I did my morning meditation before the alarm this morning. I was awake and decided not to spend any more time trying to get back to sleep.
It’s really weird for me not to be constantly reading Wonkette or other articles on substack. But I’m going on a retreat. That is, I’m retreating from all sources of news for a while.
I almost didn’t go to the library today. I thought about letting my library book be a day late. But I decided to push myself to interact with the world because there are only going to be so many clear days before the winter weather sets in. I let myself go a little faster down the hill this time. I’m starting to get used to the trike’s feel and stability. I was feeling good as I pedaled onto the pavement, and then, out of nowhere, I can feel the front tire lose pressure. It flopped around as I pulled over. I’d fallen prey to goatheads.
I called my friend Tina, because I knew that she had a truck and that together, we would be able to get my bike up in the bed. Heck, she might have been able to do it herself; she’s strong. I called the hardware store while I waited for Tina so I could find out what they had for my situation. An internet search recommended one product, but the hardware store didn’t carry that one. They did have slime though, so after Tina and I got the trike into her truck bed, we stopped at the hardware store and I bought the slime and a patch kit.
After a quick stop to renew my library book, Tina drove me home. We got the bike out and got it upside down so I could work on the tires. She helped me work the tube out of the tire so I could find and patch the hole. Then she had to head home to take care of feeding her animals, so I was on my own.
I applied the patch according to the instructions. I removed the valve core and pumped in what I thought was a good amount of slime. I got the air compressor and inflated the front tire, no problem.
I decided that it would be a good idea to slime the rear tubes. Per the instructions, I deflated the tubes, and then slimed them up. Since there had been no issues with the front tire, I didn’t pay close attention to the rears. I didn’t notice a bulge of tube getting caught between the tire and the rim until about a second before the first one popped. I thought I fixed the issue before I started inflating the second one, and then I didn’t pay attention to the same thing happening again. I removed both popped tubes and rolled my trike sadly to the side of the house. I’ve been keeping it on the porch, but I didn’t want to roll it up and down the stairs on the rims. So it’s covered and parked next to the car.
I’ve got more tubes on the way, but they won’t be here until Wednesday. So I might do some walking this weekend. Head into town to check out the craft fair at the fairgrounds or stop by the grocery store. It’s really not a bad walk, just time consuming. And there’s only so much I can purchase when I have to carry it back two miles uphill.
I had a good chat with my parents tonight. I made and ate dinner, Dinty Moore stew, while talking. That helps me eat. I wonder how I can use that feeling to make eating breakfast easier.