Sensible Saturday

 When I get to College Ave mid morning, Ian is hard at work. He never stops. I ask him how the flowers I gave him for his wife went. He tells me they're separating. Oh. Shit happens, but as he tells me, it should've happened years ago. There are many who would agree. Relationships take way longer than they should to end. Writing on the wall. I learn about my floor as Ian goes about his work. There's one spot in the living room where it's 2mm out but, overall, it's pretty even. Otherwise he would have to level it. He's a detail man of necessity. If the levels or measurements are out it's going to cause more work. The little things matter now. 

I leave him to it to explore lawn mower options at the pawn shop. It's confusing so I call Martyn's where my broken mower sits. The mower man advises me against buying a machine where I am and tells me mine will be in good working order once it gets a new blade. Thanks Mr Sensible. I drop in to Lighthouse to share my lamps and take back two exterior down lights I can't use. The very efficient fan man put the vents where the lights were going to go. They were to light up my lead light windows from outside to show them off after dark. Rene only found room for the one outside the ensuite. Too bad, in fact I think it might have been overkill. That's what happens when you get a lighting plan. It ups my credit for the kitchen lights. Ok.

I collect Kahu and we do some gardening. There's the fence line to tidy up. Kahu works well. He's decided he wants to make a rest area in the back corner of the garden and shows me the view back to the house. A peaceful spot for quiet moments. I'd like to speed up moving trees but it's taking time to figure out what are going to be permanent homes. Patience. Kerry, champion axe chopper, drops in on her way past. This was her son, Jordan's, second home growing up as one of Kahu's best mates from 5 years old. He's like one of mine and Kahu is one of Kerry's. Jamie, Jordan's sister, is part of it too. 

Tonight Kahu and I catch up with Vinnie and Lizzie. Lizzie was in my 1991 Teachers' College class and I did my first teaching in Christchurch and Papanui HS relieving for Vince back in 1997. We go way back. Vinne's cooking is superb and he's got stories to beat the band. Knows how to tell them too. One of those people who relish life and is not afraid to strike out. Tells me he calls me Jillian the Reptilian...that I'm adaptable and a survivor. Quite the compliment and, a reflection of how I've dealt with the unfolding earthquake drama of the past ten years. I've asked Vinnie to source1960 and 2002 coins, birth years for Kahu and I, to put in the new concrete. He's come up with some mint 1960 coins. I'm stoked. And forgotten about Kahu. We finish the night with a game of dominoes and a whisky. Old friends are good friends.