Redneck Neighbor

 

Lately I have been "blessed" with traveling many, many miles a week.  One of my coworkers has lent me several books on CD to pass the time.  The current selection is "The Glass Castle" and it has brought back flashes from my 5th grade friendship (Rosetta Ashby).  We had so much fun with very little.

Yesterday when I finally was able to see the recent "state of affairs" on my screened in porch I contemplated a "quick fix" so my kitties could enjoy the outside without escaping into the night. The original construction, I admit, was not the best (but at least the porch was secured).  Over time the cheap door has left its hinges twice, most recently causing unrepairable damage. 

I purchased a new door, and have painted it to match the green trim on the house.  Unfortunately, the door has yet to be mounted (it is at least a two-person job).  Two nights ago I was sure damage had been done, but in the daylight it became painfully obvious.

Not only had the door screen been chewed and seperated for critter entry, but the dang visitors had taken it upon themselves to create a second "escape" hatch!  So cardboard and duct tape were enlisted to "secure" the area on a temporary basis (until such time as other able-bodied folks can be enlisted in the door project). 

I suppose it is a good thing that the grass between the road and the front of the house is tall and unmowed.  At least the passing boaters can't see the redneck repairs.  Only one of my neighbors ventures up my overgrown driveway these days, and that is at dusk so perhaps he won't notice either.

Homeownership isn't all that some people believe it is. I think it is over-rated.  But perhaps that is a reflection of my current travel schedule and inability to get stuff done around the homestead.

Sometimes, however, I daydream of a simpler housing situation.  The one at work is satisfactory (at least for now).  Rent the house, pay for utilities, someone else sees to the necessary repairs and mows the grass.  Few adornments and marginal furnishings. 

The kitties are learning to adapt the simpler style as well.  Perhaps my next venture will be a small house in the country, tucked inside some trees.  I need to declutter my life.  Then perhaps I can deal with the country critters in real time.

 

"How hard it is to escape from places. However carefully one goes they hold you - you leave little bits of yourself fluttering on the fences - like rags and shreds of your very life." ~Katherine Mansfield