TheCapeBlog

I still remember the smug look on the face of a woman who demanded that I stop smoking at an outdoor concert. She was so very, very proud of herself, so full of self-satisfaction. I would bet that if she had been similarly rude to someone who was not a middle-aged White woman, her companions would have shushed her up.

DEET-based insect sprays are the new smoking. At least from the standpoint of some self-righteous so-called environmentalist types.

I recently was called out on an outdoor hike by someone who objected to my using a DEET spray.

Since moving to this “unique environment”, I’ve encountered a whole new set of nasty flying animals that have left scars on my arms. Some holes from insect proboscises are large enough to be seen by the naked eye.

I don’t care about the cosmetic aspect – scars are a badge of honor at my age – but I do care about infection, inflammation and losing sleep.

So, I’m left with a dilemma: do I stop attending outdoor events with strangers or slap on the DEET and risk disapproval?

After the big lower cabinet cleaning and disinfecting, I’ve been working on the kitchen counter.

Also dug out a bunch of grass and weeds from the uphill side of the driveway.

With the help of PBS Tech Support, our Roku/PBS problems seem to be solved.

Ron’s new hearing aids are uncomfortable and bothering him. My legs are still hurting.

We prepped salad vegetables yesterday from last week’s CSA. This week’s box looks like a nice assortment.

A house is not a home, and ours has a way to go, but as we decided at breakfast this morning, it’s been one step back but two steps forward.

So far, the good people who have been working with us have replaced the roof, windows and hot water heater, removed a chimney that was falling apart and repaired or replaced bad electric, a crumbling ceiling and out-of-code plumbing.

We’ve had vermiculite and mold removed and/or remediated. Ron and I cleaned up the cellar floor and the yard. The front of the house is not beautiful but respectable, and we are enjoying the discovery of old plantings in the back before adding to them, if ever.

We’ve had the ceiling raised in one second floor bedroom and work on reinforcing the floor in the other has started with the installation of posts and a new header in the basement. The old floor was ripped up in February and it’s taken this long to get a contractor.

We’re trying to prepare physically and psychologically for demolition of half the living room ceiling next week to allow installation of floor joists.

I’ve taken to drinking wine with lunch, having learned that “sun over the yardarm” meant midday in the British navy and thus, the time when sailors would be issued their first tot of rum.

The mountains are no longer shrouded in Nova Scotian forest fire smoke but our hill is heavily forested so we won’t have a view again until winter.

Meanwhile, Bennington Potters, who have covered the Southern Vermont landscape with their flyers, hasn’t been open to the public for the last three years with no plans to reopen any time soon.

Go figure.

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.

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.

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.

She Was My Annie by Blue Topaz

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.

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.

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.