This morning as I was trying to talk myself into throwing off the warm covers and getting out of bed, I heard the ducks/geese fly overhead.
About that time Ivy comes walking around the perimeter of my mattress. Always around 7 to 7:30. Then if I don’t get up, she starts to meow.
As a last resort she will go to wherever a telltale lump is covered up with a sheet or quilt, which of course is Charlie. She will touch the covers and send him into a snapping fit. So I try to avoid that.
I can appease her for awhile by petting her and putting my hand under the covers and slowly moving it, which drives her crazy. Because you know how a cat will jump at anything that moves.
Listening To:
This morning I am listening to Peter Kater’s “Wings.”
2018 Grammy Winning Pianist-Composesr, Peter Kater, presents a passionate and alluring recording that is rhapsodic and abundant with emotion. “Wings” soars, swoops and dives deep into the heart and soul of the listener.
Inside Of Cover:
I enjoyed composing and recording this album so much. It felt like there was so much emotion that wanted to come through. As I started to work on this album I noticed a theme in my life of “wings” everywhere.
In the art that I was drawn to, the birds that showed up during my time in Nature and the concept or fantasy of having wings emotionally, spiritually and even physically filled my thoughts.
I hope you love the music on this album as much as I do. I pray that it elevates, rejuvenates and inspires you to be more fully present in your Self and your Life. With Love and Aloha – PETER
A Resident I Talked To Outside:
This morning I was cleaning the storm door and saw a guy I know lived down about three four-plexes from me. But suddenly I’ve been seeing him park and go into an apartment on the other side.
He was walking his dog Daisy down in front of my place, and I asked him if he’d moved. And he said yes.
He told me that there were snakes in the wall and ceiling of his previous apartment. And that they’d come up through some sort of pipe from outside.
He said he tried to work with management to do something. But all they’d do was (I believe he said) put moth balls in there. Whatever it was never got rid of them.
So finally he moved to a two-bedroom on the other side. He’d lived in his previous one bedroom apartment about six years.
I simply do not understand why they don’t do things right here. Maybe it’s that way all over. Companies just ignoring the plight of residents and raking in the money.
Things Never Seem To Change:
We’ve had several owners and many different managers and maintenance workers.
It’s not like they do hardly any improvements. They talk about it and promise us things, but it never seems to materialize.
I guess I stay here for the same reason many do. Fear that the next place will be worse. And the money you’d have to spend to move and the amount of rent you’d have to pay.
And now there’s COVID-19 to consider as well.
I’ve got it pretty quiet here, which makes me afraid to move someplace else where there might be more noise to deal with.
My next door neighbors and the guy behind me aren’t home much. And the only real noise I hear is when the trash truck goes down the alley beyond the fence.
Sometimes I wish I could find a tiny little house to rent that wasn’t outrageously priced and where there wasn’t a big yard. I like having the size patio I have now to take care of.
And then I have to consider the amount of money I’ve put into my place over the nearly seven years I’ve lived here. I’ve got it fixed up pretty much the way I want it.
I think it is not Kendra’s responsibility. I am happy to see you two spending time together. I love what you have done here but you do put up with a bad management company, it seems that is the story now days. We have the same issue in a very expensive condo building, the board and the management!! yikes. But snakes, that is so bad. I hope it works out for you.
OMG, snakes in the walls! As a landlord, I can tell you that’s not normal or very good business, how your complex has been managed (mismanaged) Truly a shame for people like you who take pride in their living spaces and don’t ask for much.
Mercy hope there are not snakes in your ceiling…maybe Ivy hear such? Well, if any drop in, I hope she will quickly dispense with them!!
Could your daughter find you a neat little cottage home someplace?? She certainly is good at making things look very nice!!
Dear Brenda,
you should know that your apartment complex has a massive rodent infestation. Rats and mice are snakes preferred food!
Your children should be thinking about your future and getting you safely ensconced in a small ground floor condo or ranch style house. No stairs or steep driveways. Be forward thinking about what your needs will be. Interest rates are at all time historic lows. I’ve done this type of planning for my parents and almost 20 years ago for my husband and myself (when I was approaching the big 50). Lock in a fixed mortgage; rents always go up!
Doesn’t it get cold and snow where you live? That’s probably why the snakes are indoors… because of the warmth. The snakes are worrisome enough but what would concern me is why are they there? I’m guessing (from watching TV) they must have some sort of food source keeping them there… mice? So, to me the problem could be even bigger than what he thought and I think he made the best decision and moved.
Peter Kater used to work with R. Carlos Nakaii ~ a Native American flautist. Not your beloved piano music, but VERY soothing! Check out his album “Canyon Trilogy” ~ truly beautiful!!
Brenda, thank you so much for your kind comment and offer to help with my new blog! I am having the designer look at it tomorrow but I will definitely ask you for any an all help if you are able! Thank you, I really appreciate your willingness to help.
As for the snakes, are you kidding me, I would have been petrified! Thankfully he moved, although I wonder if the management took care of the issue before new tenants moved in. I think you are right, especially now, about owners/operators who are not doing what they should for the clients/customers. Thank you for sharing this beautiful music, I hope that you have a wonderful week.
I wish your daughter could find a duplex that needs renovation. If she could afford to buy it she’d have a consistent renter with you and the other side as well. With those two rents it might pay for itself readily. Plus she knows how you take care of things and you’d always keep an eye on the property. If it had a large yard she could build maintenance of that into the rent. Just thinking. Don’t mean to impose anything more on Kendra but it might be a good financial situation for both of you.
Kendra and Brenda haD a falling out over a property she provided for Brenda years ago. Brenda finally has a relationship with her and there’s no way she’s going to mess that up again!
Snakes in the apartments? I would be petrified! That poor man.
One of my best friends just moved into a 2-bedroom 1 bath quad home. It’s a neighborhood of older homes. All one level. I went over there the other day to help her unpack. Love her new place. It’s quiet and private, an over-55 community. She has a private, decent sized patio. And the front of her home overlooks a huge park with beautiful trees in it. The only thing I didn’t like about this place was that the kitchen was one of the smallest I’ve ever seen. Barely enough room for one person. When you open the fridge door, it just skims the counter (where the sink is) behind it.
Your previous post about Jim Brickman made me smile…I’ve been listening to him for many years.
I completely understand why you don’t want to own a home – I really do. So much maintenance, etc. Ugh! Here’s a thought and I’m sure it’s one you’ve considered however maybe Kendra can help you. A small condo/garden home with just a patio to maintain might work for you. When I was searching for a home I wanted a condo/garden home but everything I looked at had one of two problems – the condo fees were too expensive or there were stairs. I will not live with stairs.
With all of that said I’ll just had that you don’t have the problems that your neighbor had and your apartment is cozy and working for you so continue with your contentment. There’s nothing wrong with that, Brenda.
We have lived in our apartment for 18 years. We are on our third owner and third management. We love our apartment and the location and don’t want to move. We are on the third floor and my husband and I are older now. We moved ourselves in 18 years ago when we were younger and stronger. If we moved again there is no way that we could do it ourselves. We would have to hire a moving company.
Brenda – I know talking to Management where you live is futile. But, I am sending you this info from Gardening Know How regarding using mothballs outside as being illegal so you can have it for the future if you have to deal with them. Just FYI.
Using mothballs to repel pests in the garden presents a danger to children, pets and wildlife that visit your garden. Young children explore their surroundings by putting things in their mouth and animals might think they are food. Ingesting even a small amount of the toxic chemicals in mothballs can cause serious harm that requires immediate medical or veterinary attention. Mothballs in gardens also present a risk if you breathe the fumes or get the chemicals on your skin or in your eyes. Using mothballs in gardens also causes significant environmental problems. They usually contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both of these chemicals are highly toxic and can get into the soil and groundwater. These mothball hazards may even harm the plants you are trying to protect.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Mothballs In Gardens: Safe Alternatives To Mothballs For Pest Control https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/mothballs-in-gardens.htm
Thanks for the info!
Hi Brenda
Just listened to one of the songs from Wings. Beautiful music! I’ll be listening to him too. Thanks for recommending him. I play piano but not like that.
On another note: can’t believe your poor neighbor dealing with snakes. I HATE them! I know how much enjoy your home hopefully you can continue without any issues coming up.
Thought reader had a good idea with Kendra finding a small home for you to buy and makeover. 🤔 Don’t know if it’s possible but interesting.
I do not know if I have the energy to move again. Before I can do anything I have to sort everything again here. I was wondering about that repairman, too.
SNAKES???
good lord. I don’t even know what to say!
It would be so nice if Kendra could find a little house with a small yard for you. She could buy it and maybe she would let you rent it!
You are finding some beautiful music. I think you have your place so cute and comfy for you and Ivy and Charlie. It is so much to make moves and like you said you may not get into a place that you feel as comfortable as you do now.
Have a good week. We got 10 inches of snow and it is still coming down. Two big snow storms for us in Illinois this week. Ugh!
I love Peter Kater! I also like the pieces on which he’s partnered with Carlos Nakai. Do you keep in touch with the former maintenance man who has the three children (boys if I remember correctly)?
No, I don’t even know where he moved.
Oh, I thought maybe you had exchanged cell phone numbers.