Fun at the Cabin

Forrest Gump said that life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get inside. Going up to the cabin for the first time each summer is a lot like a box of chocolates. You just never know what's inside. I always mentally prepare myself for the possibility that on arriving after a three and a half hour drive, we may have to turn around and come home immediately. What could happen? There could be a hive of killer bees by the front door. Skunks may have taken up residence on the living room couch and they don't take kindly to being disturbed. Squatter Gypsies may have made it their home and are holding late night seances. Yet for 30 years the cabin has always been as we left it the previous fall. This time appeared no different until we noticed that the toilet wasn't holding water. Closer inspection revealed a crack in the bottom. For me, this was no reason to head back home, but Marilyn is kind of picky when it comes to having a toilet even though there is a heavy forest surrounding the cabin. In a matter of minutes I'm off to the local Home Depot to buy a toilet. Thinking I would have to purchase all the parts separately I was pleasantly surprised that you can buy a whole toilet in a single box with all the parts you need included. Back at the cabin Marilyn sat cross legged in the living room while I pulled the old one toilet out and installed the new one in record time (3 hours) It was record time because that's the first time I pulled a toilet out and replaced it so the record stands until I do this again. The new toilet is a low flow toilet which seems to work well but I think I'll still flush twice just to get my money's worth (see my post "the 20$ Flush" Nov 4, 2006). Speaking of flushing twice, one of the first things I saw scratched into a bathroom stall in elementary school were the words "flush twice. It's a long way to the cafeteria". I remember thinking "hey, that's pretty funny". As humorous as it was, the cafeteria food never tasted quite the same again.
It was the July fourth weekend and we thought we might see some fireworks up in the cool pines. I asked the next door neighbor where the fireworks were this year. He said they are going to be tonight even though it was the third. The fourth was on a Sunday with a Monday holiday following. It made no sense to me, but I think people who live at high altitude where the air is thin see things differently than those of us who get adequate oxygen. After a three and a half hour drive and another three hours wrestling a toilet into submission, I took a pass on the fireworks. How good could July third fireworks be anyway.

The next morning I got an early start painting the wood rails out at the road. I remember painting them the last time with my nephew Matt when he was a kid. Matt's son will be driving next year so it must me time to paint again. I thought a little brushing would take off the some of the loose paint. By afternoon I realized all the paint was loose paint. The rails were down to bare wood. Priming and painting followed wrapping up day two of fun at the cabin.
It was good to get home again and back to work where I could really get some rest and relaxation.

I hope the brilliant white rails won't be a beacon for roving Gypsies. We'll find out when we open the cabin next year.