beard + zippers = no fun

That's it. no fun at all.

Mr. Fridge and Mrs. Roof

Just as children shouldn't nest in old fridges and freezers, squirrels too shouldn't in roofs. Part of me feels bad, but part of me thinks that they brought it upon themselves. Turns out that squirrels need to eat everyday, or else they go 'quiet' (unless they are currently hibernating and I'll have problems again in the spring).

It's interesting how many neighbours re-roofed this summer (the ones closest to the park still have hoses on their roof and big piles of shingles 'oops'. Doing frieze boards, soffits, fascia, and siding can at least can be done while the snow is coming down (thank you 'Mechanix'tm gloves).

As we're about to take Katrina to the park, this sick sunday afternoon (I'm down, and Rachel is sure to follow with Katrina), I'll be quick with a random piece of poetry:

The park is empty
Every toy vacant and still
Thanks God for the snow

PS. I was just reading about the Genocide Awareness Project and need to do some looking about things they said. I'll need to educate Katrina and Zvonko about so many things in life...

I Will ReRoof (a medley in four parts)

okay, so, like, first, I was afraid, I was pertrified, couldn't live without a roof over my head,
but then I spent so many nights just living with a tarp,
and I grew strong (and tanned)
and I learned how to frame a roof

and so it's back, that evil rain,
I just walked in to find a ceiling with an ugly little stain
I should have used a different tarp
I should have seen that ripped up spot
If I'd have known for just one second all the mudding that'd follow me
go on now, go out the door
take a good view now, of the second floor

Did the project last a week or has it now been almost three months
Did I crumble
Did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh no, not.I. I will survive
I will survive, hey hey

it took all the strength I had to lift that heavy part
kept trying not to fall from 30ft up when I stepped upon the tarp
and I spent oh so many nights
Just lying in bed thinking about the roof, I had to try
but now I hold my head up high
and you'll see me, with a beard or two,
calluses on my hands and holes in my shoe

so if you feel like dropping in
and seeing all the work that's done
you'd be welcome, and bring your caulking gun!

go on now, go out the door
take a good view now, of the second floor (fade out)

Will Blogs be so long-lived?

Well, I thought that it'd be neat to know my parents better, but I don't really have any of their writings from when they were younger... what were they thinking, what did they struggle with, what price was gas?
So I figure that the thousands of blogs out there will be like lots of little computerized diaries, and not as girlish. So my children will have the opportunity to take a look and see what their dad struggled with and made public to possibly thousands of people. If I ever run for president, I bet lots of reporters will read this stuff to try to get to know their future leader...

So, kids, right now we're in the last stages of the roof renovation on 63 Schneider ave, it's been since Aug 20th that I've been putting in long days on the roof, and your mom has been putting in long days doing everything else by herself (though you are a good helper, Katrina. Zvonko, you were just moving around in her belly, so no points for you). Right now the drywall isn't all put up yet in the dormer, but soon it will be and I'll begin the terrible process of mudding, then sanding, mud, sand, mud, sand, mud, sand, paint, mud, sand, paint....

Your mom is here, looking over my shoulder...and we've got the second batch of apple-stuff canning away (it's apple chutney, I'm hoping it turns out well). And I've got a meeting tomorrow for LEED, so I should get to bed.

And now, a terrible haiku:

hot, steamy, choppy
canning is a great big chore
but sure beats the store

On privacy

This seems like an odd concept...hide your personal information, lock your doors, have security systems on your cars and homes. Oh, and share every detail of your life online for anyone to take a look at. Weird. Anyways, I like the thought of a space where I can write random stories, maybe the odd detail about life, and think that no-one sees it. It's like the ultimate passive-agressive move out there (well, maybe not the ultimate).

Since bedtime is soon, here is a haiku.

The cat climbed the tree
the squirrel lived in my house
I only love one