Tuesday, August 10, 2021

THE HANDIMAN RETIRES

      I have done almost all my home and yard maintenance for close to 50 years. 

      I've done lots of plumbing.  I put in stop valves on all sinks and tubs. I have replaced and added sinks. 

     I wired half of my basement and added various outlets around the house,  

     Yes, I fixed the odd bike!

     My lawn mower is still running since 1970. 

     I did some of the simple stuff on cars. 

     Reluctantly I have  decided to retire from my handyman's occupation. My eye sight is not cooperating. In many places it's difficult to be able to look through the correct lens. It's also difficult to get into some locations. So my body tells me that it's time to retire. 

    And then some errors are being made. I started replacing a shut off valve and turned off the wrong water. I was lucky. No great flood. 

    So I will have to hire some one to do the job I always did. Am I sad? No. I can find other things to do. 







44 comments:

  1. You are very practical, Red, and that is definitely a compliment, just so you know. Knowing when to STOP doing something is just as important as knowing HOW to do something. You have a great attitude. And I'm glad you didn't have a big flood. Water can make a huge mess.

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    1. I quit a number of things when I turned 80 like riding my bike.

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  2. Good for you! You have worked hard all your life and have earned a break. We are partially to that point and have hired a handy man for a few jobs around the house that Tom could no longer do. This is the first summer I have hired someone to cut the grass. I usually cut it and I did this Spring, but this summer is just too hot for me to handle it. Your health will appreciate you for doing this!

    Congratulations for keeping your lawn mower going since 1970!

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    1. I like being active and the more of these chores you do the more you want to do because you get curious.

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  3. That is incredible that you have had the same lawn mower since 1970! It would help to combat climate change if everything was designed to last as long as that! Instead, most people are forever replacing things.

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    1. My mower is the wrong thing to combat climate change. It's a two cycle so it makes lots of blue smoke.

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  4. smart man! I'm all for doing yopur own work but when it gets to a point where it's aggravating, it's bettr to let go and save the drame

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  5. Hello,
    It is nice to hire some one to do the work, take a break and relax.
    Take care, have a great day!

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    1. I like being active but I do like to sit outside .

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  6. We are all finding it's time to retire tasks we always did before. Me, too, Red. My eyesight doesn't seem to want to cooperate. Neither does my body for some things. :-)

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    1. Eyesight is a challenge We'll have to learn to live with it.

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  7. I would be helpless in that regard, so if I ever am in the position to buy a house, I'd have to hire handymen.

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    1. We all have our own skills that we use.

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  8. You had a nice long time of handyman work. It will be interesting to see what new things you will find to do.

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    1. What ever I find, it will be active. I will probably do more walking.

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  9. There comes a time when it is just easier to hire someone else to do the work:)

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    1. It's hard to sit back an d watch someone else do your work.

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  10. I am 80 now and stopped mowing and edging my lawn about six years ago. I have NEVER been a handyman but I did learn from a neighbor several years back how to replace a flush valve seal (gasket) in a toilet when it won’t stop flushing. That is the extent of my mechanical ability. It is time for you to let someone else do things around the house now, especially things that involve having to climb a ladder or crawl under the house.

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  11. You were a great one to have around! Still are I bet!

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  12. Congratulations, Red. In my experience, everyone who retires gets a party. How about you?

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    1. The only retirement party I had was when I finished teaching.

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  13. I ended up at that point quite abruptly when I ended up in a wheelchair!

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    1. You had choices forced on you and it's not pleasant but I think you have met your challenges.

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  14. Good for you for making that decision. It's not always easy to let go and let others do.

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    1. I still have lots of other things to do like gardening.

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  15. And then there are those of us who keep a repairmen rolodex!

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  16. You had a good run. I didn't. Never was handy.

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    1. It's been a good run that I had not intended.

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  17. Adapting to new circumstances is something that I've never been very good at. I am always impressed with people who look at things practically, and then simply do (or don't do) what needs done.

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    1. I quit cycling at 80 but I still miss it.

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  18. I should think it would be a relief! I am all for hiring someone to do complicated maintenance. (Which includes anything involving turning off the water.)

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    1. Electricity is one to leave alone...too dangerous.

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  19. Sometimes it's good to know when to quit while you are ahead and still have all your digits, Red. Hope you can find a good and reliable maintenance person as that can sometimes be quite a challenge.

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  20. It will be a well-earned rest to hand those jobs over to someone else.

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    1. I won't rest. I'll find something else to do.

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  21. You deserve this retirement Red. To do all these things is impressive. You have my respect :)

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  22. You deserve a break, Red. I keep telling my husband that too. I’m keeping him off the roof too.

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  23. It really is difficult, I understand. My parents didn't do this too well, so I hope I have learned that lesson.

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  24. i think you deserve this retirement after such long non stop work dear Red !

    i think you have a blessed attitude and great fondness for being busy ,this sounds a great gift to me .
    now time to chill and find easier hobbies to amuse yourself :) yes i believe that such fondness for being busy is way to not just utilizing our energy in a positive manner but also to entertain ourselves :)

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