back yard, finished for now

I'm done spending large sums of money, for now. I hope. After I freaked out over the cost we scaled back the plan -- fewer plants, bark chips in place of crushed rock (except in the area near the gate), and no lighting. I am OK with it, for now. The best thing is that I can step outside without descending into a trench, and when I come back inside I don't bring dirt with me.

Thanksgiving was good. I enjoyed having mom and dad stay with me, and I think they were relatively comfortable. We ate our breakfasts and lunches around the island. But I was very happy to see everyone sitting around my table for Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, I didn't stop to take any pictures. I was too busy trying to get everything on the table. The kitchen floor survived the activity -- I won't lie, I was thinking about it!

Today the rain has moved through in stages -- rain, sun, more rain, rain with sun. Now the sun is setting under dark clouds, but when I look east I see blue sky. Another storm is coming tonight, I think.

I am doing my second load of laundry of the day. Jonathan came over earlier to eat some of my leftover turkey and tell me that he's moving to Panama in January. Not selling his house, yet -- but certainly opting out of the Trump administration. The situation is bad enough for people like me -- I can't imagine how it must feel for people who aren't white.

back yard

Landscaping in progress. I took these on Friday morning. The peach tree has been removed and the soil has been leveled and on Monday (weather permitting) they will begin installing the irrigation line(s), putting in the steps, laying the tiles, spreading the bark chips, and planting.

It rained most of the day. I did not go outside at all. I cleaned and sorted and put more things away. I am running the dishwasher for the first time, and eating lentil curry with rice.

Mom and Dad arrive tomorrow night. I think the house will be ready for them, more or less. I vacuumed and set up the cot in the front bedroom, then shelved the rest of my books. I figured out how to change the settings for the water heater, and put all the appliance instruction manuals in a brown envelope. Will probably still wonder where they are whenever I need to look something up.

There are boxes scattered around -- some need to go back in the shed and others contain stuff to donate to Good Will. Tomorrow, I hope. I would like to go buy a new pillow or maybe two and get some groceries -- including beverages for Deborah's crew. Here's hoping I can motivate myself. It's so tempting just to stay home, especially when it's raining and the daylight doesn't last very long.

pier 24

Went to the gallery at pier 24 with CE last week. A clean, white rabbit warren of rooms. I loved the room with the Eggleston photos, and I saw a few portraits by an unknown (to me) photographer that reminded of Daniel's street photos. I'd like to go back.

It was soothing to be looking at art in a quiet space -- a young docent spoke to me in a hushed voice once or twice, but there were no visitors other than CE and myself. You have to make an appointment in advance, and it could be that they only allow a small number of people for each time slot.

Afterward CE and I had a drink and talked about our post-election shock and dismay and dread.

November

It was November -- the month of crimson sunset, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. 

-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Done, sort of

I haven't posted for so long because the final stages were a big rush and not everything happened the way I wanted it to. The laundry closet doors, the backsplash behind the stove, the noise generated by the water heater, the darkness of the countertops . . . I am getting over it. Especially now that the election is over and we're all shell-shocked, it doesn't matter very much whether I redo that backsplash or if I have to pay for a second set of closet doors.

Also, and in any case, I know I have a design disorder that causes me to feel like the reality doesn't live up to my expectations. I always need a little time to get over that kind of disappointment.