Wow, Penny, that is impressive! One of these days I need to have the brick on the back of my house repointed - that involves taking out some of the crumbling part and re-grouting it. I could buy an expensive tool (a larger version of your linked tool) but I suspect it would take me forever to do it myself. This is the kind of job I'll hire out - one of these days. (Perhaps when I win the lottery.)

Waiting on the branch removal guy. Supposed to be here nearly 2 hours ago. I went out early and got cash to pay him (I am certain he doesn't take credit cards and I suspect even checks are a challenge). Nice guy, low tech.

I'm still working on stuff as a followup to the trip. Washing the blankets my son used in the dorm, getting all of this stuff ready for packing and taking out for next fall. I've also been laundering the thrift store clothes and adding them to my closet. Cleaning the kitchen, clearing up paper on my desk, etc. I came home to the kitchen table with about half of the space filled with the rest of the antique china - I'll set up another big piece and see if I can attract more attention from collectors. It is a lot easier to sell specific pieces the way I did the market them one at a time, but I have to attract attention first so they know to contact me. I'll say something to the effect that I will work with them to send specific pieces in a "buy it now" sale if they are interested. Saves us both time.

I keep hearing mechanical "thumps" and look outside to see if the battered pickup and trailer have arrived, but I think I'll be hearing those thumps for a long time - a new school is being built on the other side of the village, on the other side of our woods.

SRS