Lyman, Part two...

I called Lyman to see how he was doing.
He had a request and I was thrilled to help.
We were going on an adventure of sorts.
He wanted a simple shelf installed in his bathroom...
a place to set his extra rolls of toilet tissue.
I can do that.
As a carpenter for nearly 35 years, I figured this would be easy.
And there would be little bloodshed on my part...

Little did we know what we were getting into...

I drove over to his place and went in to get some measurements.
Then it would be off to Orchard Supply and Hardware, nearby.
Crawling in my own one ton van is a process when my knee is not cooperating.
Helping Lyman into the passenger side with his bum knee,
convinced us both we lacked any gracefulness.
Getting out? ...the samething in reverse.

Those electric scooters that stores offer to customers are nice.
Each has it's own quirks about steering and acceleration, though.
We found the shelving department,
and we both got very involved in the lengths needed and other details.

One thing we did not keep track of was the running total cost of materials.

At the register, we were both stunned when the checker said the total would be $29 and change.

Suddenly, the shelf seemed to be a lavish alter upon which tissue would set, for all to admire.
I mean... it was toilet paper , for crying out loud.
I could and would do a lot of other things with $29 dollars.

We both knew this was not gonna happen.
We sat for a minute and commizerated,
I said I had shelving and brackets in my shop I'd be happy to give him,
Just to get it out of my way.
We headed the electric scooter for the return line.

There was some "rolling of the eyes" by the checkout lady but neither of us cared.

Twenty nine dollars is twenty nine dollars, no matter how you count it.
And toilet paper is... well....

We had a good laugh and were glad to head back to the van.
We went to Burger King to shoot the breeze and glory in our wise money management.
We had a fun afternoon, and then I realized I had over committed my afternoon.
I was supposed to help put the cub scout pine wood derby track together for a ward dinner and activity.

I was already late to meet with Floyd Searle who was "Mr. Derby" to anyone involved.
I was gonna have to bring Lyman along, and he was understanding.
I felt bad.

While I was trying to put stuff together Lyman chatted with Frank Hammond and Dan Flaman.
Eventually I saw that I was gonna be "tied up" a long time.
Dan offered to drive Lyman back to his room.
Dan happened to be driving his convertable Volks Wagon.
Seeing the two of them take off ...
and Lyman wearing his jaunty plaid cap was like seeing two guys heading out to "paint the town"
What a sight.
What a way to end a day.
Two single guys, cruisin' thru town in a convertable.
It was classic.
Lyman was smiling...