I’ve found myself in a few conversations lately talking about the idea of maintenance. I’ll write a few related posts, but will start with a weird one: the daily noticing and maintenance (or lack thereof) of simply… life.
Returning home from not-home.
Ah, weeds to pull. Promised I’d do them. Did do them but didn’t treat them, so they’re back. Promised to do them again. Haven’t done them yet. Will do them. Those ones there are a pain in the ass.
Let’s just go inside for now.
Ah, key doesn’t turn. Pull door towards me. It’s swollen or warped from what, wet weather? Earthquakes? We’ve got both of those here. First one for a season, second all the time, unfortunately.
Thump, thump, thump.
I have to give the door a bang at the top where it’s catching. Eventually it pops open with a little too much force. We’ve had someone out to fix it. Twice. We’ll just get them out again I guess.
Right, finally inside now.
The dog comes running up, whole body wiggling. I give her a hug, stroke her head, notice (again) the end of her collar flapping around. Barely reaches the loop, keeps popping out over and over.
Thwack, thwack, thwack.
The dog shakes as if she’s just returned from the ocean. The loose end of the collar makes the sound of a whip, albeit a small one. I should try to fix it somehow, or (probably) get someone else to.
Hang on, Wednesday, bin night.
Collapse the cardboard boxes from earlier (and yesterday, and the other day). Collect the contents of the smaller bins and add to the bigger bin. Take it all outside, in the right bins, drag to the curb.
Swing, clunk! Cupboard door.
Ah, forgot about that screw. Getting a fresh bin bag, screw popped out of the hinge. Too short, needs a longer one. Down to the basement I go, I guess. Found one, tried it, seems to work. For now.
Thump, squeak, crash, clang.
Back down to the basement to put the screwdriver back. The stair is wonky. Door is squeaky and doesn’t shut well. The tool bag needs a good organizing. Fix it, oil it, sort it, get someone out. Or not.
For better or worse, life is mostly about maintenance. Of the car, the boiler, the doors. Of health, of home, of relationships. Of calm, of peace, of perspective. Of everything that’s important. All of it.