Following one more Monday in January I didn't go to work (Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday), I returned Tuesday (after work) to the apartment to find icicles hanging out of the kitchen and bathroom faucets, a solid block of ice in the commode, and the shower hose broken off and lying in the shower stall.
Sigh.
This was not how I'd planned my Tuesday evening. I thought I'd grab a quick shower, then head to the KCYC for a little knitting companionship. Instead I'm off to the hardware store for a shower and a pair of channelocks (since my eleventeen pair are either at work or at home). By the time I got back to the apartment all was thawed and nothing broken, so I guess I got off easy.
Wednesday and Thursday must have been uneventful, as I don't remember them. Thursday night the temp dropped to 8 or lower, and Friday morning I let Astro-the-van warm up longer than normal. Then I drove to work. Arrived totally shivering, the van's heater was blowing only cold air. Thank the gods they keep the break room heater cranked up to eighty, and the 4/10ths mile walk in from the parking lot tends to warm me up too.
Friday evening I carried out tools for any eventuality and took US60 instead of the faster (but more dangerous) interstate, but Astro took me to the apartment without incident. One unexpected bonus came of driving the "back" road: I noticed a trusted chain auto parts store had a new sign up, proclaiming "now open 24 hours." I took down the phone number. No matter where I break down, I'll be able to call that number and find out what store is nearby. Smart, huh?
Saturday morning instead of letting the van warm up (not gonna happen with cold air blowing, anyway, right?) I cranked her up and put her in gear and drove right to work. If I'm going to blow a radiator hose apparently (judging by Friday's performance) it isn't going to happen in under an hour.
A lunchbox with all those tools AND lunch in it is heavy at 6:30AM.
Saturday afternoon --we only work eight hours on Saturdays-- I finally got a clue and checked the radiator for water. And added two and a half gallons. I'm so ashamed. But I am now home, 100 miles from work.
Still blowing cold air. Th'neighbor said he will replace the thermostat today.
Today's my birthday. Forty seven. I woke up at 6:30 (two hours after the alarm goes off during the week) and first thing drew a hot bath, lay in it reading for an hour. My apartment is adequate, but I do wish I had a tub there instead of just a shower stall.
Tomorrow I go back to work.
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