Projects

During the past weekend I played at being a plumber. The mixing valve on the downstairs shower started leaking into the wall. Karen opened up the wall (kind of frightening how good she is at destruction) and I figured out how to fix it. Unfortunately, it involves me soldering pipes, which I had never done. Oh, goody, another skill.

Karen bought a new valve. Not an exact replacement (very hard to find) but something that would work and cover the old holes in the shower enclosure. I assembled all of the pieces out on the back deck so that I wouldn't have to do much soldering near the plastic shower wall.

How did it turn out? I don't know yet! I used the old riser, and when I went to remove the pipe that holds the shower head, it sheared off. So I had to remove that and buy a new one; I haven't had a chance to get back to the project since, though I will tomorrow or Saturday.

Meanwhile, another project is going on at the property next door: a septic is being installed. Not only is it the first big step in the construction of our new house, but the digging and clearing they've had to do makes the property look so much more house-friendly. And the boys are very excited to see a backhoe right out their window!

My other two projects are much more within my comfort zone. I'm directing a short play at the Village Players, which is now in rehearsal and slated to open August 24th (and close August 25th). And I'll be getting on the stage to sing and play my guitar at the theater company's annual talent show/meeting/potluck.

But with a new house to build, the theater is probably the only place I'll be in my comfort zone for the rest of the summer.

Catching Up, Sort Of

It's been much too long since I added to this blog, though not for lack of things to write about. In fact, things have been very busy around the Brooks household recently, in part because we are finally pulling out of the long winter, waking from the lethargy that so often accompanies the cold.

Of course, there is spring cleaning, which for us is not so much about deep scrubbing as about purging and reorganizing all that just got shoved away since last summer. The tool shed was a high priority, because we are going ahead with building our house. And we're selling the current digs, too big, too expensive, too drafty, and over-taxed. We'll miss the beach, but we still get the pond. We expect to be in our new house by the end of the summer. Wow.

This past weekend, Thomas attended the Junior/Senior Prom. Who'd have thought? He got a suit for the occasion, and he looked wonderful. Pictures to come. He even danced!

Oh, yeah. I turned 50 since the last entry. I guess I'll have to put up pictures of that, too.

I'm also diving right into theatrical directing. I picked a play, Percival Lowell's Refund, and casting begins next Tuesday. The play is one of three one-act plays The Village Players will be presenting on August 24th and 25th, all by new directors.

So, a full summer, but a very exciting one. And one I will try harder to report. Wish me luck.