Decking
Simmering in the background like a pot of overheated pasta, the deck calls to me like a siren sweetly singing. Harpies, more like. Last week I managed to get a dozen 12′ cedar boards stained and set on stickers in … Continue reading
Author Archives: admin
Laser Level
Every guy knows that the only reason we suffer through home repairs is to justify the purchase of MORE TOOLS! Today I landed a new laser level, that shows me how bad everything really is! In this shot, the wall … Continue reading
Father’s Day
So, what is it with people lately? This weekend (Friday through Sunday) brought a crescendo of something that has been happening to me a lot lately. Every single person who made plans with us either showed up late, or cancelled … Continue reading
Clouds Race Across the Sky
I’m headed to bed, leaving the Sprite as silent sentry over all she surveils.
Black Water
I turned on the bath water, and out comes dirty water. Hmmm.. Is this another problem in the house, or coming from outside? It reminds me of scenes in horror movies where the actor is in the shower and the … Continue reading
The Rental
I guess we can now officially refer to our condo in Everett, where we lived for the last six years, as “The Rental.” It will certainly take a lot of adjustment to get used to that idea, on a number … Continue reading
Lipstick on a Bulldog
Sometimes, it’s all you can do. When I discovered dry rot under the kitchen counter top, it launched the entire discussion about how to go about repairing/replacing/remodeling the kitchen. For now, we’ve decided to make do until we can figure … Continue reading
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Tagged home improvement, lot 4, tools techniques
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Truth
Defining My Terms – “PFM”
“Legerdemain and PFM” is my way of describing the techniques I have learned or invented over many years of making things right again. “Legerdemain ” because the definition of mastery is knowing how to disguise your mistakes, so a kind … Continue reading
The Gloves Are Off
A few of our friends and relatives have cautioned us, eyes wide with horror about the tales of our new house, to avoid arguing about all of it. “Oh my god! Don’t wind up getting a divorce over it!” Funny … Continue reading
Legerdemain and PFM – 1
“The definition of mastery is knowing how to disguise your mistakes.” Another day, another puzzle. The drawer in this cabinet will not stay in the rails. The width is off by a full 1/2″, which makes me wonder how anyone … Continue reading
Stored Artwork
Time to pull some of my art out of storage and decide what to take home for hanging! A few years ago, a gallery owner asked me if I had any larger pieces, and unfortunately, I did not. Most of … Continue reading
“It’ll Be Just Like New!”
Camille and her sister Jenifer survey the estate on our initial walk-through. “Hey! This isn’t bad… Just replace the counter top, and it’ll be like new!” It is tragicomic – when we first walked through, the countertops screamed out “REPLACE … Continue reading
The Critic
My grandson Tristan studies my work for composition, continuity, balance, technical excellence, and all around je ne sais quoi:
The Classics
Exposing Tristan to “The Classics.” In this case, the 70s Prog Rock band Yes.