The Handyman (Not)

Anyone who knows me well, wouldn't trust me with hanging a picture in their back bedroom. I am not too handy when it comes to fixing things. However, I did decide to try my luck yesterday with fixing the deadbolt lock on my front metal screen door.

I had been living at risk recently after my friend Michael (who will remain anonymous) was visiting from San Diego a few weeks ago. He tried to force the lock, somehow jamming it to the point where it would not turn one iota. I decided that having a breeze come through the door at night was a priority over my personal safety.

I finally got around to attempting the fix yesterday. I unscrewed the deadbolt from the door and with the lock apart, was able to loosen whatever was tight and then sprayed some WD-40 on it. Now the hard part: I had to put it back together again!

I put everything through the hole in the door, but try as I might, I could not get both screws to line up at the same time. I would get one screw in the hole but the second one would not want to go anywhere near its hole. I would try the reverse, putting the opposite screw in the hole first, but still the second screw would not go in (there probably is a line in there somewhere, but this is supposed to be a clean site!). I was getting perplexed and frustrated, and I was realizing that I had not improved in home improvements.

Then I noticed something as I looked at the front of the lock. The key hole was upside down! Guess what? I turned it around and amazingly both screws lined up with the holes. I got it back together and now my deadbolt locks again! it is amazing how simple something can be when you actually do it the right way.

Even though I eventually experienced success, I doubt if I will be trying anything much more sophisticated then this in the near future. At least I can once again sleep securely at night.