This morning we have a trifecta of tradesmen with not only the cabinet installers, but also the plumber and a brace of electricians. Appliances -- fridge, stove and dishwasher -- are due this afternoon. But just as we were getting all excited, the contractor told us that the counter-tops won't come until Thursday. Bummer.

Today we enter the fifth week of Operation Kitchen. The dining-room floor is laid -- not quite the right colour, but we're trying to put that behind us, and the cabinets are built and about 80 percent installed. The door to the ground-floor loo has been installed and most of the pantry is in place. Still to come (as well as counter-tops): the wash-basin and its cabinet in the loo, and door-handles and pulls for all the doors and drawers. When all *that* is done, Patrick the painter will make a return visit.

Oy, I forgot: I chose the wrong colours. I must talk with Patrick ...

While the house is in tumult, life goes on elsewhere. I sang in the chorus in the annual production of Handel's "Messiah" on Saturday evening, the first such concert I have done in years and years. It was a blast; thanks to its theatre festival, Stratford has lots of great musicians. Himself is on a bit of a health kick, working out at the gym, hiking miles and miles, and tracking his diet with an on-line diet diary. About five pounds from now, he will fit into his kilt and Sheriffmuir jacket, an objective for Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, he went to the butcher on Saturday and ordered a goose and a tourtière -- there's no way I'll have time to find a source of ground venison and bake it myself. I must, however, strain every nerve to find a fishmonger who will sell me a salmon appropriate for making gravlax. Stratford lacks a fish supplier, so I might have to go to Kitchener or even London for the right stuff.

With two refrigerators, I won't have to juggle beer and salad makings to make room for the marinating fish. Luxury!