Author Archives: tbavendam

While we had planned to go to Franklin KY today for their May Day protest, Craig has a bad cough and was up most of the night so we did not go. My Social Security phone appointment was supposed to be 2 PM so I set my alarm for 145 so I could be ready.Continue reading “Social Security came through”

We were excited when we saw this posted on the Mobilize Us website. After attending the “round table” we are still mystified by the seeming lack of veteran presence there and at the two protests we have attended so far. I learned on a recent podcast that 60% of veterans supported Trump and 40% didContinue reading “Democracy is HARD”

We drive north 20 miles to Franklin KY for excellent massages. Nancy, our massage therapist is a very active member of the community of 9,000 people. She is first rate promoter of their community events. One of our early dates was to see a production of Steel Magnolias – the musical in a small dinnerContinue reading “A Model of Community Engagement in Franklin KY”

When I got to Tools yesterday morning, I heard that my wood working mentor Harry had fallen and broken his pelvis and was in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Harry must be 93 now so I was quite concerned. I had brought in a loaf of banana bread for him as he usually comes in forContinue reading “I want to be like Harry when I grow up”

Every few months, the Tools crew has a lunch – pizza or sandwiches which is a nice time to socialize rather than just work. Yesterday it provided an opportunity for Craig to deliver the metal washing machine that he built. It was so fun to watch him demonstrate his creation to the group. There isContinue reading “Here’s another challenge for Craig”

I was not able to weigh in last week because the scale at the condo needed a battery. When I weighted on Saturday, I had lost 3.5 pounds over 2 weeks. My appetite is definitely diminished. I am eating less and being pretty active so this rate of weight loss seems quite slow. Next weekContinue reading “Wegovy Week 7”

This is the dead hedge we built 2 weeks ago. It is a V-shape and extends in both directions beyond the picture. In the bottom right corner of the picture, there is a bit of red clay dirt that can be seen with a stick at the bottom edge. This is the bottom of theContinue reading “Can we outsmart Mother Nature?”

While I was in Nashville Thursday Craig was repairing the driveway by moving gravel from the bottom of the hill and spreading it across the parts that were washed out. The driveway was ready for compacting. Friday, he had to make an unexpected trip to Nashville VA because one of his hearing aids broke. IContinue reading ““Did you turn the switch on?””

We were up early and drove the 30 minutes north to Franklin KY where we get massages. We each got an hour massage and then headed to Nashville. We drove to James and Natalie’s so Natalie could drop us off at West End Avenue. The event was scheduled for 12-2 PM and was adjacent toContinue reading “Sidewalk Protest in Nashville”

Last Wednesday we started helping James and Natalie renovate their deck. We knew it had solid support underneath but the floor, railing and stairs needed work. Initial thought was that it might just need to all be replaced but after a good power washing it was clear that much of the wood of the deckContinue reading “A busy week”