Tuesday, November 27, 2018

2,400 DAYS LATER...

The house renovations are complete.

The house passed final inspection today and will be permitted as a four bedroom, three bathroom house.

A total of 2,400 days of working on our home.

Since May 2, 2012.

Finally...

Done.

Now the tax assessor will churn his or her numbers.

Oh joy.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

ANOTHER NEW USED TRUCK

Only this time it is a white 2014 Sierra Crew Cab 4x4.

Had to trade in the Ram since it didn't really do it for us.

Not enough umph.

Life is going to get a lot better.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Wednesday, November 07, 2018

HOMAGE TO A LITTLE BLACK WIDOW...

During my morning climbs to the top of the stairs, there was a black widow spider that built its web at the bottom of the access door to the top of the building.

For the last seven or eight months every morning, I would see it before it would see me and scurry under the door. Some days she would remain motionless as if to say, "Oh, it's you again."

Our encounters were brief.

"Good morning, little lady."

Now, I don't like black widows, but this one was different. It somehow found its hope at the top of the stairwell. Isolated from the world. Maybe didn't see the light of day. There was no mate for her. She was small. Didn't have the large abdomen like other black widows I had seen. I assume food was scarce. I once thought of bringing crickets for her to kill and eat. I didn't do that.

Last night or this morning, someone had killed it. Her body smashed against the wall. Tragic ending to an innocent life.

I placed her remains in one of the flower gardens where she will be able to see the sunrise. Maybe for the first time. If not in life, at least in death.

I will miss our encounters at the top of the stairwell.

I will continue to wish her, "Good morning, Little Lady," each time I ascend to the top floor in her memory.

So long, little black widow.


Thursday, November 01, 2018

ON THE 50TH DAY...

My wife submits her retirement paperwork.