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Show 2 - FLAMING TIMES - AUGUST 15, 1995 Pacing This summer is remodeling time at my house. All the stories I've heard for so long about building projects seem more accurate now than they did before. I'm having a lot of fun, and I'm learning a lot about pacing. Mainly I'm learning that everything doesn't neces— sarily go according to plan. It's not that nothing's been accomplished. The septic line is in, the water line is in, the electric line is in, the plumbing is all but finished, kitchen cupboards are appearing, the bathroom is coming along, and Sunday I even flushed my own new toilet for the first time ever (without a hitch). Dirt is heaped up along the back side of the house, a modest version of the gigantic earthberm dream of the original designers—mine to cover the utility trench so the winter freeze can't reach it. The new raw earth contours out back will keep me busy with my shovel for years. I've learned about stop and waste valves, anti-knock pipes, venting, b1111nose corner beads, sheetrock, and plaster powder and drips. And cubic yards of sawdust and wood scraps. I've found that old windows can secret seven or eight old coats of paint, each a different color. I've learned that most of my plans are going to work out fine, if I continue to reap ideas and wise counsel from practically everyonel talk to. The roofing system I've discovered seems to be ideal for this very rough ce~ ment exterior, and I can apply it with my 4" brush at my own speed. I'd like to be as flexible and easy to work with. I am impatient to apply the tinted outer coat which I hope will mimic lichen— covered redrock; impatient with everything else taking up those kindly early morning and late evening hours. (But then, after I get going on some other task, I balk at returning to roof work. Far be it from me to be consistent.) During the hot spell, I've been running great before noon and after 7, but mid— days have often dribbled away with murder mysteries and naps. Right now the days and nights are a bit cooler, thanks to whoever is in charge of mercy. We're moving toward fall. Now if only that last partition were up . . . Despite some unexpected and ex— toolbelt, and trailer—leaving only his little boat and his work inside to prove he was ever here. I've learned that, like they say, when one door shuts another opens; a new carpenter has appeared who wants thejob and may be even better than the last. Falling from the mountains Still headed for the sea A transient pebble stranded here Lies right down at my feet pick it up pick it up pick it up pick it up skip, skip, skippin' free fly, fly, fly upon the water walkin' on air between pick it up (skip it) touching down (poppin' up) pick it up (skip it) touching down (poppin‘ up) summer's pace has been just right. I've had time to think, plan, draw, reconsid- er, gather more ideas, and mull them over again before the next step in the process. I have to admit it couldn't be An art learned from my daddy A game played with my bro.s A gift to give my mother A sense of letting go [ refrain ] going better even if I'd planned it that way. Cris Coffey, August 1995 CV’S GALLOPING GOURMAND JAKE'S FAMOUS CHOCOLATE MOUSSE REVEALED! Some art can lose expression Some games are not that fun Some gifts won't ever balance out But the risks are mine to run [refrain] Aiming carefully at nothing But remembering to dare Go way on back and toss it off With that snap of fateful flair [ refrain ] but I may get better. I've learned to take with a grain of salt some assurances about what will be a cinch, or, on the other hand, predictions about what won't work at all. I've learned that my first reaction may need to be examined. I've learned to survive even when my great carpenter vanishes —table saw, [The following is a song by a local river guide, written to be sung by sever— al voices. If you bear with it a bit, it can be read as a poem] cruciating delays, I now see that the Thank you all. I've learned that plumb ing is creative magic and that a good carpenter is a gift from the gods. I've learned that I‘m not great at laying tile, Rockin' Free INGREDIENTS: 4 eggs, 8 oz. serni~ sweet baking chocolate, 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract. DIRECTIONS: Melt chocolate (ide- ally in a double boiler - at least avoid "cooking" it). Separate eggs. Froth yolks 'til creamy. Mix together yolks, vanilla and chocolate very gently. Beat whites 'til stiff. Fold together both halves of the recipe. Chill big time. Serve with a sly smile and the insinua tion that the recipe is a secret. Dipping fruit and/or whipped cream optional — both recommended. Jake Burnett A stone skims along water Time washes over me And the marking of the passage Ripples onward rockin' free [refrain, followed quietly by] pick it up pick it up pick it up pick it up skip, skip, skippin' free] by Rebecca Martin |