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Rummaging Around for a Superhero

I’m a lightweight. So I’m trying to figure out how to lift the heavy propane tank for my gas grill out of the trunk of the car. I asked a neighbor, who cordially let me know he has a bad back. My next strategy is to invite a friend over for dinner, by way of the garage. Suggestions?

Image: Ian Stevenson

Discussion

9 comments for “Rummaging Around for a Superhero”

  1. Michele says:

    I sometimes think I became an excellent cook just to have friends come over and do me favors like that. Next up is buying an area rug for my dining room, which is the size of a small banquet hall, and inviting someone with a truck to help me haul it and drag it up the stairs. I also have a brawny male business partner who always asks if he needs to bring his tools before he comes over dinner meetings.

  2. Winegoddesstx says:

    Do you have more/other neighbors you can ask? I am so fortunate in the neighbor department. It’s one of the reasons I can’t see myself ever moving. I’m surrounded by very sweet married couples and the husbands are always so helpful with the heavy lifting. If they see me with something heavy or awkward, they immediately offer to help. For the last two years, one of my neighbors has climbed up on the roof to hang christmas lights for me – I never asked him to do this – he just volunteered because he knows I don’t have a tall enough ladder. If a tree limb comes down in my yard during a hurricane, they will come over to cut it up and haul it away without even asking me. The wives help with dog-sitting when I travel,or chasing down my dog when he gets out of the yard sometimes, and they all have keys to my house in case of emergency. I reciprocate with dog-sitting, occasional parties at my house, baked goods, and lots of wine.
    Is there a maintenance person on-site you can ask for assistance, or a workman in the area you can tip?
    Cheers!

  3. Rosanne says:

    If all else fails, you could try task rabbit (www.taskrabbit.com). Friends of mine in SF have used it for emergency tasks that are too much for one person to do solo.

  4. wendy says:

    I’ve never heard of task rabbit. It’s good to know about it. Thanks, Rosanne.

  5. Richard says:

    When my mother was away a few days, she asked me to water her outdoor plants. I did not. I took great care of her cat, but ignored the plants. On the day of her return, I planned to water the plants on the way to the airport, so the soil would be moist. But I got held up at work and had to go to the airport directly. A female friend agreed to help. As she later told me, she bought water at a convenience store, watered the outdoor plants, and put the dead leaves in her purse. My superhero.

  6. wendy says:

    That’s a great story, Richard. I’m so glad you shared it.

  7. knazna says:

    I weigh 110#, lift the gas filled tank out of my car and then carry it 150 ft to my back yard and then install it into my grill base.
    I think your problem is much more than being a “lightweight”

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