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Jan. 12th, 2023
HBD Mom & Flush Water Heater
Jan. 12th, 2023 02:57 pmThat( subject line)'s the text of a recurring entry in my personal Google calendar, popping up every year on January 12th, though it could just as well be on January 13th, as my mother was born at midnight (or close enough to it that that's what they put on the certificate). They let her have her choice in the family of which day it'd be celebrated, and she picked the earlier one, maybe cuz it'd come sooner. I told her she should've picked the 12th and then (every year) changed her mind right after midnight that night, so she'd get two birthdays, but I don't remember her appreciating this genius from child me.
Anyhow, she was a practical woman, as one might expect of a Capricorn, if one is into that stuff. Plus one of the main ways she communicated caring about me, in my young adult years, was via advice about particulars of living, like stuff around the house. She didn't live to know me as someone with a house/mortgage, but of course I think of her often in association with matters that come up with the home. Like when I learned you should flush your water heater regularly.
Well I didn't do it last year, when the reminder (that I was tickled to associate with her birthday) came up the first time. But today I called Al's Water Heater, and they're coming out tomorrow morning--- on what will also be her birthday. Flushing it myself was more of an adventure than I want, so Al & Co. are gonna do it, and I'm going to give them money for that. So that's my way this year of honoring Mom: arranging for this wise practical precautionary thing. Cuz there's that, too. The precautionary. She was part of my learning to anticipate what might go wrong and try to prevent it (for [I'm sure plenty of] better and for [lots of] worse).
So here's to my dead mother, who would've been 93 today. Mom, I'm getting the water heater flushed in the morning. Yes, I'll move some of that laundry pile out of their way before they arrive.
Mom, I also got in touch with some contractors today, about the squirrel routes into the house, plus maybe more. Deck demolition, front stoop options, maybe that pesky garage door spring thing. They recommended deck builders, too. I know you'd think me a real wreck in terms of keeping the house from falling apart, but, hey, this is something. I'm even fantasizing a little about the front window in the living room, and what I might do with that, in conjunction with the front stoop, as far as a major improvement there. You'd no doubt still be shaking your head at my years of not-great finances, were you here now, but I'd have the option of pointing out that I'm above water now, and have been for a while. So I still hear commentary from imaginary you. So? It doesn't mean I don't love you still, that I'm working hard not to keep attending to that ghostly riff on some of your old perspectives.
Geez, you've been dead almost 26 years now. Is that crazy, or what? And Dad's been dead another --- hunh, let's see ... Dad will've been dead 39 years in June. You know sometimes I think about stuff that's come about since you two were walking the planet. I do remember that you got as far as email. You were kinda into email, though it was an at-work thing for you.
Well, speaking of, back to my work now, rather than going on more about this stuff here. But a walk, I think, before long. It's not too bad out there. High 30s.
Anyhow, she was a practical woman, as one might expect of a Capricorn, if one is into that stuff. Plus one of the main ways she communicated caring about me, in my young adult years, was via advice about particulars of living, like stuff around the house. She didn't live to know me as someone with a house/mortgage, but of course I think of her often in association with matters that come up with the home. Like when I learned you should flush your water heater regularly.
Well I didn't do it last year, when the reminder (that I was tickled to associate with her birthday) came up the first time. But today I called Al's Water Heater, and they're coming out tomorrow morning--- on what will also be her birthday. Flushing it myself was more of an adventure than I want, so Al & Co. are gonna do it, and I'm going to give them money for that. So that's my way this year of honoring Mom: arranging for this wise practical precautionary thing. Cuz there's that, too. The precautionary. She was part of my learning to anticipate what might go wrong and try to prevent it (for [I'm sure plenty of] better and for [lots of] worse).
So here's to my dead mother, who would've been 93 today. Mom, I'm getting the water heater flushed in the morning. Yes, I'll move some of that laundry pile out of their way before they arrive.
Mom, I also got in touch with some contractors today, about the squirrel routes into the house, plus maybe more. Deck demolition, front stoop options, maybe that pesky garage door spring thing. They recommended deck builders, too. I know you'd think me a real wreck in terms of keeping the house from falling apart, but, hey, this is something. I'm even fantasizing a little about the front window in the living room, and what I might do with that, in conjunction with the front stoop, as far as a major improvement there. You'd no doubt still be shaking your head at my years of not-great finances, were you here now, but I'd have the option of pointing out that I'm above water now, and have been for a while. So I still hear commentary from imaginary you. So? It doesn't mean I don't love you still, that I'm working hard not to keep attending to that ghostly riff on some of your old perspectives.
Geez, you've been dead almost 26 years now. Is that crazy, or what? And Dad's been dead another --- hunh, let's see ... Dad will've been dead 39 years in June. You know sometimes I think about stuff that's come about since you two were walking the planet. I do remember that you got as far as email. You were kinda into email, though it was an at-work thing for you.
Well, speaking of, back to my work now, rather than going on more about this stuff here. But a walk, I think, before long. It's not too bad out there. High 30s.
Mom, don't listen to this one
Jan. 12th, 2023 08:48 pmSo I need to get serious about paying for some things around the house, now that I have (shelled out for) this here wonder 
(which I still love and play every day), plus all the other little things I've bought lately. Most recently more socks & bras. But today I bought another coupla books (cuz I'm now at least somewhat like other people who buy books and read them and then give them away) plus these:
Well, I ordered them. There's maybe a 45% chance they'll fit & work well for me & get kept. But maybe they will. Cuz I'm also no longer the person who had one pair of shoes she wore every day and then a pair of boots and a pair of Berkies and, like, one old pair of All-Stars that I graduated in but only wore for dress-up. I would get a new pair of white Reebox walking shoes and wear them until they were filthy & falling apart, and then get another. Even that seemed indulgent, those name-brand shoes.
Now I have way too many pairs of footwear and really need to get rid of some. Worn out or just not worn so much. I even have two varieties of Crocs---the regular and the fuzzy-lining ones. It's insane. Or it's insane that I'm now out there lookin' at these new platform high tops. I don't even usually get high tops: my Chuck of choice is the slip-on ones with no laces and the lace panels sewn to the shoe body.
Okay so maybe the chance is more like 33% that I'll keep those. But it'll be fun trying them on.
Earlier this year I bought the little rain boots that appeared in my short film, and kept them, even though they're really a bit too tight. Figure maybe I'll wear 'em without socks in the Spring, and then they'll stretch out a little, even though they're, like, rubber. Could happen?
This morning I was thinking how I totally get the shopping addicts now. And how maybe I'd better watch that.
(which I still love and play every day), plus all the other little things I've bought lately. Most recently more socks & bras. But today I bought another coupla books (cuz I'm now at least somewhat like other people who buy books and read them and then give them away) plus these:Well, I ordered them. There's maybe a 45% chance they'll fit & work well for me & get kept. But maybe they will. Cuz I'm also no longer the person who had one pair of shoes she wore every day and then a pair of boots and a pair of Berkies and, like, one old pair of All-Stars that I graduated in but only wore for dress-up. I would get a new pair of white Reebox walking shoes and wear them until they were filthy & falling apart, and then get another. Even that seemed indulgent, those name-brand shoes.
Now I have way too many pairs of footwear and really need to get rid of some. Worn out or just not worn so much. I even have two varieties of Crocs---the regular and the fuzzy-lining ones. It's insane. Or it's insane that I'm now out there lookin' at these new platform high tops. I don't even usually get high tops: my Chuck of choice is the slip-on ones with no laces and the lace panels sewn to the shoe body.
Okay so maybe the chance is more like 33% that I'll keep those. But it'll be fun trying them on.
Earlier this year I bought the little rain boots that appeared in my short film, and kept them, even though they're really a bit too tight. Figure maybe I'll wear 'em without socks in the Spring, and then they'll stretch out a little, even though they're, like, rubber. Could happen?
This morning I was thinking how I totally get the shopping addicts now. And how maybe I'd better watch that.