Once again I have to do the "yes, I'm getting the shower thing together" con job on my caretaker who was dubious about taking the job sans shower. I got all the shower parts and pretended to try to put it in but just left them in the bathroom on display. He said he would put the shower in but that will be the big reveal whether or not he too will succumb to tub life or will a shower be put in my 1907 home for the first time in 110 years.
First stop- Auburn. Had lunch with my friend Velvet who is from Monterey but just moved here. Her new house is great and right near downtown. We walked to Cherry records. The owner has been selling records for about 30 years and I tried to get him to name his favorite record, but he wouldn't commit. Found a John Mayall record for 9.95. My first vintage find, but this find is for me and not my antiques shop. Velvet gave me a jar of olives she cured from her tree, I gave her some Happy Girl Kitchen jam. Thought she'd like something from her old home.
It was hot there and I started peeling off my coastal clothes.
Drove to Dyer, Nevada where my brother lives. Made it by 7:30. No traffic and you have to remember to NOT use your blinker, because no one is around.
As soon as I turned up the dirt road Chance perked up and began moaning like he does when we approach the beach. He lives free out here in the desert. No picking up dog poop and he runs wild with my brother's dogs. The dog food bin is at his disposal the pond is all his. He stays outdoors all day and collapses inside at night.
My brother's place is an oasis. It sits like Oz up at the base of the White Mountains just east of the Sierras. He has trees and roses and vegetable gardens. He's the one with the big round wooden tub. I'm the only one that uses it. His home is rustic and beautifully built. His stairway is made from one log. His sinks are all wood. It's his man cave. his wife lives next door in a regular house. I love hanging out with him at the boys club. He has projects laid out everywhere. There's a ham radio with all the police communications and locals talking back and forth. This is the least populated county in the lower 48. The nearest grocery store is 75 miles away in Tonapah. It's a massive beauty with the snowcapped mountains and the sloping valley. It never feels lonely here; the locals socialize a great deal. Tomorrow we're going to a garage sale. My brother is excited about it.
A wild horse sauntered across the highway on my drive.
I'm thinking about all the things I forgot and what I forgot to do at the house.
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