With my beach vacation coming up in June, and the weather being bad this winter and not allowing me to get out and walk, I decided to make a large purchase of a recumbent bike.
I didn’t realize just how big this thing was until it got delivered. I didn't want it taking up room in my living room or bedroom, so I took it down to the basement piece by piece to put it together down there. The one light bulb, casting stark shadows, gave an eerie appearance. The silence, only broken by the clanging noises that I was making, hung heavily in the air. As I looked around, I kept asking myself if I would really come down here to work out. The answer was a resounding NO!
As with most of my projects, one thing always leads to another. I began to think of ways to make the space more pleasant and before I knew it, I had drawn up plans to semi finish the room. I have a handy man that lived about a block away and I’d used him on several projects on the outside of the house and yard. He was quick and efficient and always on the inexpensive side. I always gave him a good tip when I paid him because he deserved it and I thought it might make my time on his waitlist shorter if I ever needed his help again.
“I have an idea!” is always the text I send when I want Pete to help with projects.
“What now? lol”, was his reply. I have come up with some doozies for ideas that he has always miraculously turned into reality.
“Come and see for yourself.” was all I answered.
“Give me a few minutes and I’ll be there. I’m just finishing up at ‘ol Ned’s house. I’ll swing by before I go home for the night.” I could picture Pete laughing as he typed that out.
Just like he said, a few minutes later he was knocking on my door. He was covered in sawdust and smelled like he had been working hard all day. I noticed that he took his shoes off at the door without being asked as he walked in. Good manners and quick service! “Whatcha got for me?” he asked. “Walk this way”, I sang as I waved him towards the basement stairs. He always had music blaring on the boombox of a radio and it only played old rock. Aerosmith was one of the most played bands. Pete laughed that contagious belly laugh as he rapidly ate up the distance to where I was..
When we reached the base of the stairs I turned to tell him what my thoughts were and I about bumped into him. I hadn’t realized that he was so close to me. I quickly moved back a few steps to give us a more comfortable personal space. I hadn’t noticed before now just how large a presence Pete had. He was only five or six inches taller than me, but he had a way of filling up the room. As I spilled my plans to him, he nodded and asked questions. Then he began to give his suggestions as to how to make the large, bleak area into a smaller and brighter room. I was lost in thought when he asked, “what is this for?”.
I turned to look at what he was pointing at. There on the ceiling was an eye bolt with a metal ring attached. It was large and thick and securely screwed into one of the joists. How had I never noticed it before now? “I…I don’t know what that is.” I stammered. Pete reached up and touched the ring……
