Scott called yesterday morning, wondering if I had any plans to go to Margo to see Karen. If I did, he needed something for drywalling at a job he was on in Kuroki, and I could drop it off on my way. "But only if you feel like it," he said.

Karen didn't answer her phone but, contrary to popular belief, I would take a drive for Scott's benefit alone. It was a gorgeous sunny day and I packed along a travel mug of hot tea and enjoyed every moment of it, even though by the time I got to the house the pieces (which turned out to be the wrong ones anyway, oops) were to be delivered to, he had already left for another job. Ah well. He'd tried to call but as usual when I'm working on the computer and with dialup, the line had been busy. I keep forgetting to leave my cellphone on so he can get through, which is akin to cutting my own throat because usually he's calling before leaving town to ask if there's anything I need from there.

Leaving the hamlet of Kuroki I noted

the fancy church

and the snowed-in cemetery gates

and about six miles north, a bald eagle flew across the road not terribly high above my (Karen's, I mean) car. I didn't get a picture of that, but was thrilled nevertheless.

Once out and about ("aboot," for the benefit of you Yankee Doodles), I didn't feel like coming home. Instead I drove over to Golden Grain Farm and, while listening to something on the CD player, sat in the car for a few minutes before going in. The garden area is directly behind the house and runs its entire length, then makes a 90-degree angle and runs its width as well. Lots of space for both my flowers and Scott's vegetables. And nice and private. I'll be able to weed and water in the nude.

Inside the house I picked up the broom and gave the floor a sweeping, then listened to myself sing Blue Moon (among other things, and whistling) at the top of my lungs while looking at the walls and wondering what could be done paintwise, taking into account that I (non-adventurously, according to my buddy Cathy) am very partial to the pale mint green in our existing kitchen and will want to enjoy it at the new place, too. It makes me feel good, what can I say.

However, I am open to suggestions, people. As long as there is plenty of my green, I might be willing to use a slightly darker tone on one living room wall or something, if there's a way to use colour to make the room seem larger. I don't know what the options are, having not researched this thing.

Darker colours are all the rage for walls nowadays but these rooms are small and I don't find dark rooms inviting, even when they look really good, as many do. They're visually appealing but I wouldn't be happy spending a lot of time in them: I need a sense of light and space. So, if you can take that into account and still give me colour tips, please do. I'm not interested in becoming a design/colour pro; I just want to get the thing done and be content to live in it.

If you're standing at the kitchen cupboard looking into the living room, here's what you see:

The picture window is on the north wall:

If you're in the living room looking toward the kitchen, here's the view:

We may or may not paint the cupboards; don't know yet. They'll be gone in a few years, but for now they're staying.

Ideas, anyone?

In Joanne and Gerald's bathroom: a crossword puzzle book; a book of Canadian trivia/history; and Jeff Foxworthy's How to Talk Gooder Fastly