Not all is lost

Save my faith in (local) humanity…

Drove 45 minutes to collect a wood splitter. Just getting the paperwork lined up took a half an hour (it’s not the paper but the people). I try to go around the back, a Jeep from Texas (with tires wider than my, well, let’s not make comparisons) is blocking the way (the driver may have attempted to not block the way, but we all have spatial limitations).

I get around back, there’s a pickup truck with tires wider than, oh never mind, they are attaching a trailer with a forklift as an aid, four people at it. No one sees me, addresses me, asks me if I need anything.

I find the wood splitter I’ve rented, move a mower out of the way, note is has a price tag on it, zero fuel. Curious.

Someone finally approaches me, the ball is rolling! Wait, it doesn’t have any hydraulic fluid in it either. Some fuel is carried out back from the (showroom) floor and after checking the oil (there does appear to something in there) it doesn’t start. (I would’ve turned the throttle up, bits it’s not my job to instruct the workers). I’m getting a lot of story in the process, “The two other guys helping…” “She’s the owner’s daughter, thinks she owns the place. I quit one day because of her…” “There’s a cruise ship in Eastport, they need chairs and I’m taking down the tents tomorrow, three trucks are coming in and no one will be here to unload them”

Someone rather official comes out back, swivel head, looking around, lights a cigarette within arm’s reach of multiple gas cans, equipment. “Why are there five chairs there?” The guy helping me said “They took forty to Eastport.”

“They were supposed to take 45. (Turns to me) Do you have a trailer?” “No, I’m picking up a wood splitter.” “Those wheel bearings are only designed for around the dooryard.”

“I have a trailer, can I pick this up tomorrow?”

So at least I’m getting my oil changed. I won’t even go into the people I saw at IGA in Calais, or the “drivers” on the way back…

LQQK, sweet new filter!!!

Tomorrow I’ll split wood, depending on what happens at Johnson’s True Value in Calias tomorrow. (Yes, avoid them if possible!!! Getting two stove pipe fittings was almost a half hour ordeal