Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
Hiatus
We’re moving.
Packing the office and home will take two days. After that, there will be a day to load, a day to ship . . . altogether, it’s a four-day affair, and we’ll have our stuff back on Saturday. Then we have to unpack & get internet service before Balls & Walnuts will be back in full swing.
I’ll see what I can do from the Blackberry, but I have a sneaking suspicion I’m going to be busy.
***
Today was my last day seeing patients in Crescent City. I came here ten years ago with my wife and not quite three-year-old son, escaping Texas to find a cooler, fire ant-free environment for my family. We’ve loved being here. Honestly, I didn’t think we would ever leave.
I remember my first patient, a crusty gal whom I still see every few months. I wonder if she’ll follow me to Santa Rosa. Several of my patients say they will, and some have even set up appointments. But I guess it’s asking too much of people — after all, it’s a six-hour drive.
I’ll write more about this when I have some perspective. For now, an observation: except for childhood, this is the longest I’ve lived in one place; it’s also the longest I’ve ever worked at one job.
It’s scary. It’s sad.
It’s . . . it’s scad.
See you soon.
D.
So did you rent Dung House or not? Or have I missed something?
Good luck.
Yup, Dung House wants us, despite Karen’s comment about throwing lime on the dead bodies (don’t ask). They’ll allow us to install a window-mounted air conditioner. We figure that will hold us for the year that we are there.
You need to come up with a better name than Dung House.
How about Chez Merde? If you say it real fast, shaymared, people will think it’s some exotic word in a foreign language, something that means ‘palace in the mountains’ or ‘the love god’s favoured concubine’.
I had in mind something reminiscent of Animal House. Only, “Dung House” is what remains after the animals have all left.
I’m hoping that dung-y aroma was a one time deal. Place smelled fine the next day; was that the exception, or the rule?