The Recliner Misadventure

For many years, Bob was a serial recliner buyer. He always loved the chair for a couple of weeks until its shortcomings began to show. After a year or so, he was usually in the market for a new one -- until he found the great Hooker Esme recliner in August of 2018.

Two days after our move-in date, we were expecting the delivery of a new couch for the family room so I decided to move the recliner blocking a traffic lane near the west window. Bob was out, but he had adamantly objected to my plan before he left the house. Since I'm accustomed to moving furniture on my own, so I went ahead anyway and all was well until I plugged in the chair and tried it out. After a few seconds, I heard terrible sounds under me.

Seems the power cord was too short and the power supply itself got caught in the chair mechanism. Crunch, crack, pieces all over the floor. I jumped out of the chair and turned it over, failing to unplug it. Sparks were flying and I managed to give myself a shock, not too bad and perhaps something of a punishment for my foolishness. I gathered up most of the pieces and put them in a baggie. I immediately called the sales rep from HOM Furniture who had sold Bob the recliner and was working with us on current purchases. 

Bob soon arrived home and, not for the first time in the 37 years we've been married, I found myself on the wrong side of stupid, though this was my first chair offense. More pieces of plastic fell out of the chair onto the new carpeting. Cat moved into the doghouse and a long month of anguish began.

A new part was ordered but rejoicing soon turned to frustration when it turned out to be the wrong one. I contacted the manufacturer myself and somehow the right power supply was ordered and we received it a few days before my birthday. Miracle of miracles: we connected the part, plugged in the chair and tested functionality. All perfect after five agonizing weeks.

The pricey wrong part was returned and the full price refunded after dozens of text messages, emails and phone calls, extending an issue that could, and should, have been resolved within a week or so. There may be limits to what can be blamed on COVID-19.

The Big Move

Construction photos.

We lived with Meggan and Scott in Woodbury for over two months, and the time passed very quickly, as we settled into a comfortable (for us) life in the beautifully renovated lower level, with our own bathroom, wet bar and patio door exit. We often saw turkeys, rabbits, squirrels and songbirds from our quarters, the main level of the house and the wide deck overlooking the treed grounds, with an old barn and farmer's cornfield in the distance . Our hosts were welcoming and gracious, and we enjoyed their company.

After the turmoil of early June following the George Floyd murder, suddenly our move was imminent. We visited our homesite almost every day until our formal walkthrough, when the house was cleaned and made ready for occupancy. A week later, on June 30, we completed a final walkthrough with Brenden Englund, the construction manager, and then showed up at Ohio Title in St. Louis Park to sign closing documents.

The closing was a little bizarre in the new order imposed by COVID-19. We sat across a table from the closer, separated by a plexiglass divider in the table. Documents were passed back and forth under the divider, much as they would be at a bank with protective glass for the tellers. I, however, felt like a prison visitor and almost expected to be frisked.

In about 10 days, we'll celebrate two months in the new house. The challenges of the first few days, like finding towels and dinnerware, were replaced by slogging through moving boxes, buying necessities (mostly online), and making the house feel like home. Scott -- the project manager for this entire adventure -- installed dimmer switches in the dining room, family room, under the kitchen counters, in one bathroom. He's adding towel rails to the bathroom and laundry, and will soon hang pictures on the wall.

Some obstacles have been both frustrating and sometimes discouraging. Among these: getting our Xfinity (cable/Internet/phone) bill straightened out, managing furniture delivery and returns (delayed because of supply chain problems attributed to the pandemic), living in a field full of mud and weeds until landscaping was completed on August 8, the damage I inflicted on Bob's recliner -- a topic covered in another story.

We love our new house! So much efficiently used space with a convenient layout for everything. The window treatments provide control over light; temperature is consistent through the house; there is plenty of room for Bob and me to be together or do our own thing. The neighborhood is nestled into a small area near the Woodbury/Lake Elmo border, so we have easy access to the amenities of Woodbury and I-94/the I-494/I-694 loop circling the Twin Cities. Grocery stores are located a few minutes away, and parking lots aren't packed as they were in our former neighborhood.

People ask me if I miss the house we lived in for so many decades. The answer is always "no", though I feel a little sad that it was so easy to close the door on the past and move on. Only a little regretful, though -- I wake up happy every morning and am thrilled that everything is progressing as it should.

Tragedy in Minneapolis

George Floyd was killed on Memorial Day in a Minneapolis police incident memorialized in nine agonizing minutes of video that almost immediately went viral. A police officer, later identified as Derek Chauvin, kneels on the victim's neck as he pleads for help, repeatedly saying "I can't breathe".

Two days of protests and chaos followed. Some protesters looted a Target in south Minneapolis, about 4 miles from our former home. Last night, clashes with police continued as fires ravaged throughout that neighborhood. Yesterday, protesters gathered outside the home of Derek Chauvin in Oakdale, an eastern Twin Cities suburb about 20 miles from the incident and not far from where I am right now.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medario Arradondo fired the four officers involved and observers around the world are demanding charges. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is outraged; a “shocked and horrified” Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison promise justice; the Federal Justice Department and the FBI pledge to undertake a “robust criminal investigation”.

When I moved to Minnesota nearly four decades ago, I was surprised to hear only English on the street and see mostly Caucasian faces in a crowd. Although the state has become more diverse, as reported in this 2018 article, racial disparities are evident from an anecdotal perspective and poverty statistics. The numbers are painful to contemplate and call out for change, on institutional and personal levels

The killing and its aftermath are so disturbing, a terrible tragedy that compounds the effects of several fatal racially charged incidents over the last few years. I'm really sad and so very sorry.

Farewell 2048 Goodrich!

Bob lived at 2048 Goodrich for 55 years. At a few months short of 37 years, I was also one of  the block residents with the most longevity.

We had been planning our move for many months but plans didn't begin to materialize until the house sold quickly to a young couple who made an offer on the day it was listed. All of a sudden we had to be out by 9:00 a.m. on May 1!

The serious work started when we returned from Florida on March 25. Scott jumped into action and created a tentative moving schedule that included enlisting Chris, John, Adam and Mitchell. With a few exceptions, we're buying new furniture so we gave away or pitched most things, and sold a couple on a community marketplace Facebook site.

Scott hauled his large snowmobile trailer and filled it pretty much to capacity. Last Saturday, we were almost finished, but still had odds and ends (too many) to deal with. Meggan and Scott graciously offered us their newly refinished lower level, where the view is beautiful and the comfortable, cheerful space provides respite from all the stress of moving. Our hosts could teach the hospitality industry a lot.

Bob a I moved more stuff Sunday and Monday. Sonia came yesterday to help clean  (what a godsend her presence was) and Junk360 picked up what neighborhood scavengers left in the alley.

I left appliance instruction books on the buffet along with keys and garage door openers. We read the water meter and just like that, we were done and gone. Final walkthrough is Thursday afternoon and on Friday, the new owners will take over.

Goodbye peonies, Bob's roses, prairie garden and majestic centenarian oak tree! Goodbye, beloved house! Thanks for all the fun and deep joy, for the six kids you sheltered, for precious memories and so much love.

Life at Home #stayathomemn

We've been under a stay-at-home order for over a month now -- how long doesn't really seem to matter, because we seem to have adapted to the new distanced reality imposed on us by COVID-19. We've figured out grocery shopping, the pharmacy and necessary trips to Menard's for moving boxes, tape and other supplies. I plan my route through the store in advance and I always wear a mask. It's routine now, so I have one in my purse and another on the seat of my car

Once I got the curbside pickup thing figured out, I thought I would order all groceries online, but that didn't really work out except once. Demand for the service seems to exceed capacity, and I haven't succeeded in getting a workable pickup or delivery time at either Cub Foods or my favorite Lund's & Byerly's. Seems "in person" is the way to go, armed with a good list.

I shopped once at Lund's, and although it was only 7:00 a.m., the store was full of slow-moving shoppers and the wait at check-out seemed like forever. Instead, I switched to the nice, new Cub just across the Ford Bridge in Minneapolis. This morning, I was there way before 7 and zipped through the store like a pro, which I definitely am not. The checkout guy seemed desperate for conversation, conducted as I packed my bags (paper, not the re-usable ones I washed when we got home from Florida), all at a greater than 6-foot distance.

#stayathomemn has been extended through May 4.


https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/

Empty Attic

Way back in the mid-80s, Bob and I cleaned the attic, but didn't empty it. Instead, it filled up again. Dealing with the contents has been a major task in the decluttering project initiated last fall. Our house closing is May 1, so obviously I needed to complete the job.

Among the oldest items was a box with dusty quilted nylon bathrobes that must have belonged to one of the girls who grew up in this house, decades before me. Of course, I recognized the clothes from old photos and felt a little sad they went in the trash.

I also found an oil painting covered with attic dust and dirt. I remembered being unable to throw it away all those years ago, and couldn't do it yesterday either. No one seems to recall its provenance, so I think it may have been in the house when Bob and his first wife, Sandy, took possession in 1965. I "reverse imaged" a photo on the Internet, with no luck, but maybe this picture will job someone's memory.

I cleaned the painting kind of following instructions for amateur conservators. However, I'm a little too squeamish to do much with Q-tips and spit, so  I ended up outside this morning with a dry paintbrush for the worst of the dust, and a damp cloth to wipe off the darkest stains. The canvas brightened up immediately and I'm looking forward to finding a frame.

It will find a good spot in the new house.

Field Trip to Menard's

We returned from Florida four days ago, and although we haven't been in quarantine, like people returning from another country, we  kept to ourselves, even before Friday's stay-at-home order. Son Chris delivered necessities we had trouble finding, like Kleenex, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and coffee.

We're allowed to go for walks, hit the compost site, as well as shop for groceries and other necessities. Fortunately, permissible destinations include hardware stores. Yesterday, I tried, without success, to buy moving boxes from Menard's online store, so today Bob drove me over to the local Menard's, where I also picked up a few other items, including snacks and drinks.

Minnesotans are an obedient lot and no one in the store went beyond anyone else's invisible six-foot personal space. Disinfectant wipes were prominently displayed at the entrance, so I wiped down my cart.  The person ahead of me at checkout moved quickly and I maintained  my distance from the cashier. The employees were obviously well trained and the store seemed like a safe place to be.

New Normal

I really hope this so-called "new normal" doesn't last!I miss the daily social exchanges of what used to be everyday life, and laughter! I'm reminded of Cosmo Castorini's father in Monstruck: "Somebody tell a joke!"

Still, my routine is not really so different from my "normal" before we went to Florida. Then, I was decluttering and cleaning in preparation for our move, and I have to keep it up, since the buyers of our house take possession on May 1. Yesterday, I spent the day doing laundry, disinfecting the kitchen, vacuuming. I felt proudest of washing all my re-usable bags and anything from Florida and wiping down our luggage with Lysol wipes. Today I'm going to deal with my purses, shoes and incidentals I missed yesterday.

Friday's other projects:

• wash bed linens and blankets (almost done)
• drive by the new house
• do a little outdoor spring clean-up
• re-visit remaining work in the attic
• fill the trash barrel for Monday
• watch Frozen -- I made the phrase "let it go"  my mantra some time ago but have never seen the movie

For me, the isolation was worse when I was laboring alone in the attic and basement in the weeks before Christmas and during the month of February. However, I will soon begin to miss my lap swimming at the Y and a much needed trip to the hair salon. I did cut my own bangs a few days ago, not very well (no pictures, pease), but good enough for someone who will not be going out any time soon. The Governor's stay-at-home order takes effect just before midnight.

A Long Day Going Home

I was on edge for a week, worried that we would never get out of Florida. Before leaving for home on Monday, March 23, our friends from Wisconsin gave us a frozen cherry pie, barbecued chicken legs, unopened bags of romaine lettuce, tomatoes, a bottle of wine (which I drank all by myself over a couple of days).

I didn't clean the fridge until I was fairly sure our flight would leave on Wednesday morning. I left unopened items in the fridge and on the kitchen table. We dressed for Florida in shorts and left the condo shortly after 8:30 a.m. For the third time, we had to go through the Byway toll without paying the $1.00 toll -- the sign reads something like "Drive through without stopping. You will be billed.". If that happens, the rental agency Budget will bill us, I'm sure. A hassle.

The drive to TPA was a straight shot on 275, with only a little traffic. Smooth car return and check-in before the shuttle to the terminal. The skycap told us that 500, rather than usual 50,000, were expected at the airport that day.

Sure enough, there were only a dozen or so passengers at the gate. We'd decided to fly first class to ensure "social distancing", but it was totally unnecessary. Our flight left at about 12:30 p.m., only a little late. No drinks at all, except water. I really needed a cup of coffee, since I hadn't had time for one before we left. The snack box was pretty good (the hummus box for me; the salami one for Bob). I packed the uneaten snacks in my purse. We watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood during the flight -- great movie. Bob wore the N95 mask Chris had sent us UPS, but I had to take mine off, as I couldn't stand the feeling around my head.

Pouring rain at MSP. This usually busy hub was almost empty. We were the first fare for our cabbie, who had been at the airport for about 13 hours! Not ideal transportation, but we had to get home. With no traffic, we were soon in the door.  I immediately threw all my clothes in the hamper and changed.

So good to be in the door, doing normal things like changing the clocks to DST.

The Nanday Parakeets

I'd been trying to get a good photo of a Nanday parakeet since our first visit to St. Pete Beach over a decade ago. Until this year, I would see and hear them regularly at Passe-A-Grille and, later, across the street on the TradeWinds grounds. They are hard to shoot because they're mostly in constant motion. The noise -- which makes me laugh -- is awful!

For a few years, Passe-A-Grille was difficult to access because of extensive infrastructure projects that included roads, sewers and palm tree planting. The birds must have decided to move up the beach, because I haven't seen or heard one in that area since we arrived three weeks ago. They're all here, I think.

Several times a day, the flock travels around our building, screeching the entire way. Two of them seems to have decided to nest together, perhaps in the large palm tree under our condo. They are quieter, heads together, chattering cheerfully, looking totally smitten with each other.

Coronavirus Panic

When we arrived on March 1, we were a little concerned about Coronavirus. By yesterday, after listening to the President's rambling press conferences for a week, we and others are feeling very uneasy.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz closed schools, bars, restaurants, salons etc. early in the week. Most places of worship cancelled public events and made streamed services available. Archbishop Hebda of the St. Paul Minneapolis archdiocese issued a letter in which he explained the suspension of public liturgies.

In Florida, action seemed to take a little longer. As COVID-19 cases increased in Miami, the jitters became apparent here on the Gulf Coast. Restaurants began to offer curbside pick-up and delivery, but bars and restaurants weren't closed until yesterday. Beaches in Pinellas County closed at 11:59 p.m. yesterday, but I noticed a few beachwalkers this morning.

We haven't been inside a bar or restaurant for at least 10 days. As someone with a "compromised immune system", I am particularly aware of how easily I seem to come down with any kind of virus or infection -- so I began to "self isolate" earlier than most. I was ready to book a flight home at least five days ago! I didn't care about the "sunk costs" for our vacation rental (not cheap, no refunds).

In the end, we decided to leave a week earlier than our planned April 5 departure. After an uneasy night's "sleep", we changed that March 29 departure to Wednesday, March 25. Our Wisconsin neighbors are clearing out on Monday, about 10 days ahead of time. Delta promises some kind of credit for our cancelled flight, but that will take at least 7 days. We dropped $600 for 1st class tickets -- I really didn't like the idea of being squished into a standard seat, where I am always stuck in the middle, usually between two very large people (and I'm not exactly small myself).

The great thing about this is an empty swimming pool! My 7:00 a.m. swim has nearly always been solitary, but even our afternoon dip is quiet, with no more than one or two other swimmers. Yesterday, Bob and I had the entire pool to ourselves for nearly an hour.

These are different times.

Hoarders - Everywhere!

My first stop in St. Pete Beach is always the Dollar Store, where I pick up paper products and cleaning supplies, including splenty of disinfectant. This year, I couldn't find toilet paper, disinfectant wipes, or hand sanitizer for my purse and the car. Apparently people all over the world are hoarding stuff, including toilet paper.

Publix was short of lots of items too, but Norman's Liquors was well stocked. The Sunday farmers' market on Corey Boulevard is closed until April, at the earliest.

The situation became progressively worse as the weeks progressed. Now, at the end of Week 3, we're not even trying. I improvised with baby wipes soaked in Mr. Clean disinfectant spray, which seems to work reasonably well on most surfaces. I have liquid hand soap for every sink. The place has a vague, not unpleasant disinfectant smell.

House for Sale

2048 Goodrich Ave., St. Paul MN  55105.  Since last summer, the plan was to list our house for sale on March 1. In late February, we signed the paperwork with our realtor, Lynn Ault. Lynn soon had pictures taken by her superb photographer and she gave us clear directions on how to leave the house. More cleaning. By the time we closed the door at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, I was spent.

Lynn had an open house that very day and we had three offers right away. By the next day, we had accepted the very first offer we received, from a young couple planning to be married at the end of May. We liked the letter she wrote, and the fact that they plan to raise a family in the house. Seemed like a good fit.

A week later, we had a signed purchase agreement. And so, just like that, the "house for sale" became "sale pending".

No 2020 Florida Blog

Most years I publish a Florida blog, but somehow I just couldn't get my act together after creating the basic design. January and February were rough months: I came down with a bad cold shortly after Christmas and missed almost an entire month of swimming. By the time I recovered, I had fallen far behind in the big decluttering project.

My goal had been to be done by the end of January, but I was nowhere near finished. In February, Bob got on board with the effort and started on the workbench area of the basement. He has lived in that house for 55 years, so there was much accumulation, including an ancient sander (so heavy!), a lot of unused tools, and repurposed kitchen cabinets that were built with the house in  1919.

Too much to deal with for two people! As I evaluated the many items on three floors that we didn't want, I spent a couple of sleepless nights wondering what to do. I couldn't deal with the idea of trying to sell it off piecemeal, so I decided to get pricing rom a couple of junk collectors.

Junk360.com  gave me a good bid. A few days later, a couple of guys arrived and spent several hours hauling out a huge corner desk in the office, a heavy loveseat hide-a-bed, an elliptic machine, and a basement full of wood, steel, boards and everything I pulled down from the rafters. The removal gave me a huge lift -- I realized we could indeed get the job done.

We cleaned, pitched, and made many trips to the Goodwill, right up until our departure for Florida on March 1. By the end of February, I was hardly sleeping at all and was, predictably enough, quite manic. Had at least one major meltdown over nothing.

I was too jumpy and unfocused to write anything at all ... until now. And, of course, there is much to report.

Happy 2020!

2020 has a nice ring to it! How the year will unfold is still a mystery, but I feel excited at the prospect of its challenges and full of hope for the future.

2019 was a good year too. On Flag Day, Melissa and Chris welcomed Agnes Cecelia to their happy family. Aggie is a happy, smiley baby who fits right in to our large family. A few weeks ago at the Hennessey Christmas party, (granddaughter) Kaitlyn's son Marcus -- 12-year-old baby whisperer -- picked her up when she got fussy and the cheery baby magically re-appeared.

Last summer we decided to take the plunge and make a move to a new neighborhood in Lake Elmo, a St. Paul suburb much closer to several of the kids' households. Bob's son Scott artfully guided us through the dozens of choices we had to make. I am especially happy with the open floor plan in the new house and the light that will fill the new space.  Groundbreaking on our new home is next week, if all goes well, we'll sell our existing house in the spring and move  in June or early July.