Then Lisa did some work on her large van. While waiting for her to give me something to do -- "hold on to this pry-bar and pull as hard as you can while I tighten the alternator into place" -- I did some pruning of the bushes that always threaten to overcome the trailer. Unfortunately, I attacked a branch that was too thick for these shears and managed to break the wooden handle of the sheers. I was releived that Lisa didn't complain too much about my not knowing my own strength. She says she can fix the sheers, so they're not a write-off.
Am being pretty useful here working from my father-in-law's house, and have been at it since 7 AM, and therefore do not feel at all guilty about knocking off at 3 PM to drive up to Portland for Lisa's appointment.