Three things were scheduled. Two things were started. One thing got done. So it goes daily at the delta formerly known as Sawmyl Synders. I wanted to finish pressure washing the mud out of the back section of my barn. I hoped to clean and sweep the now sparse bathroom for appearance this weekend. I wished that my giant dumpster was delivered early so that the bags of maggots and summits of sheet rock could be disposed. The dumpster arrived!
I worked most of the morning moving boxes and shelves in the back of the barn. After this step, the large shelves could be moved and boxes and tubs could be transferred from other shelves and the process could be repeated. The first layer of creek mud was washed out off the cement floor through two holes in the corners of that slick barn. Next it was super squeegee time. In two hours the cement floor was no longer slippery – but I was. Time for a big break.
I intended to air dry – myself – in the dwelling’s air conditioning while doing some work online. However, my little Verizon brick (internet connection device) broke. The battery had swelled, maybe it had exploded, for sure it had tried to say goodbye to me with a suffocated display. What to do? See the thieves at Verizon of course. But not before taking a cold water shower in a debris scattered tub behind a filthy but serviceable plastic curtain. At the Verizon store, in the early afternoon, on a 90+ degree day I got the call. The boys from Caron Services came through with my dumpster order early. But I only had a few minutes to turn around and go north back to the homestead. Just made it.
As I stood and watched the dumpster delivery guy leave, with my boot bottoms firmly caked in mud, and another slick film beginning to form on my pale freckled and scarred skin, I thought of only one thing. Beer. Dark beer. Strong dark beer. Cold strong dark beer. All I had was empty beer bottles. Lots. It was almost three so I had to go directly to pick up my own sweet Vee. Don’t be late and don’t be hurried, if you do she might be worried. Burma Shave.
Today, I have a FEMA Disaster Recovery guy coming at 9 A.M. and he wants paper proof that I own the house. All of that is soaking somewhere on the grounds. Today, I have a friend coming over to take a look at my small engine equipment to see if he can do anything to fix them after the flood. Today, I must complete pressure washing the barn and sweep the bathroom. And of course there is the dumpster. When all you have is dumpster, mud, sweat, and empty beer bottles, be sure to remember that – every descent has an ascent in it’s future.
Three things are planned today – deal with FEMA, finish the barn cleana, and load stuff at the dumpster arena. I hope I don’t make too much noise for the non-existent neighbors or that the stink I stir up doesn’t bother the wildlife. I could use a beer right now.