Happy mid-winter Saturday;

“It’s gotten so cold that even the ‘homies’ I pass on the street have their pants pulled up.” ~ Anonymous

The health situation in the ‘Nati, the ongoing work on the condo, and the deep-freeze weather has made for a quiet week (maybe I should say ‘boring’), but that is not totally true. So, along with my morning mug of steaming coffee let me detail.

Grandkids – It’s my thought, just not mine originally; it might be cold but my grandkids warm my heart. And boy did they this week.

Busy parents with strict schedules, busy grandparents with TOTALLY flexible schedules, plus a kid with the flu; that combination meant that I was in the sitting business for much of the week. And a sick little one who just wants to snuggle and sleep can’t help but warm one’s heart, even on a bitterly cold day.

And, that is exactly how the week was spent.

Then I started to feel a cold come on.

Luckily my standard practice of, “feed a cold” along with plenty of fluids (wine was the liquid of choice) paid off. Actually, I did supplement with a variety of herbal teas and honey – but I just KNOW that the key had to be the wine.

So here it’s Saturday and all seems normal again – at least for the time being.

Progress – Well, well, the kitchen is in at the condo. In fact Marcia has begun to drag stuff over.  Thursday a company came over to measure the shower enclosure. Yesterday I put the new bathroom vanity together – including the self-closing drawers (pretty proud of that).

Our plumber had to take a bit of a hiatus working on the condo so that he could install a new water heater at our house. But, rest assured, he is on standby.

As an aside, our new water heater had to have an expansion tank added to it. This new code item was added because; “expanding water volume in a closed system can create dangerously high water pressure.” The old tank – one without having this add-on – was installed in 1989 without a hint of trouble until it wore out last week. How do those bureaucrats dream up this stuff?

Anyway, the time to install the new carpeting at the condo is almost there. I have already received my “marching orders” to organize everything which must be pitched prior to the move. A quick analysis has me believe that it’s the old 80-20 rule – 20% of Marcia’s stuff is on the list and the other 80% happens to be my mess.

Fini – This weekend all seems to be on track for the standard array of cheerleading, and soccer (yup, a new winter season for Marin).

From Austin we’re being notified that Kellen has begun exploring what all is entailed by taking ballet. I think he’ll be surprised by the physicality of it. Marcia and I happened to catch a PBS special; Billy Joel: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. This wonderful event began with a dance routine inspired by the Broadway play; “Moving Out”. It was amazing. Kellen with his interest in gymnastics and Parkour should take to it.

So, stay safe and be well. We’re being told that in our area the flu has peaked.

Cheers.

Dirk