Good, bad, and ugly.

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As promised.  The door rang but no one was there.  So I looked around.  A backhoe!  I got dressed properly before answering the door.  So I just went out.  Now, they had to cut through the sidewalk (all good, I've been wanting to practice putting in a sidewalk replacement).  The sidewalk, out behind the house at that, was about five inches thick!  So, it took a bit of cutting.  Then the machine came in.  It took out a lot of dirt.  The guy running it knew what he was doing too.  It seems I was doing the right thing shoveling, as where those trying to help me, but we just needed a BIGGER shovel! 

After he dug down, he started checking the pipes and such.  We can't lift the pipes, as it is a t-intersection, so we would have to dig in two more directions or do something funky elsewise.  Which is fine, for now.  This new faucet should last a good long time.  He went ahead and installed the new faucet, but the dirt won't go back in until I get some rock down there.  I said I would get on that.  Knowing me, as one of the neighbors who was present does, I was given three days to do that or someone else would do it.  I hope to get the gravel tomorrow, but do a bit of digging further under the pipes with garden tools since it is such a mess that trying it with a regular shovel just won't do.  I will get the rocks first, then try to get to digging further under the pipes if I can.

Age and illness have taken their toll.  Just doing a bit of shoveling, turning the house water on and off a few times, and a few odds and ends, when I could sneak in before someone... blocked... I really did wear myself out.  They realize I probably am not all that fit.  Right now I simply don't have much going.  I offered the operator some money but he said that wasn't at all needed.  However, in speaking with him, it seems he is taking pre-engineering courses.  He is currently taking calc.  Ah, but I DO have something he might well be able to use.  Those calculus study dvds!  Oh, I wish I had found those long before I did.  I think I found them right before taking vector calculus after a long hiatus.  I studied 17 hour days for two to four weeks to catch up, on top of being in the class at the same time.  Oh yes they help.  So I will be looking for those. 

Oh, I am also trying to give away some lentils.  Oh, I'll use them.  No worries.  It is just that I have so many I don't mind sharing some out.  Plus... beans that don't need a pre-soak and only take 20 minutes to cook, plus are a superfood in their own real right?  I love sharing good things.

I still feel like I have been pounded into the dirt by that backhoe.  But I have had worse.  As I think back on it, I honestly don't know how I made it as far through engineering school as I did.  I was in no better shape then.  I did have a woman type, but she was often more work than help, and she meant to be.  She would sabotage me by turning off my alarm (during finals once, luckily I caught her!).  Nasty evil mean woman, and she enjoyed it.  Hmm, I really ought to find a wife.  Maybe I need me a true nag! 

All good.  In just a few days this work fix-it ticket will be done!