Homebodies - Really? Again?

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Published on Sunday, April 22, 2018

By Rita Friesen

Homebodies

There are a few errors of judgment that I have repeated. Sadly. This week, for the third time in 20 years, I attempted to exit the garage, with the car, without opening the door. Alas.

The first time I backed into a closed door, very little damage was done. A gentle tap with a heavy hammer allowed me to open the door and exit the building. Ed completed the repair when he returned from his morning coffee. The second time I needed to leave the building through the oversize south doors. That time the alignment required a strategically placed two by four and a solid hit with the sledge hammer. But it worked. It was a metal door that suffered from my absent mindedness. There were witnesses.

Now my garage door is an aged wooden one, with windows, and I am certain that must weaken the basic structure! My habit is to hit the ‘open’ button, walk behind the car and back out. Have done that for nearly two years now. Somehow, with the day’s agenda looming large in my thoughts, I neglected to hit the button. I walked behind the car, opened the car door, started the car and slowly backed up. Four feet. And then I heard the crunch. With a heavy feeling in my chest, I eased forward and went to assess the damage. The bottom panel had popped and the cross brace had snapped. I headed for the back of the garage, found the pry bar, the heavy hammer, and the sledge hammer. I tweaked, pried and pounded. The panel eased almost back in place. I was fairly certain that with any luck the door would rise. It did. Four feet. Not enough to get the car out. I reefed with all my aging might. It did not budge.

My appointment uptown was at ten thirty. Checking the time, I knew I could walk there and be on time. As I purposefully strode down the street, I dialed a familiar number. Describing my dilemma, my go-to fixer assured me he would be there in ten minutes. No hurry, I assured him. I am out of the garage, and if he would be kind enough to get my car out, and leave the door back down, we were good.

 I have had ample time to reflect on my pattern. If you call three times in 20 years a pattern! I am trying to do too much at one time, I am often in a hurry, I am getting older and old patterns are hard to break! My sister was appalled that I could err in such a dramatic fashion. My friends are understanding and amused. I choose to laugh at myself. Please feel to laugh at and with me.

So, a new garage door is on order. I rather wanted windows in it but will pass, due to the added expense. There are windows in the garage and plenty of natural light and electric lights as well. First world problem. What I do need is a warning system. Any ideas?