Well, Ed thought we didn’t need to seal our new driveway because it is expensive. So we didn’t and now it has stains. We bought a couple of products that claim to remove stains from concrete and relented in our resolve to never again use our drunken handyman because he called and said he was on the wagon and needed work.

My problem with DH (drunken handyman) is that he intrudes on my boundaries and is always trying to insinuate his way into palship, which ain’t gonna happen. Cemetery Gary (he worked in the cemetery and also had a little lawn service) and was DH’s good and helpful friend, died a couple of years ago of cancer and the little group of ne’er-do-wells he helped have gone to pieces since his death. He was always getting work for them, and feeding them by handing out containers of stew he cooked. Whatever money they make now gets spent at the local bar. We tracked one guy down when he didn’t return our lawn mower that he borrowed. We nailed him in the bar. We got the mower back and of course it was broken.

Gary was a super nice guy and I often stopped off at his little place on May Street when I was biking, just to chat and have a glass of water. I miss him.

My problem with DH is that he arrives to do the work, in this case outside, and doesn’t need to have any contact with me at all, because we left the materials he was to use in the entryway. So, of course he comes and rings the bell. He needs to use the bathroom or he needs $5 for gas, or he can’t find what he needs (in front of you). So when he is here, I am constantly interrupted and if I want to do something that shouldn't be interrupted, I can't.

Meanwhile, Ed is leaving things to me because he has to take Luella (his mind-bendingly needy and infantile 86-year-old ward) shopping at Wal-mart. You’ve heard me on that subject. Bottom line: choices have consequences.

DH arrives and, of course, rings the bell and I have decided not to answer. In a few minutes, I peek out of the spare bedroom window that has a view of the driveway. He is gone. Later Ed calls wanting to know if he is there and working and I inform him. Ed says I am being remarkably disagreeable and I said I am being justifiably disagreeable and I am on line looking for local handymen who can do the work without bugging me.

My next suggestion will be that if Ed insists on using DH, he has to be here to hold his hand, because I am fresh out of hand-holding. Snarl.

xx, Teal