Spot On

Cam and Johnny arrive early. Johnny tidies up the drains round the back, Cam tidies up inside jobs. And the portaloo is going. I race out to the Department of Conservation tree bank. They grow seedlings of plants which are native to this area, Waitaha, many of which have become rare because of tree clearing for agriculture by settlers. A former PHS girl talks me round so I can buy trees which won't grow too big. I drop the Suzuki off at Sockburn to get the rattle under the front wheels looked at. Cars and me are an uneasy mix. I'm always spending money on maintenance. Kahu and I hang about for Scoff who's returning party glasses and has offered to help set up the stereo. He helped me buy it back in the early 2000's. We don't have the wires and plugs we need and can only find one speaker. Of course. First thing Scoff notices when he walks in is the grills in the ceiling and my feelings of, I wish they were less visible and I wish I had made different choices, flare up. I'm feeling discombobulated as Kahu and I drive to the beach for a swim. I can't turn back the clock and I can't change the holes in the ceiling. I've got two options: get used to it, and mitigate to hide them.

Greg arrives as we return to the house with fish and chips. He's got his tool box and his expert picture hanging eye. It doesn't take long to get the big picture up in the entry. Looks amazing. And we discuss the merits of the Time and Tide Split Enz poster which Kahu wants in front of the living/entry door. I'm doubtful but it's spot on. Art on the walls has power. I feel immediately better about the space from the ceiling down. We hang several other frames before we reach our limit for the day. Rome was built in more than one.