A hard frost and an easy life

sunny, perfect fall day, temps 17

We had a hard frost this morning. Walked the dogs around the pond in rubber boots - the mist rising from the warm pond into the chill air. The sun just up and the sky blue. Leaves are beginning to turn so it's still that wonderful mix of green and red and orange.

Gary's done an amazing job on the home. We'd been trying to get the painter to do it for 2 years but he kept putting us off. Finally we fired him and asked Gary - who hates to paint. He quoted comedian Steven Wright who said, 'It's a small world, but I'd hate to paint it.'

It must have felt to Gary and John as though they were painting the world at times. So much woodwork and trim. And because it hadn't been done in a while some of the wood was rotten.

Funny how things work out. Had the painter done it this spring he wouldn't have been able to do the carpentry - might have just painted over the rotten bits. But Gary could replace the spoiled stuff.

Had a lovely evening last night, eating fresh corn bought at a roadside stand (the last of the season the grower said) and watching National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets. Loved it. Such fun.

Spent today doing laundry, opening and answering mail (Michael, dear soul, did the bills), and starting to put the edits from the hardcopy of book 5 onto the computer version.

We thought we'd have a quiet day but by 10am Deanna was vacuuming, Dwayne was working on ventilation ducts in the basement and Wayne was cutting the grass.

We're home.

I'll take a gallon of waterbury spa spray misty morning

Beautiful day - sunny and cold highs minus 4

I'm dashing off to Montreal this morning. Michael and I have kept a small apartment there and I'll stay the night then catch a train to Toronto for Sunday's books and high tea event. Was planning to grab a shower here in the country before going into the city, since last time we were there (last week) the hot water had been turned off. For 5 days. Leading up to and including the huge Books and Breakfast event at the Omni hotel in Montreal. for three months I was terrified I'd stink at the event - did everything in my power to prevent it - then that happens. I did stink.

But today once again my best plans have been waylaid. No shower. Instead at the crack of dawn I was at the construction place with a gallon of paint, trying to change the colour slightly. For the new bathroom. yes, Gary is still there. Everything is almost done....just need to paint. But every colour I choose is worse than the last. Gary dabs it on, the three of us step back, and play a game of chicken to see who'll be the first to say, 'Yech'.

The wall is now polka dotted, in an interesting effect I've never actually seen on HGTV. Late yesterday I brought home yet another sample. with amazement we all watched as it went on and disappeared. No sign of it at all on the wall. We leaned in, leaned out. Rubbed our chins. Nothing.

'I think maybe just a shade darker might work,' said Gary.

'You think?' Michael asked.

We all nodded.

So no shower this ayem, instead I got the paint. Whizzed back home, gave it to Gary, who put it on the wall. We said a little paint prayer - actually it was more of a paint swear.

And waited.

Loe and behold - it appeared...a fantastic aqua kind of sea mist, spring peat in a high meadow whatever colour. Thats going to be my next job - naming paint colours. An adjunct to crime fiction.

Whatever it was called - it's perfect...now I'm rushing off.

Be well - and I'll write when I find work. I promise.