I can't help but wonder where they came from and how they were moved so far.
There is a story behind everything.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
dating
I recently started dating.
Haven't done that since the Eisenhower years. In fact, I've only had one girl friend in my entire life, so this is a big deal.
I joined an online dating site and have had coffee or lunch with 4 different women. It is interesting. If someone will talk (every one won't), there is so much interest within each person's experience.
Today I had coffee/tea and a piece of cake with one of the brightest women I have known. She didn't need to tell me she was bright, I could tell she just was. It was good. We will see each other again.
Another lady and I sounded like we had been friends for decades after we had been together for just a few minutes. That was a joy.
It has not been too long since my wife died, but I have been single a very long time. This dating thing is both scary and exhilarating. I tell them all up front, that I am not ready for romance, but I would love to be their friend. Don't know what "all" women would do, but these were relieved.
I miss Miriam so much, and no one will ever take her place, but it is time to move around a bit and meet some new people.
Haven't done that since the Eisenhower years. In fact, I've only had one girl friend in my entire life, so this is a big deal.
I joined an online dating site and have had coffee or lunch with 4 different women. It is interesting. If someone will talk (every one won't), there is so much interest within each person's experience.
Today I had coffee/tea and a piece of cake with one of the brightest women I have known. She didn't need to tell me she was bright, I could tell she just was. It was good. We will see each other again.
Another lady and I sounded like we had been friends for decades after we had been together for just a few minutes. That was a joy.
It has not been too long since my wife died, but I have been single a very long time. This dating thing is both scary and exhilarating. I tell them all up front, that I am not ready for romance, but I would love to be their friend. Don't know what "all" women would do, but these were relieved.
I miss Miriam so much, and no one will ever take her place, but it is time to move around a bit and meet some new people.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
trees
Yesterday the tree trimmer guys were here.
I have a big Chinese Elm at the corner of my front yard and a smaller mongrel cherry tree at the other corner. The Elm is trimmed up nicely and the cherry tree is no more. Tomorrow he is to come and grind up the stump.
There is a bunch of cleanup to do though. He would have done more, but I would have needed to pay him more and it is OK any way.
There are several big spreading bushes (Tams I think they were called) that obscure the front of the house. They come out too, but that is my task! I'll cut and dig and slash and burn (except I can't really burn) to get them out.
The new landscape plan calls for a decorative fence with grapes growing on the fence. I had enough grapes to make 100 quarts of fabulous grape juice each year, and I want to get back to that point. The front yard will be a garden more than a yard, but I'll try to keep under the radar for nosy city inspectors. (Neighbors don't mind).
The design I have in mind includes a lot of eatables, berries, fruit, vegetables and as little actual lawn as possible, and it is possible to have none at all. The lot is small and I want it to be productive without me spending all of my time working on it.
Laziness, I maintain, is the first step to progress, but careful quoting me on that one!
I have a big Chinese Elm at the corner of my front yard and a smaller mongrel cherry tree at the other corner. The Elm is trimmed up nicely and the cherry tree is no more. Tomorrow he is to come and grind up the stump.
There is a bunch of cleanup to do though. He would have done more, but I would have needed to pay him more and it is OK any way.
There are several big spreading bushes (Tams I think they were called) that obscure the front of the house. They come out too, but that is my task! I'll cut and dig and slash and burn (except I can't really burn) to get them out.
The new landscape plan calls for a decorative fence with grapes growing on the fence. I had enough grapes to make 100 quarts of fabulous grape juice each year, and I want to get back to that point. The front yard will be a garden more than a yard, but I'll try to keep under the radar for nosy city inspectors. (Neighbors don't mind).
The design I have in mind includes a lot of eatables, berries, fruit, vegetables and as little actual lawn as possible, and it is possible to have none at all. The lot is small and I want it to be productive without me spending all of my time working on it.
Laziness, I maintain, is the first step to progress, but careful quoting me on that one!
Sunday, February 23, 2014
new neighbors
The house across the street has a long succession of owners and renters.
No one did more than cursory upgrade and it got worse and worse. Last year a contractor family bought the house and did a pretty decent remodel.
This week the new renters moved in.
There is a twenty something guy and his girl friend, the guy's x-wife and her boyfriend plus a few kids of assorted sizes.
Wow. That is a lot more complex than I would wish to deal with,
But I am a chicken, I guess.
No one did more than cursory upgrade and it got worse and worse. Last year a contractor family bought the house and did a pretty decent remodel.
This week the new renters moved in.
There is a twenty something guy and his girl friend, the guy's x-wife and her boyfriend plus a few kids of assorted sizes.
Wow. That is a lot more complex than I would wish to deal with,
But I am a chicken, I guess.
49 Merc
49 Mercury couple, seriously chopped and lowered. They had not really figured a way to lower the front, so it was not the "slammed look" we see now, but that back end was low.
The interior was one or two colors of Naugahyde, which is better to look at than to sit on.
And the twin spotlights was necessary too.
And, I swiped the photograph.
Monday, February 17, 2014
quiet
Living alone is a bit of a pain at times.
There isn't an extra hand, even a shorter one. No one tells me that is the wrong shirt, or shoes, or that my hair needs attention. When my the food is not wonderful, I eat it any way.
The house is quiet, unless I turn on a radio. I have the TV on a fair amount, but hardly ever with the sound on. Silent company it is! In my cabinet shop I had a TV that was on all the time. I rarely changed channels and never raised the volume, but when I looked up there was almost always somebody there in the shop with me.
Still, when tempted to make an effort to change the aloneness, I remember a bit from the Big Book. I badly paraphrase: “It is better to live alone in a cave alone and with a modicum of peace, than in a mansion with a cantankerous mate.”
Since I have no experience with living with an even mildly cantankerous mate, I need to be especially careful, I guess.
Lately I have had a few encounters with widows, tea/lunch type encounter. None were evil in any way, but none lit any candles. I have developed a friendship with a recent widow. When I told her I was not ready for a serious romance at this time, but that I sure could use a friend or two, she relaxed visibly!
It is monday morning and I have work to do!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Another old one!
I bought this car for Miriam’s birthday 22 years ago (then spent 5 years paying for the gift!). It is a decent ride and I like it and I intend to drive it on and on.
We have kept it well maintained, and it is paid for. A thousand dollar repair is about 3 months payment on a new or newer rig. I can replace the engine and be ahead! Lately I have been on a roll with a few upgrades. Even old guys like a good sounding sound system, I have one. I had the front seats re-upholstered. I bought new carpet. Sound insulation is coming. It will be a decent ride.
I have a newer full sized pickup that I used when I was a contractor, but it gets 15 mpg average (about half of the Cavalier) and will be sold after I get my house remodel lined out.
Someone suggested that one way to drive a classic car is to buy it new and keep on driving it! I’ll do that!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Singer Slant-O-Matic
Last week I bought a sewing machine.
It is an old Singer, like 1960 Singer. Miriam bought one back just like it when they were new. Along the way it was gifted, so rather than ask for the original back, I bought one.
It is one of the solid old ladies, a 401a. No plastic gears, just go and go, and it is heavy! And this one is pristine. If it was used it was used very little. That is good. When I saw that, I didn’t even question the price, I just pulled out the cash!
When I was 11 or 12 I sewed quite a bit, on Mom's old strait stitch Singer. Don't intend to sew clothes, but totes and curtains and such, things to make my life a bit more organized and warmer! But mostly I want to make insulated Roman Shades for all of my outside windows!
And, today I ordered a yard of “Warm Windows”, a multiply ply blind material that is pretty close to state of the art at this point. I can promise you that this first one will not be fabulous, but it is in my bedroom!
And, if necessary, I can keep the door locked when I have visitors! (Or I could do it over).
Either way, pictures will follow!
It is an old Singer, like 1960 Singer. Miriam bought one back just like it when they were new. Along the way it was gifted, so rather than ask for the original back, I bought one.
It is one of the solid old ladies, a 401a. No plastic gears, just go and go, and it is heavy! And this one is pristine. If it was used it was used very little. That is good. When I saw that, I didn’t even question the price, I just pulled out the cash!
When I was 11 or 12 I sewed quite a bit, on Mom's old strait stitch Singer. Don't intend to sew clothes, but totes and curtains and such, things to make my life a bit more organized and warmer! But mostly I want to make insulated Roman Shades for all of my outside windows!
And, today I ordered a yard of “Warm Windows”, a multiply ply blind material that is pretty close to state of the art at this point. I can promise you that this first one will not be fabulous, but it is in my bedroom!
And, if necessary, I can keep the door locked when I have visitors! (Or I could do it over).
Either way, pictures will follow!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Take 2 or whatever
My name is Dave. I live in SW Idaho in an area that was desert before dams were built and canals dug to bring irrigation. I was born in this town, and while once it was home to parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, they are all gone now. Only my sister remains.
Though I was born here I have moved around the NW, though I did put in 5 years in North Texas. Recently I lost the love of my life (we have been together since we were 15) and so I am starting again. My life with Miriam was a wonderful adventure, but now it is time for a new adventure.
I am healthy enough and I have the tools and the knowledge to return to life as a small time building contractor but I’d rather learn to live with what I have and spend my time on other things. After losing Miriam my income is greatly reduced, but I can make it work and have a great adventure along the way.
This is about my adventure. I think I have an idea of how it is going to go, but the fun part is the unexpected.
We have 4 beautiful and strong daughters, 4 granddaughters and 7 grandsons (plus another granddaughter who lives clear across the country that I have adopted as my other granddaughter. She set up this blog and the one before it. Bless her!).
I am blessed beyond measure, and i am smart enough to know it!
All of the photographs are mine, unless I say otherwise.
I’ll post a few times a week, but no politics and no religion - promise!
Though I was born here I have moved around the NW, though I did put in 5 years in North Texas. Recently I lost the love of my life (we have been together since we were 15) and so I am starting again. My life with Miriam was a wonderful adventure, but now it is time for a new adventure.
I am healthy enough and I have the tools and the knowledge to return to life as a small time building contractor but I’d rather learn to live with what I have and spend my time on other things. After losing Miriam my income is greatly reduced, but I can make it work and have a great adventure along the way.
This is about my adventure. I think I have an idea of how it is going to go, but the fun part is the unexpected.
We have 4 beautiful and strong daughters, 4 granddaughters and 7 grandsons (plus another granddaughter who lives clear across the country that I have adopted as my other granddaughter. She set up this blog and the one before it. Bless her!).
I am blessed beyond measure, and i am smart enough to know it!
All of the photographs are mine, unless I say otherwise.
I’ll post a few times a week, but no politics and no religion - promise!
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