I done this thing (almost)

The third floor bonus room with its window frame made of leftover picture-frame stock.

The third floor bonus room with its window frame made of leftover picture-frame stock.

I am waiting on the youngest to give me the date of his last exam, at which time I will hire a truck to move the last of our stuff to our Maine house. It’s been a long slog and one I haven’t enjoyed that much.

Leaded glass repairs, check.

Leaded glass repairs, check.

When the going gets tough, I make lists. When the going gets really tough, I avoid them; they are overwhelming. I’m at the point where a list is feasible, however, and it was on my schedule yesterday. However, a car accident hijacked my day. When one has two weeks and two days to finish a massive project, that hurts. And now I’m wheel-less, which hurts even more.

One of five bedrooms. I'm moving my pallet in here tomorrow.

One of five bedrooms. I’m moving my pallet in here tomorrow.

Most of the time, I keep my nose firmly on the grindstone and don’t look up. My focus is very narrow: I have to get these vents swapped out or that window-frame primed and painted. The other evening I decided to take a few moments to walk around and really look at this place. It looks pretty darn good, if I may say so myself.

It started life as your basic finished-basement bar in the 1950s. I expect that it will be redeployed as a media room.

It started life as your basic finished-basement bar in the 1950s. I expect that it will be redeployed as a media room.

I hate the weeks ahead of a tight deadline, even when I’m on track. They’re fraught with anxiety and tinged with longing to be done. I can’t even think about Christmas, I’m so anxious to be back in my home with my family.

Carol Douglas

About Carol Douglas

Carol L. Douglas is a painter who lives, works and teaches in Rockport, ME. Her annual workshop will again be held on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park, from August 6-11, 2017. Visit www.watch-me-paint.com/ for more information.