The readers, part I: ladder tales

Naturally, Tuesday's column (Ladder, husband: What can go wrong?) produced a bunch of ladder stories from readers. "I think we all have a ladder story," one comments, and it must be true. My favorite was from a guy who was recording his wife as she put the star on the Christmas tree as her ladder toppled into the tree. He had to decide whether to try to catch her, or keep recording. Hint: the result is on YouTube, although sadly, I've lost the link.

Here are some other ladder tales, the first from a guy who fell in his garage, and THEN while remodeling his closet:

I was putting the very last clothes pole hanger on the wall when the little 3-step ladder that I was using tipped. I completely demolished one of the organizers -- with my head... Garage falls seem to be catching.  Two weeks after my fall, gal 3 doors down fell in her garage and broke her arm. Two weeks after that, the old timer across the street fell in his garage and had to do my thing -- ride on the backboard to ER for stitches/staples in the head. Stay safe -- dc, Largo

Just wanted you to know you have joined the ranks of men "who do it themselves"  I did the same thing on an aluminum ladder and it buckled on me and I hit the bricks.  I was cleaning gutters with no one home so no one saw me fall.  Make sure you get a check on your back. -- William Henrickson

I think we all have a ladder story. Here’s mine; back in the 80’s I owned a big 2 story brick home in Ft. Erie Ontario . My wife wanted me to paint the area’s that needed painting the eves, trim and the under eves on the 2nd floor... as I reached the top the ladder started sliding down the wall as the legs on the ground kicked out. I was screaming as I rode the ladder to the ground.... I split both my shins when the ladder it the ground and I bounced on it. The worst is till this day I hear about it.. I left that dam ladder in the garage when we moved to Florida . -- Jim Siragusa

Now, this gentleman ups the suspense value by including a chain saw:

In Michigan a few decades back, at a spry young 53 I had a similar, perhaps a bit more hazardous adventure. A 60 foot pine in the middle of my driveway was trimmed up to about 20 feet. I decided to trim it up higher. In shorts and T shirt with a well padded pair of athletic shoes, I put up my 20 foot extension ladder. It was at a very steep angle and as I reached the top with chainsaw in my right hand, I lost my balance and departed the ladder... Following my 3 point landing I regained my composure and shut off the chainsaw; after laying it on the drive I noted no scratches or bruises. After shedding a bit of shock, I decided the tree was trimmed high enough. -- Ol' (careful) Miller

And this note from my colleague Jeff Klinkenberg, which could be titled, "Snakes On A Ladder":

Friend of mine, Sheryl James (won Pulitzer for us in '91) was married to a real handyman by name of eric. I think it was (Tom) French who hired Eric to repair the screens in his eaves that had been ripped open by starlings. So Eric is on a tall ladder. He reaches through the torn screen to remove bird nest. Out fall a four foot yellow rat snake. Eric's body races snake to the ground. Both snake and man survived the experience.

Comments

[Jen from Michigan]

Bear in mind, I am from cold wintry Michigan.

About 10 years back, we had "Ice Dams" in our gutters, causing our roof to leak. A professional would charge over $500 to clear the ice. My family couldn't afford it.

Being the youngster (24), I hauled out the ladder and ax, dressed warm, climbed onto the roof and started chopping the ice. Meanwhile, my mom and grandmother went to Home Depot for Calcium Chloride to help soften the ice.

At one point, I reach where the ladder is and go to move it over. No....it collapses.

So here I am, jeans and gloves soaked, freezing and wanting to go inside and warm up.

I lay on my stomach, pound on the door. No answer. (My grandfather said later he thought I was still chopping ice). Just as I was trying to decide which option is better....try to shimmy down a nearby evergreen, or jump into the snow...my neighbor stepped outside.

There I am on the roof screaming "ED! HELP" He came over and set the ladder back up for me. THAT'S when my grandfather came to the door.....