That is the question. Here’s the answer.
August 13, 2012 (Monday)
I suddenly realized a few days ago that I had not checked my blood pressure for quite a while, so I opened the little box that contained my little wrist device for that purpose, applied it as directed, but found that nothing happened. I opened up the battery compartment and discovered that my long abstinence from using the monitor had allowed the batteries to go bad. One of them was covered with corrosion on one end. After removing the batteries, I applied a little vinegar to the corroded parts of the battery contacts.
I learned two things: 1. Vinegar cleans battery contacts of all corrosion. 2. Vinegar inside the monitor renders it useless forever. So much for my little “do-it-yourself” project. Fortunately, another monitor was available at a local store, so I’m back in business. And the blood pressure is fine, thanks.
I remember seeing a cartoon picturing a barber shop’s price list that included the costs of certain hair styles and at the bottom of the list of styles: “UN-do-it-yourself haircuts.” The price was high.
It all started when I was a little kid, about 5 or 6 years old. I “fixed” every wind-up train I got for Christmas. Each progressed from not running well to not running at all.
I asked my Grandmother Fake if I could “fix” her antique clock. She called her son (my uncle) and asked him, “Do you think it would be OK to let Charles Forest tear up that old clock?” She knew my record better than I.
In a few weeks, I will have completed the Interim Pastorate at Bethel Baptist Church, Ingleside. People have asked me, “What are you going to do next?” I think I’ll open a little “fix-it” shop. I could truthfully advertise myself as “experienced.”