This afternoon I went to tackle (and burn) the big leaf pile.

I got it fluffed up a bit, then discovered that I had no charcoal lighter fluid. If I don't sprinkle that around, the fire frequently doesn't get going.

And then I discovered that, if I do have matches, they are hiding.

I went to WalMart and, with the help of an "associate" found some matches. Actually, he went and handed me a three-pack of wooden matches. They will work, but I would have preferred strike-anywhere rather than the "safety" kind. There's seldom enough scratching surface on the box for all the matches.

I did not find charcoal fire starter.

One problem was that there were no motorized carts available, and hiking around WalMart can be quickly tiring (and hurting.)

Eventually I headed back home. At least I have some wooden matches. It will probably be Tuesday before I'm back to yard activities.

Today I got a e-mail from my stepson's mother. Mike was in Japan for the earthquake/tsunami/etc.

Her good news is that he had gotten out.

That is good news indeed!!

I'll try to remember to stop on my way home tomorrow for matches.