6.18.6
The Long Swim
My life had rhythm, but now I ride waves. For a long time, there were rhythms in the waves, but now it is just waves— from one limbo to another. I keep thinking, hoping really, that some sort of trough will form into a groove. I’ve had some fantastic creative phases during the past few years, but I can’t seem to nail a groove.
I embarked from the farm’s far autumn remembering so many folks never have had such a life— even trying to own all they can. During the sailing days, the billet by the brook had calmed the twinkling foam; reflections anchored now by rhythms shadowed in the trees. I lingered too long there perhaps, but I couldn’t help it. And now I am just at sea where apportionments needle me— wondering if I’m given over too much or too little, though not unhappy, just alluded by where to be.
Kristi
I am thinking of dear my friend, Kristi Taylor and her 2 children: Kelly and Jeff. I never knew Kristi until after the death of her husband, Bill, a very close friend of mine from the early 70s. Bill was taken by cancer on this date in 1999. Jeff was 4 and Kelly 3.
They are in a good groove now. Kristi has hushed her soul’s somber shriek, transcending fears and tears and much of the loneliness brought on by the great darkness of just a few short years ago. Dim days that for me, birthed a veiled a gift: the blessing of her friendship. Even in winter the world blooms around her. Just knowing Kristi brings me joy.
6.15.6
Well, I thought I could get what I wanted to do here done in 2 weeks. So I estimated a month to be on the safe side. Now, after screwing around with computers, hardware, and a software developer for nearly 2 months, I’m finally working on what I came here to do. But it’s very cool. And while other people were badgering the developer to hurry up with the new Universal Binary version, I was polite and encouraging. For that I was offered a pre-release version to work with. Right now I’m one of only a handful of folks using this package— and it is very cool! In a few years, everyone will be doing karaoke this way!
Joe's New Windows
06.01.06
Replacing Windows
Joe had some leaky old windows in the little mud/laundry room on the back of his house. Since buying the houses here on the corner, he has taken out the door that separates the area from the kitchen. Looks better and is more usable, but there were some big old windows that lost a lot of heat during the winter.
Joe has tried to save on heat loss by keeping them covered with plastic during the winter. But the real solution of course is changing them with something better. Well, he found something better and it was just a matter of putting them in.
Old windows removed
I tore the old windows out first saving as much of the original material as possible.
The new windows are a little larger than old ones. Fortunately, the header ran across the entire wall and no rebuilding of the opening was needed.
Opening from inside
I framed the opening for the new windows. The new windows fit right in.
On the outside, since the windows were larger, I had to rip new trim boards.
New window in & trimmed
The inside was easier to trim. The old trim had framed the whole space, so I planed the pieces and only had to rip the side pieces to make it fit back together. I found some pine to help match the middle pieces.
New windows with trim & marble sill
A really fun part of this project was that Joe has collected some marble and we decided to use some of it to make a heavy duty window sill that he could use for plants and art. To use the marble, we had to rent a saw and cut it. The effort was a new one for me.
Finished project
A little paint and what a difference a day makes!
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