Wednesday 20070509 -2100 - Up at 0615; Up at 0800 - Planting, Installing hose caddy, Raking; Mowing; Lunch at Chinese buffet and "Variety"; Lowe's; WalMart; Home again, home again - clipping, removing brick, rake, rake, rake; Tuesday's journal, nap, sandwich, Tuesday's journal again; Wednesday's journal
(Web work - (Wed) 20070509-2100 / (Wed) 20070509 / (Wed) 20070509)

Cat chores. Went back to bed.

At 0800 I got up and immediately went outside to imbed the last two fountain grass plants. The new tools make it so much easier.

For the first time, I looked at the hose caddy and what was needed to install it. Item #1 - a drill, which I do not have. But with as much as I do, I desperately need one, so I put that on my list to explore after lunch.

I'm at a new area in raking. Most of the ground between the current point and the house has been vacant. But now I'm reaching an area with vegetation, primarily assorted weeds. I raked part of it and realized it was going to be more difficult than I'd appreciated.

I got out the lawn mower and unrolled the extension cord. (I now recognize that I didn't roll it properly.) The mowing was also a pain. Some of the weeds it cut, but a lot it just flattened. (Does the blade need sharpening?) And when I got to the section of thicker leaves, the mower had a tendency to choke.

By now, I was quasi exhausted. I came in, and did all the things to go out among the populace. And I made the bed.

This was the restaurant, my friend and I were trying to go to last Friday evening. This was also my second visit - a semi-reluctant visit since I was not overly impressed with the first.

I honestly don't know what to make of Chinese buffets. There are lots of dishes, and this is one of the better places I've been. But it's sorta like making a meal out of finger food. The best item I found was a baked salmon.

My "Variety" was the issue of April 16 - 22, 2007. This copy was devoted to the tv/cinema business in about 30 countries - from Italy to Korea. A Middle Eastern TV update. A salute to Larry King. I'd just gotten to the Reviews, one of which was for "Fracture," when I decided it was time to leave.

(Out - Wednesday - 20070509 - circa 1215: $13.00 - Cash)

Lowe's is around the corner, so I headed there to look at drills. Mercy! Pricey little things, they are. So I decided I try WalMart.

WalMart had a smaller supply, but the prices were better. I wanted one that would fit most situations. As I recall the one I had before was cheap and didn't have a lot of power. I chose a mid-priced one and a collection of bits. Also picked up some new three-way light bulb sockets. There are about four or five that need replacing.

I knew that with items in this price range, there were bound to be security chips somewhere on them. I know you're supposed to scan a certain way so that you deactivate the device. But I also knew I most likely did not do it right. And indeed, I did not know, for as I walked through the exit, the warning voice came on. The one which causes everyone in the store to stop and stare at you.

(Out - Wednesday - 20070509 - 1248: $87.44 - Bank debit card)

First thing I did was to change into my aged jeans with holes and bigger holes and go over the section I'd mowed that morning. I clipped any weeds that had been flattened. And cut some assorted brush here and there.And also some snipped at some exposes roots.

Grudgingly, I moved to the south property line which I'd ignored until now. And began raking. There's the end of a fence at this point. And as I remember from last year, there were some semi-buried bricks here. I have no idea why. So with new trowel in hand, I began removing and removing and removing them. I tossed them into a trash container, and I'm certain I found at least a hundred.

And very strangely, beneath the bricks and dirt, I found what looks like part of a brick walk. Now this really is a puzzler. Was there a small brick path between the properties? Although the area collects large puddles, I don't see how this would solve the problem. Even with the bricks in place, it always floods. And who would have made the path? Another mystery to add to the others I've discovered on the property.

I then raked and then raked some more. Three containers of densely packed leaves. Dragging them to the street was a slow, hard process.

At this point, I was ready to come in. Which I did and started work again on Tuesday journal from 1430 to 1555, at which point I took a nap. Woke at 1745, had a sandwich and began again at 1830 and finished at 2030.

And lastly, I started work on today's journal at 2100 and finished at 2245.

Solicitation from AIG Insurance (junk); ACLU Membership Renewal Notice (keep); Solicitation for Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance (junk); Renewed Bank Debit Card (keep); May 14, 2007, issue of "TV Guide." (keep)

(Out - Wednesday - 20070509 - 2245)