Three Wise Men

Yesterday we were visited by our three wise men: Ryan, James and Norman.

James discovered a mystery vent. He’s back today working on the basement part of the bedroom floor project.

Ron and I moved some stuff from the part of the living room which will be the main event next week to the sunroom.

Aside from that, a transfer station run with recyclables and an offload of compostable leftovers at Wild Soul River, I haven’t done much today.

Bennington

Our plumber needed to shut off the water to replace the pipes leading to the sewer, so we elected to spend the day in Bennington.

We had a great day.

Originally we were going to check in to a motel but they’d forgotten to add our reservation to their system, so we were able to cancel without charge.

We had a veg lunch at the Blue Benn. Ron was surprised that a diner would have a variety of vegetarian options. We couldn’t find much music to play, though.

We spent most of the day, before and after lunch, at the Bennington Museum. Ron was enthralled, so much so that a staff member had to track him down before locking the door for the night.

High school students’ artwork was the subject of one exhibit, and we were struck by several pieces that showed exceptional talent.

While Ron finished his museum viewing after lunch, I walked through the museum’s flower garden and spent the next hour and a half in a spacious pavilion enjoying a thunderstorm.

We came home to find that the ceiling and most of the walls in the “office” were sheetrocked and the new plumbing installed.

Paid the permit fee for the next project, the big one. Missed Norman while we were gone. Ryan and company spent the day here and finished drywalling.

I installed a new Roku purchased yesterday at Bennington Walmart on the way home. It took a while but seems to be working well now.

Unfortunately, my PBS account is not working correctly. My Passport membership is with WGBH but because of where we live, the channel insists on routing me to stations available to Western Mass. That means I can’t access premium shows like Masterpiece.

I’m still wondering if our router is “off” in some way.

Nightmares

Having bad dreams these days, all involving the adopto-horror’s family.

Is the upcoming work on the house the reason?

We are spending tomorrow in Bennington. We’re nervous about not having water all day and I found a hotel that offers day rates. This will also free up half the driveway and a garage bay for building materials. I have some activities in mind like museums should we wish to do something besides surf the web.

Yesterday, Ron picked up and installed a two-way hose splitter that should make watering easier.

The sheet rock is here and in the garage for safekeeping.

I signed off on the loan application at Greylock/North Adams and picked up our lunches at the senior center. Got back in time to say good bye to Bell. Seeing his little hands waving from the giant school bus is a treat!

Introduced Ron to Carr Hardware. Picked up some hose fittings; seems this need never ends.

Ron (good man) is mowing the lawn before the rain. We’re in for several days of it so good to get it done now before the yard looks like a hayfield.

Podcast Song

She Was My Annie by Blue Topaz

Rain

Yesterday there was a torrent in areas east of us, and we got a good soaking. Fortunate because it’s been dry for so long. Vehicles stayed in the garage.

I’d spent a couple of hours heavy cleaning so was grateful to not have to water, too. Vacuumed and bleached bottom shelves and put down new liners. Ran cookware that was on bottom shelves through the dishwasher.

Visited the North Adams and Williamstown Farmers Markets this morning. Very little appealed to me. Afterwards I went to Carr Hardware for shopvac bags and Bartenders.

Later I made a trip to the transfer station, picked up Dennis Lehane’s newest, “Small Mercies” and enjoyed a short walk on the bike path. Three trips that I would have done in one if I’d been more organized.

It feels like I’m holding up the house by will power alone.

Hot Weather, Brace, Bedroom Wiring, Ron’s Hearing Aids

I’ve been having pain in my right hand so, unable to locate our supply of orthopedic equipment, bought a brace and wore it last night. It helped.

It’s been hot, with a cold front and possible t-storms expected later today.

The electrician wired the driveway side bedroom yesterday. Drywall to be installed next week along with remaining plumbing re-dos.

In spite of the heat, the first floor of the house has been surprisingly comfortable but upstairs has been hot. Ron and I hefted the portable air conditioner up the stairs a couple of days ago. To my relief, it works. Have been using it in our bedroom the last two nights and set it up for the electrician yesterday.

Bought two new hoses, 50 and 80 feet, and a cart.

So far, so good on the transplants. I repotted the rhubarb.

Paid the semi-annual water/sewer bill.

This past Tuesday, we passed through Stefanik country to Albany for Ron’s hearing aids. He seems happy with them.

Grands

Spoke with the boys and texted Em. Everyone sounds in good spirits.

Watered the new flowers and swept both sheds. Found a long chain in one of them; cool prop for Halloween?

We buried a slew of mice that were in the “Dogpatch” shed trash cans.

Dead mouse smell in the downstairs bath area.

Did another laundry and now we are caught up.

Plant Sale

Had good luck at the Pine Cobble School plant sale.

Brought home coreopsis, lily of the valley, Siberian iris, rhubarb, snow in summer, bell flower, phlox.

Ron fixed the hose connections. I bought new sprayers.

Did a run to Walmart for my meds and groceries, mostly produce.

Today we went to Ratu’s in Wilmington, VT for low-sulfite white wine. It was a bust but I found two of the varieties listed on PureWow at Shaw’s. https://www.purewow.com/wine/sulfite-free-wines

It was only 20 more miles to Brattleboro so we crossed the state on mostly boring roads until Hogback Mountain. Had lunch at Whetstone Beer but won’t be back: too loud for Ron, too expensive for me. It was good, though.