It’s not that I don’t like the cabin, or my house. I appreciate having solid, wood-lined walls, and a deck where the only view is trees, hillsides and valleys. They’re both at 2,000 feet elevation, so I have a wealth of Southern Appalachian flora and fauna to observe. What I mind is that owning property … read more Labor daze
Tag: maintenance
Lop lop loppers
On the drive in Friday, Tom flinched every time a branch scraped against Xena on Booger Hollow’s narrow and rhododendron-infested roads. So today, I got out the loppers to trim them back. It was a three-hour chore. But the destructive beast inside me was growling with delight to be off the leash. Loppers were unfamiliar to … read more Lop lop loppers
Old guys who can fix things
When Darren’s father got out of the truck, I was dismayed. This plumbing company is a father-son business. I was hoping that Darren was the father and that he was apprenticing his 20-something son. But Darren, in his late 40s, is the son. His father is 75. Now, don’t get me wrong. Donald, the dad, is … read more Old guys who can fix things
Miles of smiles
Today we sold Anna Mae, our jeep for more than seven years. I felt a real loss, as though I’d sold my youth. If you’ve owned a jeep, you might be sighing and a little sad, like me. Or you might be clapping your hands and saying, “Good for you – good riddance!” Jeeps are like … read more Miles of smiles
Day 44: Another reason I love the South
I love my termite guy. He shows up once a year, inspects the house inside and out, never criticizes my housekeeping, and I hand him a check for $75. That’s not why I love him, though I am grateful for the professional service. No, what I love is that he likes to talk about bugs, … read more Day 44: Another reason I love the South
Day 15: Sorted
Brits use the term “sorted” in a way I’ve come to like. “Well that’s sorted” refers to a problem that’s been solved, an activity that’s been organized or a task that’s been accomplished. I like to sort things. I like to solve problems most of all – it’s one of my favorite things in any job. But also … read more Day 15: Sorted
Day 9: Shredding
It’s been far, far too long since I’ve cleaned up my desk and my office, and it’s interfering with my art. I work at home, and my office space is about 15 feet across and 10 feet deep. It’s divided between business and art. The paperwork piles up and spills onto the artwork; the art … read more Day 9: Shredding
Day 8: Maintenance of beauty
I’ve been working to improve the NearMedia company website today, by adding photos to the projects that are listed. This is the sort of tedious work that I can’t delegate. I have all my photos fairly well organized, but since I have many tens of thousands of photos, it still takes time to find the … read more Day 8: Maintenance of beauty