“We did not change as we grew older, we just became more clearly ourselves.” – Lynn Hall

 My wife accuses me of being pig headed. Not always, but sometimes. For instance, I mostly ignore directions. Specifically HOW TO things

How to assemble.

How to use.

Like most guys, I don’t need no stinking instructions. I’m a guy.

So our toilet bowl flushing device quit. A problem demanding immediate attention.

I’ll fix that.

Do you know what you need my wife asked with skepticism?

Of course. I’m a guy as I thundered out the door. Off to Lowes to get a new flushing mechanism.

A bit of a dilemma. Lowes had 8,000 devices to choose from.

But, because I’m a guy, I was prepared with a picture of the old malfunctioning device.

Got the correct one and confidently returned home.

I start the repair. Immediately there is a problem. I can’t get the old one out of the tank.

Reluctantly I consult the directions. Aha. That’s what I thought.

I got the old one out and began the installation of the new one.

Thought I had completed the task….turned the water on and uh oh, a leak. Where the water line hooks up to the tank.

I call out to Ann requesting towels and a bucket. Within a few moments she arrives with the items. At this point, there is an inch of water on the floor as the leak continues nonstop.

What the hell is going on Ann asks?

I ignore the question.

Once the situation is under control, I take another look at the old flusher.

Aha. There it is. A washer type thing that was not in the new packaging.

Take it off the old and put on the new.

Problem solved. As I admire my handiwork Ann has the audacity to ask, “Didn’t the package contain the washer type thing a ma bob?”

Did you read the instructions? The part list?

Of course you silly girl. How odd that the new product did not come complete with all the parts.

I know. My thinking exactly.

Ann retreats to another room with an armful of wet towels as I continue to appreciate a job well done.

Like a silent, dark omen, Ann suddenly appears. In her hand are the missing parts.

What the hell? Where did you get those?

With an evil smirk she asks……..Did you read the parts list? The instructions?

Well, I stammered, clutching at straws, I consulted them a few times.

With a low, measured voice she states……….”You are so busted”.

Ann, please don’t tell your mother.

“We shall not grow wiser before we learn that much that we have done was very foolish.” – Friedrich Hayek