The Digest 10/08/2025

Writing

Mrs L threw a spanner in the works:

Everyone notices the randomness of the fire. One can walk down a street and find a pair of houses a few feet apart. One has been completely gutted by the fire, while its neighbour stands untouched.

Writer, interrupted.Stuart Lennon

But I did get some time to fritter some more money on stationery.

Soho. No, not that one.

I bought it for its vertical week to view diary pages, their utility superseding even the telephone number for Cowes Week.

Writer, interrupted.Stuart Lennon

Reading

I finished "There are Rivers in the Sky" by Elif Shafak and enjoyed it. I'm now onto "Civil Disobedience and Other Essays" by Henry Thoreau and "The Life-changing Magic of Tidying" by Marie Kondo.

Home Maintenance

Not exactly my forte. The washing machine drained, filling the sink next to it. Ah. something is blocked, I thought. Bravely, I lifted the inspection hatches between the house and the septic tank, channeling my inner dyno-rod-man. Me being me, I thoroughly cleaned the wrong line before realising my mistake and getting to the right one. I repeated the process, including having to lift a hatch in my office (which used to be a carport). At this point, it became obvious to me that the blockage was much much closer to the sink itself. I had cleaned two long lines of pipe, and had started at the wrong end. Oh good.

I cleared and cleaned the trap. Next, I deployed baking soda and vinegar, which made a satisfying sizzle, but had no real impact that I could discern. Then came some commercial drain unblocker, which made me feel like some sort of evil chemist from a Marvel comic. Scary. Dramatic, but no real effect. Finally, I went old school. Enter, the plunger. Ominous sonorous rumbles ensued and whatever the block was, disappeared. I completed a victory lap of the utility room. Why does nobody ever see me actually manage to get something sort of right?

Admin

I keep discovering items burned by ashes and embers from the fire, which necessitates checking to see if I have the receipt (I don't) and then trying to find a similar item online so that I can add a line to the draft insurance claim. Boring as heck, but better than the alternative.

MRS L being in hospital has created a new routine. visiting hours are fixed, so everything works around that. It's hot as Hades at the moment, so the dogs are interested only in air-conditioning, which does make them easier to manage. Hopefully, as this gets published, Mrs L will be getting discharged and coming home.

Now that will be a reason to celebrate!

People like you support my writing. Sign up for my free newsletter. Become a paid member, and get access to all my writing, including anything I publish, and a Member's Slack.