Buddhist

Song of the day: “Something stupid” by Robbie Williams and Nichole Kidman. Don’t know where that one came from, but it’s in my head since early this morning.

So I’m in a rush. Seriously. It is eleven thirty in the evening, I just came back from pouring concrete, for which we left at ten this morning. Sure, we might not have poured during their entire time, but it was a long day regardless.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. First there was the weekend, wasn’t there.
Saturday I wasn’t feeling well at all, so I needed a short nap in the afternoon before getting ready to go to the Market. Arrived a tad late, partly due to the fact that we had to finish up loading, and cooking something to eat. Didn’t matter, though. There weren’t all that many stand holders, so we could unload at our leisure. As soon as that was done, though, I headed out to the hospital to visit with tenant. Due to this somewhat odd bacteria she caught, we’re forced to wear protective gear in her room…which isn’t all that pleasant considering I’m usually hot from going up the stairs. Hah.
She was in good spirits, though, so not all was bad.

I’ll just come out and say it. Didn’t sell a single item at the market. *sigh* I did take a nice amount of pictures, however, so not all was lost. Added to that, I even handed out several of my business cards, which are unlikely to have any effect, but still, networking and all that. Had loads of fun getting folks to pose. Got several kids to do it too, which was hysterical. In particular a little boy who really didn’t want to, and who we had to tease out of a crying jag. Also this adorable little girl, who finally grinned at me, only to move at the last possible moment and wrecking the shot. Ah well, next time better luck. Most of the shots that worked will come up on the photo blog. Hah.

Were late getting home, and didn’t get to bed until after three. *sigh* Did manage to get some serious writing done. At the market as well as at home yesterday. Would have done more, too, but we had to visit tenant at the hospital again, and went to town afterward to get shoes on sale for big brother. Still wasn’t feeling well, might have caught a bit of what big brother had last week. Actually fell asleep in the car, which is never smart since that tends to make the driver sleepy too. Finally had to sit up straight and force myself awake.

Worked on my photos, of course, posted two of them so far. Had to cook supper last night, which worked out well, since it was also today’s lunch. At that same time big brother loaded up the Land Rover for today’s working session at the job site. Was so tired at the end of the day, I basically passed out. Hah.

Good thing, too, since we had to get up early this morning for the job. Did the final packing, gathered food stuffs and were on the road before ten. First had to pick up a load of sand, of course, then drive up and unload. Mixed several loads of cement for big brother, and then went down again for the second load of sand…and sacks of cement, naturally. I sure got my exercise today. Hah.

Again, unloading, after which we took a break, did some Spanish and wrote two pages for the latest C.H. revision. Getting along nicely, I think. Lots of new scenes, new angles. It’s keeping everything interesting.

That done, it was back to work. Made several more loads of concrete for big brother (was sweating like a horse since the temps were up in the mid-nineties) and then drove back down the mountain once more for the last load of sand of the day. Once that was up on the site, I spent the following three to four hours mixing, hauling and shoveling concrete for big brother, who proceeded to turn it into a five foot wide twenty-five foot long piece of floor. It’s looking good.

Had a wonky conversation in the meantime.
Big Brother: It is strange, but you shouldn’t think about ants when you’re doing this.
Me: Huh?
Big Brother: Ants.
Me: What about them.
Big Brother: I’m killing dozens, by just shoveling concrete there. I shouldn’t think about that.
Me: Uh-huh. Killing ants. Don’t think. Get back to work.
Big Brother: They don’t have a clue. Maybe I should become a Buddhist.
Me: Yeah. They saved all the ants by removing them one by one while building a movie theater in Lhasa.
Big Brother: Like I said. I shouldn’t think about it. Poor ants.
Me: Stop thinking about it then. If you worry about ants, you should also worry about grass and weeds you step on. Those are alive too.
Big Brother: You’re right. I should just sit down, that way I wouldn’t hurt anything.
Me: Have you been smoking pot?
Big Brother: Life is just cruel.
Me: Dude. You’re totally weird. Get back to work.

*snort* He did. We both did, and didn’t finish (cleaning up belonged with it, too) until a quarter to ten, which was when twilight fell. Knight had a swell day. I took off his sock most of the day so it could dry out a little at least. The swelling is still there, but at least air is getting to it.

Arrived home around eleven, and got to the blog ASAP. Which I consider done right about now. So I’m off to bed. Another working day tomorrow. More floor to pour. Yay.

Coming down in buckets

Song of the day: “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias, of course. I have his songs in my head often, don’t I? Not strange, since his songs are rather catchy most of the time.

Had a wonderfully calm couple of days, thank you very much. The weather didn’t permit much, forcing me to hide under the cover of a roof most of the time. Seriously, there were rivers streaming down our mountain (got the basin full completely), sweeping everything along. The new partition of the carport is working well, by the way. It’s keeping the wind out perfectly, and the water is only going where it’s supposed to…the gutter. Yay.

It was good to get small stuff done. Did some more leather branding experiments. Got some nice little patterns going, and I’m slowly learning new ones, and tricks how to make it look better, less amateurish. Hah.

Got some good writing done, not necessarily a lot, but good. Have added a new character to the story, a teenager who’s having some serious problems at home, has a big trauma in his past, and who is going to be an important part of the story, I think…at least, that’s what it’s looking like now. He’s not a transient. Turns out my “alien” is a little goofy and quite innocent, so I should be able to have some fun writing about him, too.

Spent some time this morning clearing away piles, and piles of laundry in my cabin. Too much was getting dirty again from just lying there, Dax jumping on top for a nap, that sort of thing. Took some time, seeing as there was so much of the stuff, but at least I’ve got some horizontal surfaces cleared again. High time, too. Hah.

During my second session of hiding in the car port of the insistent rain, was repairing a leather purse that can also be worn as a back pack. I’ve been planning on using it for the market, so I can keep my valuables on me, but just haven’t gotten around to it. Worked out well enough, thankfully, so I should be able to use it Sunday…which reminds me, due to the weather (despite that it has been clearing up for the past few hour) the Saturday market has been cancelled. Yay. Nothing against the market, mind you, but I kinda like the free day (for as far as you can call it free since I fully plan on doing something constructive at home), in particular since working on the balcony will start on Wednesday and we’re going to have to do some prepping for that.

There were of course the usual chores such as laundry and my daily trips to the vet with Knight II. He’s behaving remarkably well, but still, it is requiring a lot of attention. If I don’t pay attention to him, he’s either going to tug at the denim “boot” or he’ll come over to press himself against me. Like he’s in dire need of a petting, or something. Silly dog.

Chaos is upset with me at the moment. He’s having a bit of a bladder problem at the moment (a very mild infection) meaning that I can’t let him on the bed without me being there. That being the case he will try to get me to take him inside and lift him on the bed, despite my multiple explanations that he cant’.

Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Me: No Chaos. You can’t.
Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Me: Stop barking. I said no.
Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Me: No. Come here! (he doesn’t of course, but stands, instead in the open doorway, trampling his paws like a horse and staring at me balefully)
Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Me: Chaos!
Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Me: Shut up.
Big brother: He’s not going to listen.
Me: Shut up!
Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Me: Chaos. You shut up, too, please.
Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Big brother: He’s going to continue until you put him on the bed.
(He shakes his head while I gesture at Chaos to come to me.)
Me: Chaos! Pretty please with a cherry on top.
Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Me: CHAOS!!!
Chaos: Wharf, wharf. Wharf, wharf. (more trampling, more looking)
This is usually where I give in and follow him inside to let him on the bed. But not today. I stood firm, thank you very much.
Me: Chaos! Please. Come on. Lie down over here, you don’t need the bed. You’re a big boy.
Chaos: Wharf.
Big brother: Persistent little bugger.
Chaos: Wharf, wharf.
Me: Yes, I know, Chaos. You’re the gorgeous. Come here, gorgeous. Come on.
Chaos: Wharf. (a shuffle, a step in the right direction.)
Me: Come on, gorgeous. You can lie right here in front of the stove. (I nudge Tadaika aside to make some room for him.)
Chaos: Wharf, wharf. (Sniffle) Wharf, wharf!
Me: CHAOS! Get. Over. Here. And stop whining.
Big brother chortles, while the Chaos turns “the eye” on him. Then he sighs deeply, trots over and flops down onto my feet. Thank you, Chaos. *sigh*
He’s a character for sure.

But enough about the Chaos. What else happened. Well, I Cooked supper twice, of course. A nice mashed tomato carrot mix that I put together last night after big brother and I got back from a donation. Not much, but all the little bits help, right? And today a lentil veggie mix that I really needed to fix in a way that didn’t remind me at all of dhal. I love the smell of dhal, I just don’t like the taste, oddly enough.

A bit of news on the side about two dogs we’ve taken in for a week. Something went wrong during transport to the Netherlands (the owners are from there) where somehow the dogs got left at the airport, which meant that mom and little brother went to pick them up. So we’ve got stay-overs again. I’ve yet to meet them, really, seeing as they arrived late last night, but I’ll get to it somehow.

This morning, while taking Knight II to the vet, we also took along 14 year old Rammi, who’s gradually getting to be thinner and thinner, despite the fact that she’s eating extremely well. Though there are some lumps, the vet thinks it has more to do with her age than anything else.

Grandpa has been busy cleaning up in the carport, in particular since we’ll be spending a lot of days there during the rainy days. Busy there, in particular since Sally is joining us too. Good thing that, seeing as I don’t like it when she locks herself up in her cabin on her own. That can’t be good for her.

I spent some time on working with wood today. Those Chinese boxes, remember. I managed to glue together the new lid I’m designing, despite the fact that the moist air had the glue take forever to dry, darn it. Only managed to do one for that very reason. Ah well, maybe tomorrow.

Liane came today, bringing us the first installment for the balcony so we can buy the supplies we need to get started. With a little luck we’ll manage that tomorrow morning, while I take Knight to the vet, otherwise we’ll have to do it on Monday. I was pleasantly surprised that the dogs hardly responded to her, which is quite some change from the past where at least half of them would have stood there barking their heads off. Jeez. We used to have some serious barkers, but now, with age, they’re slowly quieting down, I think. Such a relief.

As expected the dogs were a little restless most of the day. It is a common occurrence during bad weather, of course, so I hope that the “clearing up” holds out tomorrow. They need to move…like me, for that matter. Seriously, if there’s no sunshine tomorrow I might crawl up the walls exorcist style. Hah.

Well that’s it for today. Let’s see on Monday if the Sunday market got canceled as well, eh? Would be a pity, considering I am allowed to take Knight II along until he’s healed, but whatever. We’ll see how it goes. According to the predictions the weather should be a tad better for the next few days.

Barely made it

Song of the day: “Come on” by Will Young. Still a good one, and in this case deliberate since I’m trying to get a very annoying children’s rhyme from my head. *sigh*

First off, yesterday was a “working” day at Liane’s so we once again got up early for that. An hour earlier than the normal wake-up time, gave just barely enough time to get the normal morning chores done. A dip in the pool, walking the visiting dogs, hanging laundry and then up to feed the dogs for the day. Barely had any time left to feed ourselves after that, but what the heck, we were on our way only five minutes behind schedule, meaning we arrived at work at the appointed time.

Was a clear and sunny day, and we didn’t dawdle because there was a big chance that we had to go home in time to pick up the Opel at the garage. Since Monday the garage is closed, we’d be without it for another three days, so if at all possible, we wanted to pick it up. But anyway, first thing up was checking if the pool was still properly attached everywhere, and then, with that ascertained we got to work on the fence itself.

First came the lines with the tensors, which took us a solid two hours and sore fingers…not to mention a load of little cuts because I forgot we had gloves in the car somewhere.

Me: How do you want this wire?
Big brother: Just attach it.
Me: Like this?
Big brother: Sure.
I started attaching it, he turns and frowns.
Big brother: Why are you doing it that way?
Me: What way? You said you wanted it attached like this.
Big brother: No. Do it the other way around otherwise the fence will float there.
Me: Then why didn’t you say that when I asked?
Big brother: I didn’t realize until you started attaching it.
I sigh, laboriously unwind the wire and start over, the other way around.
Big brother: Why are you doing it like that.
Me: Like what?! (exasperated)
Big brother: You like cutting up your hands?
Me: Not particularly.
Big brother: Then why are you not wearing gloves.
Me: I hate those clunky ones you took. The seams cut in my fingers.
Big brother: So you rather have metal cut in your fingers.

He had a point, so I donned the clunky gloves, worked with them a solid hour before I went to the car to get something from my bag and discovered that grandpa had put my good gloves in there. *sigh* Only ended up with about nine cuts in the end. Hah.

Knight II didn’t mind yesterday at all. I think that he is finally getting used to the other place, seeing as there are now moments that he will actually stay on a different terrace because he wants to lie in the shade or sun while I am elsewhere. Now he only checks on me every ten minutes or so, and occasionally follows me from car to working location and back again, hoping I forget to close the door, letting him get in on the soft couch. He’s such a couch potato!

After three hours of work, we took a short break, ate some grilled cheese sandwiches under the house overhang and discussed our progress. Decided that we’d hang the fence in the next couple of hours, then take another short break, eat some more, and then finish up attaching the fence everywhere. Of course, in the midst of hanging the fence, putting tension on it, my phone rang. The car was ready for pick up, so our time limit just went down by a full hour if we wanted to manage leaving at 16:45 h.

We discussed again, continuing to hang the fence, decided to skip our second meal and worked straight through until at ten to five we finished the fence…well, I finished my part, and while big brother finished his by tacking the fence to the corner poles, I ran back and forth gathering tools, pieces of plastic, metal pieces and everything else that wasn’t supposed to be there. It was exactly five when we turned off the power, the water and tore down the mountain as fast as the car would go…which isn’t all that fast considering the state of the road. Hah.

Went home doing our best not to break speed limits, and at fifteen to six, about two miles from home I was forced to call the garage to tell them we weren’t going to make it before six. There was some discussion as I suggested they leave the car out and I would just pick it up with the spare keys, at which point they suggested they wait for us before closing up. Yay.

Picked up mom and little brother who needed to go to Malaga, and then rushed down our mountain to town and the garage. Got the keys, discussed the problem with the mechanic, paid the bill and were on our way. Phew. Got it all done…and got news that we could pick up a donation of food for the dogs…double yay.

Oh, before I forget. I got some new shoes. I saw them at the store, these rounded soles, with thin heels and thin toes. I’m going to see if that is at all beneficial to my feet, seeing as it is bound to stretch my plantar tendon. Walked on them most of the day, and though my feet are tired, the burn isn’t all that bad.

Really finished the book’s writing yesterday. The last scene is in, and the connect scene is in place. Such a relief there. At the moment we’re discussing our options. Since big brother is still in the middle of the first edit, and I need some distance from the story before starting on it, I’m either going to write the next book, or am starting on an edit of Commanding Morgan, of the Rising Sun series. I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

This morning Sally discovered that she is losing her hair. She rubs through it, and a whole bunch goes out, so she decided to have me shave the whole lot off. Not a pleasant experience for her, since her head is hurting somewhat fierce. Strangely enough her head felt better after the shaving bit, some of the pain left.

The majority of the afternoon was spent loading up the car, sorting through the tie dye selection, hanging them out, folding them up and then putting them in a suitcase for transport. Luckily there wasn’t as much to load as usual, seeing as we’re not sure as to the size of our spot yet. This will be our first time at the day market, and they run it differently, apparently. Let’s see if tomorrow work, okay. Who knows, it might end up in a disaster, or a success. Only one way to find out. All I know is that I have to get up early to get there in time. Hah.

After loading up, it was time to head on down into the yard, give the peppers some water, harvest a lot of them, and then, while big brother cut dog food, I got to work on supper. Had a fresh tomato sauce, fried peppers with corn, and spaghetti with grated cheese over it. Went down well, thank you very much.

Did some reading for a different project, spent more time on it than planned and then at ten thirty headed out for a late jog, which I really, really needed. Didn’t even go all that bad, all things considered. Was somewhat exhilarated afterward, despite the fact that I was a tad sore from yesterday’s hauling and bending.

Time for bed. Gotta be up and about in six hours.

The hammer incident.

Song of the day: “This woman’s work” by Kate Bush. Second, or third day in a row, I think, and still going strong. Maybe it is some sort of record. Hah.

In the writing section of Samaya Young’s life (snort) yesterday I officially started writing on a new project, which will, as of today be called “V.L.”
So, I am only one page into the story, but am definitely looking forward to diving in feet-first. I’ve got the characters, I’ve got the setting, so I’m all set. YAY!

Right, there’s another bit of dialogue to share, which occurred the other day when big brother and I were taking apart this huge wooden structure. To give you an idea of what’s what, I’m wielding this big-ass hammer, and big brother is holding the structure steady so I can hit sections out. We’re at the fourth beam, I think, when big brother swears and jumps back.

Me: “What? What?” I watched him swear and glare in the darkness.
Big Brother: “You hit me!”
Me: “What?”
Big Brother: “You hit me.”
Me: “No I didn’t.” He glares some more.
Me: “Really? How? Where?” I frowned, replay the scene in my head. Nothing.
Big Brother: “My finger. The other one. Fuck, I better not lose a nail again.” He slipped his left hand under the opposite armpit, moved around restlessly.
Me: “Bad?”
Big Brother: “Not as bad as the last time...I think.” He mumbled, moving to the light to check the damage. I whack at the wood again, keeping half and eye on him.
Me: “Why’d you put your hand there anyway?” Another whack.
Big Brother: no answer, he just glared at me. *snort*
Me: “Seriously. How’d you get your finger there. I was whacking it for crying out loud!” Another whack and the small beam went down. Big brother picks it up.
Me: “Sorry.”
Big brother: A grunt. And then yanks a beam off the construction to put it away. I whacked at another beam.
Me: "Don't look that way. I didn't do it on purpose." Still glaring.
Me: “Really. I’m sorry. I didn’t notice you took hold of the beam.” Another beam landed...an inch from his feet. He ground his teeth.
Big Brother: “Just be careful.”
Me: “Right. How’s your finger?” Though I still didn’t get it, I felt bad.
Big Brother: “Not too bad. Let’s hurry up.”
Me: “Okay. This one too...?”

And so it went on as we systematically went through the wood, until we could finally get it to the storage up at the old horse paddock. *sigh* Big brother ended up with his middle finger’s (I swear, when he showed the damage he flipped me off, hah) nail purple, blue and black, but other than that all is well.

The job interview...if it can be called such, went well, I think. We should know wen we start ‘round next week. We went there yesterday and found out that even though it is not going to be as bad as we feared. The digging is getting out rubble more than anything, and that is something we are intimately familiar with. It was a relief to see, really, since in my mind I was already imagining working in the full sunshine on some rocky mountain slope. Instead we’ll be under trees, digging out stuff from under a house that will provide ample shade. So we’re going to have to wait and see how it is going turn out. If we get the job, we’ll be out there five times a week, so...

There were another two training sessions since the last blog. What with the possibility of lots of physical labor, big brother and I are both pumping iron a bit again, making sure that the ol’ bod is up to par when the time comes. The sessions went rather well, if I do say so myself, and last up to an hour and a half. Heck, I’m not even sore today, and really, I kicked/punched some serious butt yesterday. Hah.
Now if only the knee wasn’t such a winer, I could start jogging again. I do miss it, and Knight II could use the movement. Darn it!

There was sand hauling, naturally,but no rock hauling for a change. Did sleep too little again these days passed, which isn’t smart. Nor have I been eating enough, which is a hard thing to overcome, not to mention a little dangerous. I’ve gotta watch those nutritional values like a hawk, in particular because I have no intention whatsoever of ending up with that low iron/magnesium/calcium/B12 crap again. Just the other day my muscles were cramping somewhat fierce. Ah well, nothing to do except watch what I eat.

As for projects in the past couple of days Dani helped me hang the closets in the courtyard. The storage facilities being short as they are, three shelving units that take up a nine by six feet wall, will be more than useful. It looks neat too, which is part of the attraction for me. Hah. It took two days of work, but they’re in place and already half full. *sigh*

While we were doing that, grandpa and big brother worked on the new door for what will, at some point in the near future be our new bathroom. There’s a door frame to make, a door to sand and cut to size, and all and all, the doorway to prepare. It will be fascinating to see the dogs staying out of that place once the door’s in. Hah.

Lots of watering going on, in particular since the promised rain never showed, and the plants are getting big enough to need proper nourishment. As for harvesting, tomatoes are steadily ready for consumption now. For the past three days or so we got four or five a day, which is good what with all the messes going on in Europe with the E. Coli effected veggies. Now, more than ever, I’m incredibly happy the yard (and our veggies) are doing so well. No chance of infection there. Hah.
Boy, that is some disease you can get there. Phew.

Right, and on that cheery note, lets wrap this up. I’ve got a book to write and chili to eat (made fresh chili-sin-carne for lunch, btw) so, what else.

Ah crap, the bad news. There’s another visit to vet in the near future, because Amri has a big lump under his chin. I wish I could say since when he has it, but since Amri has issues with being touched especially on his head, I didn’t notice it until the day before yesterday. Seriously, if that turns out to be cancer as well, I’m going to do...something. Hmmm. I’ll just have to wait and see.

Well, gotta go.