Doesn’t Need Me, Still Letting Me
Hang Around
My most recent post had me secure in my relationship with Mrs. Cranky because she needed me. She needed me to open our front door which had a sticky lock. The bolt gets difficult to move every winter. At 60 degrees it seems to work. Apparently, she only needs me in the Winter, but that makes her keep me around during the warmer seasons. Until now.
Mrs. C wanted
to just get a new lock. I didn’t think
that would make a difference. I was convinced
the issue was between the bolt and the door plate.
I thought
about chiseling out the door and moving the plate a fraction of an inch so the
bolt would not stick. I had second
thoughts. Maybe my adjustment would make
the door have a jiggly fit when the weather warmed up.
We called
our friendly contractor Frank, who has done so many jobs for us that he gives
advice for free…also he has friends in common with Mrs. C from way back.
Frank had a
job nearby and offered to come around and take a look.
After about
thirty seconds of examining the issue he asked if I had some two inch
screws. I managed to dig out several
from my trusty jar of mish-mashed nuts, bolts and screws that I have saved from
left over job for sixty years.
Frank replaced
the screws in the doors top hinge.
Apparently the door was out of plumb by a tiny bit due to the door hinge 1 1/2 inch screws being imperceptibly loose.
With the
door back in plumb the door lock engages and disengages like butter.
I guess I
better be on my best behavior for a while.

