Up early, the rains were already pounding the house, the gutter and downspout on the stoop (it's hardly large enough to qualify as a porch) were clogged by maple tree seeds and other leaves and debris. Normally I would get the lightweight wooden ladder out and work on the problem, but yesterday after the multiple hours of gardening that Jenni and I did Jenni took the old wooden ladder and turned it into a fire engine red garden ornament. So I wrestled the birthday present, high-tech aluminum ladder out of its cubby in my over crowded garage and extended it on the stoop and sidewalk and unclogged the blockage during the heaviest part of the storm. Jenni commented to our friend Gabe in Puerto Rico on Facebook that I was out on a metal ladder in the storm. When I came back in I said to tell him that it didn't work out.


The "fresh" garden looking in from the outside.
Notice my old work ladder now a cucumber and bean ladder.
That task out to the way I made breakfast for my bride and myself, she made coffee and cut up a tasty cantaloupe and we had a fine moment or two together.

A few hours later, after busily doing nothing else of any importance I decided to download some songs from Amazon's MP3 online downloads. I also uploaded a few applications to the iPhone and played some Mike's Cards solitaire. The next major decision was snacks and what to watch on the TV. We tried to watch Quantum of Solace but this copy, like the one I bought a few weeks ago won't play on my new Blu-Ray player either. It looks like an upgrade issue and is a bummer. Everything else I have in Blu-Ray works just fine. It is an Insignia (BestBuy house brand) player and the online reviews are not to complimentary, still we ended up watching the Dark Knight and after that the season finale of Castle and an Office both from the DVR. Then Jenni told me that Reaper is not coming back next season and ruined the moment. Jenni did manage a couple of trips to exchange clothes and get some stuff from the grocery store. I also managed to get outside between the rainier moments and get a few photos off, but during the whole day of laziness and self-absorption neither Jenni or I were able to drive over to Kays to return the borrowed Mantis. I want to thank all the soldiers, sailors, men and women who put their lives on the line for this country for giving me the ability to be lazy and relaxed on a holiday day off to honor them. We still live in the greatest country in the world.
Top Left: A leaf holding a micro pool of the days wet.
Bottom Right: The "Dry" Creek bed fills with water during heavy rains. The bamboo, dragon plants and various stones are supposed to simulate a dry creek.
Chuck Pace ©2009 
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