Story by Jon Stalnaker AKA The Studebaker Dude
We spent most of last year setting up the hardscape in our yard to prepare for planting shrubs and flowers for this year. We had a crew of handy men that went through my list of things we wanted to fix around the house. As things got done, we re-prioritized the list. And now, after a little more than a year, the last handyman is finishing up the list for now. There are a few items that didn’t get done but I’ll save that for another time. As planting season approaches, it’s time to focus our attention on what to plant and when. We planted a few items last year and had enough difficulty with it to know we need professional help. My wife Carlene has been scouring the internet in an attempt to learn as much as she can. I’m no help, as I have a reputation of killing plants. Not that I intend to, or don’t like plants, I just don’t know as much about making things grow and thrive as I do about Studebakers.
The biggest project we got done last year was the block wall around the giant trees in our back yard. I needed to back fill the inside of the wall but I didn’t even want to try to calculate how much dirt I needed to accomplish it. I was given several numbers and decided that I would just get the biggest load I could get in a dump truck and if I needed more, I could have it delivered. After it was delivered, the crew and I filled the garden and we were all surprised how much was left over. No worries, as we have plenty of places that could use the extra dirt. That being said, I’m left with moving the dirt myself. Even though I hired a crew to do all this work, I was out there helping where I could and probably doing a lot more than I should have been. I try to keep myself in shape but I am in my 70s now and I don’t usually quit until it’s done. I’ll go in the house and plant myself in my recliner and start aching. Still, I like to be out there when the work is being done because some of my designs are a bit creative and I need to make sure they stay true to what I see in my head.
Speaking of my creative designs, I recently hired a fabricator to build a handrail for my front entrance steps. I knew how I wanted it to look but it had so many curves and angles that I couldn’t figure out how to draw it. I took drafting classes in high school, but that was well over 4 decades ago. I also have an ability to draw things but this one was beyond me. I was able to explain it to the fabricator and he built it to my design. He told me he liked doing it as most of his work is plain and simple, and a little bit boring. This one was a challenge and he liked the challenge. He has completed it and sent it to be powder coated. When he gets it back, he said it would take less that an hour to get it installed. I’m waiting for that and am excited to see it done. Where it will be installed is another flower bed that we will be able to fill.
I like mowing and edging my lawn and despite the fact that it is a half acre lot, I have divided it into three different segments that I can spread out over 3 days. I purposely didn’t get a riding mower because I like to walk and getting a self propelled mower, I don’t have to push it uphill, just walk behind it. If I don’t keep busy with such activities, I fear I will reach the day when I can’t do any of these tasks. I may get tired doing these things, but being retired, I have unlimited opportunities for naps. The big thing I need to remember is sun screen and big brimmed hats. Carlene keeps me in line as I often just go out and start working without protection. I went to the Doctor yesterday and had a couple of pre-cancerous lesions burned off my face. The Dr. asked me if I wore hats and sunscreen and I had to fess up that I was not consistent with the precautions. I really do appreciate having a wife that is vigilant about such things. I’m such an idiot about stuff like that. I was told not to shave over the skin that was treated, instead it was suggested that I shave around it. Not wanting a dime sized beard growing out of my cheek, I will just grow some mutton-chop sideburns for a couple of weeks. I haven’t had those since 1973.
Getting older is challenging at best, and can be frightening if you pay too much attention to all the ailments that you read about. Every little thing that doesn’t seem right can scare you into thinking you are going to lose your ability to do things that you have always taken for granted. Being in my 70s is particularly worrisome for me as my immediate family members passed away in their 60s and 70s. I have one sister that made it to 80 last year, so I am watching her closely and championing her to lead the way for the big 3 digit birthday. I don’t really want to be the last one standing, but I am the baby so I guess that would be the fair thing. I used to dwell on death but not so much any more. When my time is up, I will go peacefully, praising God for a glorious ride, full of blessings.
