etc.

I’ll admit to a wee bit of lazy home-improvementitis. Many of the things we need to do to this crazy-little-house are general maintenance things, a bit of caulking here, some plastering there, nothing I can get too excited about. But painting! Well, painting is the answer to my instant gratification needs because painting provides results instantly, minus a couple of hours of drying time, but even in those hours you can stand by and appreciate the results of all your hard work, can’t you? Which is why “I’d rather watch paint dry” when used to describe an insipid activity has never held much import for me. Here’s the before and after of yesterday’s work: the hallway on the second floor. Now you too can enjoy watching paint dry, as I do.

Also, those of you who have recently clicked over to the books page only to be met with disappointment will be happy to learn that I’ve read a couple of books, finally. And thanks to those who offered suggestions for the holiday reading list, I’ve added this one and this one.