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| Back patio at the Firehouse |
It's been two weeks since we closed on the firehouse and we are making a great deal of progress. Sometimes it is hard for us to see it (knee deep in the pure toil of it all) but it is happening. The building itself has soul and loads of character. It is not perfect (much like ourselves) but it feels right and we hope that everyone will love it as much as we do. After a thorough cleaning and numerous coats of paint and stain, the interior is taking shape and it will soon be filled with art, tables and chairs. The exterior has a fresh coat of red paint and is ready for the new awning and fence around the front patio. The old front door, which we don't have the heart to replace, was given a coat of poly in the hopes that it will hang on just a little longer.
Last night, as I was popping in a few more plants in the back patio area, I felt at peace. Our daughter was there with me chatting about hot peppers and chocolate mint and "what the heck is okra, mom?" and I realized that everything we have done at the firehouse so far has been rooted in love--by good people and our own sweat equity. And that is deeply satisfying. An old friend stopped in the other day and said "you look lighter." Compared to the last time I saw her last summer … yes. I am feeling the levity, no question. Never mind the bags under my eyes and unkempt hair (that's what hats are for).
Paul has been burning the proverbial candles at both ends--up at the crack of dawn and at the firehouse every day making sure the work continues to move forward. One day he is painting, the next, cleaning the kitchen and mapping out equipment, up and down ladders, under sinks, on the roof, out front talking to the seemingly endless stream of people curious about what we are doing. When he gets home in the evening, rarely before 9, he is cashed. We have been doing a lot of cleaning and painting. Chelsea is there when she's not baking for Jen or competing in bike races. And I am there as often as I can be, between teaching two classes and working on final book edits. Always a deadline. But I can't stay away from the firehouse. It's become our second home.
Happy Fourth of July!
