Spring 2014 schedule

I was getting frustrated that nothing has happened with our place since I left a few years ago, even though I traded Aaron the truck to install a septic tank and he never did it. I've called him many many times, and finally gave up and told him I was tired of trying to do it the Bahamian way with a handshake and hoping for the best, and was going to have to pursue other methods if he didn't get his shit together. I didn't press it harder sooner, because I knew we couldn't get back there because of the new babies. But still, on the other hand, a deal is a deal, and get your shit together if someone pays you to do something, right? Even for "island time," that's crazy slow.

Anyway, he called last night, and explained some delays and hardships, but took responsibility and said  that his reasons were not excuses, which I can appreciate. He offered to call every week and check in and tell me if there is progress or not, and hopes to start in earnest within a month.

He also told me the hill above the house (the potential landslide) had not deteriorated as badly as I'd heard, that there were trees growing out of what had been the foundation trenches we dug in the stone, and the place is overgrown. Mice had broken in and eaten our dry food. He said he's going to go clean that out and clean it up. I told him to get the septic/toilet done first, but that I appreciate it.

I gave the Bonito to Ton after his accident. We were in a dialogue about him buying it when it happened, and when Walter was killed. Ton's hands are  mended now, and his brother too, who was in the car that hit them. He's in good spirits, and seems as though it never happened from my distance. I thought he should have the boat, and it will be taken care of better if it's in use than if it sits, and he agreed to let me or my guests use it whenever we're there, and he uses it the rest of the time and maintains it. It seems like a win/win.

Walter's sister Audrey went down to collect his things after he died, and to say goodbye, but most of his things were stolen. There are some very poor people passing through, sometimes. Haitians with not a thing in the world, often. For that reason, it is hard to hold a grudge. These people take logs, dig them out, and start paddling north from Haiti. If you look at a globe, and imagine that, you'll likely shit your pants. How they get the guts to do it is beyond me. I guess desperation is the mother of boldness.

Ruth and I have acouple trips planned, one to Germany for her next spring (late spring, likely) and me to Eleuthera to build the other two rooms onto the guest building, to finish the original plan, hopefully gt an occupancy certificate, put a driveway in below it, a set of steps fromt he drive to the building, and paint and side the structure. I understand there is a new government lately, tightening things up, so I should get on that. WIth the boys getting a little more self sufficient, it's going to be more possible. Ton and Whiskey can entertain each other, and Rudeboy being off of the teat and onto the the bottle, maybe solid food by then, and crawling, things will hopefully be at least barely manageable for Ruth and Phyllis when I'm gone.

As far as the main building goes, I've rethought the idea a bit, including that I want a Bahamian architect to draw it, as I think it might go more smoothly if I do. I've also considered a book that Randy Brummitt planted in my head about a cement dome house. Hurricane proof, kinda.

I'll be in touch. If anyone is reading this, say so.

Love,
Jack