Friday was cool but bright and sunny. It was 9° when I left to go to the bank to delve further into my home insurance options. What hell it is, getting insurance and living by their rules. We are negotiating about my use of wood for heat.
François came by in the early afternoon to see if he could help me fix a leaking kitchen faucet. The leak has soaked the wood underneath the counter. Sigh. I feel like I am burning money: the splitter, the gardener, and now this leak. But all I had to do was pay for the parts. François, bless his handsome Franco-Canadien head, fixed it. I have a nice new fancy faucet that I love. And it doesn’t leak.
Work is progressing on securing home insurance. Things are looking up, but man-oh-man do I dislike the insurance industry. I was asked about replacing the hot water heater in the studio that I never ever use. It was installed to serve and outdoor shower, but I don’t want to pay to keep hot water at the ready for an outdoor shower. I have never once had it on. They also are limiting me to 2.5 cords of wood per year, maximum. I love my fires, though, but I am trying out not having one during the day. Just in the morning and, if necessary, at night.
In the evening, I was spent a lot of time parsing what I was feeling as I reflected on the help François gave me today. I posted for help with finding a plumber, and he wrote asking what I wanted done. and Ron walks Sheba every day, and Pete rebuilt my deck, Alie painted it (with me). Kris makes telephone calls for me, found CAYA and my devices, and as of Thursday, she got me contacts at my bank because I have a lot of difficulty speaking on the phone to get help with my account.
But, as I was saying, I have no idea what to name what I was feeling. I’m intensely feeling something, but I can’t say that I know what to call it. People say: It moves me. It sure does! And it thrills me to be able to live here knowing that there is help available. I took on a lot when I bought this house and I added to my load by building so many gardens. My friends and my wonderful gardener have unburdened me.
When François came here today, he stopped to walk around the yard, sincerely complimenting me on my work. I, of course, told him about Bronwyn’s recent work. But, payoff baby!
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Today is another brilliant day. Rain is not due back until Monday. We’re in for a lovely weekend and I have very, very little to do. I’m very glad of that. I’m looking forward to relaxing. I have found the negotiations with the insurer to be very trying. I was angry to find my lifestyle threatened by limits on fires and grossly unnecessary expenses imposed. And there’ve been eye appointments and travel and it wears me out. I’m really looking forward to two days of reading, walking and enjoying spas.