Thick as a Brick

Monday morning came gently. I was well prepared for rising even before 5:30am rolled around. I was up and going about my usual business by 5:20am. Looking out the back door, I could see that it rained a bit more over night. The bright spot being that it was warm. It was 50+ degrees. In fact, the day’s high was predicted to topple 60.

I kept my exercise routine to sit-ups, giving my right shoulder another day of rest. The decision is against every bone in my body but I know that it’s the right thing to do for the long run. Ykraps and I walked west. I wore shorts and was plenty comfortable. I knew then that I wouldn’t need ear covers for my run.

We returned home by 5:44am and dug into some coffee and web surfing. I didn’t waste too much time, however. Instead, I was eager to use the extra time meditating. I took Mindy coffee just before 6am. I spent the next twenty minutes meditating. At 6:20 I donned my running clothes and headed out the door. After thorough stretch I launched.

It was a good run. I finished feeling fantastic! Everyone was up and eating their breakfast when I returned. Mindy mentioned that Jacob pee’d his bed. Damn! She already had the washer going. She soon left leaving Jacob and I to our usual routine. Mindy reminded me before leaving that she’d be attending a flashlight vigil outside of the Southwestern City schools district office this evening and that Jimaken would be taking the kids for a couple of hours.

Jacob and I hit the bus stop at 7:55am sharp. We hung for just a few short minutes before the bus pulled up and whisked him away. I headed on in to work.

Work went reasonably well. I picked up where I left off over the weekend. I decided that I would take a lunch break and go to Home Depot. I wanted to buy a masonry blade for my circular saw. That’s what I did. I bought one for $2.00 – pretty cheap! While out, I stopped at Kroger on Cemetery Rd to buy a turkey for our department potluck. My peers and I agreed to cook two turkeys and a ham. I bought a 13lb fresh turkey. There wouldn’t be enough time for a frozen turkey to thaw. Even the fresh turkey had a few frozen spots. But just as well, it would sit in my Trooper for the remainder of the afternoon.

Back at work by 200pm I finished out the day. I left for home around 5:15pm – my usual departure time. It was still very warm out side. I chatted with Mindy briefly while she waited for others to show for the flashlight vigil. I was eager to get home. I had designs on a specific project.

At home I hurried through my routine chores of walking Ykraps, prepping coffee, and cleaning my lunch containers. Satisfied that all was in order, I prepared for my project. The plan called for me to cut away no more than a ¼” inch of brick from the bottom edge of our firebox. The existing glass and brass fire screen is just a smidge too tall – not quite fitting up under the upper lip. I have toiled with a solution for years and finally decided this was the most practical option. If successful, I could push the existing screen flush against the brick mantle eliminating much of the winter draft. I drew a line in pencil then moved the fire screen away.
The saw cut nicely but it threw a boat load of sparks and even some flames. It was cool! Unfortunately, it threw a lot of brick dust into the air as well - much more than I realized. Only after I finished did I see how dusty it made the entire family room/kitchen area. It stunk like burnt stone too, and the dust was red. Oh boy! What a mess. I grabbed the fire screen and placed it back against the mantle. It was still a smidge too tall in a few spots. I had no choice but to cut some more. I did. I had to repeat the process even a third time. Finally, after the third try I got it cut just enough that I could get the fire screen to fit snuggly against the mantle. I spent the next 30 minutes on clean-up detail. I was most worried about my sound system and the potential damage heavy dust can do. I replaced the vacuum bag and vacuumed everything including the white speakers, furniture, carpet, and crevices. I even vacuumed the houseplants! By the time Jimaken returned with the kids I had most of the dust removed. I explained my project to Jim. He looked at me as if I were crazy (maybe it was my imagination).

After the kids were home I quickly switched gears to Mr Mom. Mindy arrived home a short time later. I still had several windows opened and the garage door at half-staff. I explained my madness project to her. She just laughed. She went about her usual routine of prepping for the next day while I worked on my weekend blog. We headed to bed a little after 9pm but watched some of the Buckeye basketball game & some of Monday Night football from bed.