. I’ve investigated EGO, and from what I’ve found out registering your device is very important, so hang on to that receipt. Evidently, the warranty policy is excellent, but only if you register. Also, be sure to find out where there is an authorized repair center near you.
I have a small yard so I switched from the gas powered push lawnmower to battery. It is easy to start and light weight to push. I think I’ll follow your lead and make winter plans.
We have had such an excellent summer. Yes, a couple of hot days here and there (a week of 98-101 coming up), but we have had weeks of 70s and even rain in between. I have loved this summer so much. I wish it would never end. But yes, right now, the end of August, I look around and all I see is work work work to do in the yard. We could probably fill a pickup bed with yard debris four times. We don’t have a pickup though. Soooo…. now comes the challenge.
We have slipped right into September weather yesterday and today.It looks like August will end with the upper seventies and the low eighties. That should be pleasant. But I, too, have a ton of yard work to do.