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Let's Make a Deal

Kathy Werner - Columnist
Posted 4/29/21

‘Tis spring, and as one of my neighbors observed, “Everywhere you look there is work to be done.” Ain't it the truth? I find that now that I'm living alone, there seems to be no end of tasks …

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Let's Make a Deal

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‘Tis spring, and as one of my neighbors observed, “Everywhere you look there is work to be done.” Ain't it the truth? I find that now that I'm living alone, there seems to be no end of tasks that need to be done around the house.

But I must issue this disclaimer: I am so fortunate that my daughter Liz, son-in-law Peter, and son Mike are and have been enormously helpful in helping me keep the house set to rights.

Last summer Liz and Pete fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine to clear out the woods behind my house and plant a garden. They even built me two patios and a stone wall! Peter also undertook the god-awful task of putting up an organization system in my garage and Mike filled his car to overflowing with detritus from the garage and delivered it to the dump. Amazing.

They also helped with the planting and did so many other chores. It was and is wonderful. Sort of the Twelve Labors of Hercules, updated for modern audiences.

But now that they are back living in their own homes, semi-post-pandemic, I miss my daily helpers! In the meantime, there remains work to be done. Some of this is clearly beyond my abilities—power-washing, plumbing, and electrical work. However, that still leaves loads of chores that are conceivably within my skill set, should I care to undertake them.

There are closets and drawers to clean out and sort. I'd estimate that I have 5 large closets and at least 7 good-sized drawers yet to go through. Not all clothes. Some of it is completely certifiable as junk.

And then there is the office, which is now basically a walk-in closet badly in need of a purge. And let's not think about the years of stuff stuffed in the attic and the basement. Double ugh.

The list is long, and the scope of the work is daunting. I'd compare the labor remaining to Hercules cleaning out the Augean Stables, but sadly I lack his ability to reroute some rivers to cleanse it.

So having recognized that I am a mere mortal, I've been trying to conquer the task by dividing it into one-hour chunks. I figure I can do anything for an hour, even clean out a stall in the Augean Stables. Throw on some heavy metal music and I'm pumped to get started.

I like to make deals with myself. For instance, if I get an entire closet cleaned out, I get to take a nap. But who am I kidding? I'm going to take the nap anyway, if I feel so inclined.

Did I also mention that I hate sunny days? They seem to taunt me, challenging me to weed the garden, rake the lawn, and put down mulch. Yes, even the outdoors is full of work.

I'd be much happier to have a rainy day with a good book and a hot cup of tea. Somehow that seems like the best deal of all.

And, okay, I promise to clean out one drawer before I make the tea!

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