Stilly, when the air-conditioner was moved to allow construction of a window well, we were warned that moving it could kill it. Much to everyone’s surprise, the damnable thing just kept ticking and ticking.

But it’s still 31 years old and way beyond the end of the normal service life of such a machine, and its coolant is now illegal in Canada. So its days are numbered, and I’d rather schedule its demise than be surprised.

The basement windows are now clearly visible and visibly decrepit — almost certainly original to the house. Yet another capital project!