contours provocations - 2006-0314

contours provocations
journal - 2006-0314 - tue 1930

Brrrr! Wall Hangings; Stainedglass; Drain Cleaning; Stroking an Auger; Homestead; katannu katavedita

The last few days have been very spring-like, but when I opened the door this morning it was more along the lines of Brrrrr! Yesterday evening, I had the air conditioning on; but this evening, it's the heat.

At last, I've hung all my framed posters (3), woodcut (1), mirror (1), masks (3), painting (1), stone carvings (4) and embroidery (1) on the living room walls. Overall, I'm satisfied with it. Of course, every time, I look up I think that one or the other would look better a little to the left or maybe a little lower. I need to figure out a way to get more light on them though. I wonder if there's something like a small lamp designed to throw light against the wall. I'll need to check.

And I've placed my panel of stainedglass in the window. I wish I knew more about the history of the piece. There's a descending Holy Spirit in green and gold in a circle at the top; the remainder is semi-transparent leaded glass. The wood framing is new, which could mean it's from a much larger window or the old frame broke away. Actually, I'm not overly fond of it, but when I decided I wanted a piece of stainedglass, it was about the only thing I could afford. Something Tiffany-like would be nice.

The first time I used the new washer I noticed there was a wee problem with the drain. Water splashed all across the floor. Not just a trickle either but something that would have given Charleston Heston pause.

I used one type of pricey drain cleaner that didn't do much. Then I bought another pricey type that had to be poured (1/4 of the bottle), then left alone, then flushed with hot water. Then you repeat this three more times. I kept wondering how I was going to do the hot water bit until it struck me that it would be very simple to use the hot water intake hose to the washer.

The wash I did around 5 this afternoon was perfect. Not a drop of overflow.

I also bought an auger to try. But the second I got it out of the package, it swirled around the room like a boa constrictor with jock itch. I'd try to grab one end, but the other end snuck under the dryer. Then the spiral end scratched my arm. I tried holding one part with my foot as I pointed it toward the pipe, however, the other end wrapped itself around a nearby broom. Finally, I was able to shove it down the drain for about four feet, but it would not budge beyond that. Meanwhile the remainder was trying to knock out the window. Realizing that defeat was inevitable, I slowly and gently stroked it back into the package where it coiled up and began to snore.

Yesterday, I ambled off to the courthouse to do whatever it was I was suppose to do about homestead exemption. Since the house was listed in my and my mother's name, but I was not living here, mother could not claim full homestead exemption. But when I moved back, she/we could. But you can only file from January through April. But since mother was over 65, she had an additional exemption. Which means it's better to leave it as is until next year - I think. Now, I'm sure you had no problem understanding that.

At the end of last week, I bought two packages of small stones to place around the perimeter of my parent's tombstone. Although, the placing of pebbles on a tombstone is traditionally viewed as a Jewish custom, it is a part of many other cultures also.

But when I got to the cemetery, the gravestone was not in place and mother's marker had not been returned. It had been removed several weeks ago to include her death date. Then I remembered that the masonry representative told me that because the marker was copper, it had to be totally reconstructed. (Since the letters are raised, there would be no way to just add some as you could do if it were engraved.)

Several weeks ago, I purchased the spring 2006 issue of "Tricycle - The Buddist Review." Among the articles was one about expressing gratitude toward one's parents. It was not referring to an abstraction but to an actual experience - katannu katavedita. Shortly, thereafter I had a sudden insight that made the concept feel very real. From that grew the desire to somehow show that gratitude, and the idea of the pebbles came to mind.

PAX!