Today is the anniversary of my mom’s birth. In two days, it will be the anniversary of her death. I’m glad I’ll have something to keep me busy that day, and especially that I’ll have choir to keep me busy. I’ll be bringing my flute again. I fished the case that my mom made me for my music stand out from behind the piano where I’d managed to lose it within hours of taking it out here at home.
I slept until nearly 8 this morning, after going to bed around 10 and having a bit of a nap. The headache that had been plaguing me is gone, so that’s nice.
I often try to get my exercises done before noon on a weekend, but I rarely succeed in that goal. Today, I did. I started on week 2 of the level 2 Knee, Ankle, Foot program. I’m liking the ankle and foot movements in this program so far.
the big thing that I wanted to get done today was fixing my trike. It’s been out of commission since the 7th when I got a flat on my front tire and then managed to blow up the tubes of my two rear tires because I decided they should also be slimed before they got a puncture, too. The hard part about fixing the tires was definitely getting the tubes inserted.
I struggled a while with the first tube. It just seemed like the tire refused to lift enough for me to squeeze the tube underneath. I figured I knew how to do this, and I didn’t need to watch a video on how to do it, but after struggling for a while, I looked one up.
Turns out, the quick and easy way to put in a new tube requires having a looser tire than I have. The video was so useless, because the guy literally just moved the tire out of the way to put the tube in. My tires don’t do that!
I’m really glad I bought some tire levers, because I eventually figured out how to use one to help me shove the tube into the tire. I squirted a bunch of Flat Out into the tube, and then I was ready to inflate. This time, I planned to start with a little air, reseat it, and then more air. But my air compressor decided that the tube was already filled. It has an automatic pressure detection system, so I’d set it to fill to 30 psi and it would say, nope, already at 45.
I ended up removing the valve core again, and using a straw to inflate the tube a bit manually. Once there was some air in there, the compressor was able to work. I filled it until it felt firm, and then started on the next wheel. That one went faster, but it was still difficult to stuff that tube under the tire.
After the repair was complete, I went inside for a snack and some water. Then it was time for the test drive – well, almost time. The rear tire guards had gotten bent out of shape while I was repairing, so I used a mallet to bang them back into position. Then I took it for a test drive, up to my neighbor’s go-around, and then down to the mailbox to get my mail. The front basket worked perfectly to carry it back up since I had a package to put on top of the envelopes.
I decided not to do any more riding around because the sun had decided to hide behind the clouds again and the wind was bitterly cold. I needed better layers if I wanted to be driving around. And I didn’t really want to be driving around. I got what I wanted to get done, done.
I might go ride around tomorrow. It depends on whether it snows overnight or tomorrow. There’s supposed to be some snow coming, but the forecast is never reliable around here. It might be nice to go get a cup of decaf coffee. Not much is open on Sundays, but I could just ride around. Be outside. Maybe try going on the Weiser River Trail.