Remiss, I've been remiss!

Between working eight + hours per day during the week, then on weekends toiling on the new walk project and/or dashing out to Becket for country and culture, I have had no blog time.

You're all handling it somehow, I'm sure, but I miss this blog when I'm gone.

Linda decided we needed a better front walk. It had been an odd assortment of slate and bluestone that was too close to the shrubs for comfort, so she had a point. Thing is, she decided we should install a walk of pavers--they were called bricks in my day, but I digress.

It may be a do-it-yourself project, but it's a do-it-yourself project and MORE than a half. Two thirds, perhaps?

You don't just remove the old slates and plop down pavers. Oh no. One must excavate at least 7 inches of dirt, which entails more shoveling than I've done since I lived in NE Wisconsin and was on snow removal duty (we had a corner lot, which means more sidewalk).

Once you excavate, you then must shovel in a sand-rock mixture that forms a base. But you don't just toss it in, you must rent a monster machine called a Plate Compactor that vibrates the living daylights out of your carcass (while soaking it in small engine fumes--delightful!).

It weighs a freakin' ton, as you can imagine, and getting it in and out of the car took every last bit of ooomph I had. Maybe more. (I've been walking a little askew ever since. Perhaps it's time for a visit to my friendly neighborhood chiropractor?)

The worst part of the process? We didn't have enough of the sand-rock mixture, so had to order more. And we get to do the shovel and shimmy process with yet another Plate Compactor this weekend. Once we finish that, there's one more level of sand to put in, before we can drop in the pavers (I don't expect to do that for a week, maybe more).

Then we get to rent the Plate Compactor ONE MORE TIME, to tamp down the pavers.

My heart be still.

The good news is that we will also be going to a play at the Chester Theater, which used to be called the Miniature Theater of Chester, but decided it was too big for such a sweet name.

I don't agree. I loved going to a miniature theater, but then, I might not be their desired demographic. Sigh.

Now, must get back to work.

One last thing: There is some comedy coming up, but not until late September, early October--I'll let you know when it's "official." Speaking of official, I have been officially glued to "Last Comic Standing," even though it can be a trial to watch at times. Was thrilled at how far Michelle Balan made it, and am glad that the last two comics aren't the usual straight white guys.

Reading the news, it occurs to me we could all use a rest from them. But of course, I'm not their desired demographic, either.

I'm handling that just fine, btw.