Washing Windows

Dean Lombardi said, "In order to see the world clearly, you must clean the windows of perception.  The only problem is, our society doesn’t do windows."  I believe it is time to start washing windows.  What if glass were dazzlingly clean and crystal clear, you'd see through it in overwhelming clarity.  We need to wash off our window to get a better view out and to better see into others' windows.  Instances of disconnect can occur, in particular, when you look through tainted windows.  Images are disrupted by our assumptions, memories or fears, ideas or experiences, and preconceived perceptions.

The view through our window can obscure things, or, it can make things clearer.  Once we wash our window pane, we regain our vision.  This blog theme is another take on last week's blog about the windows of different realities we see through.  Not only do we need to look through different windows, we need to clean off the window (ourself) through which we see out.  We shouldn't let a murky window (dirty glass) fog our vision and perceptions of the world, blocking out the light that helps us see clearly.  Not only do we need to wash the window to see the light, it needs to be cleaned so our inner light is also able to shine out. 

Saturday, Joe and I were off for town by 9:30.  First we went to Rocky Top 10 where we watched the movie "A Dog's Purpose," at a $5 cost, with all proceeds going to the local Animal Shelter.  Later they posted that they filled five theaters at the 10:00 showing, which explains the very crowded parking lot.  The movie was good, kind of sad in spots, and opened your eyes to many abusive situations some dogs have to live through.  Then we had lunch at Beef and Barrel before going to the Play House to watch The Odd Couple.  It was funny, a good pick-me- upper after the movie.  Finally, before coming home, we stopped at Wal-Mart so I could get some black yarn.

It was after 5pm by the time we got home, and Maggie had to pee.  She made it from the Mancave to the back door before having an accident.  We just couldn't get her outside quick enough.  Joe took Maggie out to finish her business while I cleaned up the puddle.  Then we both changed clothes and went on a nice, long invigorating walk.  I tried to take a Selfie of the three of us on a bench, but Maggie was not very cooperative.





It started snowing lightly, Sunday morning, about 7:30.  I decided to call it a snow day, and not venture out to Church or anywhere else, other than necessary dog walks.  Being gone all day yesterday, made me want to be a homebody today.  I was feeling tired and lazy.

I still get excited about snow, and enjoyed watching it fall.  The ground was too warm, so the flakes melted as they landed.  But, it was forecasted to get worse as the day progressed.

I was content to sit here and get this blog post started.  Then I went upstairs to read awhile, and continue watching it snow.  Sometimes the snow was quite heavy with big flakes, other times it was a fine mist of tiny flakes mixed with sleet.  It would come down fast for awhile, and then slow to light flurries.

Finally I got productive and finished sewing the second curtain rod to the tapestry, and got it hung in the foyer. 

The right photo was taken at the end of the day to better show its location.

Joe helped hold things up so I could mark where to hang them.  Then he left for a poker game, where he played for seven hours because it was so lucrative.



I added packing paper over the top of the maze of boxes, giving Stevie more options of hiding places, and Maggie more niches to search for the cat.








And sometimes I joined in the game of seek and find.  

The painting of Amiga, done by Carlos, is over my dresser.

Eventually, I got three of the large paintings hung in our bedroom.

 
This painting of a Golden Retriever that Carol painted reminds me of Kaysha.  It now hangs above Joe's dresser.


The painting over our bed I got cheap, at Goodwill, years ago, to hang above the fireplace in the house on Herritage Road.


With these pictures on the wall, our bedroom now feels much more homey, warm, cozy, and inviting. 
 










There was more lounging around by all, seen below, including some napping, and I did more reading.

Then, unfortunately, a gold finch hit the window, knocking itself out.  I brought it in out of the snow to keep it warm while it came to its senses.  Once it seemed to recover, I took it back outside and placed it in the shelter of this concrete ornamental light.  It was another few minutes before it flew away.

Maybe washing windows is not such a good idea when it comes to our big picture windows.  The birds don't realize there is a window blocking their flight path.  If the glass was dirty, maybe the birds wouldn't collide with it as often.

Seen right, the foggy, misty looking photo is actually caused by a very fine snow fall, better seen in this short video.





There were a few short dog walks, and then one rather long one while it was snowing.  







It was so pretty out, with the snow falling, even though it was a tad cold.  The photos above and right, show you how small the amount of accumulation was.

I went to bed, hoping to awake to more snow fall and whiteness in the morning, but it didn't happen.

Stevie attacking the stuffed cat that I had been
placing in different spots, to kind of mess with her.

Monday morning, having moseyed my way through my usual routine, I was on the go by 9:15.


I did the Ballroom Aerobics class, had time to freshen up, and then went to Jan's house for brunch with the barn ladies.  We haven't all been together at the same time in quite awhile.

Jan had made wonderful food, that we all enjoyed.  And then we chatted for quite a long time.  Horses are what brought us eight ladies together, and that's much of what we talked about.  It was a lot of fun.  We even got a laugh out of trying to take a timed selfie of our group.

I arrived home at 2:30, and the fireplace guys, Randy and Troy, were hard at work.







I guess while I was gone, they had made a lot of noise and mess, cutting the old unit out.  And they did run into a number of snags.  Seen left, the new unit is ready to go in the hole.  They were putting the direct vent pipping (one for intake and one for exhaust) into the chimney, while Stevie is snooping around in the background.

Seen right, the new unit is in the fire box, but it needed to be leveled and the pipes and hoses adjusted.  Stevie was not at all intimidated by these strangers, and continued to keep an eye on the project.  She enjoyed messing with their stuff and lying in the sun while watching.




Seen left and below, Stevie even decided to play with (attack) the vacuum hose.




Even Maggie got used to Troy and Randy coming in and out, walking on the roof, and crawling under the house as they worked.  She watched also.

Once the new fireplace was in, they fired it up, but there was no flame, only the smell of gas.  They quickly found the leak, got that fixed, and fired it up again.  But still no flame.  Long story short, there was too much air in the new gas line to fuel the fire.  They had to 'bleed' the line (probably 1/3 mile of new line from where the gas company tied in up at the corner of Snead and Lakeview), which took nearly 15 minutes.  We had porch doors opened wide.  And then, finally we got some blue flames.

Even though the new gas fireplace unit was burning, it still wasn't up to its potential.  The next thought was that the pressure was too low at the meter.  The gas company was already closed for the day.  It was late (after 6 pm) and I could see the guys were getting tired and they weren't going to get this project done (they still couldn't get the front panel, that frames it to fit), so I suggested they call it a day.  It was nearly 6:30 by the time they had packed up, cleaned up, and departed.



We left the fire going on medium to finish clearing the gas line of any air and to burn off the smell (always occurs in new units from curing of the paint and burning away any oils).  I could not believe how hot it was and how much it warmed the room, so much better than burning logs.  The glass front is like a glass stove top, and gets very hot.  We still needed to get the iron frame on and then the safety screen cover over the glass.  Before the installers came back to finish the job, I was going to do a little chipping away of the mortar so the frame would fit on.

It was a late dinner, after which we did some vacuuming and moved the furniture back in place so we could then relax and enjoy the new ambiance and heat.  I also had removed and cleaned up all the old log burning equipment and took this photo to put on Craig's list.

I turned the unit off before bed, the fan kept blowing until the fire box cooled down, but at this point, I thought I smelled gas again.  Ugh.  I turned it off at the hearth shut off valve.

When I walked the dog first thing Tuesday morning, there was a faint gas smell out near the meter.  We needed to call the gas company anyway, once they opened.  It was 9ish when they came out.  They fixed the leak, but said the pressure was fine.  Hum.  I was beginning to have my doubts about Tony and Randy's expertise. 

I finally got out to the barn to ride Amiga.  It was a long hike across the field to catch her, but at least she has been very good about letting me walk right up to her.  She was also a dirty mess, so took extra time to brush.  Once on the trail I had a relaxing and enjoyable ride.  I do miss having others out at the barn and someone to ride with.  I look forward to the stables opening again in March.

I took Amiga half way down the hill of the new trail, but the footing wasn't great and I didn't want to push her too hard.



Once we got to the lower 14th tee of Dorchester (seen above), we turned around. 

Chester accompanied us as usual.  He also misses the many people hanging out at the barn all day.

Shortly after I got home, the guy buying our propane tank arrived.  I had been out picking up sticks and Brian was out raking leaves, so we pitched in to help get the tank up onto the trailer.  Now I have a new spot (where the old tank was) that needs some landscaping. :-)




I had to hurry to get to the gym to fit in my whole workout routine before the stretch class.  Because I was short on time, I pushed hard, didn't rest much between weight machines, and really worked up a sweat.  Only having 30 minutes on the elliptical, I also pushed that pace faster than usual.  It felt good to exert myself, and then the stretch class and hot shower following, were oh so nice.


Wednesday, February 1 was National Freedom Day. Today and all days, honor kindness, compassion, open arms, and open minds.  Keep your window clean. 
It was a lazy morning because I had Ladies Club, not allowing time to go to Ballroom Aerobics, so I actually had extra time here at my computer.





Stevie and Maggie go through times of lazing around and moments of play.

I had bought a bottle of wine to share with the gals at our table, but ended up drinking half of it.  So once Carole dropped me back off at home, I was ready for a nap.


Instead of resting, I forced myself to chisel concrete from around the fireplace, in case the installer guys happened to return late afternoon.  I worked slowly and carefully so as not to remove more than necessary.  The left side (seen here) needed most of the work.

Then I went to ride Amiga.  While walking way out to catch her, I took this video.  I wish she would come when I call, like Zorro does.  He comes even when I don't call, because he is so curious (or a big pest).  






I went out on my ride quite close to feeding time, which is why all the horses were up near the gate when I went to catch Amiga.  Anyway, she was wound up.  I decided to let her move out in her gait, rather than keep slowing her to a walk.  She ended up working herself into a pretty good sweet.  It doesn't help that she has her winter coat and it was almost 60 degrees out.

Seen above, a bunch of trees (near the upper 14th tee) the golf course had cut down and stacked here in the big, preexisting pile, that is near our new trail.  Seen right, rain was in the forecast and it felt like it would soon hit.  I let Amiga graze, but she really wanted to get back to the barn.  All the horses were in by the time I dismounted, but Amiga had to wait extra long at the cross ties to cool down before getting her grain.

Joe had left at noon to get my car fixed and from there went to his poker game, so I had the house to myself.  I fired up the new fireplace, reading the manual, and figuring out the remote control as I went.  I watched Fixer Upper before bed, but was a little concerned about a slight gas smell from the fireplace.  I hoped it was the residue still burning off during the initial break-in period.

Thursday morning, when leaving on my first dog walk, I got a good look at my fixed, as good as new, car.  Yippee.  I worked here at my computer most of the morning.  Then after an early lunch, went to the barn.  I filled tubs with manure before Joe and Maggie arrived, and then we all went to Stradford Dr. to work on that end of the new trail.






We decided to cut out two sharp corners of switch backs and straighten the trail going up the hill.  The new trail is on the right where Maggie is sitting.


I raked slippery leaves off the trail and picked up rocks that had come loose, while Joe cleared roots that might catch horse hooves and cause tripping.  He moved quicker than I did.  Maggie was great, staying in view of either Joe or I.  We worked at leveling this steep section of hill (seen left) that goes up from the creek towards Stratford.

 
Joe worked for almost two hours, and then headed home with the dog.  I was going to walk the rest of the trail to the barn and then ride.



Well, at the creek crossing (seen above), I noticed some larger rocks had washed down into the area where the horses walk, which can cause slipping when stepped on.  So using the rake, the only tool I had with me, I cleared all of them out of the way.  Then as I headed up the hill on the other side, I started clearing rocks off of the trail that I have noticed Amiga slipping on.  I also curved the trail around this big, rock slab (seen left) that can't be moved, which we had been riding over.  But, due to it's slant and the step down below it, it was tricky navigating.  You can see many of the rocks I moved from this section, piled along the left side of the trail.

I like this photo (right) that shows the same section of hill, from above the rock slab.  But you can see the trail going to the creek and then going up the hill on the other side of the creek.  It is a pretty trail through the beautiful woodland, even though it is a bit rugged in several spots.

I ended up working a little over five hours and it was dark by the time I had hiked back to the barn.  I was completely exhausted, thirsty, and my muscles started quivering when I got in the car to drive home.  I didn't get in a ride and I had missed my Thursday workout and stretch routine, but boy I got a lot done on the trail and felt I had gotten in a great workout.  Joe and I were going to go to the hot tub, but then remembered it was closed for the week.  Standing extra long in a hot shower was the best I could do.  We watched a movie with the fire blazing heat, still getting it through the breaking in period.


I woke up Friday morning, later than usual, and feeling much better than anticipated.  The pain reliever/sleep aid the night before, really did the trick.  The usual computerizing, and then work on this blog, took me till noon.  Seen left in the window, is the Amaryllis from Cathy.  It seems the stem with the bud is rather long, but I think it has been seeking light.  Even after washing windows, if the sun ain't shining, there won't be much light coming in.  It was a cold day and gloomy for most of it, so an appointment with the eye Dr., and then going shopping, was well timed. 

We'd had the fire on all morning, but I'd forgotten to shut off the gas at the hearth when I turned the fire off.  Well, when I walked into the house at 2:45, it smelled a bit like natural gas, which made me nervous.  I opened some doors and then restocked the kitchen with the groceries I hauled in from my car.  I also turned on the fireplace, walked the dog, read while doing a load of laundry, and had a good salad from the deli.  Joe was playing poker so it was another evening with just my fur babies.  They really like the heat coming off the new fireplace. 

Keep in mind the importance of washing windows.  George Bernard Shaw's quote, "Best keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you see the world." is a reminder to keep our thoughts and hearts as clean and free from worries, anxieties, and negativity as we possibly can.  Today, strive to clear your vision (wash your window) by viewing the world in a positive light and know that you can gain understanding, touch others' lives, and remain cheerful and uplifting.