TheCapeBlog

Yesterday we changed the sheets and Ron did a laundry.

Had to skip writers group today, our leader was ill.

Ron is mowing, front and back.

Went to Stop & Shop for coffee and blueberry muffins, got stuck at the intersection of Cole and North Hoosac on the way home.

Got to see the boys, though. They were in costume to represent their books: cool! Ben was a skeleton to suggest an anatomy book; Bell was wearing a big tie. I think his inspiration was a book about a tie-toting mouse or maybe a cat.

Made soup and salad for lunch: chickpea pumpkin soup with sage and elbow noodles and salad with greens, celery, radish and feta. Ron made scrambled eggs for supper.

Neighbor across the street is allowing us to park in the driveway of his rental house. He came over to introduce himself. We continue to be blown away by the kindness of our neighbors.

I think Geico is going to insure us for homeowners. Filled out an application today, waiting to see if they want to do an inspection. Roofer will be here earlier than expected, November 5, which is good.

More demands from Pittsfield about paying Matt. I am beside myself and hoping it all goes away on Monday.

We drove up to Wigwam Summit but it looks like foliage is past peak.

Stopped for our produce on the way home. Skipped a jazz concert at Williams College. Dislike the venue although I suspect I’d have liked the music.

It took a year and half to get financed, but it’s done now. A kind neighbor is letting us park the Corolla in his driveway until everything sets. The crew even filled in a pothole at the end of the driveway.

Yesterday Ron and I raked the back yard. He also cleaned the deck and moved most of the leaves to the woods. I did some minor cleanup along the driveway this morning.

Two people and two machines from Matt’s crew were here. Seeing the machines is very exciting: a bobcat and a compactor. Later on they dropped off a paver.

The photographer and reporter from the Eagle dropped by as planned. Totally lovely people but I was so stressed that I babbled, semi-conscious, through the interview.

Matt wanted to pave today but the asphalt plant in Lee wasn’t making base material. He hopes to get it tomorrow.

Meanwhile, more grief from Berkshire Planning. Now they need a letter and an invoice.

Ron was keen on early voting so we went to Town Hall to vote and get transfer station stickers. Stopped for coffee afterwards and chatted with a very pleasant retired attorney who we’d seen at the Town Hall polls.

I put a list of home improvements together for the Eagle reporter. It came to over $127,000. Have we overimproved?

Chunks of Impossible Burger, fries and broccoli for supper tonight. Good.

On on our way back from Hairpin Turn and the WigWam summit on Friday, we visited the latest exhibit, a delightful multimedia collaboration, at the Eclipse Mill.

On Thursday evening, I drove East to Florida Mountain to see the Harvest Moon rise.

Today I roasted vegetables, potatoes and beets. Ate a divine radish pre-lunch. Had to toss the radicchio, it was too bitter to eat.

Ron did a transfer station run and brought home vegetarian burritos from the Farmers Market.

I tried washing one of the living room windows but did a horrible job.

Paid bills.

Attended the writers workshop.

Did a little garden pruning.

Argument with Ron about priorities.

Rearranged downstairs closet so vacuum would fit.

Feel like a lazy slob.

We pasted address labels on 750 postcards for Josh Riley, the Democratic candidate for NY 19th congressional district (Catskills, Hudson Valley, Southern Tier, and Finger Lakes regions).

I picked up meds and did a small shop at Walmart.

Vacuumed living room, set up my meds, changed sheets.

It’s a hotdish when it’s an entree and a casserole if it’s a side.

I made the Tim Walz Tater Tot version yesterday, and it turned out pretty well.

We placed the living room air conditioner on the furniture mover and stored it in the living room closet.

Binged on “The Good Fight”.

This morning I removed and cleaned the second and third bedroom a/c’s and stored them in the second bedroom closet.

Nice to have our windows back! Also nice to have convenient places to store the air conditioners.

We’re really enjoying the mini split.

Received the third electric bill of $0 after installing the solar panels.

Went through piles of paperwork. Pulled out anything to do with home improvements, the truck, taxes, solar, LIHEAP and HMLP.

Baited and set the mouse traps in the kitchen.

Picked up the check for the driveway project in Pittsfield. Skipped the drawing session at the Clark, running late; decided to drive up Greylock via the Lanesboro road on the way back. Didn’t bother to go to the summit, got some nice pix from overlooks. Prettiest foliage? North Adams by far.

Log Lunch was postponed for Mountain Day.

Endorsed the check, dropped it off for our contractor.

Booked an appointment for the roof repair. Got in touch with our home inspector about doing a follow-up.

Did a transfer station and a redemption center run. Got wine at West’s and OTC eye drops at CVS.

We drove to the summit. Beautiful air but cold. Overcast so colors were muted but still gorgeous views. We enjoyed the road from and back to Williamstown. I may try to go back if it clears up tomorrow; am guessing Saturday will be insane.

Heard from Jen, they are fine post-Milton, no damage.

Restless sleep last night, had a recurring dream which I don’t remember right now but was a little disturbing. Wrists still bothering me a little. Hope I can do the drawing session tomorrow at the Clark.

Got a good deal at CVS on an eye treatment recommended by Dr. Ogiste.

I washed the 8 garage door windows and the back door windows yesterday.

Picked up meds and a few odds and ends at Walmart.

A chipmunk was running around the sunroom! He made it to the garage, I opened the far door for it, hope it left.

On the way to the Clark, stopped for free flowers offered by a generous neighbor. Very glamorous arrangement!

Enjoyed The Art of Orientation: Getting to Know the Northern Berkshires and an exhibit of work by Guadeloupe artist Guillaume Lethiere and contemporaries at the Clark.