Bird-Brained

So much has happened on the Hill since I last posted, I hardly will be able to chronicle it all, even in summary form. And yet, we've temporarily halted our construction projects as it seemed rather pointless to do so in today's economic climate. I'm not complaining, mind you, but when we first purchased the Villa, we had high hopes for a multi-year construction effort with a goal to retire to the desert once we sold it. While that still may be what's in store for us in the future, it's probably not going to happen for several more years beyond our original plans. Those that are best laid, though, often go awry.

I've remained healthy since my relapse in early 2008, something we all are thankful for. Even Weasel, our beagle mutt, seems to be happy to have me around the joint all the time now. While I was in the hospital, I really think she was glad to have me out of the house so she could have all of my wife's attention. In her own passive-aggressive way, she allows me to feed her, to give her treats and to even let me rub her tummy, though I can see the sneer of contempt hidden behind her yellow canines.

Our cabana has remained unused for the last year or so. Instead of a place to hang around during the lazy summer months, it serves as both storage location and future home to some persistent mama bird who diligently keeps trying to build a nest inside the globe of our cabana's ceiling fan / lamp. We've resorted to running the fan at slow speed 24/7 in order to discourage her from trying to make the lens her offspring's home. I love nature and all, but let's keep to our own parts the property, shall we?

One of the biggest accomplishments of the year on the Hill thus far – and thanks to Leia, my cost-conscious spouse – we've moved everything out of offsite storage to our garage (after giving much of it away to Goodwill and other charities). All of our worldly possessions are now within reach, even leaving us some room to pull in our car. Someday, we may even take on the project to remodel the garage and hopefully will downsize even further. I admit I don't need three-quarters of the books that are filling the twenty or so boxes out there. The funny thing is I've donated as many as ten boxes already. Writers are usually voracious readers (and book-buyers).

So, that's just a snapshot of a few of the happenings up here on the Hill, in the place we call our Villa, located in the foothills of Montrose. Until next time, gentle reader, be well.

Michael