Wednesday, July 3, 2013

IWSG: A View To A Grill



                                                                            
The 4th of July has always been the beginning of the end of the summer for me. It seems that the days grow shorter, and the first day of school is right around the corner. Then it's back to being an empty nester, and facing the novel that I vowed to write before I turned forty more than a decade ago.

In the meantime, distractions are always welcome. It seems that everyone is searching for something. For example, someone who is definitely not my son, has been looking for an apartment with two friends. This person found a spacious place that was only four blocks away from his new office. Then one of the young men began to have second thoughts. It didn't make any sense. The apartment was in the heart of the city with hardwood floors, new appliances, large closets, three bedrooms and two and a half baths. The three amigos could spend days without even seeing each other if they wanted to. I was outraged (even though I wasn't related to anyone involved), and demanded an explanation. The person who is definitely not my son replied, "He didn't like that the bedrooms didn't have any windows." I countered, "Are you a bat?"

First double negatives and now no windows? Maybe it was my fault. I never once asked if there were windows in the bedrooms. I was focused on safety, location, and industrial strength toilets. You always want more for your children, and by "children" I mean all children. Fortunately, they found another place a week later. When I asked what he liked most about it he said, "The windows."

Coincidentally, we've been talking about replacing our windows for a long time. When our new neighbors bought the house next door, they told us that their bathroom window came crashing down as soon as they opened it. Since our house was also built over twenty years ago, we didn't want to take any chances. Measurements were taken in May, and the installation process began in early June.

Unfortunately, I made another huge mistake. I attempted to open up a previously sticky window that still wouldn't budge. To make matters worse, I had the nerve to do this before the installers were able to sneak out of the house.

I didn't realize that you had to pay extra for windows that opened. Instead of quietly enjoying the view, I had to stir things up. It's better to breathe in the fumes from athlete's feet, than to smell the flowers, or catch a whiff of the neighbor's barbecuing. Why is it that everyone else's outdoor grilling always smells better? Maybe I should find out if that cave is still available. I wouldn't even need a computer, as I could etch out my novel directly on the walls.


If you would like to learn more from writers who have achieved their goals, and still have the nerve to complain about it visit our leader   Alex J. Cavanaughand the other talented members of the   Insecure Writer's Support Group.


46 comments:

  1. No windows - really odd. Glad they found a better place.
    You're right - other people's BBQs always smell better.

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  2. Very interesting outlook. As for the beginning of the end of Summer I think we've had about 4 summer days so far. I enjoyed the read and look forward to next month.

    Yvonne.

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  3. Ha! Always fun to stop by for one of your stories. I always feel a certain sense of comfort as I settle in to see what happened.
    "Are you a bat?"
    Too funny!
    ~Just Jill

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  4. What kind of place has no windows in the bedrooms? Holy stuffiness Batman.

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  5. i would invite you to the cave but it does have some windows. however smell to dwarf's socks is always present. :D

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  6. This made me chuckle, Julie. I know I couldn't cope without windows (more double negatives?) and yes, anything that actually works these days is an optional extra. Windows that really open? Hmmm. asking too much indeed :-) A fun post, Julie. My nestlings have long stopped listening to their old mother, so now they tell me what to do!

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  7. My second apartment had no windows in the bedroom. I LOVED it. Then again, I was eighteen.

    http://www.elsieiswriting.com

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  8. LOL I cracked about about the bat question. And you're so right, other people's cook-outs always smell so good and yet when we do them it always seems like nothing special.
    I feel the same way about the 4th. It always feels like from here on out the rest of the year goes by so quickly.

    Enjoy the holiday, Julie! :)

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  9. Love it! Great post - it cheered me up a lot! :-)

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  10. Bats Alive!
    The bat reference made me think of the time a bat flew in through the window from an outside mango tree, and landed at the bottom of my bed... I don't know who was more terrified - me or the creature... well, that's obviously a post brewing...
    Happy 4th July! Enjoy your day, Julie.
    Writer In Transit

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    1. Michelle - I would have been absolutely horrified if a bat flew in my house. You are much braver than I am. How did you get rid of it? I guess I'll have to read the story to find out...
      Thanks Michelle, and I hope you have a good weekend too!

      Julie

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  11. Alex - It was a loft that had windows in the living room, and kitchen, but not in the bedrooms. I'm also glad they found something else.

    Yvonne - It's been very cool here too. I'm just happy when it isn't raining. Hope it warms up soon by you. Thanks Yvonne!

    Jill - I'm glad that coming here is like slipping on an old pair of shoes! Thanks so much Jill!

    Delores - You hit the nail on the head Girl Wonder!

    MollyMom - Nice to meet you, and I'll stop over soon!

    Al - I'm sure that your cave is much nicer, and at this point I wouldn't even mind the lingering scent of dwarf's socks!

    Val - It is tough when they stop listening to our advice, so I'm glad that his friend didn't want to live there. Hopefully, our windows will be fixed soon. Thanks Val!

    Elsie - Just being on your own at eighteen was a pretty big deal, and that was already your second apartment?! I'm impressed that you were so independent at a young age, though I know it couldn't have been easy.

    Julie - Have a wonderful holiday too! You have so much to celebrate Julie!

    Linda - I'm glad this cheered you up. I hope that everything is okay. Thanks Linda and take care!

    Julie

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  12. Windows are the souls to our eyes. Or something like that. Anyway, a good view is great, but fresh air is irreplaceable when you're talking about three bachelors sharing an apartment. :D

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  13. I am sorry the 4th seems like the beginning of the end of summer. I feel as though summer is just upon us. Anyway, of course everyone else's BBQ smells better! Some funny lines. Have a great 4th!

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  14. Luanne - I couldn't agree more! A good airing out might keep it from smelling like the morning after at a frat house!

    JJ - I just meant that the summer always flys by after the 4th. It's sweater weather here, so maybe it will be warm in October. Thanks, and have a fun 4th too JJ!

    Julie

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    1. Sorry, Julie. Just having a bummer day. Enjoy!

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    2. JJ - You are a wonderful husband and father who only deserves good things.

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  15. Like you, I have always comsidered the 4th of July to be the beginning of the end of summer. Everything seems to go by so fast after that and before you know it, they are advertising Christmas sales.

    A room without windows is a closet. Glad they found the light.

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    1. Arleen - Well, a closet definitely sounds better than a cave! That is exactly how the realtor should have listed it in the first place. Wise words Arleen!

      Julie

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  16. LOL! Pay extra for windows that open. That's funny :)

    Happy 4th to you!

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    1. Julie - I hope you have a great 4th too! Thank you for following me!

      Julie

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  17. I too prefer windows that open. Being as college kids spend gobs of time in the bedroom, I can understand why he wanted windows. Then again, I can't understand why he wouldn't want the privacy. Oh, well. Glad they landed somewhere good, even though I'm definitely not related to them.

    Have a great holiday weekend, Julie.
    xoRobyn

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  18. I need some new windows in my house. I guess I need to check on the price difference between windows that open and windows that don't. :)

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  19. Hi Julie,

    Firstly, I want to thank you for being involved with the "IWSG" aka "I Was Seeking Gary". All this fuss over me, yes me, shy and humble me, has brought a tear to my eye :)

    I um feel your 'pane'. Also, a warning about double-glazed windows. They take twice as long to clean.

    Happy Fourth, y'all!

    Gary :)

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  20. Robyn - From what I've heard this person may or may not be in college. Thanks for being so caring about people that you're not even related to! Wouldn't it be funny if you were actually related to one of his roommates? Hope you're having a great holiday weekend too Robyn!

    Jeff - Well if you weren't so demanding, I'd recommend the wonderful company we used!

    Gary - Thanks for reminding me that they charged extra for panes too! Of course I was seeking you today to wish you a very happy birthday Gary!

    Julie



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  21. Hi Julie .. I've heard similar before and thought how crazy to have windows that don't open, or a place without many/any windows - ghastly .. glad all is settled I hope -

    Happy Fourth of July .. cheers Hilary

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  22. Here's hoping all your windows are now fully functional!
    Hope your 4th was awesome :)

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  23. Hilary - This was our own personal "comedy of errors," and I'm sure that there will be more episodes to follow. Thanks Hilary, and have a wonderful weekend!

    Carol - Fingers crossed! We did have a fun 4th, and I hope that you're enjoying the long weekend!

    Julie

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  24. Not to take this mystery person's side, but I wouldn't want a room without windows either.

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    1. Rhonda - Actually it was his roommate who wanted the bedroom windows, and I sided with him. I wasn't aware of the situation until they decided to look for another place. Fortunately, it all worked out for the "mystery man," and his roommates!

      Julie

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  25. I've also skipped on nice places to live in because my room would lack windows.

    Used to live in a place where the house had been extended in such a way that a room stood before my window.

    Now I hate not having sunlight streaming in.

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  26. The end of the summer is coming. I saw Back to School sales at Walmart.
    And that is sad.

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  27. Misha - I also love bright and sunny places. It must have been interesting when a "room stood before your window."

    Al - Any excuse to skedaddle over to Walmart is a good one! Right Al?!

    Julie

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  28. For some strange reasons, I like windows. I find them to be a way for the homeowner to express themselves.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  29. New windows are worth their cost. After having them installed, our neighbors seemed much farther away at night. And the boy with the drum set in his garage is less annoying.

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  30. Windows are nice. I especially thought so when I worked in a windowless office. And yes, everyone's bar-b-que always smells so much better.

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

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  31. Gina - You are absolutely right about windows!

    Susan - You probably couldn't hear yourself think living next door to a drummer! Glad that their windows are doing what they're supposed to!

    Shelly - It must have been depressing working in a windowless office. I always wonder what other people are grilling, and how you can smell it a mile away.

    Julie

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  32. Windows are expensive, but you'll be glad you spent the money on them later.

    Here's to more bar-b-ques this summer no matter who's having them. :-)

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    1. Lee - I hope to once they are in working order! Thanks Lee!

      Julie

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  33. HOpe you get your windows in order soon!ooh BBQ! I just recently did a post on some grilling tips.
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  34. Windows are worth the investment! You'll thank you're lucky stars during the Zombie Apocalypse!

    Hugs!

    Valerie

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  35. Nutschell - My husband is a grill master, so I can't wait to share your tips with him!

    Valerie - You can never be prepared enough when that happens!

    Julie

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  36. Windows can certainly brighten up a room, although good shades are also nice for challenging that burst of light rushing into your room in the morning acting as the second alarm clock. =)


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    1. Great line about the "second alarm clock!" Thanks Cynthia!

      Julie

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