Progress is slow but progress nonetheless

Learning about chain link fences was my task on yesterday. They look hard, but as with everything in life, if you break it down into manageable parts, it can be conquered. The fence with which we were left, I found on close examination, was being held up by bag ties and rope. So, I bought fence ties - short aluminum pieces that can be wrapped through the top of the fence around the rail and through the fence again. It took awhile but my husband pronounces the fence as "looking better". Then I tackled the sagging gate. Find the right wrench and you have it made - if you can find bricks to hold up the gate while you loosen the parts, bang on them with a hammer to get them in the right position and then tighten them again at the right level. I will say that on Sunday I eliminated one piece of rope holding up the fence by our back gate and today made things right with the front gate. It was dragging on the ground but now swings freely. However, I learned that some things take two hands, so I have one piece of fence that will keep the next door dog in her yard until I get help.

I admit the fence was rather unsightly - but never believed the next door neighbor, who rents from her father, would have the nerve to come out while I was working on it and say "I was going to talk to you about that to see if you could do something about it." I told her that what she sees is what she gets - that my tax bill was so enormous that I was lucky to afford the fence ties. I had gotten a clue to her feelings when her husband had said she was talking about a "privacy fence" before we moved in. I will be happy for the happy renters to construct one for themselves - then I will have privacy. I did not work on the fence for her - I worked on it for ME. I still have some work to do but this body can tolerate only so much.

We got several quotes on having junk hauled away - ranging from 325 - almost 500 dollars. After turning down the bid left by 1-800-got-junk we got a call from them (I think) saying they would do it for $300. I believe that is more reasonable and they are coming on Friday. Just think, I will have bare floor to walk on in my room above the garage. Now I can prime the steps and get them painted and I will have the beginnings of my CREATIVE CENTRUM! Next is getting the garage wired and insulated and walls put up, painted, etc., and I can start moving stuff out of the house. I'm hoping the wireless will make it through the walls. JOY

I am studying for the Spelling Bee. I learned that there is a National Spelling Bee in Cheyenne, Wyoming in May. Actually there are a lot of people who take this very seriously and the winning word last year was "bharal". I have lists of words. I think my advantage is having lived and eaten in many countries, planted many varieties of flowers, and having worked in the medical field. So many of the words fall into categories of food, plants and body parts or functions, or the medicines to fix diseases. I have words for which I need to find definitions, but can't find my unabridged dictionary. I am going to have to look them up online or go to the Library. But the Library doesn't allow coffee inside, so I guess I am going to have to opt for the computer at home. Do you know the definition for "philippic"? Or for whinge, kakemono or cred? Easy to spell if they can be defined or pronounced. I'm on it.