Pole; Check; Insurance; Dust

During the onslaught of Katrina, the utility pole that brings power, cable, phone service to my house began to lean. And lean. The cables from the pole to the house have settled to within about five feet of the ground. A fact that scares me everytime I go out.

I called the power company several times without response. I can certainly understand that their priority had to be those without power.

I'd also called the cable company to have cable re-activiated. But the installer came, took a look at the pole and said he could not climb it because of the lean.

I again called the power company, but no response.

A couple of weeks ago, I called DishTV to check on that possiblity. However, in the back of my mind, I had some questions about the trees that block the entire southern horizon. The installer arrived this afternoon, did some measuring and said it couldn't be done. And I have no reason to disagree with him. The foilage is thick enough to block any signal unless it were almost overhead.

DishTV did call back and asked if I wanted a second opinion. But I don't see what good it would do. I guess I could always hire a mad tree cutter. But I'm not even certain if the trees are on my property.

After that depressing experience, I again called the power company. A leaning power pole does not appear to be among the options offered on the automatic system. Finally I got a rep who said there was a service order for the pole with a deadline of Oct 20. So maybe, just maybe, something will happen next week. I really miss "Numbers."

My former employer paid the insurance for a single policy holder. No special coverage. No spouse. No dependents. But once you retire that option is no longer available. And the amount required is near $400. So that's something of a downer.

I then moved on to a three-day project to clean out the store room which was last cleaned literally 20 years ago. I took down all the makeshift shelves that had been added. Removed all the clutter that had accumulated. Vacuumed and swept. Installed new plastic shelves. And a very neat plastic unit designed to hold garden tools: rakes, hoes, shovels, prunning clippers and even umbrellas. Very clever. And I started filling a garage-sale hamper on the car port.

All that was wondefully industrious, and I came away feeling oh so virtuous and noble. But there was one wee problem. It triggered a sinus infection.

I'm on my third day of antibiotics, and I do feel some better. But late this afternoon, I began to feel unusually crabby and grumpy.

PAX!