Jury "Doody"
A high point of the last few weeks was our purchase of a new “potty,” an American Standard Champion to replace the “silent flush” Kohler that was here when we purchased the house a decade ago. The salesman pointed out that he and I were not getting any younger, and that the new high models (used to be called “handicapped”) make it easier to get up and down. He then got on and off the floor model to show me how easy it was. I was captivated, but there was more. He said that the Champion model could flush five golf balls at the same time. I told him that I lived on a golf course, and often find golf balls in the back yard. But I said that I preferred to collect them and pass them on to golfers on the course rather than flush them away. He looked down but did not say anything. I tried to smooth things over by saying that such a feature would be great in nursing homes, where such a capability could really be put to the test on the “real thing.” Anyway, the conversation had pretty well broken down by that point, but I had already made my decision, so I said we should go for it. Unfortunately, when the installer came, he said that the install package did not include the removal of the old unit. He refused to take it, and left it on the front porch. I thought that it might send the wrong message to leave it there over the weekend, so I had to haul it off myself to our office dumpster. For all of you wranglers out there who might be considering a purchase, note that Lowe’s carries off the old unit, but Home Depot does not, without an extra charge. The details are buried in the contract.
Also today I got a jury summons. Included was a pass allowing me to ride the DART shuttle free to and from the downtown court. On the back was a list of exemptions. One exemption was for being OVER 70 years of age. Having just reached that milestone, I interpreted it to mean that one day over 70 would exempt me from serving, rather that having to wait until I was 71. Anyway, I signed that I was “over 70″ and mailed it back. I am arranging legal counsel in case the city tries to fight, and will take it all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
I am so glad that you didn’t leave the toilet on the front porch over the weekend. Lord knows how many golf balls might have been in there by the time you got back.