Rod-2; Laurel-0

See that fallen shower curtain? I think it will become the bane of my existence while I am in this old farmhouse.

I did a load of laundry down in the spooky basement and hung a couple of shirts upon the rod to dry. Of course, the drying process took about three days. You don't realize how convenient a dry climate really is until your hair frizzes to the size of a lion's mane and your shrinkable attire needs an eternity to release all moist molecules.

Anyway, the air drying use of the rod seemed not to burden it. After showering and using a second towel since the one used earlier in the day was still damp, I threw the second towel over the rod as well. I moved on with my day, not giving a second thought to the strain the plastic device was under.

Later that evening, I visited the facilities when suddenly I was joined by 2 shirts, 2 hangers, a damp towel, a curtain rod and a shower curtain. No injury, just surprise. I instantly realized-wet towel, too much.

I got the step ladder and negotiated every possible configuration that might allow for an open ladder, pedestal sink and commode (so close together you can take care of business and wash your hands before standing back up) and failed. I considered stepping on the toilet seat and the edge of the tub, but the vision of my foot plunging into the basin and my arms yanking the pedestal sink away from the wall eliminated that option. I did not want to be a part of that comedy of errors. So, I pulled a Scarlett O'Hara and "worried about it another day."

Later that night...

I had had some good incubation time and discovered a ladder placement that raised my arms to the needed height. I worked with the rod until I discovered how to tighten its position and then got down to business. After about 20 minutes of flailing the curtain around (couldn't handle the rod first due to plastic rings that would break if opened) fighting the predetermined position of the rod, keeping the rod firmly stretched and twisting it to tighten the hold on the tile walls, I faced success.

This morning, while showering, the curtain maintained an respectable distance, (I had mounted the curtain slightly further from the tub's edge so it would not latch onto my skin while showering) and did not plunge into the tub during the morning cleaning. I was pleased.

While in the creepy basement folding clothes, there arose such a clatter. Yup, you guessed it. The rod gave way despite my intentional act of eliminating any additional stress. Will this become a ritual for the duration of my stay?

Stay tuned...