A day can be a mix of good, not so good, and sometimes awful.
It is hard to be away from Toronto and have two good friends in not very good shape in hospital. Phonecalls and emails only fill you in on so much of it. Thoughts of them underline my day, every hour a stray thought. How are they? Is he out of the coma?
I’ve been having long overdue work done. A wooden floor has now been put in an empty shell of a new garage abandoned with abundant promises of return ‘in the fall’ in 2007 by my erstwhile handyman. I’ve also had a professional looking 16’ workbench and shelves for the tools installed in same. And hooks for hangy things. I’ve already started an empty tin collection for nails and screws. I’m a great one for the gear around the stuff. Though I must say I’m looking forward to fixing up some chairs and refinishing furniture in my very own workshed. And oh yes, Strawbella is looking forward to her new HQ.
I’d not found another handyman, you see, finding a new anything in this little outport is very difficult, due to village politics and people being related and that kind of thing. I couldn’t offend prior handyman even if he hadn’t shown up for 2 years. Joe, my new one, is a brother of Leo, my factotum. And the matter was handled very delicately indeed, my being privy to such ways on a small island off the coast of Ireland in the summers of my childhood and having a full drenching in village-speak. I should give lessons.
Electrifying said garage has been another story. Ditches were dug for the tubing, lines were strung, and hookups were connected to my impressive looking electrical panel in the house (completed 2 years ago with circuit breakers and ‘enough power to light up the village’ per installer). The panel box reacted most unfavourably to this assault and tripped breakers, shorting out my stereo speakers permanently it looks like. I’m fair lost without my music and my CBC, I am.
An SOS went out for an electrician to sort out the mess. Electricians are very thin on the ground in this neck of the woods. The fellow who replaced my antique system two years ago was only in town briefly on vacation and is now back at his millionaire job in the Yukon. Another local is adverse to any extra work as he likes to spend his day job earnings at night on on-line poker. Another is on the town council and doesn’t want his handiwork exhibited locally because of insurance (?!).
You see the disadvantages of living in a very small community?
But I have faith. I do. Really.
I only have to look at the wee farm out back (I’ve got potatoes, I’ve got onions, I’ve got collards, yeah collards!!!) and then over my shoulder at the ocean and thank Gaia for creating such a paradise and for plopping me in the middle of it.
One reason we wanted to move into a house which was fully renovated was so we didn't have that headache of trying to track down reliable, conscientious tradespeople. But you seem to be making progress in getting your house the way you want it. And that incredible scenery is certainly worth a bit of household hassle....
ReplyDeleteIt's good to read that you see the glass half full if not almost filled to the rim. Frustrations abound, but you do not let them spoil your happiness. And you have a very good vegetable patch, which many of us have to do without.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine you missing your music, however, but you must sing yourself a lot and I know you can and I hope you get your share of local music, because surely there is talent around to liven things up a bit. If not, you can organize that easily, Just say you have a hunkering for it. Or have a potluck with music.
The photograph is wonderful, Mary, and speaks volumes about freedom and beauty and the pull of the sea. May you have a very happy summer.
Hugs,
Irene
Ha yes living in a small community.All what you wrote has a familiar ring.
ReplyDeleteGFB
Sigh - oh look at that beach, that sea!!! Heaven ! Enjoy, WWW - the wee difficulties are as naught. :-)
ReplyDeleteyes, patience all the time Nick when it comes to getting things done here. I need the lesson being a tantrummy personality when things don't go my way, we're all here for correction to our defects of character.
ReplyDeleteGood for you in getting a house out of a box so to speak!
XO
WWW
Irene:
ReplyDeleteMethinks I'll have to get a new music box, I'm not living too well without it and my dialup can't give me anything on line!!
Backatcha for summer dreams!
XO
WWW
GFB:
ReplyDeleteUs off the beaten track folks have downsides everywhere!!
XO
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T:
ReplyDeleteI can tolerate a whole pile in the name of living in such natural grandeur!
XO
WWW
Oh, Wise Woman, I so relate to all this. I have had built so many things on this island I live on, and have been through many builders and handy men. We function on "island time". That means it might get done next year. Might. But the beauty is worth it. And now, in my very old age I have been given the gift of a husband who can fix and build anything. He's old, too, so I sometimes insist that he get help from the occasional handy man. The one we have now is so busy he didn't have time for a small bit of fence. No recession in the handy man world.
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know I'm still about and catching up on your bloggings. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Paris is my favorite city. How I miss it. It's three years now, since I was last there.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have your hands full at home. I, too, have been keeping busy. I have to, or the Illinois summers will see me in a psychiatric ward. We are slaves to our environment. I long for the shorter days because they bring coolness, and relief from the interminable humidity; you mourn the passing of summer. Were I in a more temperate clime I would feel as you do.
Early July will see me on the Upper Peninsular of Michigan - on the banks of Lake Superior - for a week of freedom from the foetid air of Heartland America. I can't wait.
Anne:
ReplyDeleteWe learn from each other and are aware of the trade-offs of choosing this lifestyle!
XO
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RJA:
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you that you are escaping to a more watery and temperate climate for a while. It sounds like you desperately need it!
XO
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