16 April 2011

An overcast, totally raw day, made even rawer by having to put my hands into 40° water every few minutes to scrub the dirt off rocks destined for the between-columns walls.  By lunchtime not even hot soup could take the chill off.  Got six sections done (laid and parged) by 4 o’clock when the forecast storm hit with a vengeance – 40 mph winds and sleet.  Enough!  While making dinner, decided to ignite the oven pilot light in preparation for baking Alex’s birthday cake.  Discovered, much to my dismay, that taking up the lower half of the oven is a huge mouse nest, twin to the one removed from above the microwave on Tuesday.  How do they even get into the oven?!?!  Grabbed the 2005 deLorimier Cabernet Sauvignon and didn’t even bother with a wine glass!  Quite a nice vintage, but meant to be sipped, not gulped.