The year was 2011. And on the first day, the rains were heavy. The basement fortitude breached by water. A collapsed wall and a deflated basketball formed a dam in the trench intended to divert runoff away from the structure turning the ditch into a basin. Hydrostatic pressure built and the ancient concrete block gave way to seepage. $17 in new boots, $20 in slitted pipe, and much time spent sinking shin deep in a cross between quicksand and wet cement instead of typing ones and zeros, the water flowed freely away from the wall and God willin’ and the crik don’t rise, the basement will stay dry until 2012. As night fell, my body and mind shook with exhaustion and I did all that I could…I watched Torchwood.
Category: Daily Life
Ramblings, often stream of conscious, journaling the events of my life.
Weekend Project – Day 26
Drip rail done. Step 17 of 27 complete. Next roof then windows and doors, fireplace and flooring.
For the 2nd movie, wait through the dull beginning to see children painting.
Of Being Dad – C cells
When I was 14, I was using mnemonics to memorize the color bands on resistors. Today I learned my 14 year old son doesn’t know what a C cell battery is.
Weekend Project – Day 25
I had hoped to have the clubhouse finished by Christmas. We are so close! I have a new obstacle; One of the dogs has taken to chewing the extension cords. I lost a 100′ extension cord that had served me well for 20 years. And yesterday, I lost a 50′ extension cord that I had used once. Looks like I’m going to a totally 18v rechargeable workshop.
We are now officially done with step 16 of 27. Count Amy’s wardrobe changes.
And a brief night time attempt that failed to accomplish anything.
I do dance with the Devil in the pale moonlight
I know some of you get twitches in your toes with the weather is changing, or migraines when the storm is approaching. The full moon sets me off. Perhaps there’s a little werewolf in me. As Luna grows large, I am struck with insomnia, passionate energy, and animalism. Tonight promises to be quite sleepless.
This lunar eclipse falls on the date of the northern winter solstice. How rare is that? Total lunar eclipses in northern winter are fairly common. There have been three of them in the past ten years alone. A lunar eclipse smack-dab on the date of the solstice, however, is unusual. Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory inspected a list of eclipses going back 2000 years. "Since Year 1, I can only find one previous instance of an eclipse matching the same calendar date as the solstice, and that is 1638 DEC 21," says Chester. "Fortunately we won’t have to wait 372 years for the next one…that will be on 2094 DEC 21." [Source, NASA Science, Solstice Lunar Eclipse]
Blessed be!
Of Being Dad – Where I explain life
This morning I had the occasion to explain life to my 20 year old:
You eat, sleep, shit, shower, contribute to society, and play. Live a simple, honest life. Basically, follow the 12 points of the Scout Law and you’ll be happy.
Weekend Project – Day 24
Weekend Project – Day 23
Gingerbreading-
And now for 9 minutes of my posterior…with some guest appearances by Amy, Evan, Tommy, our neighbor friend and the dogs.
Revelations
Last night, my wife concluded that I’m trying to rebuild our house one square foot at a time.
I suppose having Life as a House and The Money Pit on my list of favorite movies may have subconsciously influenced me.
From the mouths of babes
Evan, 5 years old on the drive to pre-school: "beotch beotch beotch!"
Me, failing to contain shock and anger: "Who taught you that?!"
Evan: "No one."
Me, hypocrite, liar: "I get mad at lies not mistakes."
Evan, confessing and ratting out his friend: *he says his friend’s name. It starts with A but I won’t rat him out here*
Me: *relieved that he didn’t say my name, his mother’s name or any of his older siblings. I really expected it to be from Noah.*
Of Being Dad
Sometimes getting the children to school on time is not as important as those extra 4.5 minutes under the warm covers.
State of Me
Fighting a brain cloud today.
Doug’s Mantras
"Do as I say, not as I do."
Late night or early morning?
insomnia – It’s worth staying up for.
Weekend Project – Day 22
The next step toward getting the roof shingled on Amy’s club house is finishing the gingerbreading and drip rails. Gingerbreading has begun!
