My fingernails are filthy

...I've got beach tar on my feet
and I miss my clean white linens
and my fancy French cologne...
-Joni Mitchell

For the last three weeks I have been building and remodeling every day without a break. I built a deck, retrimmed a living room, removed an a/c unit, ripped out kitchen cabinets, plastered, sanded and painted. Most of it has been filthy work. The last two weeks have been uncharacteristically hot and humid for June in Los Angeles, which makes the physical work more exacting and dirty. I'm sore and all dinged up, but I can tell my body's stronger, my wallet's fatter, and I love being in the company of the woman for whom I am working. She's a yoga teacher friend of mine, a brilliant, funny, beautiful, and exceedingly kind Aussie.

We are beginning phase two of the house project next Monday, but until then I plan to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. At least nothing that requires to do anything resembling construction work. Not because I dislike it, but because I need to rest myself. So, I will be poolside, reading and writing, beating my dog who chased a skunk late last night after I got home after a 12 hour plus day, hanging down on the Franklin strip, practicing yoga, and generally enjoying myself.