Day 4345

I tried to repair a tear in the carpet with duct tape today. If that sounds just as pitiful as trying to repair body damage on a car with duct tape, it is. The tear was created years ago when one of our dogs tried to eat the carpet. I slapped some tape over the tear, thinking that I would replace the carpet soon. That never happened. Now the original tape has worn away and the tear is exposed again. I went to Home Depot and found some brown colored duct tape, since the carpet is brown. The colors didn't match of course, and I'm thinking now that my second repair looks even worse than my first one. We still need a new carpet, but a new roof comes first. I'd hate for a roof leak to ruin a brand new carpet.

I'm still frustrated by my apparent inability to get things fixed. I used to have a group of trusted repairmen who could fix just about anything. I knew really great carpenters, plumbers, electricians and more. One by one, all of them have either retired or died. Now, if I need something done I guess I'm going to have to use Angie's List or something similar. I hate having strangers in the house as well. They upset the dogs and make me nervous. It's hell getting old and having the world change on you. If this was still 1975, everything in the house would be fixed by now. 

My feeble attempt to get things done today also included sending a message to NASA to try and clarify my status for a number of upcoming launches I want to attend. I also wrote a letter to my sister and took it to the post office. I wish she would read the blog so I wouldn't have to repeat myself so often, but she is a confirmed Luddite and doesn't like to use the Internet. I also bought a new sink strainer for the kitchen sink while I was looking for colored duct tape. I've almost quit using the garbage disposal because I've convinced myself that debris in the pipes is what causes them to get clogged. I have no evidence that this theory is true, but I'm always looking for a better sink strainer.

My feet felt better on my walks today. I can't figure out why they hurt on some days and are fine on others.   I always wear the same shoes and follow the same paths. I usually get the same amount of sleep as well. A little more consistency would be appreciated. I've always disliked surprises and hate it when the car won't start or a toilet starts running. I wish everything would stay the same. This is probably why the weather is seldom my friend. The weather is always full of surprises.

Dawn has a vet appointment tomorrow to check and make sure she is not forming stones again. She seems fine since the bladder stones were removed a few months ago, but as with all medical matters it is better to be safe than sorry. We're hoping that we can get her off the special Hills Prescription Diet the vet suggested, but actually Dawn seems to like it. I don't know why I've never liked Hills. It's probably the ingredient list. The food seems way too processed. 

I'm trying to look up when I walk so I'll see the eagles more often. All I saw today was a lot of road construction on the main road through the park. I wish they'd just take all the roads out. The place would be a lot more peaceful without all the people.

Alvin is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day