Homebodies - Another set of firsts

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Published on Sunday, May 10, 2015

By Rita Friesen

Minor household repairs have never been my forte. My beloved was exceptional in the maintenance department. Creative and ingenious, he crafted solutions to any problem. And some of those projects cannot be sustained without his caring. But I am learning to do what I can, call for help when needed and sometimes replace instead of repair. When Ed purchased this property over 17 years ago, and yes, he bought it. He called me at work and the joy in his voice as he announced his decision still resonates in my heart. The plan then was to stay 10 years, and then five more, and then, I really don’t want to leave. And so he (we) didn’t. Some of the projects have outlasted their 10 year goal and now, some need to be addressed.

So I am starting small. Electrical things have always caused me to shudder. Not that I stick my finger in sockets, just the idea of the invisible power of electrical current. New puppy chewed the cord off the vacuum cleaner, fortunately right near the plug in end. Replacing that should be do-able. And so I googled “repairing an electrical cord”. Assembled the recommended tools. I successfully stripped the outer and inner layers. Examining the replacement head, it appeared that should be a path for the bare ends to follow. The little pictures on the screen did not guide me to a solution. So there I was, parts laid neatly on the table, instructions on the screen and stumped. My son wandered in from the shop, noted my dilemma, and assisted in the final stages of the repair. I had done everything correctly but needed hands on help for the final step. He was wise enough to simply direct my action and hold the tiny parts. He sensed my deep desire to, as a toddler would say – do it myself! I have not yet activated the vacuum but am assured that it will work!

My angle grinder, side grinder, whatever, fried. I knew what I wanted for a replacement and so, when the desired make and model was on sale, I purchased it. Once again, I laid out the assembly instructions. How difficult that it be? Carefully following every printed word, but using a thinner grinder disc than the one that was included in the purchase, I could not stabilise the disc. It wobbled. And although the proposed project does not require cutting through thick metal, I knew there could be no wiggle or wobble. With utmost care, and regret, I placed my unfinished project on the kitchen counter. My signal to the household that I give up. Again, I was rescued by a gentleman. He was at my home helping shift furniture, but took the time to carefully reverse the holding washer, snugging the thinner disc. 

There is a time to do it myself, and a time to ask for help! How wonderful that my world is filled with helpers.