Ouch

If removing trash from the streets wasn’t enough to send me running for the ibuprofen, I took on another mammoth project today. Raleigh is having a sale on mulch until November 15th where if you buy one truckload you get one free.

Kelly and I have long wanted to put new mulch down so we jumped at this chance. We borrowed a friend’s trailer and early this morning I drove to the Yard Center on N. New Hope to pick up a load. Ten minutes and $16 later, I had 2.5 cubic yards of wood chips. (Wood chips weren’t supposed to be part of the deal, but who am I to argue with the man in the booth?)
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Cleaning up the neighborhood

Last week I got so sick of the trash littering the neighborhood streets that I decided to do something about it. So I sent out an email to neighbors announcing a day of picking up trash. While I heard from one or two people saying they would be there, I had no idea who would actually show. Six other neighbors showed up! When Kelly and the kids joined us we had a formidable team indeed.

Raleigh’s Community Services supplied us with vests, pick-up tongs, trash picks, and bags. They even arranged for Solid Waste Services to pick our bags up when we were done. If I seemed impressive when I passed all of this stuff out I have to give all the credit to Charlene and Community Services.
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John Drescher is an idiot

The N&O’s new editor John Drescher is an idiot. In today’s column, he labels both Dole and Hagan as “dodgers,” claiming Dole and Hagan sidestepped important issues.

Drescher claims Dole dodged the whole Outlying Landing Field issue until the rest of the state had made up its mind.

That’s absolutely true. Dole was asleep at the switch.

Drescher also claims Hagan dodged whether she would support the recent bailout bill.

That’s a whopper, Johnny.
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Steel-belted nerves

Had a flat tire on the way to Durham yesterday evening. A good test of bravery is to change a tire on the side of the Durham Freeway in the rain while cars zoom by at 70 MPH. I passed the test, but boy was I challenged! In another half hour I had the tire changed and actually made it to my appointment on time.

I looked the tire over thoroughly but couldn’t find any sign of a puncture or leak. I’m completely stumped.