Taking It Slow

It dawned on me this morning during my morning chat with son, Jamie, that he and his brothers must frequently get a chuckle at my expense these days. Not that that is anything new - we've always laughed at each other and at ourselves. Each morning, Jamie asks me, what did you do yesterday? and also usually, got any plans for today?

Yesterday when he asked me that, I told him proudly that I'd retrieved and reinstalled that large piece of lattice that had blown off during the terrific wind we had recently. It was half buried in snow and clearly visible from my living room window, and I'd been itching to fix it even though when Jamie and I discussed it earlier, we'd decided to leave it until spring. Then I told him my next project was to replace the bulb in the light on the back deck. That's when it dawned on me how silly that must sound to him.

These are things that Jamie would be happy to do for me, and it would probably take him less than 15 minutes to do both. It isn't that simple for me, but there is no reason I cannot do this stuff myself, like I always have. Except, I really don't do anything "like I always have" anymore. Now I find myself planning well ahead, figuring out what tools I'll need so I won't need to make unnecessary trips down to the workbench in the basement, and when the weather is just right and I feel I'm really ready, I tackle whatever.

If you are over 75, you will understand. Over the past 15 years or so, I've learned to slow down and plan ahead. Used to be half a dozen trips to the workbench for tools, teetering on a tall ladder, or carrying heavy loads where I needed them was easy. Now, not so much. Now I first consider if this is something that really needs to be done, and then can I do it or should I ask for help. If I decide to tackle it, and sometimes it takes weeks or longer to decide that - unless, of course, it's something urgent like the TV remote not working, then I call Jamie for help right away. But, if I decide to do it, I make careful plans, load my pockets with everything I'll need, tools, nails, screws, and cell phone (in case I need to call 9-1-1). Sometimes I plan for days and then I decide to bag it. That happened with a bird house I was going to put up last year - and again this year. I can't decide where I want it. It's complicated . . . !

So on Monday, the weather was mild and the snow was sufficiently melted, so I armed myself with hammer and nails, picked my way on mostly bare ground to the offending lattice and in no time had it back in place, securely hiding the unsightly old cement steps under the deck.

Monday's project complete, yesterday I tackled the light. I'd tried initially to take the globe off - a simple task, normally, but I needed pliers to start the set screw and also knew I'd have a better chance for leverage if I used a step ladder. That isnot something I do now without serious consideration. Climbing on even a step stool requires careful planning. My little kitchen ladder has only three steps, and nothing to hold onto, and it had to be placed carefully at the edge of the steps on the deck, so not where I wanted to chance taking a tumble. Finally balanced on the step stool, I was able to lubricate the set screw, and using pliers, got it unscrewed and the globe off. A few minutes later the LED bulb was in place and  the globe, free of dead flies and sparkling clean,was back in place - and I was safely back in my warm house, proud of my accomplishment.

And this morning after I'd told Jamie that I got the bulb changed yesterday, I realized how silly that sounded, and I had to laugh. I bet he was chuckling, too. But I will still keep in mind that to be safe, I need to take it slow and plan ahead. And really, with all the planning ahead and careful thought, one or two projects like that each day is about all one has time for when operating at negative warp. 

Plan ahead - we're  probably going to have icy conditions tomorrow evening into Thursday. And take it slow. Life's too short to rush things.