Friday morning was strange. The snow had melted and it quit raining so around 9:30 I started mowing the lawn. I got half of the front done and a bolt on one of the wheels snapped. It was mow with three wheels or get a new part. I decided to get a new part. I went to the local Toro dealer, took in the broken part and when they asked the mower model number I didn't have a clue. Home to get the model number, phoned it in and yes, they did have that wheel bolt and I could pick it up. By that time it was after 11:00 so I decided to grab some fast food for lunch. The girl gave me the senior discount before I could even ask for it. Is that good?
Now to put the wheel back on. The Toro dealer assured me it would be easy. Fortunately as I was struggling to get the thing back on Neighbor Dave,a retired engineer, came by. Now the two of struggled to get the darn thing back on. After about 20 minutes we finally got the deed done. Back to mowing-by the time I finished around 2:00 I decided this was the longest time ever it had taken me to mow the lawn.
The local teachers' association had a year end get together at the Metro Coffee Company, which is one few of this ilk that doesn't have a Starbuck's or similar name on the front. In fact, our neighbors own it. They invited retired teachers to come. Kathy and I got a chance to visit with friends we hadn't seen for a while and confirmed our feeling that teaching isn't as much fun or rewarding as it once was. A sign at at Metro read "Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy."
In a book I reading the author, a Swede, uses the word 'gallimaufry'. In the hundreds of books I read I've never seen the word before. I can't find the word, much less a definition, in any of my dictionaries. The context might indicate 'gallery' but I have too much time on my hands when I start worrying about things like this.