Spring Stuff and a Vital Spring

Pardon me if I say anything offensive today.  I got to bed later than usual and did not take an Ambien.

That said, no worries about offensive content in the "Slight Detour" realm today. 

So, I should be able to keep my job as blog writer and producer.  Plus, no one associated in helping me with this blog need worry about losing compensation.

Besides, it's not quite a quarter-million dollars per episode like actor John Goodman reportedly will lose due to the cancellation of "Roseanne" for next season.

Fortunately, my editor Helen works for free.  

Anywho, here in Selle Valley, far, far away from Sillyville (of which there seem to be several venues), life is putzing along for humans, animals, veggies and flowers. 

It's looking like we may be eating garden lettuce and chard and radishes within the next few days.

I almost hate to attack the lettuce cuz it's looking so pretty in the stand-up planter.  There's more to come, though, so once this matures, it'll get replaced with some new batches. 

Last night, we had our second helping of garden asparagus.  I was quite pleased when Bill noted just how good it is:  baked in oil, sprinkled with salt and a dash of garlic powder, and smothered in margarine once the tips start turning brown. 

Just like candy, in my mind.  I know there are a few folks out there who don't like asparagus, but I'm thinking those who do would love it cooked this way. 

In reference to my opening paragraph, last night I did really stay up past my bedtime.  

Tony, our lawnmower and small-engine wizard, called around 7:15, said he was headed to Naples and added that he would swing by our place to put the belt back on our zero-turn mower. 

The belt came off last week in mid mowing, so spoiled ol' me----I've had to use a regular lawn tractor for 1.5 mowings.  Yup, spoiled ol' me---on Monday the mowing program took nearly two hours longer than usual.  

Tony's call was music to my ears because I wasn't looking forward to another extended mowing session.  Turns out there was more music to my ears cuz I watched most of "America's Got Talent" while waiting for Tony. 

He showed up about 9:15 and came hobbling out of his van.  Tony suffered a severe broken leg several weeks ago.  

He's able to hobble and hop around, but has learned that he still needs several weeks of physical therapy to get that leg back to knowing what to do every single time Tony gets up from sitting.

Tony sez  that nowadays, once he gets going, the leg eventually gets back in sync. 

After talking medical problems, we went to the lawnmower and Tony discovered that the vital spring needed for the belt to stay in place was missing.  

"Where did it come off?" he asked, adding, "That's probably where it is."  The spring is big and gold, and I hadn't remembered seeing it anywhere in my lawn wanderings of late. 

So, with Tony hobbling along with his flashlight, we spent a good segment of "America's Got Talent," searching for a spring.  

Twas in vain, so Tony said he'd have to find something at the shop and come back on Thursday.  I gently encouraged him to do just that, cuz it would be about time for me to mow again, and I wanted my zero turn mower back in action. 

We visited for a while.  Tony left. 

"America's Got Talent" was just about wrapping up when I entered the house, went to the bathroom and started disrobing for bedtime. 

I almost had my jeans off when the phone rang. 

Figuring this might not be a telemarketer, I pulled my pants back up, and, without zipping them, went to the phone.  

It was Tony.  He had found the spring while backing up to leave the driveway.  Apparently, it had fallen off from the mower when I drove it to the shop area for his visit. 

"I'll be right out," I said, making sure my pants were zipped. 

By the time, I walked to the shop, Tony had the mower up and engaged.  All was well. 

I was happy, and he was happy that he would not have to come back on Thursday.  

I'm hoping Tony's physical therapy goes well cuz yesterday he put in a day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (he still had to drive to his home in Priest River after leaving our house). 

He's the greatest, and he deserves to be back in action and without pain. 

It's looking like another lovely day ahead----a little cooler but still very pleasant.  I have a few yard projects and actually have some time to do them.  Bill has headed off to work for the day.  

He still does official work projects once in a while in between his fishing trips.  Last night he went to his favorite late spring stream, Cocolalla Creek and met a lady doing turtle research. 

She's a biology professor at Gonzaga, and she had a team of three students out and about in the Round Lake area, watching the behavior of the local painted turtles, including where they lay their eggs and how many actually hatch. 

Turtle research, hmmm, always something to learn in this life and what a great laboratory for learning it. 

Guess that's all for now.  Hope I haven't offended anyone and I especially hope it's a wonderful day for all. 

Speaking of learning, I know for sure this morning, after reading Roseanne's reason for her disgusting tweet that I'm gonna stay away from Ambien.  

Apparently, it can get you some sleep along with one giant nightmare for you and a whole lotta other peeps. 

Not a good thing. 

Happy Wednesday.