One of those days

I've done a lot of work around the house.  I've learned to frame, rough wire, install windows, install doors, plumb some, dryawall, flooring etc...  I always have some anxiety about this kind of work for two reasons.  First, I'm not patient enough to think things through all the way and often make mistakes.  Second, I've never had anyone show me what to do and I feel very alone.  Case in point.  I spent $180 bones on a ceiling fan today.  I couldn't figure out how the light kit attached.  I modified the wireless and then figured it out.  Oh, did I mention it won't work without the wireless control?  Now I'm off to spend a second $180.  I can do it now, but this trial and error stuff is for the birds.  I need to get smart.  Grrrr.

Snake Season

Tonight we walked in the desert behind the house.  It's snake season.  I told the boys to be on the lookout.  As we were walking back WG7 yelled snake.  DG9 and I had just walked through there and when I turned around and walked back I didn't see anything.  I scolded WG7 and said, "When you say snake there had better be a snake pal, do you understand me?"  He then pointed, a little exasperated, "Snake."  Sure enough, small and camouflaged was a snake. It had the head and markings of a rattle snake, but no rattles.  It could have been a young un I reckon.  We pushed and cajoled it for a few minutes until it retreated in a hole.  When I turned around WG7 was standing there staring at me.  "Apology," he said.  I said, "You're right.  You're sorry."  It took him a minute and then I apologized properly.  He's a great boy and I'm a grump.  He was right.  I was wrong.  I sure love him.

I watched the boys climb over the fence and back into the yard and I walked around on account of my knees were hurting me.  At the end of the path I saw another rattler.  He was as long as my arm and he was just watching patiently.  I gave him some space and moved on home.  I sure do hope we miss the rattlesnake bullet.