Friday, July 17, 2009

Friday, July 17, 2009
This morning is warm and sunny, with clear blue skies. By 11 O’clock, it was 78 degrees, with a light breeze keeping it from feeling too hot.
I followed my usual routine of putting out raw peanuts in the shell, hiding some in the woodpile for the chipmunks to find, sunflower and birdseed for the birds, and checked the feeders to make sure they have enough to keep everyone happy. I do this every morning when I let Zack out and turn on the stove to heat my water for coffee. I then do those things most of us do every morning, take my medications, brush my teeth (all 32 original), wash the sleep from my eyes and face, comb my hair and clean my glasses.
By the time I finish, my teakettle is whistling and I make my coffee, turn on my modem and sit down to check my emails and do whatever needs to be done on the computer. In between that, I watch the chipmunks find the nuts and chase each other around, the birds argue whether or not the sunflower seeds are for them or the chipmunks, as they try to steal them, and generally enjoy nature all around me.
It doesn’t take long before noon is upon me and I make myself a brunch. Usually a muffin, sometimes with peanut butter, fresh pealed orange and wash it down with a glass of orange juice. By now, Zack has come to me three or four times, asking if it is time to play, so I’ll clean up my dishes and play with him until he is tired and wants to nap. That is my opportunity to change into my work clothes and get some things done.
Today, I am going to tackle the creek, as I have been meaning to all week long. This involves grabbing a shovel and my Pulaski and hiking down to the creek and clear the debris and weeds from the channel diverting the main flow into my pond, which feeds the water pickup to the cabin.
It is now Saturday, and I have recovered from a near heat stroke and can finish this. I took my bottle of water, shovel, Pulaski and hiked down to the pond to restore the water flow. I found the channel I had dug last year was badly clogged with creek gravel and mud. I began digging it out but had to stop after just a few shovel loads. I was already exhausted and had to rest before digging a couple of more times. I repeated this process several times over the next hour and finally restored the flow.
I couldn’t believe how tired I became and after dragging myself back up the hill and replacing the tools, I went to the cabin and ran cold water over my head and then laid down until I regained my strength. I have never felt so unfit in my life and must be affected by my blood pressure medication. I felt very much like the time I almost had a heat stroke, but it wasn’t that hot and I didn’t exert myself that much. I decided to stay indoors rather than tackle another outside job.
I relaxed the rest of the evening and had my shower and a delicious meal before watching some television and retiring.