A bit fraught, but bravely smiling through..

The last couple of days have been, well, reminders of how I'm a helpless prawn of fate, but so brave and plucky, and my arm is getting tired from all this back patting.

I had an appointment at the auto dealership for today to get my temporary tags replaced and State inspection decal attached and generally get legal. There had already been a 60-day grace period added to the statutory two weeks for newly purchased cars, which was almost up. Despite nervousness and multiple instructions from handsome Son to remember my mask and gloves, and walk about outside while waiting, I was all set with all dox.  Then suddenly the motor vehicle folks announced on Twitter yesterday another 60 day grace period. Whereupon I canceled my next day's appointment, figuring probably safer in July, if hotter, and I'll have located the AC by then.

Mentioned this to handsome Son last evening as he delivered groceries in exchange for dried and folded laundry, still no lead on a dryer. And he said, oh I spoke with them today about my inspection and they said the State is out of decals. The vital thing you need officially on the windshield to show you're legal. Just as well I canceled. Evidently the State is not printing decals, probably because all the nondealer inspection stations are now covid test sites, I guess they thought no need. Never mind the thousands of other locations to get inspections, I guess. But it might explain the additional grace period.

Moved my routine doctor appointment from Wednesday to late June, seeing no reason to check in and tell her I'm perfectly fine, when she can't do any of the tests and measurements and prodding and  what's the point. Her nurse agreed but insisted If That Changes Call Us. Which I undertook to do.

So far so good. I thought fine, I'll use the time saved on these trips  to open the outside faucets  for the season and set up the hose and water the thirsty plants. Spent an exciting time finding and getting the hose screwed on to the faucet outside. Then I trotted upstairs to turn on the shut-off to that line, kept off in winter. Did I mention that the builders put this shut off behind the water heater in the back of a tight closet, in the dark, upstairs?

 And first it wouldn't turn, long time since I shut it. Then all of a sudden it swung open, I could hear water starting down the line and next it appeared on me, the wall and the floor. Quickly forced it shut again, mercifully it stayed shut and I called  Greg the plumber. Who was in the office, just around the corner, got here, masked, gloved and cheerful . And fixed the shut-off sharpish, tightened up the hose bib on the patio and handed me a great big invoice.

But I rationalize my peace of mind is worth it. I have plenty of flood experience in this house and I didn't need one originating from the back of a closet, behind the water heater. Brilliant builder design. I wonder if they do this stuff on a bet.

So now the plants are watered and admired. The iris, first ones, descendants of some originally planted decades ago in a friend's grandmother's farm, are almost done, see those lovely cast shadows

And the chives have flowers. I usually clip them long before they flower, so this was a guest appearance.

The little knitting experiment narrated over on https://beautifulmetaphor.blogspot.com kept me calm and breathing and distracted while I waited for Greg the plumber.