The Saturday Story

I woke up off and on throughout the night, but got up at 6:30 AM. Took a shower and brushed my teeth, but didn't shave. Then I used the last of my eggs to make scrambled eggs for breakfast. I need the protein.

Then I examined all the cabinet doors. I decided that any flaws (and there were some, of course - I damn near dropped a pantry door and it catching it, smeared the fresh paint, for example) I'd fix with a sanding block and a brush. This saves me a whole day of spraying the second coat.

So, I set up a worktable (sawhorses and a board) and began to put on the hardware and hang each door. First problem I saw was that the hinges hold the doors out a tad (worst example is the pantry doors). But, after discussing this on the phone with Jake, decided to go ahead and hang the doors (its not THAT noticeable). Got five doors hung and decided to take a break and spray the first coat on the butcher-block table, its drawer and the other three drawers.

BTW, it is an absolutely beautiful day, sunny and, at 1:30 PM, still only 71 degrees (it's supposed to get to 77 degrees F. today). Why did I mention this? Because, it allowed me to, early this morning, open all the windows I can get to (my house is QUITE a mess!) and keep them open until the air conditioner kicks on. Which, in turn, allows the smell of the paint, etc. to dissipate.

Sprayed the butcher-block table, its drawer and the other three drawers. One bad thing happened. During my spraying, the screw-on container unscrewed! Quite a splash! But, I got it done and then cleaned the sprayer so I can use it for the stain, hopefully later today. BTW, my hands are red and raw from washing latex paint off them so often.

Decided it was time for lunch. Made some Campbell's chicken noodle soup and added some parsley and crackers. Then I had a piece of cheese and more crackers. I cleaned up, grabbed an apple and my book and headed out to the hammock for a break.

Oh my! That's nice! The perfect temperature, a little breeze, the gentle rocking, a tart Granny Smith apple and Lawrence Block's "The burglar in the library" all combined to make the perfect respite. I let it go for an hour before feeling guilty, but then I got up and got back to work.

I had just resumed installing the upper cabinet doors when Jake and Carl dropped by. They said they were bored sitting inside their apartment and came over to use my back yard (I think they have another, hidden agenda, but we'll see). They both seemed impressed with how my concept looks in reality. Then they went out to play horseshoes.

I must admit I was embarrassed on how the patio looked. This week's high winds had put sticks, leaves and even pine tree needles all over it. I just never got around to cleaning it up. But, Jake volunteered to blow it all off, which he did. Thank you!

I went out in the garage and disassembled the "paint booth" which actually worked pretty good. There is some yellow paint here and there on the floor, but nothing like the mess on the plastic "walls" and 'floor" I took down and stuffed in a trash bag. Straightened up the other stuff a bit and now, for at least tonight, I can park the car inside!

Back to the cabinet doors. I was on the ninth one before I screwed up and drilled the hole for the knob on the wrong side (hey! it's pretty easy to do!). Oh well, a little spackling and some touch-up paint and it will be okay. In fact, there are a LOT of little spots that will need attention. But, like I said earlier, I'm not that good with the spray gun where a second coat would be much better. So, once everything is done, I'll go back and revisit those spots.

They came back in and Carla said she was "starving" and did I mind if she made some dinner? Ah, ha! I knew it - the hidden agenda! They've been reading the blog and figured out I haven't had a decent meal all week! But, hidden agendas aside, she scrounged though my foodstuffs and came up with enough ingredients to make a fantastic shrimp and pasta dish. I was working, not watching, but I know there was extra virgin olive oil, garlic, shallots, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, and shrimp, all tossed in with linguine (I'm guessing). So, I stopped working and ate, they cleaned up and then left. I went back to work.

Sidebar: "Extra virgin olive oil." To my way of thinking, you are a virgin if you haven't had sex. So, you either are or are not a virgin, right? How the hell do you become an Extra Virgin? If you like, never even "thought" about having sex? Italians are a strange people...

Put on the last upper door at 8:32 PM, but not without difficulties. My drill bit broke off in that door and was sticking up a tad out of the wood. Used a pair of pliers to twist it out. Got another drill bit and resumed. Then the battery in the portable drill failed. I took it as a sign that, after getting this door up, I was done for the day. And, I was.

I fixed myself a drink and sat on the front porch for a while (or "a spell" as they say down South), enjoying the evening. Then, I went inside and checked the TV, but nothing seemed too interesting. So, I chose to go back to the book and bed. I fell asleep before finishing one chapter.