Home again, home again, jiggity jig...

We pulled in last Thursday evening late, almost seven months late, in fact.

The house was still here - mouldering away from massive roof leaks caused by the lack of heat all winter allowing ice to tear off the 30 year-old shingles all over the North side.

The lawn is no longer in evidence. Instead, a wild meadow of chest-high grasses and sedges hold sway over an understory of all the noxious weeds you can imagine.

The feral cat population was not in evidence, unless you count a gregarious tortoise shell yearling and an orange ghost that was the yearling's only kitten last fall. The other dozen either departed for warmer environs or met an automobile at an inopportune time. All of which concerned the new, gung-ho animal control officer who disturbed my Sunday nap no small amount.

The local electric monopoly refuses to provide power over to camp until a new pole is installed (+/- a grand) to replace the one snapped off at the base by winter winds. The lawn there is knee high, but so many limbs and leaves that mowing is presently impossible. The roof lost a tarp that was covering an area stripped of shingles (remember, we were going to be gone for two weeks with maybe an additional week in travel). Inside is a ruined ceiling and wall very reminiscent of the interior of many of the homes in New Orleans post-Katrina.

No job prospects. Fuel oil estimated to be over $4.00 a gallon this fall.

Heading South is looking better all the time...