DAY OFF

Sleep in late,crack open eye
   yawn and stretch,contented sigh
   I could stay right here in bed
   but I slowly exit instead

Give wife a nudge with my big toe
   get awake we have to go
   to IHOP to eat pancakes
   so lets move for goodness sakes!

I've got more plans than you can count
   if stacked up they'd form a mount
   won't get them all done in one day
   best we get a few out of the way

Now that we have broken fast
   let's get home and start at last
   first on list is mow the grass
   (bet you thought I'd rhyme with ass)

Completed grass now the next chore
   paint  the side and the front door
   maybe blue or perhaps red
   I think forest green instead

Two checked off, now whats next
   on list now looking like a text
   wash and wax better half's car
   but not my truck,I guess thats parr

Got it done now time for lunch
   guess on sandwiches we'll munch
   while in recliner watching news
   eyes droop as I'm 'bout to snooze

But right before I do drop off
   awakened by peremptory cough
   there she stands The List in hand
   the look she gives full of demand

"You said you'd haul trash to the dump
   so get off your sleepy rump"
   "You've got one day to get list done
   and nothing stops the moving sun"

So load the truck full with trash bags
   until the rear suspension sags
   5 miles to dump and 5 miles back
   schedule allowing little slack

On way home stop to get gas
   cashier was a lovely lass
   was no distraction to me
   but boy oh boy was she pretty

List seems to get longer, jeeze!
   and its not helped by aching knees
   each time a task becomes complete
   seems 2 more added to the sheet

Fertilized pecan trees ,ya'll
   so we'll have bumper crop come fall
   puts a strain on my back but
   its worth it when I eat a nut

Next clean last fall's leaves from gutters
   a task that leads to low pitched utters
   of profanities from me
   as knees and ladders don't agree

Time again the squash to pick
   zuchinnies 'bout to make me sick
   seems we eat it every day
   but fried with okra its okay

While picking see the weeds are growng
   which  leads me to a spell of hoeing
   like to keep the garden neat
   as it can be seen from the street

Really starting to get tired
   feeling like my feet are mired
   in a sucking mud of clay
   as sun approaches end of day

Enough time for one more task
   "what is next?"my wife I ask
   get on the deck and start the grill
   we'll charcoal some steaks if you will

Work all day and take a look!
   I even get to supper cook
   but I don't really much mind
   can watch steaks cook while on behind

As we eat T-bones and mellon
   I notice feet and legs are swellin'
   been on my feet working all day
   my "leasure time"now gone away

Don't get me wrong 'cause I don't shirk
   But I'll be glad when back at work!