Couldn't sleep this morning so I got up at 5:30.
By 7 a.m., it was light enough to go outside, although it was cool enough for a jacket. I got the ladder and climbed up on the roof to clean the gutters. High places terrify me. In the process, I cut my hand on some flashing. Finished that, climbed down, put away the ladders. I had to get the little one out to get to be big one, so I had to put away two ladders. Off came the jacket. I got the tiller out and worked the gardern for over an hour. Stuff is beginning to come up and more stuff needed to be planted. Time to mow grass, but the lawnmower wouldn't start. The engine wouldn't even turn. I think they call it a hydrostatic lock. The cylinder fills with gasoline, which won't compress. Then you remove the spark plug and gasoline runs all over the place. I get the tools and begin looking for cause. Must be the float in the carburator. If it sticks down, gas continues to flow into the engine. I'll bet the oil is also full of gas. Lunch. Got on the computer while my back recovers a little. 12 emails. All of my cousins picked this day to write. Sold a scooter part to a guy in Ohio. Snail mail came and I got two small checks for stuff sold on eBay. I decided I needed to go get some gasoline for the lawn mower in case I get it back together and it's fixed. Strapped a plastic gas can on the Vespa and buzzed to the service station. It's two miles each way. On the way home the can comes loose and falls off. Spilled one of the two gallons of $1.56 a gallon gas. Minor damage to the can. Got home and found grandson here. We went for a bike ride and my legs gave out. Rested. Can't get the _________ lawnmower fixed, so I just shove it back in the shed. The bike goes in there too. So does the tiller. The Vespa goes back in the garage. Because it isn't dark yet and rain is predicted, I open a bag of 15-15-15 and run around the yard throwing in on the spots I missed with the fertilizer spreader. The missed spots are eazy to see because they are pale and the grass is short. Stupid stupid stupid. Here I am with a lawn mower that won't run and I'm encouraging the grass to grow. Supper, Laz-e-Boy, back to the computer. I'll bet I don't get up at 5:30 again for a while.
Howard