Tacking into Headwinds

Today's blog headline is a reference to the days of sailing ships. When the winds were coming from the direction you wanted to sail, and were trying to blow you back where you came, instead of where you wanted to go, you sailed crosswise to the winds. You progressed sideways (say left), and a little … Continue reading Tacking into Headwinds →

Deconstruction Rather Than Demolition

Today's blog post feature the above photos from At The Rainbow showing the deconstruction that is part of the restoration work . The main picture shows the slow process of lowering the roof of the burned section, attempting a controlled collapse, so that no one gets hurt and nothing important gets damaged. Elementary and advanced … Continue reading Deconstruction Rather Than Demolition →

A Look Ahead: the “Lights are Back on Open House”

Here is my latest attempt to: blog (regularly), and update on the progress of rebuilding "At the Rainbow" (our house/home that was devastated by a fire on Aug. 6 (set by an arsonist). It is now over three months, and we finally know what is needed to be allowed legally back into our house. The … Continue reading A Look Ahead: the “Lights are Back on Open House” →

Old Hymns on hold

I know it has been a long time since I have recorded and posted any songs from my childhood hymnal Great Hymns of the Faith, but at the moment I expect it to be awhile longer yet. I have been considering restarting that blog feature for, well, quite awhile, really, but as you can see … Continue reading Old Hymns on hold →

On the one side, then again, on the other side …

The demolition project is progressing, focusing on a section of the house damaged by fire. Photos show varying damage levels on different sides, with plans to convert the area into a walkout deck. To legally re-enter the house, two permits are needed, with estimated costs around $10,000 to achieve within 28 days.

Dr. Geoff Wilcken

(Note: the below is a draft of a post I had started in May of 2023. At that time I couldn't know that I had but a few more months of peace at Gloria Dei before being sent once more out as a religious refugee. So read the below, with the accuracy of hindsight, to … Continue reading Dr. Geoff Wilcken →

Through The Legal Labyrinth

It seems hard for me to believe that it has been almost three weeks since I posted a blog. I keep on thinking of things to write about, on our recovery from arson journey, but let the work of the journey take up my time and don't write them. The course of the journey, our … Continue reading Through The Legal Labyrinth →

“All Things Come Alike to All …”

I am a cantankerous, obstinate, disagreeable, old man. All my life long I have tried my best to get along with everyone, while being unwilling merely to go along with whatever is going on. If something doesn't seem right, doesn't seem to line up with the truth, I am obstinate about allowing it to pass, … Continue reading “All Things Come Alike to All …” →

Month One

Today marks one month since the arson fire that burned down our home and drastically affected our lifestyle. Right after the fire I projected a year-long (12 month) timeline to get ourselves back into the house. At one point in the month I conjectured a possible three month timeline, with a caveat of up to … Continue reading Month One →

Back into flight

Well we came in for a landing, on an aircraft carrier that got hit by a torpedo right after, but we were able to get back into flight before the ship sank, but not without moderate damage. I am not sure what the scam was, nor why my friend thought it was permissible to betray … Continue reading Back into flight →