Duh No. 64: Dish Dispenser Surprise
For almost a year, I have monthly been contorting my body under the sink to unscrew, fill and then screw on the dish detergent dispenser reservoir. Last week I happened to pull off the dispenser’s plunger on top of the sink and, Duh, I realized I could fill the dispenser from that top opening.  Now, I use the soap dispenser with abandon, since it is so very easy to refill.

Duh No. 65:  Suck It Up
I struggled for years with a broom and dustpan, picking up sand and dirt that accumulates along the outside edge of the back of the house.  Last week I had taken the vacuum cleaner to the backyard to empty the filter container. Then it hit me, Duh. I attached the wand and hose. In a jiffy I had sucked up all that sand and dirt.

Duh No. 66: Backyard Beautification
For years there were cracks in the patio concrete, the backyard fence looked awful, and the dirt alongside of my above-ground pool looked terrible.  This week I painted the fence, began repairing the cracks, and laid down wood chips near the pool.  Duh. It is amazing how these simple little jobs have beautified the yard.

Duh No. 67:  Even More Fiber
I thought my high fiber cereal, with eight grams of fiber, was the best way I could get my daily fiber.  I recently purchased whole wheat tortillas that have 12 grams of fiber each.  Goodbye sandwiches and hello tortilla wraps.

Duh No. 68: A Shady Deal
The umbrella mounted on our backyard table did give me a bit of shade. However, I rarely ventured out to the yard to work on projects because the umbrella’s shade was just not enough.  I wasn’t sure it was a good idea when my wife recently suggested we buy a Sunsetter retractable awning for the backyard.  Duh. It was a great idea.  The tremendous amount of shade not only keeps the yard cooler, it enables me to spread out my stuff on two tables protected from the sun.

Duh No. 69:  Getting a Charge
How quickly my iPhone battery discharges when I am having fun away from an electric outlet.  For a few dollars I purchased a very small charger for my iPhone.  Duh. Now I can relax outdoors all day with my iPhone while I watch entire movies, do research or play games.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com