Compost

[randy_byers]

Today was the annual day of spreading my small amount of home-brewed compost. I get a ridiculous feeling of accomplishment from spreading my small amount of home-brewed compost.

Something burrowed down alongside the underground part of the compost bin over the summer, and over the past couple of weeks I've been trying to block the hole with bricks. I wasn't sure what it was, but I suspected it was a rat. So being the over-imaginative type, as I dug into the compost I was halfway waiting for a small, toothy rodent to leap out of the debris and tear my throat out. No such luck. I couldn't see any evidence of critters around the plastic basket at the base of the compost bin, so I'm still in the dark about what it might be. The second layer of bricks seemed to be enough weight that whatever it is couldn't move them. The same was not true for a single layer of bricks. Anyway, maybe it has abandoned ship.

I also busted some sod in the front lawn today. It felt good to do something physical, break a sweat, and get covered in dirt.

Comments

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

I understand that feeling. My paying work is as a computer programmer and logistics solutions engineer. The models I build can lead to multi-million-dollar decisions for my bosses and our clients. But for some reason, it seems like more of an obvious accomplishment to reduce fallen trees to firewood or clear bushes from the walkways and from around the house in Oregon. I think I understand why Ronald Reagan spent so many of his presidential holidays on his ranch in California clearing brush and driving fence posts. It's not what I'd choose to do for a living -- I had a couple of days experience riding with my grandfather, a heavy-equipment operator, and it gave me plenty of reason to stay in school -- but it does give one a sense of accomplishment.

It was especially frustrating two weeks ago when, due to the pinched nerve in my back, that all I could do to help Lisa with the roofing work was to sit in a chair and be ready to call 911 if she fell off the roof.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my back is becoming a weak link, too. It's sore now, and it didn't seem to me that I worked it very hard. It has its own ideas, it appears.

I did my share of physical jobs when I was younger, and I didn't care much for them. My mind is definitely stronger than my body. However, it would benefit me to do more physical labor than I do, just to keep in shape if nothing else.

[mlamprey.livejournal.com]

If you need more than a tiny amount of homebrew, we have many square yards of it, in beautiful condition, and we're making more all the time. You can fill a few buckets, bags, garbage pails or pickup trucks. Or just carry some off in your pocket.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Really? That's actually tempting. Where do you live again? I'm just not sure it would be worth the effort for as little as I'd probably end up taking.

[mlamprey.livejournal.com]

I'm in Woodinville, so it's a 30 minute trek from your place.