And it’s all go at the Rankin household.
Yes, very much like the proverbial buses, you wait around for ages and two busy days come along at once.
Which is nice.
Some of you poor, long suffering souls will recall that, a couple of weeks ago, I was bemoaning the lack of subject matter upon which to write, but this week the opposite is in effect. This week, I have subject matter aplenty, the corollary being that as a result I’m slightly lacking in the mental reserves to do it much justice. A swings and roundabouts type situation which is increasingly usual.
But what, you may ask, is this explosion of activity?
Well, let me explain…
A Hard Day's Week
Bearing in mind that the week is only half-way through, there have already been two days of note to comment on. Depending from where you count, that would mean either half, or a third of the week has been what you might call ‘busy’.
The first of these notable occasions was the extensive weeding and maintenance of our gardens (that’s both front and back). A job that’s needed doing for a while, but which finances, a stubborn streak of misguided independence, and sheer can’t-be-arsed-ness have all conspired to stop.
Push came to shove, however, when a date to install our new windows was agreed. Said date being, uh, today, that meant we’d arrived at the last minute, the time I usually spring into action, so spring I did.
Garden Leave
I say ‘I’ as if it were that particular entity out there uprooting dandelions and whacking weeds. In truth it was not.
No, that honour (honour?) fell to a very local tradesman (for very local people)) who lives exactly one street away from us and has his own, fairly recently formed company. As Chris, the man in question, was busy sunning himself on holiday it was down to two of his employees to come round on Monday and tame the scale model of the Amazon Rainforest threatening to swallow our humble abode,
Eight hours later, and with the liberal application of elbow grease, an electric strimmer, and some industrial strength weedkiller, and the whole thing is looking more manageable, and, dare I say it, a lot more spacious, too. In the back there might even be room for a sit down with a book (once we get a new table and chair set), and in the front you can actually get to the room window, which, as it turns out, was handy.
You see, the garden was phase one. A preparation, if you like for the other work, I mentioned earlier. That’s not to say that it didn’t need doing anyway, but the ability to reach a window that needs replacing is always a boon, and without some form of Go-Go-Gadget arms, or perhaps a trampoline, no-one was getting anywhere near.
This was due to a small bush/tree growing outside said window, but thanks to Chris and the boys that is now a stump—leaving all accessible.
Jobs For The boys
Which leads us to this fine day. Luckily, the rain of yesterday had held off (it didn't last), so when the workman (being my Uncle David and my dad) came round it was all systems go, and they hit the ground running.
To fill a gap for you Uncle David is a man with many years experience as a professional glazer and, although all but retired these days, was more than happy to do some ‘competitively priced’ work for a member of the family. My dad, he utilised as cheap labour.
Still, experience, craft, and knowledge are priceless, and after a generous half-day’s work four of the six windows in our bungalow are sparkling new and fully wind and weather proof (the old ones did let in a draft, but surprisingly, kept in the damp).
It’s sterling work, and definitely bears the stamp of the master craftsman. Is it an investment? For sure. Is it worth it? Most definitely. I’m actually, rather perversely, looking forward to this winter and the warmth of a properly sealed property which keeps in the heat.
Who knows, with the rising cost of energy, it might not be too long before it pays for itself.
Until next time…
Hey, there! If you enjoyed reading any of the above, why not take a look at some of my published work? Below you’ll find links to a number of short stories I’m lucky enough to have included in anthologies. I’d love to know what you think
New Tales Of Old: Volume 2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09TMVTX9H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Death Ship
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9198684140/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_TWEMTA3KWK7T89QEZPF6?fbclid=IwAR322Fx5nfgVUQAA62ZZ6CUsNnBm8pbSxPanzz6Qkjg3vAv4ESipq7iKKhs
https://www.waterstones.com/book/death-ship/david-green/s-o-green/9789198684148?fbclid=IwAR2gP4CXHSG7wTccO39wOqXFtI81k0259Ep8DUM48Ki6kTUdlKoF3yafojA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9198684140/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2XZ7JICGUQ1CX&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR2Wa6sGxb82_VCsC7l1CGXwHjsSwTheqba6jDX_G8EDsywZoGpC93nXr2w
Reaperman
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reaperman-Drabbles-3-Legends-Night-ebook/dp/B099NNPTQ1A
Pestilence
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pestilence-Revelations-Black-Ink-Fiction/dp/B09MDLZGHY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VP38WZDWJVAF&keywords=black+ink+fiction&qid=1654090896&sprefix=black+ink+fiction%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1
The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Musketeers-Cthulhu-Court-King-Louis-ebook/dp/B09YQKQQB7/ref=sr_1_18?crid=2VP38WZDWJVAF&keywords=black+ink+fiction&qid=1654091002&sprefix=black+ink+fiction%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-18
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