Yesterday we took the list of shed materials to the local lumber yard and had them price it out. John needs to clear the spot where it will go, and then the shed-raising can begin. Just in time too as fall approaches quickly and I want to park my car in the garage again when the serious rain hits. On the home maintenance front, we had a plumber come out yesterday and tackle a leaking shower. The "innards" were confined to a tight space and, had we done it, there might have been lots of swearing and even some tile cutting (the latter to be avoided at all costs). He arrived and fixed the leak in no time without swearing and without collateral damage. Next up will be a landscape contractor who will offer up ideas for improving the drainage on one side of the house. He will also take a look at the stone retaining wall that suffered a minor collapse during some gardening exercise. At any rate, when they come apart, it's not real clear how they go back together. At least not for these owners. We'll get professional help.
The birds in the garden have gone. We had quite a flock of goldfinches for many weeks and according to some timetable only they know, they packed up and moved on. All of them. All at once. The robins have gone in search of easier pickings as well. With the warmer weather, the yard/meadow/jungle clearing has become drier and worms are not as easy to find. That the theory at least. And our nest of house martins flew off as soon as they got the young ones to fly. They were nesting under the chimney eve right by one of our bedroom windows and it was so nice to hear them. So now we see only an occasional chickadee on the
feeder. To everything a season...
I had a nice visit last weekend with my own fledglings. They are flying quite nicely on their own now. Katie's birthday was Saturday. I flew in just before noon, she and soon-to-be son-in-law Morey picked me up and off we went to have a birthday lunch at Santana Row in San Jose. Ate outside at one of the many interesting eateries (I had ceviche), walked, shopped, talked wedding plans, and then returned to the condo for a couple of hours before going to the Earthquakes/Sounders soccer game. What a wolf in sheep's clothing I was, sitting amidst all the E'quake fans, secretly texting/cheering for the Sounders with John who was watching on TV back at home. On Sunday, we drove up to Oakland to visit with Jake. He just moved into a new apartment near Lake Merritt and my mother's contract says I need to certify my fledglings' nests. It got rave reviews from all of us. Old building with character, safe, closer to work in SF, and with a view of the lake. In fact, he can just cross the street and he's at the lake. Inspection satisfied, we walked to a local cafe for a very good breakfast. My visit concluded with a visit to the Fremont Art and Wine Festival. Then it was back to the airport and home just in time for dinner with a very sweet man.
Yesterday I got my hair cut as short as I've had it in years. And I got a pedicure with some striking blue polish applied. Apparently a change was needed. I have finished the second of the Stieg Larson books. And John has completed the first one. I have not seen him become so engrossed in a book as long as I have known him. I think he was surprised by that as well. I'll move on to the third one this week and he'll take the second down to Cali with him. They are well written with complex story lines and characters. Very good reads. And we completed yet another course of "beginner" dance lessons Friday night. It was not an easy class as we moved on to some more advanced-beginner moves. We'll continue when they start up again in September. If nothing else, we have a wedding to dance at next year...
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