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| Headed to town for plumbing bits... And getting blackfly bites in the process! TAKEN: MAY 17th, 2026 |
Do you remember those old television commercials for Christie Bits & Bites?
You know the one, they aired decades ago starring a weird looking cartoon dude explaining that every time you reach in the bag, "whole new ballgame!” (Here is a YouTube link to click to offer context.)
Well, that commercial is exactly what crossed my mind after my travel buddy hubby and I spent last Saturday turning the water on at the cottage. Every season, I have no idea what I am in for as he has never winterized the cottage the same way twice.
A couple of years ago we discovered the hard way that the upstairs plumbing line were never bled, when the water was turned on the water it began to rain inside.
This year we discovered that he never left the valve on the pressure tank and kitchen faucet open and the trapped water broke the fitting on the tank and the faucet was pooched. The septic? A-OK, which meant we could spend the night.
The next morning, off we went with a laundry list of plumbing requirements. I offered to bring the parts with us, but he assured me he knew what he needed and had taken photos of the fittings.
Now, after almost 40 years of marriage, I definitely pick my battles. What are a few blackfly bites and a couple of hours in several plumbing aisles to support him. I never bit back once and just kept cleaning up the water as he honed his trial and error plumbing skills.
By 3pm Sunday we had cold water, but we still had no hot. He wanted to go back into town as his connection fittings were the wrong size but it was a beautiful day, and I could boil water for the dishes.
As we prepare for retirement and ultimately sell, I feel that enjoying what time we have left to enjoy the space is more important than hot running water.
What he doesn't know is that I have quietly hired a plumber to re-pipe the cottage this summer.
I certainly hope that doesn't mean he will go on strike next spring.
Because if he did, all the local hardware stores calling us because their sales will be down!!
#yagottalaughaboutit
