Dunce Cap

Some days it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed.  I had a day like that recently.  I will tell you about it now before someone else does it for me. sigh

It began innocently enough, catch up on a bit of housework, then a quick review of the activities on-line, and then a long brisk walk with the dogs.  So far, so good.  However, it was at this point that I realized I had to cut the grass, or buy a cow because it was starting to look like hay.  Dutifully, I pulled out the mower and began the process.

Yes, oil was fine, and plenty of gas, so, on with the show.  A hard pull on the cord and away we go.  No such luck, so I pulled again, and again. Nothing, no a gig. I continued my efforts near unto exhaustion, all to no avail, the danged thing just would not start.

Nearing heat stroke and dehydration, I took a break, had some water, rested for a few more minutes, then tried again.  Still no effect, nor was there any success to be had.  By the time my darling arrived home from work, I was exhausted, soaked in sweat, and eating pain killer like candy, for the tendonitis in my elbows had flared up.

After dinner I called my father in law, the oracle of the internal combustion engine, and asked for advice. 

“Did you have the throttle turned on?” he asked.  “You know, the lever on the handle that you hold to keep it running, were you holding it in the on position?”

I hung my head and softly uttered a single work, which I will not repeat here, then I replied. “No.”

“Try it,” he laughed.  “Let me know how it goes.”

Ok, so, the next morning I tried again, this time holding the throttle in the “on” position.  One gentle pull was all it took and the infernal machine leaped to life.  I dutifully mangled the grass back to an acceptable height, turned off the machine, then called my savior.

“So, what are you up to today?” he asked.

“I finished the lawn,” I confessed.  “Now I sewing pretty ribbons on my new dunce cap.”

Some days are just like that, even on my island.  sigh