The front storm door was not latching. It latched a few months ago; why not now?
Idea No. 1 — there is something between the door and the jamb. So I cleaned out a small mud dauber’s nest and other debris from where the door seated. That did not help.
Idea No. 2 — something is keeping the door from closing all the way. So I pounded flat a bump in the flashing. That did not help.
Idea No. 3 — the hole in the latch faceplate is too far back. Before making that opening deeper, I need to remove the faceplate. But, having done that, just out of curiosity, I tried closing the door. The door latched! Why?
Idea No. 4 — Where do ideas come from? Suddenly in my mind was the idea that the door was too low for the latch to catch the faceplate. Was the door sagging? Yes! The problem was not the latch. The door had drooped. All I had to do was tighten the turnbuckle on the storm door. That raised the entire outside edge of the door half an inch, including the door handle and the latch. Bingo! Latch works! It was never broken. A small victory!
In October, 2024, after another small victory, I wrote an essay called “Willing To Look” about a leaking faucet. In that case, I looked and eventually found a simple fix. The moral of that reflection was, “Don’t be afraid to look! And, as you look, be patient while insight and inspiration have a chance to present themselves.” It seems that lesson still proves true. If only I can remember the lessons I have learned! Click here to read that reflection.
PHOTO PRAYER 2025-05
Photo of a storm door handle and latch. Photo and text copyright 2025 by Danny Nelson Schweers.
To make a comment, click here.
To read the essay I wrote for my church, click here.
Subscribe to these as they are created. Click here to learn more.