Watching grass grow…

Fortunately both our lawn and prairie were seeded just before a series of days of gentle rain interspersed with spells of sunshine - ideal for tender shoots of grass to sprout and grow. Each morning we witness a touch more green that, although sparse at this point, is just enough to give a nice impression for the photo lens.

In other ways Francesco’s short visit has also been productive. We have been able to treat and wax the parquet and tile floors, hang a few light fixtures, and even adorn the wall of the salon with the tapestry we bought in Paris last year and have been worrying over in fear it would attract moths or mice while stored in the barn. It survived unscathed, however, and adds a touch of class to what is shaping up to be a handsome room.

We continue to work like madmen, like contestants on Beat the Clock, both conscious that we have but two brief days before Francesco returns to Italy for his five-week teaching stint. Whatever ‘heavy lifting’ we can do together must be done now or await his return.

We had hoped to set up a bed, move the stove and fridge, and install me in the other house before he goes. But our plan might now be foiled by the fact that the hot water heater there - one of the few things we thought would not need replacing – seems to be on the blink. We have a plumber coming tonight: if he can fix it, bully for me. If not I will just hang on here hoping that the really old boiler in this house (one that looks like it was retrieved from the famed dumpster scene in Star Wars) manages to keep steaming along.