They're tearing up the sidewalks around here! Not really, we don't have sidewalks. More like their replacing culverts and tearing out small trees to widen the road for the snow ploughs. All very good. The improved drainage will help control the mosquito population and the wider roads will help get us in and out of here after heavy snowfall. It is all good, except for the noise, backhoes and dump trucks are not quiet vehicles.

Attila is taking time during his lunch break to lay sheets of plywood on the decking over the side entrance. We hope this will protect anyone entering through that entrance, from the rain dripping off the roof in summer, and the snow melt from the deck in winter. It is a plan and we are hoping it will work.

Attila and I have been sleeping very well for the last week or so. It is wonderful. However, I have to wonder why I am so cranky, despite being well rested. I could analyze the possible reasons till the cows come home, but I doubt I'd come close to a satisfactory understanding. It is a mood and I hope it passes soon. Being cranky puts me out of sorts.

All the administrative issues I had been waiting on have been resolved satisfactorily, and in record time it seems. It did not feel that way at the time though, oh my no! I've been busy taking the sticky notes from the "worry box", executing each task systematically. The "worry box" is almost empty now!

Terra and Lares did visit over the past weekend and we had a lovely time. We all enjoy a good game of cards and played several games of four-handed euchre. Lots of laughter, lots of fun.

On Sunday Lares helped Attila with a few tasks that required four sets of hands and two strong backs. They made quick work of that.

Terra and I worked on clearing the back bedroom. I had anticipated moving junk from one area to another. Terra had other ideas, and her ideas were better than mine. She supervised the sorting, stacking and organizing of all that stuff. She convinced me that my packratiness was out of control. I don't know how much we discarded, because she insisted that Attila remove each growing pile of discards before I could have any second thoughts. It worked a charm and I haven't missed a thing! Terra took some of the items that she could use, and will deliver others to charitable organizations.

Terra has became this person, this efficient, capable, kind and caring person. And I am here, healthy and aware and able to appreciate how wonderful that is.

I've thawed some of the pickerel Attila and I caught in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. I'll bake it with lots of pepper and garlic and serve it with basmati rice and peas. There will be leftovers for tomorrow's lunch!

I think I'll have a little sit down in the porch, with a refreshing drink of Ontario black cherry juice, mixed with clear soda water; this is my favorite beverage. I'll listen to the birds for a bit. At least, I'll listen to the birds during the breaks taken by the dump truck and back hoe operators!