Sprinkler Saga & Chalk Talk

School started today. And I'm tired. Not from arriving earlier than normal or standing for several hours while talking to kids about schedules and planners and their favorite pets. I'm tired because of sprinklers. I woke at three AM to the din of backyard sprinklers at full tilt. A valve busted in the middle of the night and ignited them. No matter what button I pushed or lever I pulled, they wouldn't turn off. So I ran around the house (at three AM) to shut off the water supply.

Then, of course, came the ensuing nightmare of what lies ahead in the home maintenance department. The sprinkler valve that I'll spend too much time putting together and then will find a way to leak. It'll laugh at me while spraying water in my eyes. Besides this being annoying, the Sprinkler Saga cuts into time for other things. Like playing 'Disneyland' with Blondie, reading Mockingjay, writing Bird Nerd, and making gourmet dinners out of leftovers.

Homeownership is not what it's cracked up to be. Anyone have a rental available?

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In other news, I've given Chalk Talk a facelift. You can access the forums on the right-hand sidebar or click on Forums at the top. Slimmer appearance, fewer categories, and blue. Need I say more?

I realize most of you have been away on vacations, some soaking in the Michigan sun while throwing water at oversized kids (Murph). Most of you are probably getting back on schedules, where you waste more of your writing time reading blogs and posting on forums. If that's the case, or if you need a well-deserved break, pop over to Chalk Talk. It's free. And there's not much left in life that costs zilch.

Write on.

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P.S. Blondie's 'Disneyland' has no Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Guess she didn't like that one.

P.P.S. Did I mention school started today?  (head spinning)

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Reading: Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins
On Deck: Paper Towns, by John Green
In the Hole: Story of a Girl, by Sara Zarr