Pondering

What did they conclude?


Scrolling through my camera roll after a conversation about the presence of people in street photography compositions, this turned up. Just a bit of visual eavesdropping during a lull in the sitters’ discussion so I never found out whether they actually liked the piece or not.

TGIF

Only critters now.

After much ado about everything for the last few years, the backyard crew finally packed up their tools and remaining construction materials and left. For a variety of reasons, the whole project has been riddled with delays, setbacks and change, so I can imagine they are just as relieved as I am to see the end of it.

The neighborhood cat is thrilled, coming to hunt and avail himself of the soft, fresh earth in the two large, unplanted flower beds. I can live with that – his activities don’t need my supervision 😆

More than satisfied

What do you think gets better with age?

While the tomatoes have long since been consumed, and yes, they were delicious straight off the vine, now I can only imagine their sweet juiciness. Luckily, I have this painting to remind me of lazier summer days and that particular garden’s bounty. Done 11 years ago, almost to the day, both the memory and the thing itself, are better for being carried forward to the present. Would it were that way for more of life’s undertakings.

Dereliction of duty

Not like you don’t know what to do.

If I’m not eating what you have cooked I’m certainly not going to clean up after you. Ah, the thrill of living with others…

Not unusual

Pretty cool and at the same time not at all.

I should have known, in the first week of my lease five years ago, that it was going to be an interesting ride when my landlord didn’t want to replace 2 inexpensive, generic wall light fixtures that were missing their shades. It was a red flag that he “didn’t want to spend the money”.

Last April, when the main plumbing stack started leaking, it sent water into one of those same light fixtures – right into the bulb, like some electrical aquarium. Someone thought it was a good idea to turn it on so they could see the extent of the inundation. It’s a wonder the whole thing didn’t explode and set the house on fire.

I like to say that we have a guardian angel, albeit one that likes to test the limits of our patience. Could be worse…

So much for Sunday

Double bonus points for me today: moved all the leftover pavers from one side of the yard to the other so that the construction crew will be able to finish what they are still buggering around with…

One good thing

Strangely, not seen on the menu this time

I always seem to get embroiled in things that aren’t necessarily my purview, often because I have some previous experience or know the best, fastest, and cheapest way to do it (yes, my way). Things usually roll merrily along until someone refuses to listen, is obstinate about following instructions or just takes me and my POV for granted.

It has been said that being less instantly reactive can be beneficial – I’m not so sure about that. Tonight I am like an unstirred pot of tomato sauce left on the stove on low heat for too long, where the bottom eventually burns – a state that is, unfortunately, irreversible and leaves a sourness in the mouth. No amount of immediate palate-cleansing helps, so you ditch it and start fresh. Or order out.

TGIF

It’s all coming back out anyways.

Super-long, steamy week with tropical temperatures and the occasional monsoon downpour make towelling off after that morning shower futile 😆

Almost June

Another Monday trying to figure out which direction to go in.

While I am lucky enough to work at home and be able to choose how I allot my time this also means I’m unlucky enough to get distracted by small, unfinished personal projects, the internet, snacks, noises in the backyard and any other random interruptions that may occur throughout any given day. 🐿️

Summer is often slow work mode for many people, a reprise from the routine, but it can also be a time of regrouping and getting things in order for when the days get shorter and we are stuck with the more mundane aspects of daily life. Good or bad, we all seem to have been through alot lately – moving forward is good.

So no matter how small the task or effort, if you can think of it, now is probably a good time to do it.

White no more

No solution in sight.

I actually have one of these and am guessing that you probably do too. Giving it one last chance in the laundry to become a thing of beauty again before I pass it along to someone in my family that won’t notice.
🖋️ Bruce Eric Kaplan, The New Yorker, 2019

TGIF

To change or not to change

The good thing about SoMe is that your friends can call anytime and it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing.

Sage advice

Because you already have an idea of the consequences

One of my mantras 😀 No matter what your preferred utensil, it’s probably good to have a plan, be willing to change course mid-stream and be open to the wisdom and experience of others. And keep moving forward…

Water issues

It’s always something

Plumbing is all fixed just in time as Saturday night brought biblical proportion rains. So nice to be able to enjoy a hot bath, no matter what the weather, but perhaps not immediately as there is a full load of soaking-wet, half-done laundry sitting in the tub. Oh joy, the 15 year-old washing machine is officially on its last legs. I can’t even anymore…

SWEET SALTY CREAMY SAVOURY GOODNESS

Some days you just don’t want to sit down to a large plate of anything – out with Miss Z on a sunny afternoon we opted for a little bit of everything: fresh guacamole with house nachos, sweet potato fries with coriander and chipotle mayo, a double fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream and, of course, a refreshing cocktail – a tall glass of Mezcal with lime and muddled strawberries. Yum.